[ Author's Note: My spark for this story is back, and I am loving every moment of writing it. I hate when I hit my ruts. ]
Daphne was feeling better now that she had some food in her system, and the pain was beginning to ease. "Ready to go sweetie?" Kathryn inquired as she tucked the bottle of Daphne's pain medication into her purse. Daphne nodded, and John and Angelo assisted her in walking out to the car. Settled in the back seat of the Kennish's car, Daphne thanked Angelo for taking care of her before they drove off. The car ride home was silent, and it was not until John guided the car into the driveway that the silence was broken. "Is that Chef Jeff's car?" Daphne blurted out as she spotted the familiar vehicle that her boss owned. "Yes. He wanted to make sure you were okay, and he is staying for dinner." Kathryn explained. "Oh." Daphne mumbled before opening her door. "Let me help you." John offered as he extended his hand for her to hold onto. "I am fine to walk myself. The pain has gone away." Daphne said as she swung her legs out of the car and onto the solid ground. Slowly, she lifted the rest of her body up and started walking towards the front door. "She is an independent young woman, isn't she?" John pointed out as he and his wife followed behind. "They grow up so fast." Kathryn muttered.
"Daphne! How are you feeling?" Jeff jumped to his feet as he saw his employee walk into the Kennish's kitchen. "Out of it, like I got beat up." Daphne said as she made her way to the kitchen table where Bay and Jeff were. "That is understandable. Proper action will be taken against Scuba, and he will never be allowed to step foot in Maize again." Jeff ensured as he gently drew Daphne into a side hug. He released her and pulled out a chair for her before sitting in his own. Daphne lowered her with absolute care onto the chair that Chef Jeff pulled out for her. She smiled as her biological parents entered the room. "Dad, this is my boss, Chef Jeff. Chef, this is my father John Kennish, and you have met my mother, Kathryn before." Daphne introduced. John walked over to the table and shaking hands with Jeff. "Nice to see you again, Jeff. I am going to get started on dinner. Is chicken okay?" Kathryn asked as she pulled open the refrigerator door. "Sounds perfect to me, but your daughter is a vegetarian." Jeff answered wondering what Daphne ate for dinner when her family ate meat. "I am doing a chicken marinated in lemon sauce served with pasta and spinach. I just substitute the chicken with a serving of tofu for Daphne's meal." Kathryn explained as she pulled out a pack of chicken and some fresh lemons.
"You are serving me dinner. The least I can do is set the table." Jeff offered as Kathryn strained the excess water from the pasta. "Bay can show you where the plates are. It is her turn to set the table. John, would you mind getting Toby and Nicky?" Kathryn directed as she dumped the pasta from the strainer and put into a bowl. Carefully, she added in her lemon sauce and spinach before mixing the ingredients together. Bay got up her seat at the table and headed to the cabinet that contained the plates and bowls. She removed seven plates from the stack and handed them off to Jeff. Bay retrieved three wine glasses for parents and Jeff along with four regular glasses for the rest of them. She set them on the table before getting the silverware and napkins. Jeff put a plate at each place setting. It had been quite awhile since he had set a table. It was not in his job requirement, and he usually ate on the run instead of a formal sit down dinner. Bay followed behind him placing napkins at each setting along with forks and knives.
"This is delicious, Kathryn." Jeff complimented as he twirled a piece of pasta around his fork. "Thank you." Kathryn said gratefully. "I can see where Daphne gets her cooking skills from." Jeff continued. "She didn't learn from me. She was able to cook since when we first met her." Kathryn brushed off the compliment. "I am self taught." Daphne comment before poking another cube of tofu onto her fork. Angelo was the chef of the Vasquez family, but he never got a chance to teach Daphne because he left when she was three. Regina could cook, but her hair cutting skills were far better. Daphne experiment under the watchful eye of her grandmother who had taught her traditional Mexican recipes. Jeff nodded and finished his dinner quietly while the others discussed Toby and Nicky's upcoming wedding. He was only half paying attention until the topic of food was brought up. Nicky wanted it to be simple since she did not want to spend much money due to her upcoming mission trip. Kathryn was still trying to sell her on an expensive meal completed with lobster and rack of lamb. "Maize could cater the wedding. You would get a discount because Daphne works in the kitchen." Jeff suggested. "I think that sounds wonderful." Nicky decided. "You can stop by next week for taste testing. Just get Daphne a list of what you would like at your wedding, and I will create a sample menu." Jeff explained. "Thank you!" Nicky said, happy that food was now taken care of.
"Chef, would you like to see the rest of the house?" Daphne asked as they finished clearing the dinner table. She was hoping to get a few moments alone with her boss. Jeff nodded and followed her out of the kitchen and dining room. They walked upstairs and stopped in front of the door. "This is the guest room that I use when I stay in the main house. Bay's bedroom is the door across the hall. My room is adjacent to the master, and Toby's is next to Bay's room." She explained before pushing open the door. The walls were a soft green, and there were white linens on the bed. "It is a very simple room since I do not sleep in here much." Daphne explained before leading him back downstairs and outside. They cut across the driveway to the guest house and garages. "One of the garages is converted into an art studio for Bay. Another is Toby's music studio. The other two are basically storage. The second level is a guest house where I stay with Regina and my grandmother." Daphne said as she began climbing the stairs to the guest house. She opened the front door. Jeff followed her inside while Daphne checked to see if anyone was home. Lucky for her, Regina and her grandmother were both out.
[ Author's Note: What is going to happen when Jeff and Daphne are by themselves? Find out next chapter. ]