Chapter 3

The alarm blared, a jarring sound against the pre-dawn silence. It was Monday. Tapos na ang sabado at linggo ko. Oras na ulit para kumita ng pera.

I blew goodbye kisses to my sleeping sister, then to the friends I’d asked to stay with her while I was away. I knew she was safe here. Hindi na ligtas sa lumang bahay dahil kay Mommy. I knew how she worked—she gets what she wanted, no matter the cost. Securing this house in the subdivision had been my first step in making sure my sister and her baby were protected.

Two hours later, I pulled into the employee's parking lot at the hotel. The city was already humming with activity, but I had beaten the rush. Sa loob ng kotse, I glanced at my reflection. A smirk touched my lips as I ran a hand through my new black hair. I could already picture their faces. They were so used to me changing my hair color every month.

Something felt off. Kumunot ang noo ko. The parking lot was almost empty. Kapag ganito, madalas puno na 'to. I noticed too that Jellay’s car wasn’t there. Himala ata at late ang bruha.

When I entered the kitchen, a few co-workers were already there, prepping.

“Good morning!” they greeted me in unison. "Whoah! You colored your hair?" Christian stared at me, then looked at the calendar on the wall. "Hindi pa naman katapusan ng buwan, nagpakulay na ulit?" he giggled.

“Hah! That’s funny.” I scoffed. Kalbo!

“Good morning, chef Yin, how’s your weekend?” I tied my apron as I approached Yintel. She had short hair and a body that didn't lie.

“As usual, binanatan agad ako ng aking asawa nang walang tigil,” she groaned.

We both laughed. I’d known her for two years, and for those two years, I was a witness to her endless heartbreaks. Who would have thought that a fierce woman like her would be tamed by our shy-type co-worker?

Love is ironic.

“By the way, I can't recognize you with that black hair. You look so pretty, dear.”

“Aw, thank you. By the way, I haven’t seen Jellay’s car. May sakit ba siya?”

“Oh, that, hindi mo ba na-receive ang message niya from email?”

“What about it?”

“Well, Jellay isn’t our head chef. She was forced to quit.”

I stared at her, frozen. “What? Seriously? I mean, we all knew she had a sharp tongue, but she’s the best head chef. Bakit... bakit parang biglaan naman ata?”

"Balita ko, a customer filed a complaint about the menu Jellay served."

“What!?” I said, grabbing the ingredients.

"That's impossible!" Yintel just rolled her eyes.

“I know,” she said. "Buti na lang talaga at day off natin."

As more co-workers arrived, all of them went to their stations. A brunet girl snapped her fingers, trying to draw everyone’s attention.

“Excuse me everyone!” Trisha smiled.

My eyes landed on the toque she was wearing. I exchanged a glance with Yintel. No way. Did that girl just wear Jellay’s toque?

“What is happening here?” I whispered to Henry, a co-worker.

“Why did she wear Jellay’s hat?” I crossed my arms.

“You’ll see, honey.” He scoffed, before pushing the trolley to his station.

"I know all of you are wondering why I am wearing Jellay’s hat. That’s because I have been promoted, and I am your new executive chef! Yey!” She clapped for herself.

I could see the disdain on everyone's faces. No one wanted her as the head chef. She was known for her filthy mouth and her inappropriate actions with the new waiters. But she got away with it all because she was the owner’s niece.

I raised my hand. “Where’s Jellay?”

“That’s an interesting question. She got fired last Saturday. Why? Because she failed to impress our dear customer.” She paused dramatically. “And today, he is here again. So let’s impress him everyone!”

She tried to copy Jellay’s words, but all of us just rolled our eyes. She couldn’t even cook. I could feel Yintel’s temper rising beside me.

"Chef Chan," Trisha said, looking at me. "I know you have the most precious taste in the universe. Why don't you cook for our dearest customer, Mr. Travis? Impress me, darling.”

I raised an eyebrow. She never spoke to me. She was the first girl to judge me when Jellay and I became close. "Sure, why not?”

