Abby “Alright, paperwork’s done,” Karl declares with an air of finality, piling the last of the filed sheets into a neat stack. The office is a maze of papers, scattered across the desk and floor, but we’ve managed to conquer the monster of bureaucracy. I chuckle, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Who knew running a restaurant came with so much... paper?” Karl snorts. “Did no one warn you?” I roll my eyes dramatically. “Alright, Mr. Know-It-All. Next is ordering. Let’s head to the kitchen and see what we need.” He nods, and we make our way to the heart of the restaurant. The stainless steel countertops gleam under the dim overhead lights, and I breathe in the familiar mix of spices and cooked food. There’s something soothing about being here, even when the