Stepping into the cream office allowing his spindly fingers to remain lingering on the brass handle, golden rays of light slipped through the closed shades into the darkened room. A heavy sigh along with heavy footfalls was heard before the blinds flicked open to a nearing window in a quick pace, filling the room with blinding light in an instant. A head of messy onyx hair turned towards the oak desk. Everything in its place like always. Except one thing. A newspaper with a bright and heavy red circle on it accompanied by a note clipped to it. A haunched shadow casted onto the dreaded sight of the foreboding note.
L closed his stormy eyes as he reached for the note, only to push it out of the way to read what was circled in the open article. "Epicurious: The has been's, has been. Once full of vibrant flavors and lively environment. Upon my most recent visit to this once culinary giant, I was met with a dreadful disappointment. The flavors falling short on my palate, poorly plated and dishes, at best; on top of being expensive as well. The au jus was far too thick, the garnish was hardly at its freshest and the potatoes were a dry morning on the lumpy hills of a desert. The quarter inch dice of the onion seemed to be just barely smaller than a half inch. I am unsure of the staff changes between this visit and the previous, but if they had indeed changed staff, I recommend not going to this establishment until they rehire who they fired, or fire whomever they hired." (2 stars)
A low grumble could be heard from the ravened manager as he lifted the hand written note, pinching it delicately between his index fingers and thumbs, holding the note eye level with himself;
"L,
I'm sorry, I failed my team and what was worse, I failed you, again. I'm not quitting. But, I need a few days to pick myself up and dust myself off. I've been working nonstop for almost five months without a day off. I stayed late last night, like always, the pasty case is full, and there are enough to replace anything that sells in the freezer. Ask Mello to decorate them, he's actually very good at it, despite how often I scold him when he helps me. Just keep his fingers out of the chocolate.
Light shows a lot of promise, some strict guidance will go a long way with him. I want him left in the sous chef position until the end of the week. Please don't slack off, like I know you like to, while I'm gone.
-B."
"Dammit, Brendon! You could have at least warned me a little more than this…" Though his words were harsh, his tone barely deviated from his usual monotoned demeanor. Charcoal eyes narrowed at the perfectly cleaned, starched and pressed, chef's coat hanging from the back the open door, just barely in view from the golden stained wooden desk. The left breast pocket bore the initial of a gothic bolded L. His deep eyes jetted away from the coat when he heard the voices of the kitchen staff coming into the back door, a corner of his mouth tipped upward as he cocked his head to the side to eavesdrop.
"I didn't see his bike. Maybe he isn't here yet?" One voice called.
Another chimed in, "I hope not. I feel like garbage, I can't handle him this early."
Light's voice hummed lightheartedly before chuckling, "Emile, seriously, early? It's one in the afternoon!"
Mello's gruff voice could be heard laughing at the conversation. "That's what you get for drinking on a Monday night, you loser."
L glanced his eyes back to the coat. "Alright, I trust you." He abandoned the note carefully in a drawer and approached the foreign top. Slipping the coat delicately from the hanger and pinching the garment between his index fingers and thumbs; the raven held up the jacket up to his eye level. "It'll be interesting to see how trained they've become."
Loud thumping came from the front door of the dining room. Near peaked out the door at the resounding pounding, only to have his eyes met with another pair of eyes less than a foot away. Deep emerald pools fluttered in surprise. "Ach! Where is he?!"
The door abruptly shoved open as the gentleman pushed through, unsettling Near from his stance. He wore a well-fitted suit, red and gold plaid printed with a sleek black tie and expensive silken purple undershirt. His maintained head of chocolate locks which rivaled L's in length. Staring in both amazement and annoyance the snowy haired man's voice snapped out slightly. "Where is whom?"
The other male turned and gasped dramatically. "Where is mon ami?!" He rolled his forest green eyes when met with an exasperated stare with a shrug of the younger males shoulders. The brunette took a deep breath and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Pookie! Where are you?! You never met with me for coffee! You're late for a date, my little morsel!"
Near sighed in frustration, "Sir. I need you to stop shouting. Who are you looking for?"
An annoyed whine came from the other as he folded his arms tightly, stomping his foot slightly in a childish manner. "I'm looking for BB! He is, supremely, late. Like, seven hours late for coffee. Ugh, you must be that front manager he's spoken of. Neat, was it? I'm Aiden. I would say, that surely he's spoken of me, alas," Aiden swung his forearm up to his forehead, exposing a bare amount of wrist while casting his head towards the opposing direction of the other, "he's a much more reclusive man than he appears to be!"
Near scowled at the mispronunciation of his nickname. "Near. And, B didn't come in today. Or at least, he hasn't been by yet."
Aiden shrieked slightly, "Oh! No… That won't do. First, he ignores my calls. Then, doesn't come to work! It's intervention time! Who are his most trusted confidants? Oh, forget it, you seem stiff, I'll have a look, I'll be able to tell. He is my best friend after all." The brunette gave a casual wink as he shoved the kitchen door open. His eyes landed immediately onto Light. "Oh my." A loose wrist and curled fingers made their way up to the brunette's jawline. "You must be the chaton!" Aiden's accent was very distinctly native born French. Light shifted uncomfortably as he was being inspected by the stranger. "My, my, my." He circled Light closely making a distinct humming sound while tucking his arms loosely behind his back. "Yes. I understand now." His plush lips curled upwards almost wickedly.
