Thelma reached the sweet dreams hotel by six which means her work shift had started about an hour ago, being a chef at this big hotel was the only job and living for her and Ella, and she doesn’t intend to lose it any time soon.
“You’re lucky Kaycee did not find you sneaking into the restaurant this late Elle.” Emma had her covered up till she arrived and took her position in the kitchen where all the meals were made and served to the hotel and it restaurant. Technically there are two kitchens one for the hotel restaurant and the other for room service but most foods were cooked in the hotel restaurant’s kitchen.
“Thanks again Emma, I totally forgot about my shift. A lot has been going on lately, it makes me tired and stressed out, I guess it must be the reason work slipped off my mind..” Thelma explained to the nice middle-aged woman who has been a loyal friend, colleague and support to her. It was a close call that left Thelma feeling agitated for almost losing a good job and possibly getting fired.
“No problem, just be careful next time, I am not sure if I will still be able to cover your back in the future.” Emma gave her a heads-up.
Thelma knows better than to override the hotel rules. Many pardons has been granted to her by the manager but she does not want to misuse the privilege even though she was unfortunately cursed with a kinky flirtatious boss. Thelma would have been in a better situation, but she had to be careful around her manager Kaycee Wells, well known for his deceit to women and womanizing habits.
For the past six months Thelma has been working in the Sweets dreams hotel and she already knows enough about their manager. Kaycee Wells has been trying to get in her pants for months like he does to every staff in the hotel. He was just a shameless disgraceful component in the whole of Florida.
Thelma is no fool to be deceived by Kaycee’s flirts or saddened words, she understood his techniques, it was a way he is able to capture the heart and emotions of any female he sees. A mad sex addict looking for the next victim he will sleep with ‘Such a bitch’.
“I know Emma, I will try to be early next time.” Thelma told her while putting on her chef cloth and capt.
“Let’s get cooking shall we.” Emma clunk the two spatulas in her hand for show.
“Doing what we know best.” Thelma grinned.
They laid out pans and pots for tonight’s meal and arranging the ingredients brought in, neatly on the table.
“Tonight’s meal.” Thelma picked up the sticky note hanging on a string connected at both ends of the window. “Spaghetti meatballs?” She raised an eyebrow at the list, it was a rare order that anyone leaving or eating in the Sweet dreams hotel will order for spaghetti meatball. For the past six months Thelma has been working in the hotel, never had they come across such a request.
“That’s quite strange, do you think they want to add a new menu?” Emma asked.
“I guess so, but spaghetti meatballs are my favorite. I guess God is doing me good don’t you think.” Thelma shrugged thinking it was Kaycee’s trick for her to like him. she once told him her favorite food was spaghetti meatball when they had a date which made her think he might have been involved.
“All hail the lord!” Emma praised and they chuckled. They grabbed big pots and boiled water inside them. Thelma was chopping mints when a thought occurred to her.
“Emma why are we the only ones working here tonight?”
“Kaycee’s order, he didn’t want anyone in here except you and me.” Emma shrugged.
‘that was strange’ Thelma thought. The hotel has a flexible working schedule whereby they had day and night workers, every night there were two chefs and three additional workers working in the kitchen and eleven waiters and waitresses working in the restaurant while more staffs were employed during the day.
“What about John, Danny and Falco they should be here it’s their shift night.” Thelma inquired.
“You know how those three can be, Kaycee never really fancy their acts and regrets ever putting them together on the same shift. He would definitely have a heart attack if they were here and screwed the comfort of his guest.”
“Guest? I didn’t know Kaycee was expecting someone.” Thelma said. She neatly cut out the beef in long slim sizes and minced them with the in built-in meat mincer in the kitchen. Thelma pressed the green button and the machine started mincing the beef into tiny pieces.
“I told you before, I guess it slipped your mind.” Emma reminded her.
“I guess so.” Thelma shrugged not bothering to dwell in the topic.
“Ladies!“ Thelma groaned instantly at the sound of their manager’s voice and Emma winked at her. Thelma glared at her friend who returned the gesture with a blow kiss, Thelma busied herself with the food she was preparing as Kaycee made an entrance in the kitchen wearing an ash designer suit.
“Guess what?” Kaycee’s eyes shined with happiness and excitement, it was evident something big happened but Thelma didn’t buy the elated verse of Kaycee after all he is a womanizer.
