Freshly showered and dressed in a crisp black and white chefs uniform, Luna followed after the elderly servant that Squalo had put in charge of her at her arrival. He led her from her private quarters that were five times the size of her room back home.
She even had her own bath and shower and an entire closet full of clean clothes that Roy, her guide, had said were prepared just for her. She cried when she saw them and prayed that night for her blessings.
Even though the swordsman, Squalo, had told her that she would be cooking for his boss, she half expected him to throw her in a room with a lusty noble, but was pleasantly surprised when he led her to the servants quarters instead.
"Before we officially introduce you to the kitchen staff you need to be able to cement your job here." Roy said as he pushed open the kitchen doors and led her past the group of busy chefs into a quiet corner of the massive kitchen. "Breakfast has already been prepared for the commanders, your sole responsibility is to come up with a lunch and dinner menu. We have prepared a list of the masters favorites and menu for the past two years if you need any inspiration."
"Thank you."
Roy eyed her for a moment before nodding, "Everything you should need is stocked here, you need to pass the boss's test before we can let you bring in your own. I hope that's alright."
"Yes. I should have everything I need."
"Through those doors over there are the staff dining area, you can go there and eat whenever you're hungry or you can make yourself something here."
Blue eyes met brown, "Ar-are we allowed to do that?"
He laughed, "As long as the boss is happy with his food you can get away with murder my dear."
Luna wasn't sure if Roy was joking or not and the connotations made her slightly uncomfortable, but she didn't feel that scared anymore. Alena was right when she said this place had to be better than back home.
"If you have any questions on how any of this works you can ask Martin over there, he's the head chef." He pointed to a middle aged man with cropped brown hair, "He may look a bit scary but the man's a coward through and through."
"I am not deaf Roy." A heavy french accented voice called from the other side of the room. "Come to me if you need help girly."
"I'll leave you to your work dear, when lunch comes around I'll be back to help you plate it and deliver it." Roy leveled her with a serious glint in his eye, "Good luck."
With Roy's departure, Luna grabbed the thick binder and began to look through the notes scribbled on it by different people. From what she could gather, Xanxus ate a lot of meat and did not like vegetables or side dishes as much. He also liked his alcohol if the drink preferences were any indication.
Perhaps steak would be the best way to go, it was what Squalo had eaten when he had decided to take her. The rub would be simple and she would let that marinate until dinner. For lunch she opted for an even simpler streak dish. She was glad that the Varia kitchens had an open flame oven and with some help from Martin's assistants she got the flames roaring.
By the time lunch came around she had enough food for three people but Martin insisted that their boss was a big eater. She had put some meat aside in case she needed to make more, which would surprise her if she did.
Roy came, just like he promised and showed her how and where to take her finished product.
"Never be late, coming a few minutes early won't hurt anyone but even a second late and the boss won't be happy." Roy advised. "The generals do not always eat separately but Martin is in charge of letting you know that. Today the boss will be dining in his office alone."
"I'm to bring him the meal?" She asked.
"Yes, the boss likes to have the cook in the room for the first few bites." Roy shrugged but that made her nervous. Why would the boss want her to stick around, except maybe to make sure she knew that her food was horrible.
Swallowing painfully she looked down at the covered trays, was the food too plain? Should she have embellished it a bit more? What was she thinking, this wasn't the boss of a small family like her old boss, he was the leader of the Vongola's independent assassins squad, the Varia.
"Breath dear." Roy patted her back, "The boss hadn't killed anyone yet." He seemed to realize what he said and smiled apologetically, "Don't worry, I think general Squalo is giving the boss a report right now, so you won't be alone."
Great, now she had two terrifying figures watching her.
They arrived before a tall door that Roy knocked on twice and opened without waiting for a response. He held the door open for her as she pushed the cart full of food inside.
"...Fourteen reports and those fuckers still can't spell the goddamn words right…" Squalo was there, standing across from a tall figure slouching in his chair, he looked like he was asleep.
So this was Xanxus.
She watched as Roy began to move files from the desk in front of her new boss and she moved forward to help the older man. In a few minutes they had cleared enough space for the food and began to set the table.
She had picked out a tequila that would complement the steak and set the bottle next to a glass she had already filled to the brim. When she added the final flourish of spice onto the cooked meat she noticed the red eyes staring intently at her.
Luna was able to keep from flinching in surprise, but could not stop the shaking in her hands as she looked away from him and finished setting up the table before moving to the side of the room where Roy watched approvingly from.
Almost as if a switch was flipped the slumped over man straightened, seeming even more imposing, as he grabbed a knife and fork and began to cut into the food. She wasn't even sure if Squalo's words were even reaching the man, but it was not her place to judge.
Ten minutes had passed and they were still not asked to leave. She sent Roy a questioning glance but he only smiled at her.
"How is the meal boss?" Roy asked.
"What's your name?" His voice was rough, like sandpaper had shredded his throat and it sent chills through her.
"L-Luna De Ullio." She responded, keeping her eyes respectfully at her feet.
"Look at me trash." He snapped and she did. His red eyes burned into her soul and made her want to run away but fear held her in place. "You're hired."
"We'll see ourselves out boss, Luna will be in the kitchens if you ever require anything else." She followed Roy out of the room and gently closed the door behind them.
They walked in silence back to the kitchens where Roy smiled triumphantly at her. "Well that went as well as I've seen."
"Did I do well?" She asked.
"You are now the official chef for the leader of the Varia." He nodded, "With that title comes some privileges and a salary."
Blue eyes widened at the last word, "Sa-Salary! I'll be getting paid?"
"It's not much but one hundred twenty thousand a year is the starting, if the boss really enjoys your cooking it could reach a decent amount." He watched her fall to her knees and panicked, "I mean I can ask for a higher starting if you-"
She shook her head, "It's not that, I didn't know I was going to be paid, I thought...I've never been paid before."
Brows furrowing, Roy looked at her with concern, "I am not aware of your circumstances Luna, but you are not a prisoner here. If you have cause to quit you will not be punished for it."
She believed him.
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