Chapter 4 – First Impressions
12th December 2012 – 19:00 pm
Amour sans fin Chalet – Morzine, French Alps
Evony was the first to launch forward, arm stretched, "Hello, you can address me as Miss Marquis. I manage this group." Evony held out her hand, and Lauren took it, "It's a pleasure to meet you too."
Licking her lips, Evony studied Lauren, immediately liking the look of her, natural beauty and certainly someone she would want to get to know better. "You will be good to have around dearie, bringing some class to our table." Evony spun on her heels and walked back to the sofa. "As long as all the spice stays in the kitchen and nowhere else."
Bo rolled her eyes as Evony looked at her as she said that last part at her. Of course, Evony always said that blondes were Bo's kryptonite.
Massimo was next, lurching at Lauren, taking her hand and wet kissing it." I'm Massimo, but you can call me Mas." Lauren pulled her hand away gently and discretely wiped it dry on the back of her top, staying quiet and nodding politely.
"Hi, I'm starving. Are you working now? I have a special diet that I must maintain; I hope you got my dietary needs?" Tamsin did not move from her seat, "Also a glass of wine, white and dry."
Lauren smiled at the blonde, knowing her smile could melt even the most frozen of hearts. "Yes, I am fully aware of each of your menu plans. Mr Claude has provided me with your food portfolio. You are Tamsin Taylor; you eat mainly organic and superfoods."
Tamsin nodded back at her, satisfied with her answer. She was laid across the sofa dressed casually in jeans and a long-sleeved woollen smock. Lauren could see that she was lean and slender under her thick clothes, a slight look of Nordic heritage with her platinum blonde hair and high cheekbones.
Bo noticed that Lauren had been checking out Tamsin and felt a pang of jealousy. Murmuring under her breath, "of course, if she were gay, would fancy Tamsin."
Lauren, realising she had not answered her drink request, replied. "And no, I don't normally make your drinks, only your food. That will be your chalet host, but seeing as they are not here, I'll be happy to serve you all a drink tonight."
The last person in the room was Bo. She had not stepped forward, so Lauren took the initiative. As she got closer, she could see Bo's face frowned with arms crossed over her chest. "I'm Bo Dennis. I'll have a brandy, please."
Lauren acknowledged her request and walked to the drink's cabinet. Tamsin stood close by, too close for any comfort, and looked Lauren up and down, "So, chef, what can you serve up, and when can we eat it?" Lauren felt the room atmosphere change; all eyes were on her and Tamsin.
"I can prepare whatever food you want, Miss Taylor," Lauren emphasised the word food and smiled, fixing the drinks at the same time. She ignored the undertones of Tamsin's sentence. She needed to be professional and make sure the right target chased her. "I work from six am till ten pm, seven days and six nights per week, making you breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the end of each day, we can discuss your requirements for the following day, either in person or by sending me a message. My phone number will be on the pinboard in the kitchen."
"Lauren, I'll have a brandy." Evony was annoyed at Tamsin blatantly flirting with the new chef. Lauren hurried to her, handing her a drink. Taking it, she added, "I will see you all back here for breakfast at seven am sharp, as we have a set tour at eight."
Once Evony had headed to bed and the others moved back to the sofas, Lauren headed to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, freezer, and dry storage pleased her to see so much choice. She cooked up two different meals for Tamsin and Massimo. This assignment was going to be a lot more fun than the last one anyway. An hour later, after everyone had eaten, they retired to their room one by one.
Bo walked into the kitchen, heading to her bedroom. Lauren knew now was the best opportunity, as they were alone, to talk to her. "Miss Dennis." Bo turned, and Lauren saw the sadness in her eye; her earlier comments must have hurt. "About before, in the reception, I don't know what you heard, but I'm sorry if I offended you. I had a long journey and was tired, but I know that is no excuse, and again, I'm sorry."
"I only heard the last part, about me being what did you say?" Bo touched her chin, "Oh yeah, self-absorbed, self-obsessed, selfie-taking, high maintenance, sex-craved drama queen."
Lauren went red, "Forgive me, I was wrong to say that." Placing her hand on Bo's hand, she felt an instant connection, frightening her so much that she forgot what she was about to say next.
Bo felt a strange connection buzz through her also.
As their eyes met, and a new sensation overtook them both. Almost as if time stood still, and they were the only ones who were aware of it. Bo darted her eyes away. "It's okay, you're entitled to your opinion; you don't have to like us to cook for us after all. Besides, you studied at a Top School, and I'm excited to see what food you prepare us."
