Not Playing by the rules

Chapter 8

When Athena started working at half an hour after six in the morning she was afresh and abuzz with energy. When everyone started coming in the restaurant by seven they were shocked to see her especially her boss who was himself a connoisseur but of liquor and had little idea about food.

“Ms. Simpleton, you were supposed to join today I knew that but what I did not know that you are so passionate about work that you would start baking and making sweets from today itself!!!” said an astonished Mr. Rodriguez.

“Mr. Rodriguez, I always believe that in case of pastry and food, it all matters when it is on the plate before you, so it was prudent for me to start early and I must say that I am very impressed by the state of your kitchen and pantry. I loved the cleanliness in the morning,” said Athena with a smile on her face but her hands in the bowl whipping up the cream and the frosting.

“We are going to work together now Athena so we need to be on first name basis. Please call me Jake,” said Jake with a smile as he turned to go out of the kitchen but he returned back midway and said,” When you finish baking two batches of cup-cakes come to my office. We need to discuss the desserts that you are going to be creating for us and we have to print the new dessert menus as soon as possible.”

Athena nodded and said, ”You got it Jake.”

She was in her element now, mixing flour and eggs and cream and everything along with chocolate and different flavours and the fresh stock of fruits in the kitchen along with the help of Stacy the junior cook who was restricted to cutting vegetables until now. Athena did not even understand that it has been already noon and she was working since morning with only a bagel and a cup of tea in her stomach.

Finally when her stomach grumbled Maggie who was beside her said,” Now you go ahead and have your lunch, I shall take care of this batch. You can trust me on it.”

“You just bring out the tray when it pings and keep it for cooling. I shall comeback and put the frosting on it,” said Athena wiping her face with her gloved hand and smearing some more cream to her right cheek.

“Don’t worry. I am not going to kill your cup-cakes, have your lunch and don’t forget to meet Mr. Rodriguez while coming back,” said Maggie turning back to the kitchen counter.

“Stacy, can you manage to take out the seeds of the rest of the blueberries we have in the fridge? No, leave that, you work with the lemons, I shall do the blue-berries,” said Athena with a smile as she went to the pantry to have a sandwich.

And there she met with the waitress who was mainly responsible for serving the people in the breakfast area.

The man who was serving the lunch bags looked at Carrie and asked, ”So what do you need sweetheart? Something Italian or your regulars?”

“I shall take my regulars Dot. And you can stop calling me sweetheart now. I have a boyfriend for the record,” said Carrie in an exasperated voice.

Hearing them banter Athena smiled and while Carrie waited for Dot to give her lunch she looked at the new woman standing just behind her and asked,” I have not seen you here before. Did you start today?”

“Yeah, rightly so. I just started today,” said Athena not venturing into the details. But Carrie was your chatty neighbor up next door so she continued.

“I did not see you since the morning and I am one of the earliest to arrive. You are not one of the waitresses right?” she asked looking at her quizzically.

“No I am working in the kitchen,” said Athena still giving vague answers.

“Hey Carrie. There you go with your lunch,” said Dot as he handed over the paper plate to Carrie with a king-size burger and lots of ketch-up on it.

Carrie took her plate and called out to the man in the kitchen,” Hey Dot. You didn’t tell me from when you got a new assistant and that too a pretty hot one I see.”

Dot came back to the window and said,”I have not got any assistant sweetie. From where do you hear such rumours? Gossip girl!!”

Athena thought that now would be the right time to barge in their conversation regarding her and give the chatty girl some facts.

“I am the new pastry chef of Nomaden, if that is what you want to know. And I have a meeting to Jaques Rodriguiez, so please if you can pass me two chicken sandwiches please,” she said in a light tone but with a hint of strong suggestion in it.

“Oh my Gods!!! You are the star the whole restaurant is buzzing about. You are the Michelin starred Chef who has made thirty-six batches of cup-cakes with eighteen different flavours and all of them are sold out. You rock!!” cried out Carrie.

“Well I am sure that the customers had a strong suggestion and I was not all of it. I had lots of help,” said Athena when Dot came back with the sandwiches.

