Ghost Chefs

I pushed on the door and cleared my throat. “Mrs Sparks, I wanted to know if you received my email—“ 

Leslie Sparks looked up from her computer, crimson glasses perched on the bridge of her nose Even though she should be in her sixties, due to heavy amounts of Botox and plastic surgery she appears to be in her forties, having successfully turned back the hands of time. Always dressed to impress, even today her professional-looking dress is provocative and conservative at the same time.

"I did receive it."

I held my hands out, bracing myself for her wrath. "I know it isn't what you asked for–“

"It was better.“

"I'm sorry, but I felt the article I sent would make more headlines. I could…" Suddenly, I took in her answer, falling quiet. “... What did you say?"

"I said it was better Amanda. Well done. This piece, while anomalous, is well done. You are honest, harsh, and at the same time angry and you have every reason to be."

I closed my eyes and released the breath I had been holding. I was gearing myself for the words you're fired. These are much better.

"You're going to use the piece?“ I asked again just to be sure I didn't mishear her at first.

"Hell yes, I am! It's going on the front cover."

“Oh my God!" I happily gasped “Thank you so much, Leslie."

“And as agreed upon, you will move into your new office when you leave this one. As our new Art editor, you will need to start learning the strings Immediately.”

When she got up I flicker, surprised. "I'll show you to it."

Fuck, this is too good to be true. I walked out the door, following her fast footsteps through the dark hallways.

"If I may ask," I let out in a single breath. "Why did you accept my article?"

"If you must know... it takes guts to write a piece like that about someone famous. When I read your article, it felt like I was reading straight out of a rolling stone."

"Really?" I questioned maybe too excitedly.

"Yes, but don't think about leaving us now."

"I won't. I love it here."

"Good." She said as she stopped, gesturing to the door. "This is your office. You'll need to hire an assistant and just so you know, the first days are always brutal."

I smiled wider as I followed her into the room. It was big and spacious, even considering the large glass desk lined up perfectly in the centre of the room.

"Like it?" I heard her ask from behind me. I glanced around, eyes wide, with a grin plastered on my face.

"Love it."

~~~

I hurriedly made my way out of the office as soon as it was six PM. I couldn't wait to share the news of my promotion with my fiance. Lucas and I got engaged just last month, and we were planning on having the marriage ceremony sometime in mid-December.

I took the elevator down to the lobby so that I could sign out at the reception desk. After doing that and waving goodbye to Agatha, the receptionist, I walked towards my car in the parking lot of the company.

I decided to make a quick stop at the supermarket to get a bottle of wine for the celebration. Having a Moscato d' Asti– which is a delicately sparkling Italian wine to celebrate the occasion didn't sound half bad.

After purchasing the wine, I drove straight towards the building where my apartment was located. I hurriedly parked my car in my space at the parking lot, gave a quick greeting to the security on duty and finally made my way to the elevator. I pressed the button with a thirty drawn on it and patiently waited for the device to move.

As the elevator made its way up, emitting its usual not-so-relaxing music, I felt agitated. Before I could think more about my uneasiness, the doors opened signalling that I had arrived at my destination.

I stepped out of the elevator and tried to retrieve my key from my handbag while at the same time, trying to keep the wine steady in my left hand. I successfully brought out my key, opened the door and went in, closing it behind me.

"Lucas! I'm home and I've got good news!" I shouted as I kicked my shoes off and placed my key with the others in the bowl.

"I'm right here you know."

"Oops, sorry, didn't see you there."

I walked to the sitting room and plopped down on the cushion by Lucas's side while stretching my feet and placing the bottle of wine on the table.

"So, what's the big occasion we are celebrating?" Lucas said while pointing towards the wine I placed down on the

table.

"I just got promoted!"

What?" He shouted while standing up abruptly from the cushion.

"I said, I just got promoted at the office. I'm the new Arts director of the company."

"Why would they do that?"

"What do you mean why? You are supposed to be happy for me and not act like someone that just got bitten by a dog."

"I can't pretend to be happy for you when I'm not."

"And.. what's your reason?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"It means more work for you less time for us. Can't you see that?"

"Are you fucking kidding me right now? What has my work got to do with us spending time together?" I asked, feeling confused.

"It has a lot to do with us, Amanda! It's coming in between us, and I don't think I can bear it any longer. The fact

that you just got promoted makes it ten times harder to cope."

"I still don't get what the whole ruckus is about. I always create time for us."

"No, you don't. I can't even remember the last time we had sex because, basically, you are always tired when you get home."

I raised my right hand upwards. "Hold on for a minute. What are you trying to insinuate?"

"I am not insinuating Amanda. I'm letting you know that it's over between both of us."

"I know you're just joking," I chuckled while waiting for him to tell me that it was all a joke. But he didn't. He was damn serious.

"How about the wedding?" I whispered.

He scoffed. "I am calling it off."

"You are an asshole!"I screamed, having no control over my words anymore because I was seeing red. "Is my work really the reason why you are breaking things off between us or there's something else- or should I say someone else?"

"I am glad you're finally making use of your brain. Yes, there's something else and there's also someone else."

"I knew it! You're a lying cheating prick. You just want to blame me when it's you who can't control that wood in between your legs" I shouted at him.

"What do you expect when you're not always around? You can't even concentrate when cooking, not like you even know how to do anything in the kitchen," He scoffed. "The only thing you can cook is burnt bread- that's if it falls under the category of edible food."

"Get out of my house!" I shouted having heard enough.

"With pleasure," he said without an ounce of remorse. I waited till he closed the door before I slumped down on the floor and cried my eyes out.

How could today turn out to be so terrible at the end?