Ok so I would like to thank you all for coming out early. As you know my father has decided to weed himself out slowly so Finn and I can work our way in. I know the new staffing is a little weird and I appreciate you all staying and working with us. First I would like to introduce you to your new chef. Abigail is a very talented Chef and I am sure she will fit in well. Along with being the Chef, Quinn will be the new Manager. Now if you have any questions please come see any of us. If not that is all for now."
Everyone stood up and walked away. Mercedes stood and walked into the kitchen nervously. She like the setup, the current Chef started 25 years ago when BB's first opened. He was as ready to retire as the Evans's were. She would study under him until she felt she was ready to branch out on her own. She walked over to him. He smiled at her.
"You look how I did my first day."
"I am still not so sure about this."
"Why not?"
"I cook for people I know not complete strangers."
"How about you just start one person at a time. For the most part being a Chef is like commanding troops. You tell everyone how you would like things prepared then you walk around and make sure it is getting done. Now the big things you will do on your own. You will need to leave that fear at the door. It can get stressful and frustrating so you need to remain calm at all times."
"Ok. I can do that."
"So ok. We just got an order for chicken Alfredo. Can you handle it?"
"Yes."
"Ok. Get to work."
As Mercedes worked around the kitchen Sam walked in and watched her. He noticed how she seemed to glide around the kitchen. They hadn't spoken since last week in his parents' house. After being with her guilt; and hurt filled him and he wasn't sure how to handle it. He wanted to stay and talk to her but every time he looked into her eyes that same guilt hit him. How he betrayed her and Alexis. How he wasn't there for his kids. Kids he didn't get to see being born… he didn't get to hold them or kiss them or even name them. No matter how much he wanted her to forgive him a part of him did not feel as if he deserved it.
Mercedes placed the meal on two plates she handed the first one to Chef Jerome. He took a fork and tasted it.
"Wow. This is delicious even better than mines. What did you do differently?"
"I added monetary jack and Colby cheese. Also I used lemon pepper on the chicken."
He motioned for Sam to come over to him. Sam walked over to him and he handed Sam a fork.
"Taste that."
Sam tasted it and his mouth exploded with flavor.
"Wow. This flavor it's incredible."
"I know it's not traditional but I like to experiment."
Chef Jerome smiled.
"Riana and Justice come here and taste this."
They each grabbed a fork.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing just taste it."
They tasted it and smiled.
"Jerome you have finally outdone yourself this is incredible. If you want to make it in this restaurant Mercedes you need to take as many lessons from Chef Jerome as possible."
Jerome laughed.
"I didn't make this. Mercedes did."
The girls look at Mercedes. "What?"
Mercedes smiled.
"For you to think Jerome made it is a huge compliment though."
"Wow girl. That's all I can say."
"I'm with Justice this is really good."
Jerome grabbed the second plate.
"Justice please take this to table three."
She grabbed the plate and walked out of the kitchen.
"I think you are going to be a great asset to this restaurant. Don't you agree Sam?"
"I do."
Mercedes smiled as she went back to work in the kitchen. She glanced over at Sam wondering if he regretted being with her. Because she didn't regret being with him, not at all.
Justice walked back in.
"Ummm Jerome. Table three would like a word with you."
Jerome walked out the kitchen Sam followed him. He came to table three and smiled at the older couple sitting there.
"Donna, Tim so great to see you this wonderful evening. How can I be of service to you?"
"Jerome. We come here every Sunday. I order the exact same thing every time. And Today I come in here and order something so different I surprised myself. I figured you are leaving soon so why not take advantage of your cooking skills. And you do this to me."
"What exactly did I do?"
"You have Justice bring me this amazing meal knowing you're not going to be here so I can try more new things on the menu."
"Tim I am flattered I am. But I cannot take credit for this meal."
"Why not?"
"Because I didn't make it. We have a new Chef here. She seems to be coming into her own."
"A new chef? She must be pretty seasoned to cook this well. Can we meet her?"
"I am sure that won't be a problem."
He nodded to Sam and Sam went into the kitchen as Mercedes was preparing another meal. He forced himself to smile over the sadness as he walked over to her.
"Can I steal you away for a moment?"
"Can it wait I got to put these pies in the oven."
"Justice can do that. Come on with me."
Justice walked over to her and grabbed the pies as she followed Sam to a table with an older couple. Sam smiled.
"This is Mercedes she is the one who prepared your meal."
