Chapter 10- Tunnel Vision
The atmosphere buzzed with activity as Emma prepared for the first day of filming. Bright lights illuminated the set, casting a warm, welcoming glow on the carefully arranged cooking stations. The cameras were strategically positioned, capturing every angle and detail. The smell of fresh ingredients filled the air, mingling with the hum of anticipation.
As the crew scurried about, making last-minute adjustments to lighting, sound equipment, and camera angles, Emma couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. She knew her palate was exceptional, but the pressure of determining the fate of aspiring chefs was daunting. She fingered her notes, her fingers slightly trembling with nerves.
Emma had a moment of self-doubt and turned to Mal, her trusted producer. "Shouldn't I be doing the kids' version of this show?" she asked, a hint of insecurity in her voice.
Mal, a seasoned professional in the industry, understood the pre-show jitters and looked at Emma with a reassuring smile. "Emma, you are more than capable of leading this show. Your palate is worth millions, and your ability to connect with food is unparalleled. Age is just a number. You're here because you bring something unique to the table, and the contestants will benefit from your expertise."
The encouraging words from Mal helped Emma regain her confidence. She took a deep breath, absorbing the bustling atmosphere of the production set. With newfound determination, she straightened her posture and felt the energy of the set coursing through her. The first day of filming was about to begin, and Emma was ready to take on the role of mentor and judge, using her extraordinary palate to guide the contestants on their journey to culinary stardom.
Regina sat in the car, her irritation bubbling just below the surface as the camera captured her every move. She had been in the middle of an important call with her son when it was abruptly cut off, adding to her already foul mood. With forced enthusiasm, she spoke to the camera.
"I'm really excited to be on the show," she said, her tone somewhat strained. "It's a fantastic opportunity, and I'm here for the sheer experience of participating, of course. But let's be real, I didn't come here to lose. I'm here to win it all."
As she spoke, Regina couldn't help but reflect on the sacrifices she had made to be a part of this competition. Leaving her family behind in Boston was not easy, and her desire to succeed in this culinary world burned deep within her.
The morning Regina left for Los Angeles, she found herself in a difficult situation, one that weighed heavy on her heart. She knelt down in front of her seven-year-old son, Henry, who was sitting on his bed with a forlorn expression. His eyes were filled with tears, and he clutched his favorite Spider-Man action figure, tightly.
"Mom, don't go," Henry said, his voice quivering.
Regina's heart ached as she stroked his hair gently. "Henry, you know I have to go. I've been given a wonderful opportunity, and I want to make you proud. You wanted me to win this competition, remember?"
"I know, but... I don't want you to go now," Henry protested, his lower lip trembling.
Regina sighed, feeling torn between her dreams and her son's wishes. She cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes. "Listen, sweetheart, I promise I'll call you every day. We can talk on the phone, and you can tell me about your day. And when I come back, we can celebrate together. But I need to do this. Can you be strong for me, just a little longer?"
Henry sniffled but nodded reluctantly, wiping his tears away. "Okay, Mom. But promise you'll come back soon."
Regina kissed his forehead and held him close. "I promise, my love."
When Regina landed in Los Angeles, she anxiously checked her phone for messages from home. Her heart sank when she saw missed calls and a voicemail from Zelena telling her that Henry had developed a fever and was being examined at the urgent care Panic welled up inside her as she considered the possibility of her son being seriously unwell while she was so far away.
Regina knew she had to be there for Henry, and the competition suddenly felt insignificant. She contacted her family back in Boston, desperately wanting to be with her son and support him through whatever he was going through. Her determination to win the competition wavered as her maternal instincts kicked in, reminding her that her true priority was her family's well-being.
Just before she was to leave for set, Regina's phone rang, and she quickly answered, her heart pounding with worry. "Hello, Zelena, how's Henry? What did the doctor say?"
Zelena's voice was calm and reassuring as she replied, "Regina, don't worry too much. Henry has an ear infection. That's what's been causing him so much pain and discomfort. The doctor prescribed some antibiotics, and he should start feeling better soon."