A throat cleared behind the two nearing the kitchen entrance, all eyes in the kitchen whipped towards the source only to be followed by airy gasps. L stood awkwardly and haunched with his hands in his pockets, donning his chef coat. "Might I inquire as to the commotion?"
The brunette looked up and gave a delighted smile. "Ah! The even more elusive twin of mon ami!" He seemed to gracefully glide over to L's side; tugging on his arm gently. "Where is B? Don't tell me that review beat him down that badly. Well, don't you worry. To my favorite brothers in the business. Let's say Friday night? I will bring some influential people. We'll get this sorted out. Naturally, of course, no biased reviews!"
Light's caramel eyes instantly focused onto L. 'I knew they looked similar, with how informal B speaks of L, I figured they were relatives, but twins? I hardly see the likelihood of that. What review?' Light's eyebrows raised slightly as he leaned a little closer.
L pulled his shoulders back a little uncomfortably at the other's closeness. "What is it with B and pretty brunettes?"
Aiden visibly blushed at L's comment before sputtering out. "I could only dream. We aren't like that. Only in my wildest fantasies. Of which, even in my fantasies, the cheeky bastard still turns me down! Something about me being "clingy". Now that I think about it…" His voice seemed to trail off before he snapped back to with a jolt of his head. "At any rate. He's the only one to ever deny my advances. Thus, making him the perfect friend. I know that he isn't trying to use me!" The brunette's eyes closed slowly before releasing a blindingly pearly smile. "That's why I like you guys. You aren't trying to use my position in politics to your advantages. Unlike some…" His voice trailed when another couple of people entered the kitchen.
Near stood next to a woman with caramel hair and intensely blue eyes, an elegant amount of make up highlighting what seemed to be natural beauty. Light could see L's charcoal eyes narrow slightly, his jaw tighten as he seemed to create a small fist. "Olivia, what brings a woman of your caliber here?"
Her eyes seemed to widen slightly in surprise when met with the haunched figure of L and her voice fell slightly crestfallen. "Oh. I thought I would find the chef here today. I read that review, and simply couldn't sit by as I witnessed a chef of his character be defamed in such a manner. I thought I could offer my services in helping around the restaurant." Her intense gaze readjusted to the manager's stance. "But. I was evidently mistaken. Oh dear, then maybe I could offer my services to you, until he finishes his disappearance act. I swear. He's much more childish than he lets on."
Light's caramel eyes fell to the side of himself, onto Mello, at the sound of a quiet growl. Light noticed the blonde's fist tighten as he took a sharp breath in before sharply shouting at the woman. "Who the hell are you?! Comin' in here like this and bad mouthing chef! The man breaks his back, killing himself, for this place! He takes one fucking day off and you think that's reason to shit talk?! Do you even know him? I bet chef could cook fucking circles around your entitled ass! He may be an arrogant dickhead sometimes, but damnit! He's our arrogant dickhead! And nobody talks crap about him except us!" The rest of the kitchen staff seemed to tuck themselves behind the prep chef, away from the stranger.
Light's golden eyes returned to the woman, only to land on Near, who was giving Mello a discreet smirk and a lowly held up, thumbs up. Olivia blinked her resplendent eyes rapidly in confusion. "Oh, my, you're mistaken. I idolize Chef BB. The happening of his kitchen, of all kitchens, possibly requiring aid only empowered my courage. See. I have a terrible confession to make… I have always dreamed of working with the man who staged under so many of the greats in the culinary world. But, as cruel fate would have it, I wasn't chosen. Although, my confidence was crushed on a minor scale…" Her voice seemed to trail slightly and grow heavier as she shuddered her breath quietly. "I couldn't stay idly by as, essentially, my hero's reputation was being tarnished. A chef's reputation is their livelihood, you know that better than anyone here, I would presume. Nevertheless, I can tell when I am not wanted, I'm sorry for barging in. I will take my leave." She turned her back towards the group and hung her head dejectedly.
The raven coughed slightly before humming louder than usual. "As it would happen. Chef is on a vacation effective as of this morning. And, I require aid to fill his position. Not completely, as I will be doing that. He entrusted his staff and kitchen to me. But, as you may or may not be aware of, I am very rusty. I wish to acquire your expertise until my head chef can return. From there he will decide whether you stay or go."
Olivia whipped around, grabbed L's hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "Really?! Oh! You won't regret this! Thank you so much for this opportunity!"
Aiden leaned into L's ear and whispered in a hush with his hand covering his lips. "You can't be serious." He only received a silent nod from the substitute chef. The brunette sighed deeply. "Well then. It can't be helped. I too volunteer my services. Although. B only taught me very minor things. I will require some training!" Happily trotting over to the group the young man interlocked arms with Mello and Light with a chipper grin. "So I suppose I need to learn from the best prep chef in town." His piercing eyes drifted towards Light with a happy sigh. "Come, Chaton, I'm sure we could pick up some handy tips and tricks!" He then led the two away from the group.
Near shook his head and rubbing his right temple with his fingertips while muttering to himself. "They both deserve an Oscar."
Beta: BenjaminBirthday.
