021 A Dangerous Connection

Lana

I was at work this morning when I saw the news, something didn't feel right about it.

Ethan and Hannah’s marriage has been buzzing on social media for a very long time, and now they are calling it off.

Hannah’s parents said they don't think they were a good match, though nothing has been heard from Ethan’s family. I believe the engagement has officially sunk.

My phone pinged. “This is definitely what we call karma”

Beatrice sent me a photo, I thought it was the failed engagement news, but I was wrong.

Ethan’s family has completely been bankrupt. It even said they were going to sell their mansion.

Damn.

Sell their mansion? I remember when I always thought of what to wear when Ethan finally introduced me to his parents. I even kept some cash aside to buy a really expensive dress that would fit his family's wealth.

“Isn't this too suspicious to be karma?”

I texted Beatrice.

“I doesn't matter, sis, it's still karma”

I read Beatrice’s message and signed. This is definitely suspicious.

They probably angered someone they shouldn't have, and now they are paying the consequences.

I was about to push my phone back into my back when it pinged.

It wasn’t Beatrice this time but an unknown number.

“The Moretti is involved with your mother's death, be careful”

I bit the inner walls of my mouth, I was still thinking about the first message I got, then this?

I can't even reply to the text. Anytime I try to, it fails, which is frustrating.

I want to know who that is and why that person is telling me all of this?

How is the Moretti family involved with my mother's death? Did she offend them, but mom has always been an average accountant.

She only leaves town when she wants to get something from the big city or on a business trip.

Did she come across them while in the city? But I am sure mom didn't leave creekwood for years before her death, and I have a feeling the Moretti family won't take years to handle a problem.

I walked out of the restaurant with my phone in my hand as I searched for any information on the Moretti family.

I hailed a taxi and got in.

Nothing, they are just a wealthy family, and Karl's parents died in a car accident, leaving them with their grandfather.

That's all there is.

I signed, not knowing what to do.

Should I ask Karl? What would he know? He was still a kid when my mom died.

The taxi stopped, and I got out and walked into Vine Restaurant after paying the driver.

When I walked into the kitchen, everyone was looking at me. Nobody actually talked to me here, which is why I am surprised at the amount of the stares I am getting.

“Good day,” I said simply and went to my section.

The female chef walked towards me, and I braced myself because I always knew she didn't like me.

Maybe something gave her the reason to confront me today, and I am about to find out.

“The head chef got fired today,” she said, I think her name was Stella.

“Really?” I asked, turning towards her in genuine shock.

“Yes and there are rumors that it's because of you” Stella replied.

“How? Is that even possible?” I asked.

“I don't you, shouldn't you tell us?” Stella asked.

“Maybe you should ask the person who spread the rumor, I didn’t even know he was fired till you told me” I answered, and Stella gnash her teeth.

“Stop pretending. We all know you have connections with the higher-ups. What did John do to you?” Stella snapped, and I blinked.

Fuck my life.

“I don't know what you're talking about, what connections?” I asked calmly.

Stella looked like she was going to strangle me to death but she stood rooted glaring at me.

“That's enough, let's get to work” another chef said from behind Stella and she angrily turned away.

_

When I got out of the restaurant, I was barely holding myself together.

What Stella said has been imprinted in my brain, that was basically all I could think about, I messed up a few meals and got seriously yelled at giving Stella reason to finally smile at me.

As I walked towards the road, I met Karl leaning on his car and I sighed.

Diabolical.

I walked towards him with an accusing expression. ‘You have a lot of time Mr. Moretti”

“For you, I would always make time” Karl smiled but my glare didn't falter even though a warm feeling sprang over me.

“What is it this time?” I asked, ignoring his statement.

“I miss you” Karl said, and my throat tightened. For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

“You can't just throw that around,” I reprimanded, but Karl chuckled. “The head chef got fired. Do you know why?” I asked, trying to force my voice steady even as heat crept up my neck.

“No, is there a problem?” He asked, and I shook my head.

“Nothing, just asking,” I replied.

“Get in, love, let me take you home” Karl said.

I am supposed to refuse, I should say no and take a taxi or, better still, call an Uber.

Getting involved with Karl is already causing more problems for me, and I should refuse this offer, but my legs have a mind of their own.

I should have walked away.

Instead, I opened the door and got in like I had no control over myself.

Perfect. I sighed.

_

Next Day.

Beatrice and I spent the entire night talking about Ethan.

My sister has been so happy. She was genuinely excited as she read everything that happened to his family.

She even accused me of not being happy enough about the situation.

I am definitely happy Ethan finally got what was coming to him, but it just doesn't sit right with me.

It feels like someone is pulling the strings.

Nothing about this felt like karma. It felt planned… controlled.

I made sure to avoid Jenna by leaving work earlier than I should, like I have been doing since our “dinner”

I know she would bring up Cole, and I am not ready to talk about him right now. Being friends with him is already awkward enough.

_

When I got into the kitchen at Vine Restaurant, Stella marched towards me with a venomous gaze.

“You still want to deny it, huh?” She showed me her phone screen.

I just started my shift. Isn't this too early?

I stared at my phone screen, a picture of me and Karl.

Last night, beside his car.

“do you dare say you had nothing to do with John getting fired? Was it because he reprimanded you for messing up the orders last week?” Stella spat.

I know Stella doesn't like John, I've literally heard her slander him behind his back, and now she is fighting so hard for him.

Does her hate run that deep?

“I have nothing to do with him getting fired. He is the head chef, and it's his job to reprimand me when I do something wrong,” I snapped at Stella, who chuckled sarcastically

“I always knew you were a bitçh, you can't even own up to it, you can go ahead and cry to Mr. Moretti to get me fired too for calling you out on your bullshit,” Stella scoffed.

“You're fired,” I heard that damn deep voice behind me, and I quickly turned.