Emma's first day of job training went very well. She hadn't learned how to use a chef knife yet, although Regina said she'd teach her today. She only explained her briefly how many knifes should a professional chef's set have, what were the differences in blades, their overall uses according to their design and the advantages of certain brands. Emma was intrigued by these intimidating knifes that Regina handled masterfully and couldn't wait to learn how to use with such dexterity. The only thing Emma mainly did yesterday was help plate up house salads. Over 500 house salads needed to be individually plated for each person. Emma worked on the salads alongside Regina throughout the day as another sous chef did all the hot foods for each plated meal with another co-worker, so everything would be done on time. Normally, Regina would do all the hot foods as someone else did all the salads, given that she was the executive chef; that was her job. But, since Emma was in her area of job training, she took it in her hands to make sure Emma worked with her and not some random cook. And the best way to do this was working on something that Emma could do with ease while she explained her the way her kitchen worked, how they were organized and who did what. She also shared with her some advice on how to keep a kitchen tidy and organized, specially, when you had to prepare meals for large groups. Emma didn't mind it, though, because it meant she got to spend the day with Regina by her side, and that was all Emma wanted.
As Emma woke up and finished showering, she got dressed and put on her work clothes. Once she was all dressed, Emma looked at the time, and it was only 7 AM. She still had plenty of time to eat breakfast, so she made herself a salad since she had lettuce in the fridge. All that salad preparation yesterday made her pretty hungry for some salad this morning. Once she was done, she started walking to the bus stop to wait for the bus. As Emma was walking, she couldn't wipe this smile off her face. She felt so happy, and she honestly couldn't help but feel so much happiness. She didn't understand how one person could make her feel like this. Emma always knew she liked women. She actually just came out to her family and close friends as bisexual a few weeks ago. She felt freer and felt like the dark cloud that weighted heavily upon her soul had been lifted. She was glad she was no longer in the closet. Yet, she had no idea if Regina was into women at all. She hoped to find out somehow, but for now, she needed to try to get herself focused on her job training today and stop thinking about Regina and wondering if she was into women. She needed to stay focused, especially since this was a work area. She needed to be professional.
As Emma got to the bus stop, she didn't even get to sit down to wait. The bus was just pulling up to the bus stop. Once the bus came to a complete stop, she got on the bus and looked around, searching for only one person. After a few moments, she finally spotted that beautiful middle-aged woman she couldn't stop thinking about. Luckily enough, like the previous day, the seat next to Regina was empty. She immediately sat down right next to her before anyone else could take the seat right by her. The bus wasn't completely crowded as yesterday. Yet, she didn't want to take the chance of someone else sitting by Regina. As Emma took the seat by the brunette, she still had that smile upon her face.
"Well, hello there, Emma. How are you doing this morning? I hope your workday was good and not too overwhelming yesterday. I understand the kitchen can be bustling, but I assure you, you'll get into the speed of things fast. You did such a good job yesterday. I think you'll do just fine!" said Regina with a soft smile on her face.
"I don't think it was as overwhelming for me as you may have thought it was. I was actually doing fine. I think I can get the hang of things pretty fast."
"Oh really? I'm going to remember you said that when you get into work today. I'm going to challenge you now!" said Regina with a laugh.
"Oh really? Challenge me? How so?"
"You'll see!"
"Mmm, alright. Bring on the challenge!" said Emma with a laugh. Regina just burst out laughing because Emma had done a silly face after saying that to the point where Regina just couldn't help but laugh, and Emma started laughing just as much. She couldn't remember when the last time she had giggled like this was, but she felt pretty happy at that very moment laughing with Regina.
As the two women finally were able to calm down enough to talk again, they continued talking, and before they knew it, they were at the hotel. Both women slowly got off the bus and started walking into the hotel lobby.
"I will see you at work soon, Emma!" said Regina as she gave her a wink.
Emma thought that wink was so cute, and she was actually glad that Regina winked at her. It was surprisingly sexy to Emma.
"Yes, you will, chef!"
"Chef, huh? When did you start calling me chef? Just call me Regina."
"Everyone else calls you 'chef' in the kitchen."
"Well, that's them. This is you. Just call me by my name. Even in the kitchen. Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Good. Now I'll see you in the kitchen soon, Emma!"