She squeaked. She probably didn't expect me to agree so easily. It was my chance to get fired and go home to my sister.

“Perfect!”

“Wait,” I said, stopping her. "Just a little background. Any specific food? How about allergies?"

“No specific food. He likes unique food. This really suits you!” She winked.

"What's his name again?"

"Travis. A millionaire and food critique. Marami na siyang naibagsak na mga restaurant dahil sa mga honest review niya. He also dined here last week. We were lucky to get five stars, but he didn't leave a single comment. So, now that he's here again, we have to get his good feedback." She grabbed my hands. "He's the most important customer. I'm putting my trust in you, chef Chan!"

"I don't get it. Why does he keep coming back here?" I asked.

“I don’t know either! Basta! Gawin mo ang lahat para makuha ang feedback niya! I want a good result.”

“Okay, I’ll do it. In one condition.”

“Anything!”

“Kapag napatalsik ako, dapat kalahati sa sweldo mo'y mapupunta sa akin for a year. Just in case, since this is YOUR job. A prestigious customer must be served by the executive chef. So, deal?” I held out my hand. I wasn't taking the risk without a good return.

“Deal.” She shook my hand.

I started cooking, but I didn't put much effort into it. The food I made was for me, and I was going to get myself fired. The plan was perfect, really. I was tired of this job, and the café my sister and I were building was almost done.

Thirty minutes later, the waitress served the food. We all waited at the kitchen door, watching as she delivered the plate to the customer’s table.

“Are you out of your mind?” Yin hissed, pulling me to her.

“What?” I said, my face a mask of innocence.

“Why don’t you just let her cook for him? At least we all know she deserves to be fired! With her attitude, no one would dare question it.”

I dried my hands. “You’re right, but at least I won’t have to work for her after this. Plus, I get a part of her salary. So, I think it’s worth it.”

I was ready to get fired. My savings were enough to support my sister and her child.

“Guys! He wants to talk to the chef!” The waitress stumbled back into the kitchen.

“Did he like it? What did he say? Hindi ba masarap? Pasok na ba sa standard niya?” Trisha asked.

“Pasensya na, iyon lang ang sinabi niya.”

I placed the towel on the counter and removed my apron. Yin wanted to stop me, but she knew no one else would take accountability for this. Trisha wasn’t one to step up for her staff like Jellay had done for me.

I walked to the table. A man in an elegant suit was sitting with his back to me. When I reached his side, the plate was completely empty. I couldn’t believe he’d finished my sad-looking fried rice.

“You must be the chef,” he said.

I looked at the familiar voice. My body tensed. I was face to face with Travis. The same man from the church. I prayed he wouldn't recognize me. His eyes were unreadable, without a hint of surprise. My new hair and changes over the past three years must have done the trick.

“How was the food, sir?”

“To tell you honestly,” he said, pointing a finger at the empty plate. "I enjoy it." He circled his finger through the remaining sauce, licked it off, and savored the taste.

“You know,” he said, looking at my name embroidered on my coat. "Ms. Chan, I travel the world to taste different cuisines, and none of them arouse my taste. But this…” He put his finger in his mouth again. "Your food makes me ignorant. It’s plain though, but la comida huele muy bien.”

He took a sip of the green tea I had made sure would taste like hell, but he just finished it with a sigh of satisfaction.

I was more stressed now than before. Why wasn't he leaving? I didn't want him to praise me. I just wanted to get fired.

“I’ll put your restaurant on my priority list. And I want you to be the one who cooks and serves me from now on."

“Thank you very much for the compliment, sir, but this will be the last time I’m going to work here.”

The waitress’s jaw dropped.

“Oh, that’s sad.” He took out his checkbook. "Well, if that's the case. Can I hire you then?" He handed the check holder to the waitress. “I will double your salary. I will double what you earn here in one year.”

I smiled at him. “Thank you for your offer, sir. I really appreciate it. But no, thank you. Please excuse me.” I bowed and was about to turn back to the kitchen when a voice called out to me.