“What?” Emma asked on behalf of Thelma. Kaycee then faced Thelma as if expecting her to say something too. Knowing him, if she doesn’t say anything he will not continue till she speaks. She wanted to save herself and Emma some peace and sanity, so she asked in a very bored tone that wasn’t very noticeable.
“What?”
Ever since Thelma started working at the Sweet hotel Kaycee has been on her neck, she wonders why he is so interested in her making her a center of attention in the entire hotel rather than going for the willing waitresses and room service workers that would bow to the ground just so they can have one night with him.
Being a chef wasn’t what she planned, or what she was aspiring to become. It is an under cover support for her and Ella which is to last for a short period of time. The sooner she gets enough cash Thelma plans to buy a mini pastry shop and start her own business.
She had been deprived of basic education when growing up and was able to sponsor herself in what little education she could afford. It was in this journey that she learnt everything about culinary, which was now doing her a lot of favor in keeping up. And then she met the most handsome sweetest man Valentino Zachary.
“Ivan Senior is hosting a ceremony next week for his son.” Kaycee told them, the excitement and jubilation not leaving his eyes.
“And so?” Emma asked him. Thelma remained quiet listening to them since she has no idea who this Ivan Senior was.
“He will be here by nine and I need the hotel restaurant to be in good shape.” Kaycee continued.
“Why is he coming by this time?” Emma questioned again.
“To make arrangements.”
“What sort of arrangements, Ivan senior will not come in here unless it is important.” Emma said.
“I’ll let you know the details later, but now we all have to focus on being our best tonight. I sent you tonight’s meal isn’t it?” Emma and Thelma both nodded. “Good, you two please do your best and make sure tonight’s meal is memorable. I am counting on you guys.” He told them.
“Okay tell me at least what is the purpose of all the arrangements so we can know what spicy to use, to create irresistible delicious unforgettable delicacies that will lure him to our advantage.”
“I like the way you speak Emma.” Kaycee pointed a long finger at Emma. “He is retiring from his post as CEO of I Ivan.co.”
“Oh my, who is he going to hand it over to?” Emma asked in surprise. They both talked like Thelma wasn’t present, like they have had this conversation several times.
“I am not sure but the good news is, he chose our hotel and restaurant to hold the event, accommodation and serving for that day among hundreds of hotels in Florida, isn’t it so amazing!” Kaycee exclaimed clapping his hands.
“Yes it is, I agree. Is that the reason we are only making just spaghetti meatballs and Danny, Falco, and John are not present tonight because you fear they will cause havoc?”
“Exactly Emma!” Kaycee gave Emma a thumbs up then faced Thelma. “You’ve been quiet since don’t you have anything to say?”
“No, not really.” Thelma shook her head.
“If you say so.” He shrugged leaving Thelma to her cooking and head to the kitchen door, gripping the handle he looked back at two again.
“Just make sure you keep up the good appearance.”
“But we can’t go out like this.” Emma complained.
“I was referring to the food. Burger.” He scoffed and left the kitchen.
To be continued….
“Such a disoriented fool.” Emma rolled her eyes at Kaycee who left the kitchen with a plate of joy in hand. “You know he is our boss, right.” Thelma reminded her, she wasn’t defending him or being sarcastic. Thelma just needed to remind Emma that he is still above them on the job even if they behaved like friends. “Yeah I know. And he knows better than to fire me, I mean where would the hotel be if not for my great culinary skills and good brains.” Emma praised herself. “You work only for the hotel restaurant, remember.” Thelma reminded her with a smile on her lips. “Yes I know, but I rule this place.” Emma wiggled her brows at Thelma, they both talked and worked while clearing pans and leftover ingredients from the stove and the countertop. When they were done
The sound of a car drifting roughly burst through the cold night. Tires screeched loudly and continuously before it stopped. Ruby looked out the opened window of her private living room seeing the black Porsche parked in front of the house and Orlando stepping out of it. She quickly changed out of her dressing gown into a simple purple gown that went to her knees and strode downstairs a scowl on her face. Orlando burst through the mahogany doors like a drunk, jangling his keys around then sets them into a bowl on a wooden table. “Orlando, how many times do I have to tell you to stop speed driving?” Ruby scolded her oldest son as soon as he came into their family house. She was so pissed at his careless driving she felt like spanking him. “Mom!” He exclaimed moving to hug Ruby but she stopped him.
