Amber

AMBER’S POV

"Two VIPs are coming, so prepare for it!"

Our manager yells, and I rarely listen to her. That irritates her so badly. I don't like the VIP menu that they proposed. Most of the time, it did not meet the customer's pleasure.

"Do you listen to what I say?"

Sam said irritatingly. I just ignore her and keep doing what I'm doing, but she holds my arms and makes me look at her. I give her a death gaze, and she drops her hand off me.

"Look, Sam. I'm the head chef here. I know just what to make for the VIP. Do you see the full kitchen? This is mine, unless you want me to drop it and hand it over to you. What do you prefer?"

I said and I was serious, and I can see why she stopped.

"Fine! Just make sure the VIPs like it!"

She exclaimed, walking out of the kitchen.

My workers and cook clap their hands before tapping me on the shoulder.

"You win the conversation again!"

Demi mentioned my youngest cook. I simply smile at her, and everyone continues with their usual.

This is my daily job, cooking here and there and returning home; I rarely stay out; I just like to sleep and be alone, despite my friends often urge me to join them. I am not really interested in bar hopping at night, camping, overseas travel, and other activities since I dislike crowds, meetings, and anything involving a large number of people.

Most of the time, I'm just inside the kitchen.

"The first VIP is coming so make sure you don't mess around here!"

Sam shouts again, and she looks at me, and I simply shrug at her, which makes her hate me even more.

I don't like bragging or making myself proud for the sake of others, thus Sam's proposal does not appeal to me!

"Everyone, let's prepare the mambo number five!"

I smirked, and they all smiled and high-fived. Confusion is written all over Sam's face.

"What? Mambo what?"

She asks.

"You'll see!"

Mr. Ben remarked, knocking on her shoulder. Then we all try the menu that we were discussing.

When we're ready to serve it, Sam gives me a death glare. I simply roll my eyes at her while crossing my arms.

I rarely do that to anyone, except for this woman, who has always been the evil in our kitchen!

I just let out air to breathe because it had already served the first VIP menu.

When my phone rings, I discreetly sit in this chair at the rear of the kitchen to rest for a moment.

"Hey beautiful, what do you want for later?"

“I just want to see you, my princess. The wind blows so nicely in here."

"Wait, wind? Are you on the rooftop again, grandma?"

"You know I like the wind, Ambi!"

"Please take care, later, I shall be there. I only need to serve one final VIP for today, okay?"

"Oh, you kid don’t mind me! Just finish it, and I'll be okay waiting here."

She said, then ended the call. That's my grandmother. She is sick, and I am the only one who cares after her. Dad and Mom are working on our family's company overseas.

Aside from going home and sleeping, part of my daily routine is to visit her.

I sleep there sometimes, but she keeps telling me to mind my life and have a life, well what I want is just simple, just live and choose to live, she always pushes me to have a girlfriend, yes a girlfriend, I like girls and sometimes fling with boys, but if I were to describe myself, I just blend into what I want, either boy or girl whoever I want to, though she always believes that I am meant for a great love.

While I was thinking about this, Mr. Ben approached me and spoke.

"Hey, the last VIP has arrived, but first, congratulations. The first VIP likes the menu,"

He explained.

"Thank you, and for the second menu, let's have the Angelina combo,"

I replied, and he knew exactly what to do.

After presenting the food and seeing how much they enjoyed it, I promptly headed to the hospital.

I'm worried about grandma, who is constantly climbing up to the rooftop. When I visit her room, thank goodness she is inside.

"Hey grandma, have you taken your lunch?"

I ask.

"Yes, a while ago, before going to my favorite place,"

She replied with a giggle.

"Grandma please, stop going up there, you know it isn't safe for you alone, please,"

I replied as she lightly stroked my face.

"Don't worry so much dear I'm okay, and you know I saw a beautiful woman there, I can see in her eyes the sadness of being alone, if she will get to know you, the two of you can be friends princess"

She replied in a way that confused me.

"A woman?"

I ask,

"Is she also a patient?"

"No, I think she's a doctor based on her appearance,"

She answered, and I felt comforted to know that professionals also go there. Somehow, she is safe.

When my cellphone rings, I am already in the process of cooking her dinner.

It's Geovany who’s calling.

"Hey, Ambi! Ana's birthday is today, and we are celebrating at Felix Bar! I hope you join. She will be overjoyed, you know."

"I am not sure Geo, I will try but I am not sure,"

"You were always striving but never succeeding! Ana is going to Texas for the last time and will be staying there permanently, so maybe you could accompany us this time?"

"Hmmm, okay, what time?"