"See you soon, Regina!" said Emma with a smile on her face
Regina smiled back softly before slowly walking off into the kitchen. Emma obviously stared at Regina until she was out of view, and once she was, that's when Emma finally went to her morning Project Looking Glass class.
As she got to the room where she was supposed to be for her class, she again couldn't get Regina off her mind. Why must this woman continue to haunt her mind? Emma didn't know. Yet, she kind of liked it. As Emma walked into the room and took a seat, she waited patiently for the class to start. She wanted so desperately to get to work already to the point where if she could skip this class, she would. Yet, she couldn't. Emma had no choice but to stay in the class. Also, she didn't want her eagerness to spend time with Regina be seen. She was still trying to figure out what this pull she felt towards Regina was. So the least thing she needed was unwanted attention.
As class finally started, Kathryn and Snow gave tips on interviews for jobs. They each went around the room and asked each student standard questions that would be asked at any interview, plus some other potential questions that could always come up. Some questions were asked in different rounds around the room, and most of the students didn't know how to answer them. Their faces went blank, and their minds went into a frantic state because they didn't know how to answer the question. Nerves got the best of them. When this happened, Kathryn took over and gave some examples of what they can say and what they shouldn't say. She also gave them some advice on how to handle more difficult questions, should these arise, even if they didn't know the answer.
After class was finally finished, Emma was the first one who sprinted out into the hallway and went directly into the kitchen. Kathryn and Snow saw how eager Emma was, and they smiled, thinking she really wanted to work. They thought that was a good thing. Yet, the truth was that Emma really wanted just to see Regina again. She already missed her, and it's only been an hour since they parted ways in the hotel lobby.
Once Emma got to the kitchen, she immediately walked up to Regina, who was actually in her chef's office today. Emma could see Regina typing away on the computer. Emma didn't know that chefs take time to be on a computer, nor did she even know that a chef had a computer in their office.
"Hi, Regina. I'm here for my second day of training. I'm waiting for that challenge now!" said Emma standing in the doorway.
Regina then looked up from her computer and smiled widely at Emma.
"Hello dear. I just finished up doing the food order as well as our next week's work schedule!"
Emma then made an "oh" face because she just realized what the computer was used for. Emma felt pretty dumb for not knowing this. Sometimes Emma would beat herself up for not knowing something so obvious. Yet, she thought it would be interesting to know if Regina used a special software to keep inventory of the kitchen stock, how she planned the menus, organize the working schedule, etc. It would also be very useful to learn how the kitchen operation was handled for such a business like a hotel. It probably wasn't that different from independent restaurants. She made a mental note to ask Regina more about this in the future. Having a little bit more of understanding on the business model wouldn't hurt and could always add value to a resume.
"Ohhh, I understand now. I was wondering why you were on a computer instead of cooking something or making something!"
Regina then just laughed but gently. Not in a way to mock her and Emma knew this.
"Oh honey, I've got to order food that comes into the hotel from somewhere! And it's always easier to order through Internet instead of making tons of phone calls to different providers. It's alright though, you're new, I don't expect you to know everything on your second day here. Although now that we're alone, I wanted to ask you something if you don't mind."
Emma then smiled and nodded her head for Regina to continue.
"Well, I am having this little party at my house. It's kind of like a chef party. Each of my friends, including me, cooks one little entrée. Then we have the guests of the party tastes each dish before digging into the meals and eating all of it. After tasting each meal, they tell us which one is the best. Whoever has the best tasting entrée gets to cook everyone's meal for our friend's wedding party. Would you like to go? I think it could be a good learning experience too. Not only the preparation of the meal is important, presentation is always key. And I always like to think of different and innovative ways of presenting food for my dinner guests. Maybe you can help me come up with a creative way of presenting the meal I plan to prepare. Of course this doesn't imply that you are expected to work extra hours, you can decline my invitation and it won't affect your standing in ProjectLooking Glass. Consider it an off the record tutoring lesson where you can learn other things that we won't necessarily cover here at the hotel, as well as an opportunity to have a good time with other people who love cooking."
Emma just stood there with a blank face, not knowing exactly what just happened. Did Regina really just invite her to a party? Not just any party, but a party she and her friends are doing together? At her house no less? Emma couldn't believe it. She wasn't expecting this at all, but she had to give Regina a reply. Any reply. She was so caught off guard that she felt almost frozen.