Isaiah paced from left to right in the basement of his house. The floor was covered with a wine carpet and a table rug placed in the middle. With expensive painting and souvenirs and vases organized at various sections, it is the definition of richness and glamor, ‘I hope to God this works’ Isaiah prayed and looked down at his Rolex watch counting the seconds that passed. He then paused as the door opened and Ruby’s form appeared. “What did he say?” He asked eagerly. “He said he’s coming.” Ruby replied with a half-smile on her face. Isaiah let out a sigh in relief and put his hand over his chest dramatically, he sat on the bed rubbing his face with the palm of his hands still in utter shock Orlando accepted without causing chaos. “So you told him this ceremony
Five years earlier “Heyyy Ariella, want to know what Aunty Pamela got you?” Thelma cooed five-year-old Ella. It was a week after Ella’s birthday and they promised Ella that they will open all the gifts a week after. The weather was cold, snow and ice coated the streets and houses, Thelma took a green wrapped gift signed by her sister Pamela and opened it with a cutter. “Aww a tinker bell pen. That’s weird? Right babe.” She frowned at the gift wondering why her sister had gotten Ella a pen, Thelma dropped the box beside her and heard something jiggle inside, she frowned again and carefully carried the box in her hands shaking it again for confirmation, it jiggled again she traced the inside of the box and found a hole inserting her index finger she pulled on it and it revealed a cute golden chain decorated with little fairies and an envelope beneath.
Four hours laterThelma had waited for four hours with no update or call from her husband, she was worried something had happened but tried to play it cool around her daughter. Thelma also tried to reach his phone but it never rings or goes into voice mail ‘he is alright.’ She kept telling herself and she knew things were really going to be different. The wait could not hold on and her daughter also needs to eat. Thelma went to the kitchen to prepare some food for Ella and a bit for herself knowing Ella would not eat it if she didn’t.She was preparing food for Ella when her phone rang from the living room, she stopped cooking, and turned off the stove before going to answer the phone. “Hello.” She said.“Pl
The present Ceremony of the handing over. “I need white bouquet flowers on each table and all the food laid on the serving table, let’s go, let’s get this going guys!.” Kaycee yelled to all the staffs. As the hotel manager and supervisor, he has to make sure everything was perfect and in order. The Chester family were no ordinary rich people they were wealthy public figures, the first top partner to support and grow the Sweet Dreams hotel to the fame it is today. “Kaycee where should the carpet go?” A worker asked him. “let’s roll it all the way from the double door to stage, come on people we need to hurry up it’s almost seven. Kaycee had gathered both morning and evening workers to set up for the event they needed more helping hands to make it work. “Kaycee… lights, music and party time all set!” The DJ yelled from the corner giving Kaycee a thumbs up. “We are good to go.” “Okay DJ smooth.” He moved
Kaycee and Thelma both left thekitchenand went straight to the double doors down the hallway. Kaycee became a gentle man and allowed Thelma in before following from behind, inside this passage were four rooms, each holding different backstage dress up and makeup facilities. Thelma took notice about the positions, colour and decorations of each door. There were two doors at the left wall, one painted in wine with mystical designs surrounding the words ‘costume written on it and the other a green door only having an Algerian writing ‘shoes and accessories’ written boldly on it. And there, at the right wall there was a dim yellow door but she could not see the words written on it becauseKaycee had opened the second door which was a black door with no writing just a few decorations around the edges and the door handle.Thelma paused seeing the black door, she felt odd and weird about the room as she stare at it. Kaycee looked back to her with a
Thelmaheld the red sparkling dress in her hand for a few seconds before going ahead to remove her clothes, and changed into it. She was trying to fit the dress around her hips before looking into the mirror but her eyes couldn’t help it and look into the full length mirror. Thelma froze at the sight reflecting on the mirror, she stared deeply at the dress and the way it held every curve and hidden features she had, not in her wildest dream did she think she’ll find a dress for her and as if Alicia knew that was why she chose this dress specifically for her.Thelma stopped staring and began to runher hands over the plane side of the dress and followed it up to trace the designs at her hips till her bust. The texture and beauty was too spectacular compared to her finest clothes. ‘this is some rich man cloth, I hope I won’t ruin it at the party. Where am I going to find money to buy it if it gets spoilt? Oooo Thelma