Lauren walked around to her side of the workbench, "My opinion was wrong, I can speak first, think second sometimes, but you won't hear anything like that from me again. Thank you for not saying anything. I need this job."
Bo nodded at her, "it's okay. As I said, you don't need to like us to cook for us."
"But I do like you, I mean, well, I guess I don't know, you, but I would like to, I suppose, well as your chef. What I mean is that you seem really nice and well, yeah." Lauren finished her fumbled sentence, angry that she had made a fool of herself twice in one day before Bo. But there was something about her that made her feel and act awkward. Lauren never had any issues around women, but Bo was different, and Lauren knew it as soon as she saw her and sensed it when she touched her arm. "So, Miss Dennis, what did Miss Marquis mean about the spice?" Lauren relaxed a little and decided a change in conversation was needed.
"Yeah, don't mind her, she's French Canadian, and tonight she was French." Bo grinned. "Just ignore most of what she says."
Lauren laughed; Bo was funny, and when she smiled, the most adorable dimple appeared, and she was mesmerised by it.
"But being in France, I bet you are used to that?" Bo added. "And please call me Bo when it's just us. Only the Evony who insists you call us by our surnames. Goodnight, Lauren."
Lauren stood, smiling and staring at the now-closed bedroom door. Shaking her head, she grabbed her jacket, changed into her snow boots and left the chalet.
Bo walked into her room, rested her body back against the door and bit her lip. She felt that either something she had said or done had affected Lauren and grinned to herself for her mini achievement. Standing still in silence for a few minutes, thinking about their interaction. Lauren had insulted her, and yet she intrigued her, and the way she looked at her made her stomach flip.
Her phone lit up, snapping Bo out of her daydream. It was FaceTime from Kenzi, her assistant. "Hey Kenz, how have you been? Missed your face."
"Missed your face too." Kenzi was sitting so close to her screen, pulling faces at her boss and friend.
"Back up there, all I can see is your teeth," Bo laughed as she moved back. "Tell me all about your weekend?"
"I will, but two things first, where the fuck are you staying? Under the stairs?" A loud laugh came from the speakers, and Bo joined in. "Are you Harry fricking Potter?"
"I got the small room. Tamsin took the bigger one, and the strangest thing was Evony and Massimo took the top two. Like who works for who here?" Bo flung her hands up in defeat, "You're staying in the chalet next door."
"With the other assistants?" Kenzi butted in. "Me and the staff in one, while the stars, manager and 'what the fuck Mas is' in the other! I'm outraged." Kenzi pretended to look hurt, holding her stare for a second before bursting into laughter again. "Joking, like I want to be part of that circus for three months."
Layin on the bed, phone hanging above her. Bo laughed along with her; she was right; her chalet was a miss-match. Then she remembered Lauren's smile, and her grin returned.
"And secondly," Kenzi asked, bringing Bo's attention back to the screen. "Who is she?"
Bo laughed so hard the phone slipped to the bed; picking it up, she asked, "What?"
"You're all googly-eyed just now. I have seen fifty faces of Bo, but that is the one I have always wanted to see. It's a 'love' face." Kenzi stated a matter of fact. "So, who is she?"
"Oh Kenz, you're so dramatic," Bo remembered back to her first meeting with Lauren and recalled the hurtful words she had used to describe them to the man on her video call. Shaking her head, she focused again on the screen, "She's no one, our chef, and she's rude. I walked past and just happened to overhear her insulting me to her friend, boyfriend, or whoever he was, on a video call."
"Yeah, well, that's how all love starts, hate or conflict. Besides, you were eavesdropping on a private call. You're just as rude." Kenzi pointed out.
Bo let out a breath, "She called me, or one of us, a self-absorbed, self-obsessed, selfie-taking, high maintenance, sex-craved drama queen."
"She said that. Ouch." Kenzi placed her hand on her heart. "That's brutal. But she is still working, so you didn't run to Evony and get her fired?"
"No, no, I didn't", Bo answered, "she apologised, which was rather cute actually."
"And she could have been describing actors in general. She only knows what she reads after all," Kenzi added. "I like her. You see, Bobo, you surround yourself with people who kiss your ass. Well, everyone except me, and it is refreshing to see you with someone in your life who challenges you."
"Speaking of challenges, I was nearly spy-banged last night." Bo blurted out, "It's when -"
"I know what a spy-bang is. Who and how?"
"A reporter. Evony reckons they are everywhere, and I need to keep my guard up." Bo answered, "Beside Evony won't let anyone near me, she called me an expensive liability."