“Miss Chanty?”

I turned and clenched my fist. Who else?

“Father Gabriel,” I said, greeting him.

What the hell was he doing here? I was cursing him in my mind, but I managed to keep a straight face. Why was he here so early, and with a woman no less? Potangenang babaerong 'to. If I find out you had anything to do with my sister, I swear I'll take everything from you.

I smiled at him.

“Chanty,” Travis whispered.

Shit! Did he recognize me?

"Wow, no wonder this place is beautiful and the food here is very authentic. Ikaw pala ang chef nila?" Gabriel said.

"Yes. And what are you doing here?"

"I'm here for a meeting. I'm still a businessman, for your information."

"Okay, I see. Hope you enjoy your meal in our restaurant."

I was about to leave when he stopped me. My fist clenched at the sound of my name. "Wait. Chanty! Why don't you join us?"

"Thank you, but I still have work to do. So, please." I motioned for him to take a vacant seat, but he pulled out a chair for me instead.

"I'll talk to your manager," he said.

Suddenly, Trisha appeared. She was all smiles as she greeted Gabriel. "Hi, is there any problem here?" She glanced at me before looking at Gabriel and Travis. Her eyes widened when she saw Travis's clean plate.

"Hi, you must be the head or manager? I would like to ask if your chef can join us at our table.”

I gave Trisha a meaningful look, but what did I expect? Of course, that witch would agree, especially since she saw Travis's clean plate.

"Sure, I'll let you borrow our very talented chef." She looked at me and forced me to sit down. "Enjoy your chitchat, okay?"

What the fuck? Did she think I was a prostitute who could just be tabled?

“You're late, bastard!” Travis said.

“Bro, the traffic is heavy.”

“Do we fucking need her here?" Travis asked, pointing at me.

“Of course, bro. As I can see, you almost licked the plate because of her cooking. It's good to see that your appetite is back." Gabriel laughed softly.

"I'm sorry about that, it's just this is the first time that this motherfucker finished his food. All thanks to you."

“Wala naman akong masyadong ginawa sa niluto ko. That rice is my leftover, the egg is almost expired, and I accidentally burnt the garlic and onion,” I explained. Hoping this would be enough to get me away from the table.

“What?” Gabriel laughed, looking at Travis. “Bro, you seriously ate her leftover!”

“Aren't you afraid that I'll give you a bad feedback?" Travis asked.

“That’s the point,” I said with a smug smile.

“And then what? You won't take accountability for your actions?" He licked his lips. "Sabagay, diyan ka naman magaling. After you let them taste, you just leave."

"Do you think I give a damn? You want to give us negative reviews? Go ahead. Gusto mo tulungan pa kita?” I stood up.

He went silent, so I spoke again. "If your food doesn't satisfy you, the door is open.”

I turned around and, in my anger, threw my hat against the wall. P*tangena talaga! How could he speak to me like that? He wanted this to happen, and now I was the bad guy.

"Are you okay?" Christian asked, full of concern. "That fucking bastard is getting into my nerve!" "Bakit binastos ka ba nila?" "No. But that motherfucker had the guts to say that to my face!"

“Oh my fucking gosh!” Our co-worker shouted. "Bakit hindi ata natin alam na may importante tayong customer ngayon?”

We all looked at Trisha, who seemed to be just as clueless. “What do you mean?”

"The board of the religious academy just fucking sat on the reserved table, dump bitch!"

The board?

I peeked around the corner and saw Gabriel and Travis shaking hands with men in suits. I couldn't believe my eyes. Especially when I saw that p*tangenang Gil.

Who would ever forget the priest who wanted to rape me? Fuck! Did this board have something to do with my sister?

My phone buzzed. I pulled it out and opened Finn's message. My blood ran cold. Gabriel was indeed connected to my sister’s assault. Finn also sent me a video. But I didn't expect that it wasn't just Gabriel, but five men surrounded her, waiting for their turn. Fuck!