“Oh it was nothing. But lady you are a killer really. Our last pastry chef was so incompetent that Maggie had to make all the sweets and the desserts were limited to vanilla, chocolate and tutty-fruity. You are awesome,” said Carrie taking a huge chunk of the burger.

“Thanks for all the compliments but it is really not that praise-worthy,” said Athena biting in her sandwich.

“I am sure that now you are just being modest. But tell me something, are you an American? Because sure we don’t have your coloured hair in our country,” said Carrie noisily chewing her burger.

“I am actually half Swedish. I got the auburn hair from my mom’s side. I know your name is Carrie, my name is Athena. And it was nice to meet you Carrie,” said Athena.

“Wow!! That was so formal. So you brought your assistant with you or you are thinking about getting one?” asked Carrie.

“I thought that I could train Stacy to do the chores if it is not any problem. She has quite a good sense of measure and timing if I must say,” said Athena finishing her sandwich.

“Oh my God!! You are a genius really. No one in that kitchen could see that in weeks and you found that on your first day itself. I wanted to talk to you about Stacy only. I wanted to tell her that she would earn better tips by waitressing but I think she is hiding something,” said Carrie in a conspiratorial voice.

“Nothing as such Carrie. Some girls are really shy and it takes a long time for them to open up. I am working with that girl since early in the morning and I can count how many sentences she has spoken. Look I really appreciate you helping me out but I need to meet Mr. Rodriguez now,” said Athena as she took up the plate.

“Watch out for that one. He is Italian and a ladies killer,” Carrie said with a wink.

“Now now Carrie, you should not say such things about your boss,” said Dot with a mock stern look in her eyes.

“Is that so? Why should we not make her aware of the situation as well? After all it’s us girls who have to look after each other in the end,” said Carrie taking a huge bite of the burger once more and mustard and sauce dripped from the corners onto the plate and some of it messed her lips and corners as well.

Athena looked at this girl and smiled. It was like having an instant sisterly affection towards this girl whom she had never seen before but she could not help the feeling that they would bond really well once given the chance. She never had felt that she would want a sister like this since Ariel was more than enough on both the counts but Athena slid back in the seat and looked at Carrie.

“I would really like to know what you are talking about. After all I really do not want to make any bad choices once again in my life,” said Athena with a hint of a sad smile.

“Awww, my poor lamb… I can see that you are hurting…But don’t care about whatever sod has hurt you and broken your beautiful heart. If he cannot see that what he has missed then he should regret that the rest of his life. Why are you going to be distressed over the fact that you got separated from an i***t who doesn’t know your worth?” asked Carrie as she wiped her face finishing off the burger.

“Thanks for the concern really Carrie. I really do mean that but I don’t feel that I am really concerned about my past anymore at this point of time. I am more looking forward to having a new life here which is the reason that I have come so far away from home in order to find a new meaning to my life,” said Athena looking at Carrie who was sagely nodding at her.

“Well then I should get on with the juicy bits regarding our employer since you should be well-informed about the case in case the situation so arises,” said Carrie with a wink. Athena gave her a smile despite wanting to laugh her hearts out at the way this younger girl was speaking. She gestured her to carry on with her narrative.

“Jaques is not a resident of our country, he came and bought this restaurant. And you have seen him, so you would very well know and understand when I say then women literally drool over him. And he is as courteous a man should be always. I have seen girls do a plethora of things in order to gain his attention, like vulgar things as well but he is not a man to be dissuaded so easily,” said Carrie looking at Athena intently as she went on with the story.

“I suppose the word you wanted to say was persuade not dissuade, is it not Carrie?” prompted Athena so as not to smile.

“Oh dear!! Did those two words mean something different?” asked Carrie, her eyes wide.

“Yes, I suppose so dear.. Well I am sure I will get some time later on to let you finish your story but at this moment I think I need to attend my meeting with Jaques. I am kind of a strickler for punctuality and I am already late for it, so I would not want to risk the wrath of my boss on the very first day I think,” said Athena as she left the seat and smiled at Carrie once more as she left the place.

Carrie left her plates at the sink and looked at Dot and said,” This one is a tough cookie I tell you. Not like anyone I have seen. She has got a fire inside her which is burning steadily.”

“Well then let’s just hope that it doesn’t burn the one who comes close to her,” said Dot sighing and looking heavenwards.