More Than A Chef

Let's get married," Valerie said while smiling and holding his arms. It was a cozy evening and the air was temperate, with the trees producing a fluent and soporific melody with the gentle rustle of their leaves outside. She was sitting with Romeo outside her workplace.

All I've ever wanted was to spend the rest of my life with the one I love, just like my parents before they died in an accident. Valerie, a twenty-five-year-old beautiful tall girl with brown eyes and a great physique and complexion, believed in love. She lost her parents in a ghastly motor accident five years ago and, ever since then, her only family has been Romeo and Aurora. She works as a chef at one of the famous hotels in town, owned by the Cardos.

It was the perfect time to let him know I was ready to take our relationship to the next level since he hadn't asked for the past three years of our relationship. Romeo's words were slurred as I mentioned 'marriage' to him. "Smirked," he said, "don't you think it's too early to talk about marriage?" Frozen for a few minutes, confusion written all over my face like a fierce dog, I flared up. "I don't understand what you mean by 'too early.' We've been dating for three years, Romeo?" He checked his phone and muttered some inaudible words: "Let's talk about this tomorrow, okay?" That was all he said before leaving in a hurry.

Several thoughts were threading through my mind as I left work for home, and even as I took a shower, I couldn't sleep a wink. After tossing and turning for a long time, I got out of bed and opened a book beside my bed, trying so hard to distract myself from the thoughts in my mind.

Yes, I know one could say I'm with Romeo because of his family background, but that wasn't the case. Our meeting was what you could describe as love at first sight. It was a beautiful morning as I hurriedly parked my scooter to rush into the hotel, as I was running late, and ended up colliding with a customer of the hotel who was on his way out. I'm sorry, I said, as I raised my head to see a tall, handsome young man in a suit that seemed to be tailored just for him. We both stared at each other for a while before he broke the silence.

"I'm fine, beauty. Can I have your contact? We can talk later." Normally, I should whine a little as the lady that I am, but I couldn't resist the figure I was seeing before me. I let my mind take over, and the rest is history.

Romeo Elio, the only heir to the fifth-tier richest man in Venice. A tall, handsome man with good charisma.

A few notifications popped up on my phone. I was about to swipe away the notifications when I noticed a catchy news article about a competition for chefs, and the reward was impressive. Five million? I said, my eyes widening a bit.

While I was still imagining being the winner and the things I could do with the reward, another news notification popped up, distracting me from my thoughts. The famous dancer Milana Lucca, alias Anna, was spotted at Lux Mall with her fiancé hours ago today, the news read. "Anna?" Romeo once mentioned her as a childhood and family friend, I said. Her man must really be lucky to have such a beauty from a wealthy family, I said, as I almost swiped the notification aside when the picture of Anna captured my attention.

What a beauty! I exclaimed while admiring her complexion and her red silky luxurious classy gown that made her complexion pop with a killer shape.

Milana Lucca, the only daughter of the Lucca family, is the fourth wealthiest person in Venice. She is tall with beautiful brown eyes and is a dancer who is loved by all. While engrossed in admiring a picture, Aurora's call popped up. "Hello, girl," Aurora said. "How did it go? Do we have a wedding to plan? What was his response? Have you decided on the date?" She asked many questions at once.

Interrupting, I said, "There's no wedding to plan, and I don't understand Romeo lately," with a heavy sigh. "What happened?" Aurora asked. I narrated the whole incident, his reaction, and my replies to Aurora while sighing in between.

Anxiously, she said, "Come on, girl, maybe he was tense from work or family issues. You know his family is the fifth wealthiest in Venice; a lot must be going on with him. Don't overthink it; you can visit him tomorrow to talk and see if everything is okay.

I know Romeo feels the same way about you. Relax your mind because I have a wedding to plan for sure," she said teasingly. Laughing out loud, I replied, "Alright, my wedding planner."

You're welcome, and always know I'm here for you. Love you, Aurora. I ended the call. Weary, I flung my phone onto the bed and slumped, facing down on it.

Aurora Zeno is a famous wedding planner from the family of 'Mr. Zeno,' the second wealthiest man in Venice. She also believes in true love rather than matchmaking, just like me.

We met during high school, even though we attended different schools. On that fateful day, their car had a flat tire near my house, and the driver had to fix it. Aurora decided to wait at the nearby restaurant after she received a call that it had been fixed.

As she was about to step out, two high school bullies began to frustrate her, and one could see the fear written on her face, but it took my intervention for them to let go. It's my area, anyway.

Ever since then, she has considered me as the sister and friend she never had. It was through her help that I became one of the chefs in a highly prestigious hotel owned by Mr. Riccardo, the wealthiest man in Venice.

The next morning, Valerie woke up feeling energized. After her shower, she tried dialing Romeo's number, but it wasn't connecting. She decided to go see him before heading to her place of work. She picked out one of her best dresses that Romeo bought for her. Standing in front of the mirror, I admired myself-my outstanding physique, hair, complexion, and the makeup I used to daub my face all blended together.

I quickly dashed out to Romeo's house with my scooter bike so as to make it to work.

Kissing passionately outside his gate, they both chuckled while holding hands. I froze for a moment. "Romeo!!!" I called out furiously. He turned immediately with a surprised look on his face. "Who is she? Why were you kissing her? What is going on? You're cheating on me?" I asked, trying to hold back the tears while hoping to get a positive answer with an apology. "I thought you were done with her," the lady said while looking at Romeo. "Oh yes, I am, but she keeps pestering and following me everywhere."Come on, Val, I told you the last time we met that it was over between us.

This is Milana, and we'll be getting married in a month's time. Please stop pestering me and move on with your life," Romeo said.

The aches in my heart were overwhelming, and I felt chills-frustrated and confused. I couldn't hold the tears any longer, and they found their way down my cheeks. Meanwhile, I never knew Milana was busy having a live stream recording of everything. I felt as if my world was broken as I walked back to the hotel feeling devastated, and I couldn't concentrate at work, knowing that my video was already trending as some of my colleagues gave me weird and pitying looks.

"Head chef, can I skip work for a few days? I'm not feeling very strong?" I asked. "Alright, take your time, but remember to be here early on Monday morning," Chef Nicolo said. At one point, I was surprised by his warm demeanor and calmness towards me. Wow! The chef actually gave me a day off without reprimanding me; the universe must be looking out for me.