"Nice to meet you."
Tim looked at her.
"You prepared my Chicken Alfredo?"
"Yes sir."
"How old are you?"
"27."
"No offense Jerome but I think I know what my new favorite meal is. Young lady you have a real talent."
Donna smiled.
"You must because Tim is one of the pickiest people I know in my life."
"Thank you both."
"Sam I always said your parents had an eye for talent. I will be congratulating my little brother on this wonderful addition."
"Thank you."
Mercedes smiled warmly.
"You're BB's Brother?"
"Guilty."
He laughed.
"We are actually fraternal twins. You do know twins run in our family."
"Yes I have been told. The Evans's are so great and since you are family I should let you know I just put my homemade apple pie in the oven. How about I save you a slice for dessert."
"That sounds so good."
"Great! I will wrap it up so that it will be warm. I am sure you would like a slice for your mid night snack BB likes to eat his that way."
He smiled.
"You have certainly read my mind. I am certain you will be seeing us more often."
"I look forward to it."
She smiled at them as she walked away and Sam looked after her. Tim smiled.
"You know Sam it's hard enough to find a good woman. But to find a good woman who is as sweet as that and can cook. Only a fool would let her get away."
"Uncle Tim now I know what you are getting at but it's not going to happen."
"She's pretty."
"I know. But it's still not going to work. I have a couple more things to go over. So I will see you guys later."
"I saw the way you were looking at her."
"Good Bye guys."
Sam walked away and smiled as he walked into the office. He sat down as Finn walked into the room.
"I am loving this new job big brother. There are a lot of ladies around here."
"Seems like you are over Mercedes?"
"It's kind of weird that you dated her. And after talking to her I realized that maybe we should just stay friends."
"Why is it that everyone thinks it's weird I dated her."
Finn sat down. "Cause to be honest she is not your type."
"Not my type?"
"No she's not. You are so focused and strait laced. She is so down to earth and sweet. Plus she is not your usual girl."
"Oh and what's my usual?"
Finn laughed. "Kitty."
"What?"
"Think about it. Mercedes is kind of a full figured woman. She got curves everywhere… but you're into skinny model type women."
Mercedes walked to the office but stopped when she heard talking. She didn't mean to eavesdrop but she couldn't just walk away.
"Look Finn I am not shallow I'm not. And yeah ok she might not be my type but she was. Back then she was this beautiful amazing woman who just got me you know. And she was the model type. I was so into her but like I told you before I am over her and the way she is now is nothing compared to Kitty."
"So what happened because at the club I thought things were fine?"
"I don't want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"About how I am a father."
Finn smiled sighing. "Yeah that's not why you're upset."
"Oh and how do you know?"
"Sam you must have forgotten I was in the room when she left. I know how much you wanted to fight for her and how you knew Mercedes was the one. It took you four years to even begin dating again. You loved her then and you said it yourself you love her now you are just upset because after all these years you are still so very much in love with her and you don't believe you deserved to be forgiven."
Sam stood up as Finn grabbed papers off the desk.
"No I'm not I was wrong when I said that."
"You sure?"
"Yes, you and I both know you don't trade in a new car for an old one with a lot of mileage."
Sam walked to the door and opened it. Mercedes stared at him for a moment, nodded her head angrily then turned and walked out the restaurant. Sam ran after her.
"Mercedes wait. Please wait."
"What? Huh what do you want?"
"It's not what you think."
"It's not? Oh wow well thanks for that."
"Please let me explain."
"You don't owe me an explanation. You should get to your new model this old girl with the mileage has to hurry home."
"Why were you eavesdropping anyways?"
"I wasn't. I came to tell Finn my shift was over and I was heading home."
Mercedes walked to her car. Sam walked after her.
"I don't want you to be mad at me."
"Sam you didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I'm not mad. I just can't believe that instead of telling me how you felt you slept with me… twice, then ignored me for a week. It was stupid of me to think that us having sex meant anything other than you were getting even with me."
She turned away but he grabbed her arm.
"Are you even sure I am the father cause who knows where your sister got around too."
She slapped him dead across the face and walked to her car.
"Oh come off this hurt kick. I know you too well if they were mines you wouldn't have kept me in the dark."
"Sam if you know me so well just by looking at me. Maybe you can tell me what this look means."
She glared at him. He felt a cold chill come over him.
"That look is saying if I don't back down you're going to knee me."
"Hey you do know me."
She opened her car door and drove away.