Chapter 3 MILESTONES BETWEEN US

“ Shit”

I watched as Chef Levi’s eyes closed as he collapsed and rushed to hold him before he hit the ground. Picking him up I walked straight into the restaurant office and placed it on the couch. I listened to his breathing and knew he had just fainted.

Walking back to the back door, I picked up the mop, put it back in the bucket, and closed the door. I paced up and about in the kitchen as I noted how clean it was. How was I going to explain to him what I was? What if he fired me?

Grandma always said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I made the decision to cook breakfast as I wanted the little Chef to wake up.  I brewed coffee and finished making pancakes when I felt the presence of Chef Levi standing by the door. My time was up.

I braced myself and asked, “ Pancakes ?”

Footsteps approached until Chef Levi was standing next to me. This little Chef seemed fearless hence I turned around and smiled.

“ Cut the bullshit, Mr. Besian; you have some explaining to do. “ He seethed

I knew that I was going to face the music hence I huffed and asked him “ Can you handle the truth? People who have discovered my kind never live to tell the tale. “

Chef Levi's eyes showed fear laced with determination. “ So you are saying this is not Halloween and what I saw is real?”

I kept silent without denying it. Chef Levi sighed, picked up the pancakes, and sat at the corner kitchen table. “ Pour me some coffee.” He commanded

Like a fool, I rushed to pour two cups of coffee, sat at the table, and waited. I felt my beast rise to the surface and his impatience was not comforting at all.

“I am scared of you. Of what you are but I need a top-notch chef to turn around the current situation. If you can do this within a month, I will keep you around and not ask what your true identity is.”

“ Deal. “ I piped hurriedly before he changed his mind.

I sat down and we ate breakfast in silence, and then the front bell rang. The junior chefs had arrived. I stood up and put the dishes in the sink. And then walked to the door and opened it for them.

I  spent the whole day training and understanding the kitchen's workflow. I observed with the realization that some recipes needed improvement and noted every suggestion I would hand over to Chef Levi by the end of the day. I noted that all cooks and chefs had cutting boards and perfectly sharpened knives of varying sizes, shapes, colors, and colors. Every station was elegant, every item at a 90-degree angle.

Later in the afternoon, Chef Levi joined in when the kitchen got busy. I was so excited, and Chef Kafele laughed while Chef Levi rolled his eyes, but the blush was evident on his cheeks. Orders after orders I was pushed to join in the work and I shadowed Chef Levi and things got easier after that.  My beast rose to the surface at one point when I was standing next to Chef Levi in the pantry and I heaved a sigh to control it. Chef Levi turned around “ Umm, what are you doing? “   My mouth moved before my brain could stop it, “ Damn, you smell too fine. “ I said.

He looked shocked and then turned around and said  “ Stop that” But the blush on his neck rose and I stared at him in shock.

“ Are you blushing Chef Levi” I whispered and then moved closer to him and blew air down his neck.

He turned around and his eyes blazed and I could feel the emotions radiating from his body as he trembled.

“ Keep your distance Mr. Besian.” But his words did not hold any water.

“ I wonder the kind of reaction I will get if I blow down your whole body?”

Chef Levi cleared his throat and moved an inch further away. “ Move or I will cut your fingers” The action made me stifle a laugh, and he moved away but not before I stated “ You can't deny the chemistry between us. I felt it the first time I saw you, Levi."

And with that, I picked up the sugar and walked out of the pantry.

It was almost close to midnight when the last customer left. The junior chefs cleaned the kitchen, and the servers cleared the tables. Chef Levi was in his office while I  held a small meeting with the team thanking them for all their help. After they left, I closed the restaurant doors and walked to Chef Levi’s office and found him busy buried in his laptop.

“ Chef Levi” I stated a wee bit loud” I would like you to review this idea and proposal. He looked up at me with irritation and then opened it for review.

As he was reading his eyes widened and then the smile he had was unimaginable. I could not resist as I walked over, lowered my head while Chef Levi's eyes widened, and then I kissed him.

It was breathless, and it was intense; it was magical. When my beast rose to the surface, I felt hunger for the first time in years. I quickly pulled away and then Chef Levi whispered " Leonardo i-" I cut him off with another kiss. It was brief, compassionate, and sweet. I was desperate for Chef Levi at the same time I needed to reign my beast. “ I need to leave before I do something stupid. Have a great night” After ending the kiss, they rushed out of the restaurant through the back door and flew home. I got to the apartment and rushed to the secret bunker, locked the door, and then let the beast out. Pain radiated in my body as my beast needed to feed. Hunger and the need for energy.

An hour later, I opened the bunker and walked to the shower, and thought to myself

“ Levi Xander, how am I going to resist you”