The limo ride home was difficult for both of us, it seemed. Once again, I was seated a ways away from Ramsay, but the tension we each felt electrified the air between us. He was still talking with everyone else, being his regular limelight-loving self, but I could feel him watching me whenever he had the chance to look. I, on the other hand, had a bit more of an excuse to be watching him like I was.

Gina nudged my arm from beside me,

"You know, if you have trouble removing the dress tonight, I can help you."

The dress was definitely no issue for me to take on and off, but I considered what Ramsay had told the other girls when we'd arrived back at the table.

"Yes, alright, please just help me pull the zipper and I'll do the rest when we get to the dorms." I placated Gina, who likely was just looking for an excuse to get to spend more time with the dress.

Gina smiled at me and then turned back to watching Ramsay.

"This is just the beginning, everyone. Someday when you make it big as a chef, you'll be spending every day trying out new and delicious foods," he paused, "having experience with many different types of food can only ever help you in a kitchen environment. One thing I have worked for during my career as a chef is to never be unsure of what I can do with an ingredient. Every chef should be prepared to make something extraordinary from what is available to them. Be thinking of that."

Just as he finished speaking, the limo pulled into the parking lot.

"Welcome back to Hell, ladies!" Ramsay said as he opened the limo door and helped each of us out once more.

After we were all helped from the limo, Chef Ramsay once again addressed us,

" Be sure to rest up for tomorrow as you will have a long day of prep and eventual service to handle at the end of the day. Don't be afraid to help each other and please oh please make my job easier. I'll be having a rough enough time trying to mold the blue team into something more resembling chefs as opposed to a stable of donkeys." he laughed along with the red team.

We all walked into Hell's Kitchen once more. Ramsay walked with us to the steps leading up to the dorms.

"Goodnight, ladies," he said as we filtered past him. I wasn't last in line, so I didn't really get a chance to linger behind with Ramsay as I had hoped. Not wanting to draw attention, I merely said "goodnight" to him as I walked past, straining to not be too suspicious.

"Sleep well, (Y/N)," he said softly as we passed each other. I could feel him looking at me but I knew if I looked back I would betray too much emotion in my eyes. With Bella in front of me and Red behind, I didn't think it was safe, so I kept my eyes on Bella's blonde head bobbing up the stairs instead and responded,

"You too, Chef."

Most of the women were ready to sleep by the time we made it back. The men were already in bed it seems. Only Abel was awake, sitting at the long wooden table and still reading his recipe book. Curious, I made my way over.

"Hey Abel, why aren't you sleeping?" I asked.

Abel's clear blue eyes flicked up from the page to meet mine,

"Oh, I don't really need to sleep as long as," he paused, then emphasized, "most people."

His eyes steadily locked onto mine, appraising me with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Really? That will be really useful here when you don't know what sort of nonsense will wake you up next. Clowns? Trained attack dogs?" I smiled, feeling as if I were under a microscope.

Abel returned the smile but said nothing. His fingers played with the corner of the recipe book as if itching to turn the page.

"Sorry if I was interrupting your study. I'm headed to bed now." I said sheepishly.

"No bother at all, (Y/N). I hope you had fun tonight," his eyes broke from mine finally as he took in the rest of my outfit, "you look great," he added casually.

"Thank you," I said as I felt a smile creep onto my face on my way to the bedroom.

The lights were off, but I could see Gina sitting cross-legged on her bed. She wordlessly motioned for me to turn around. I did so, and she pulled the zipper for me. Graciously, I curtsied. She giggled in response, then nodded towards the closet, one of the few places you could get changed without a camera watching.

After removing my dress I folded it carefully and placed it back in my drawer. I wore a shirt and shorts to bed just in case we were called to duty in the middle of the night- a common occurrence in previous seasons of Hell's Kitchen.

As I lay in bed, slowly creeping thoughts of what Ramsay and I got up to seep into my mind.

Aside from the inevitable steaminess of my memories, I couldn't help but feel guilty. Taylor had reminded me that he was married... I had always staunchly despised cheaters. Swore that I would never stoop to their level. I never understood why you wouldn't just leave your partner if you weren't satisfied. Now here I was, stealing sensual moments with another woman's man. My stomach turned. At least we hadn't gone too far... we hadn't even kissed...

Then I remembered how Gordon had asked me if I was single. Why would a cheater bother with if I was taken or not? It didn't really make sense that he'd care for the emotions of some unknown potential man over how his wife of fifteen years would feel.

As confusing as everything was, I still couldn't help the deep part of my body that was responding to everything Gordon ever asked of me. Each time I listened to him, each time I followed his direction and got his praise it felt unbelievably wonderful.

Confusing thoughts of lust and uncertainty circled in my head wildly until I became dizzy enough to fall asleep.