"Well, I don't think a spy-banger would insult you, so I think you're safe with your chef Bo." Kenzi laughed, "And you pay Evony remember? she can't control you or the people you connect with."
"True, and I do want to get to know her. I feel that we had a real connection." Bo smiled.
"That's the attitude," Kenzi added. "It's tiresome being the only special one in your life."
"Special one? You pretended you were my intern eighteen months ago." Bo laughed.
"Not my fault my roomie's parents dragged her back home, and when I went to tell you that Julie wasn't gonna be starting that day, you assumed I was her." Kenzi winked, " I saw the setup, contract, wages and thought this was too good to give up."
"I should have fired you when I learnt the truth." Bo sighed, "But something said I should keep you."
"You trusted your gut. And you were right to do so, and now you have done it again." Kenzi waggled her finger down the screen, "I could be a spy. Anyone could. But you can't live your life in a bubble.
Now tell me about this potential love interest, and I mean everything."
Bo rolled her eyes at the screen, knowing that she would never give up until she spilled it all. "Okay, her name is Lauren, our chalet chef, who studied at a top London School. Blonde, obviously-"
"Obviously," Kenzi repeated.
"English, with chocolate eyes and honestly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Bo beamed." And when she touched my hand, I felt something strange."
Kenzi gave her a knowing look down the phone, "See Bo, love, but does she feel the same?"
"I don't know anything about her," Bo answered.
"Well, you have time to get to know her, don't rush anything." Kenzi added, "Just get to know her as a friend first without any other motive, except wanting to know her, and let her know the real you."
An hour later, Bo hung up the conversation and lay back on her bed. All she could think about was Lauren. She shook her head. Love. It couldn't be, could it? She quickly set her alarm on her phone. She wanted to be first awake to spend time with Lauren. Bo didn't know why, but she wanted Lauren to like her and prove her wrong about actors.
12th December – 22.30 pm
Laurens' Room
Lauren removed her uniform and pulled on a baggy tee, and stepped into her slipper boots. It might not look sexy, but she was really comfy and snug. Lauren walked to the kitchenette and made herself a tea. In any circumstance, tea was always the remedy.
Lauren had not slept in twenty-four hours and was more than tired; she was exhausted. The day, however, played over and over in her mind. Lauren knew she had to make some sense to it, some logic to it, and then move on. Her thoughts went to Mehmet. She had worked with him for six months, but they weren't friends, so she boxed that memory away, moved on.
Sipping hot tea, she perched on the end of her bed. It had been the longest day of her life; she had spied on a celebrity all night blindly following orders. Lauren sighed and began to think she had made the wrong decisions that day. At the time, it felt like the right choice. The story she had stumbled on was far more important than watching a nobody, finally deducing that she had done the right thing. She boxed that emotion and moved on.
She had been shot and thought it would hurt more. It was probably the adrenaline that stopped her pain recitals. Maybe it would hurt more in the morning? Perhaps the painkillers had actually worked? Either way, she boxed it, moved on.
Her job was undercover, but the Agency decided to use her own identity, a move that had angered her. Lauren hated to talk about herself. Knowing that her file was open for her colleagues to read bothered her, she was assured that only Jack had access to it. Knowing there was nothing else she could do, she boxed it and moved on.
Then there was the group that she was going to be cooking for. Evony Marquis, the driven manager who would stop at nothing or nobody to get what she wanted. The way she looked at Lauren, she felt like a gazelle in the sights of a lioness. Lauren could play it one of two ways, let her come to her. Or make her intentions clear that she was up for fun. The latter bothered her. Lauren felt that Evony would discard her once she played, and her time would be up. No, she would play it cool, remain professional and slip into the background until the right time, when Lauren would be ready.
Then there was a madman, Massimo hiding a gun. A perverted man with a semi-automatic in his waistband. Lauren had noticed the bulge behind his jacket as well as the one in his trousers. Lauren would have to keep an eye on him.
Then Tamsin Taylor, a bitch for a better word. Up her own arse and used to getting what she wanted. Lauren related to her. A strong woman who wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers. Tamsin would be the easiest to get to know as she said and did what she wanted. Lauren would be friendly as she would know the most about the group.
Lastly, there was Bo Dennis. Beautiful Bo Dennis. Lauren thought for a long time, what was her plan with her? Lauren tried hard to think of a plan, but nothing came to mind. Whenever she thought of Bo, all Lauren saw was her smile and the way her dimple flashed. Lauren closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, but each time she did, she thought of Bo and smiled.
Lauren fell asleep to a vision of Bo, and she slept better than she had in a long time.