So it was now Saturday, the day that Joe's friend, Steve, was supposed to come over so I could cook for him. Although I loved my job at the elementary school, I feel like being a chef could be a much better opportunity for me. I also took multiple culinary classes in high school, I was hoping that would be enough to get into the Red Rooster. This was supposed to be a really high class place.

I did a lot of thinking and preparing and I decided that I was going to cook my homemade Chicken Alfredo. I learned the recipe when I was fifteen, and I have loved it ever since. I had cooked it multiple times, it was simple, yet delicious so I thought it would be absolutely perfect!

I got out all the ingredients, and suddenly became very nervous. I wanted this job really bad, I loved to cook and bake, I always have. Once I heard the knock at the door, I practically jumped out of my skin. I calmed down, taking big breaths as I walked to the door and creaked it open slowly. In walked a man about 6 foot tall, his short buzz cut hair looked newly done, and he wore a dressy suit. His smile was perfectly straight and his eyes were pure green.

"Hi, I'm Steve." He stuck his hand out for me to shake.

"Vanessa," I replied shortly, shaking his hand and allowing him aside.

I shut the door behind him, then put mu hair in a ponytail as I led him into my kitchen.

"I like this kitchen," Steve complimented.

"Thank you," I smiled brightly.

I had already homemade the noodles, I told Steve all my steps in great detail throughout cooking. I boiled the noodles, and as they boiled I made the sauce. While the sauce was cooking, I strained the noodles and made the chicken. After all the basics, I did my touch-ups and it was finished! It took almost two hours, but I was hoping it would be worth it. I was still very nervous.

I served him first, then sat next to him. I didn't even take a bite, I wanted to see his reaction. He didn't react at all, is that a good thing? A bad thing? I'm not sure. It seemed like he wasn't going to react until he was finished. So, we both ate in silence. Once we were done, he turned to look at me. He looked like he was in deep thought, I was becoming more and more anxious. I felt like I could have sweat through my shirt.

"That was probably one of the best dishes of Chicken Alfredo I have ever had. Where did you get the recipe?" He asked with a smile.

I let out a deep breath, making us both chuckle. I was extremely relieved, and could not stop smiling at the compliment.

"Thank you so much, sir! And it was a family recipe I learned growing up, my whole family loved to cook." I smiled.

"Are you the only one who has actually wanted to take it a step further and make it a career?" Steve asked.

"Yes, actually."

"Well, how much experience have you had in actual restaurants?"

"Well, I took multiple culinary classes at my community college in my town. It was just for fun, though. It wasn't until recently when I thought I wanted to go further with it." I replied.

"Its great that you have college experience with the culinary field, we have some space open in our kitchen and I would like to make you not the head chef, but the executive chef, which is basically just a step below her. Congratulations," Steve smiled, and shook my hand.

"Really, sir?! Thank you so much! I- When do I start?" I asked, in complete awe.

Steve pulled out a piece of paper with a calendar on it and a lot of notes.

"Come in on August 9th, a Monday since I know you have to put in your two weeks with your current job."

I thanked Steve a million more times before he left. I couldn't believe this! I was an executive chef at a five star restaurant! The first person who has to know is Joe, he is the whole reason why this happened to me and I couldn't be more thankful for him. I cleaned up my mess from cooking and immediately called Joe.

"Hey, Ness! How'd is go with Steve?" He asked.

"Fantastic! He made me executive chef!" I practically screamed from excitement.

"Seriously?! I knew you could do it! Congratulations, Vanessa. You deserve it more than anyone I know."

"Thank you, Joe. But I have you to thank! If it wasn't for you, none of this would have happened. I'm very grateful for that," I told him.

"Like I said earlier, think of it as a favor, okay? But I have to go. Congratulations again!" Joe said, and hung up.

Next, I felt like I had to tell Jared, Jensen, and Liz. They were all so close to me. I texted all 3 of them and told them to come over, and I wanted to break the news in a funny way. I went through my closet and found an old chef's hat we had to wear when I cooked at the community college, and I put on my apron I occasionally use to cook with. I grabbed a wooden spoon and a pan, and waited downstairs by the door.

They all three walked in together, wondering why I asked them all to come over at once. Once they were through the door, I began banging the pan and scared the crap out of all three of them. I set the spoon and pan down, laughing hysterically.

