ng to the main kitchen, I'd already gotten turned around twice. Thankfully, no one noticed-or at least no

ging copper pots, and at least four cooks working in silent coordination. I was hande

I needed to

ked, "You're the new one?" With her hair in a tight

h. A

f the day. Every new beginning at work starts wit

worked h

gh to know the rules mat

her. "What

o the guests. Don't speak unless spoken to. And

will ever have to

od the statement we

attention to me even thoug

o'clock. The building remained silent before our steps made small echoes upon the brilliantly maintained floors. My h

te dozens of oil paintings. Thin curtain fabric allowed sunlight to create stretc

I saw

a well-fitted navy business suit paired with dark hair. His presence was immediate. Commanding. His w

art s

tag, I instantly recognize

c Blac

ombined with the set of his shoulders and the frosty flames in his eyes. To me,

f anything, it had solidified with age. And though he didn't look at me,

. I did the same, but I couldn

dn't

't t

blink in m

othing

ntact and pushing away the anxious feeling rising in my belly. What did I expect? Did he see me? Perhaps he

s fo

g lunch, I barely touched my foo

she said gentl

d. "Just... a

ey live in a different world

close the door. The quiet space felt oppressive be

to my eyes one more

whispered. "So

her was wrong? What if I was wrong? What if he was

r-something stubbor

come here

ere for

ted to see me or n