Regina felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Oh, thank goodness. It's not something more serious!"
Zelena chuckled on the other end. "No, it's a common childhood ailment. He'll be back to his usual self in no time."
Regina couldn't help but smile, her anxiety finally subsiding. "Thank you, Zelena. You have no idea how worried I've been."
Zelena reassured her, "I understand, sis. Kids get sick from time to time, and it's only natural to be concerned. Just make sure he takes his medicine as prescribed, and he'll be back to causing mischief before you know it."
Regina nodded, grateful for her sister's support. "I will, and thanks again for keeping me updated."
As they ended the call, Regina felt a profound sense of relief. Knowing that Henry's condition was manageable and that he would recover soon eased her mind. "Is he up?"
"Yeah, let me go get him," Zelena said as there was a knock on the door.
"Oh… They are here to take me to the studio. Tell him I love him, I'll talk to him soon." Regina stated
"Bye Sis, I will," Zelena stated and she opened the door to find the cameras there.
The car pulled up in front of a nondescript building, and Regina stepped out onto the red carpet that stretched toward a pair of massive barn doors. The surroundings were unlike any she had seen before, and a sense of novelty and anticipation hung in the air. The place was bustling with strangers, all engaged in hushed conversations and preparations for the filming about to take place.
Regina scanned the unfamiliar faces, her attention focused on the event unfolding around her. It took her a moment to recognize a woman standing amidst the crowd, her shock of blonde hair catching Regina's eye. At first, she couldn't quite place the person, but as the blonde turned towards her, it suddenly dawned on her. "What the hell? Kathryn?"
Kathryn's surprise mirrored Regina's as she exclaimed, "Regina!"
The two stood there in the midst of the bustling crowd, the cameras were already rolling, capturing their surprised reactions to the unexpected encounter. The crew was quick to seize this moment of tension, recognizing its potential for drama and intrigue. Regina's brow furrowed, and her eyes held a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. Beside her, Kathryn's expression conveyed a mix of emotions, from astonishment to uncertainty, as she locked eyes with her ex-lover. The atmosphere was charged with an unspoken history that the cameras eagerly sought to capture.
Emma stood backstage with Killian, her heart in turmoil. The weight of her decision bore down on her, and she knew she had to maintain professionalism. She turned to him, her voice tinged with cold determination.
"It's over between us, Killian," she declared, her words cutting through the air. "This doesn't have to be a thing."
Killian met her gaze, his eyes steady and resolute. "Agreed, Emma. We'll be professional."
They both understood the gravity of the situation. The need to uphold their public image was paramount, especially in front of the contestants. With an unspoken understanding, Emma took Killian's arm, and together, they stepped into position, poised to open the barn doors and greet the eager contestants.
As they strolled out to face the hopeful competitors, Emma couldn't help but let her eyes roam over the diverse group. Yet, her gaze inevitably found its way to a certain woman within the crowd. A face from her past, one she had wished to leave behind but had never truly forgotten. The sight of her sent Emma's heart into a frenzy, a whirlwind of emotions crashing against her composure.
With Killian by her side, she pushed forward, knowing that the challenge ahead had just become infinitely more complex with the unexpected appearance of Regina. The competition had taken a personal turn,
The moment Emma stepped out into the open, Regina's breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded, and anger surged through her veins. This woman had left her without so much as a goodbye, and now she stood there, the host of this competition. Regina had never been one for one-night stands, and this particular encounter had cut deep.
As Emma welcomed the contestants, Regina forced herself to maintain her composure. She would be professional, even if it meant competing against her ex-lover and facing the object of her desires every day. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but for Henry, she would endure it.
"Welcome, everyone, to Next Food Channel Star!" Killian's voice rang out. "The twelve of you have been selected as finalists. Congratulations, everybody."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, but for Regina, the battle had only just begun. She steeled herself for the challenges ahead, determined to prove her culinary skills and, perhaps, find a way to navigate the complicated emotions Kathryn and Emma's presence had stirred within her.