"What the hell was that for?!" Jensen asked.

"You are looking at the new executive chef at Red Rooster!" I exclaimed.

"What?! How'd that happen?" Jared asked with a smile.

"Well, I didn't want to tell anyone because I wasn't sure what would happen. But, Joe is friends with a guy named Steve from Red Rooster and he thought he could get me in the kitchen because I cooked Joe some of my shrimp alfredo. Well, Steve agreed to let me cook for him and when I did, he basically hired me right away!"

"I'm so happy for you!" Liz exclaimed, and we all four had a group hug.

"Lets all go out tonight to celebrate," Jared suggested.

"Really?" I asked with a bright smile.

"Of course, Ness. This deserves to be celebrated," Jared replied, grinning and gave me another hug. "We'll all dress nice and I'll take everyone out, my treat."

"Jared, no! You don't have to pay for every-"

Jared put his hand over my mouth to quiet me, saying it was his choice. Everyone laughed and I reluctantly gave in.

Later that night, I wore a red dress with one sleeve, on the sleeve there were jewels around a small hole going down the arm. With the dress, I wore silver heels. I curled my hair, and applied makeup. I hadn't actually looked this nice in a long time, I liked it.

I was walking outside to my car when I saw a car at the stop sign that looked vaguely familiar. I couldn't help but glance inside the car to see it was Erin's car, and she was in the front seat. I didn't think anything of it, until I saw someone else in the passenger seat. A male, with blonde hair had his arm around Erin and gave her a small kiss on the lips. I gasped to myself as the car turned and drove away. How was I going to tell Jared? I had to tell him, right? He's my best friend and I couldn't have him hurt. She's lucky she drove away or I would have beat her ass.

I tried to shake off what I saw until later because Jared was right, we should celebrate my life heading in a new direction. I got to the restaurant and sat next to Jared, with Liz and Jensen across from us. We ordered our drinks and began looking at the menu. Jared kept glancing at his phone, looking worried.

"You okay?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Its just weird, I haven't heard from Erin all day. We made up from that fight, but I don't know. She hasn't talked to me all day," He sighed.

'Because she's cheating on you..' I thought to myself.

It was silent for a moment. I had to tell him. I couldn't let him worry himself to death all dinner.. right? He should know immediately... right? Yeah.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure." Jared replied.

We went outside quickly, and sat on a bench.

"I'm not sure how to tell you this, Jared. But.. On my way here, I saw Erin in the car with some other guy and he kissed her." I frowned, hoping he would be okay.

He slumped down, his face expressionless.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, putting my hand over his.

He looked up at me, and nodded.

"You don't seem like it," I sighed.

"I am. I'm fine, I kinda had a feeling but I guess I never wanted to admit it. I think you were right, she wanted me for my money." Jared sighed as well.

"I'm sorry," I said, standing up and pulling him with me to give him a big hug.

"Come on, lets forget about that bitch and celebrate your new job." Jared smiled.

I was a bit shocked at his reaction.

"Okay, I like your attitude." I chuckled.

We went back in the restaurant and had a great evening. Jared ordered a dessert for us to share. While we were waiting for it, Jared began to hold my hand. I immediately got butterflies in my stomach. Liz and Jensen were holding hands on top of the table, but Jared was holding mine secretly under the table. Was it just another friendship thing? Or does he really mean it? Or is he just trying to make himself feel better now that he's single? I'm not sure.

We got the dessert, which was a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. All four of us devoured it in minutes, laughing at ourselves afterwards.

"I forgot how much I loved chocolate lava cake," I said.

"Yeah, you love it so much you have it all over your face," Liz said, throwing a napkin at me while everyone laughed.

I wiped my face off, Jared paid and we all left to go to our separate houses. While driving home, it began to storm the worst it had in a while. I hated driving at night, being partially night blind. I grabbed my glasses and put them on, hoping it would help, but it definitely didn't. I stopped at a stop sign, hardly able to see a thing. I saw a strike of lightening and that was it. I looked both ways and saw no one, so I began to drive forward. But, a driver who didn't have their headlights on crashed into the driver's side of my car. All I remember was the sound of thunder before I completely blacked out.