"Same as usual,"

"Okay, I will be there,"

Then we ended the call, and I let out a huge sigh of relief. Ana was my ex-girlfriend for two years, but we didn't get along well; we broke up three years ago, but she always wants to work things out with us, but I'm no longer on the same page, so I ended up ignoring her.

So, for the last time, I must see her and have the conversation she has always desired.

After visiting my grandma, I run to the bar and see that they are already there.

"Yey! Ambi has arrived!"

Geo enthusiastically responded, then indicated for me to sit near Ana.

"Hey, happy birthday,"

I said.

"Thank you,"

she replied.

Then we are once again surrounded by silence. Good thing Alma said something.

"So, Geo mentions you will stay in Texas for good?"

Alma asks.

"Yes, I have a good opportunity there and I already accepted it!"

She responds.

"Oh I see, well if a good life is what will you get there then your decision is right,"

Alma said.

I honestly don't know what to say... I don't have anything to say to anyone, particularly Ana.

The entire night is spent drinking and talking about the past and their love lives, and I continue to drink, until Ana grabs my hand and pulls me out of the bar.

I know she wants to talk, she wants some alone time with me, and since this is her last here, I believe I can accommodate that.

We leave the bar and sit in the gutter along the side road.

"So... how are you now?"

She asks.

"I am well, and you?"

"Well, I am okay, I am finally moving on from you, I won't fight for it anymore, all I want now is to see you happy,"

She said, starring directly at me.

Then we talk about our past and all of our bonds until it's too late for her and she has to go home.

I call a cab for her since she does not want me to drive her home. She remarked that it would be tough for her to be with me for the last time, which I understood.

Before entering the cab, she holds my face and tiptoes to my lips. She kisses me, and no matter how often she kisses me, I don't feel anything, despite my want to...Then she literally said goodbye.

I make my way back inside, but I need to use the restroom. After peeing, I was about to sit close to my friends again, but Mr. Ben call, so I had to walk outside.

I was about to answer it when it quickly ended, so I went back inside, but I was stopped when I bump with someone.

I stare at her, and she looks at me suspiciously, so I just ask if she's okay.

"Are you okay, Miss?"

I said, and she looked surprised.

"I am okay, hmmm, can we... can we talk?"

She said, and I am the one who is visibly surprised!

"What? Why do I need to—"

I'm unable to speak when she unexpectedly kisses me, and for the first time, my entire system is affected; I've never felt that way about kissing someone, and when our lips parted, she wanted to leave right away, but I stopped her.

"You will do that and then leave? What is your problem, Miss!"

I complained, angry. She kissed me without explanation, then left? I'm not sure, but I think I need to get to know her better.

"Hmm, I am sorry, I just need to do that to fulfil the dare, so can we just let it passed?"

She said, but I didn't want to bite it. I know she has a reason for doing that; even if it was a dare, you wouldn't just kiss another woman, so I'm really interested!

"Fine! Under one condition, you agree to drink with me.”

I spoke, staring at her carefully.

"Fine! Just please let this pass, okay?"

She responds, and we both go inside, but her companions stop her and appear to be leaving now.

I can see disappointment in her eyes, therefore I feel compelled to encourage her.

"What's with that long face? You have a deal to fulfill, so let them go. I'm here; I can join you instead..."

I simply stated.

"Fine! Let's go inside, but...you must bring me home! I can't go home drunk."

She spoke while holding my hand.

When I stepped inside, she stopped dragging me, so I held her hand and pulled her instead, heading to my friend's table.

I can sense the amazement in their eyes.

"Hi, guys... hmm this is...—"

"—Esther, but you can just call me Esth"

"This is Esth, and I've just met her. Her friends abandoned her, so perhaps she can join us."

I can still see the shock in their eyes, and they are dumbfounded.

"Guys..."

I said, and they immediately stood up and introduced themselves.

"I am Alma,"

"Geo,"

"Frances,"

"Hi, hmmm, nice to meet you all,"

Esth replied. Then we both sit beside them as they converse and ask her questions.

We learned that she is a doctor and lives alone with her mother after her father died five years ago.

They spent the entire night interrogating her. They almost tell them I like girls, which I was intended to say.

Fortunately, Alma suddenly stated that she needed to go home, so the two decided to do the same.

We were all outside when the three said their goodbyes, and Esth and I left.

"So, where can I take you home?"

 I asked, but she didn't respond. Instead, she exhaled heavily before speaking.

"I don't feel like returning home yet. You know, this is the first time I've been out with my friends, so I really want to drink tonight!"

She said, and I understand that.

"Alright, my place is free, I am only living alone that...if you trust me,"

I added.

"I rarely hang out so I guess being with strangers must be fun!"

She responds, and I take her to my place, where she is startled to see that I only live alone in a large pad.

"Are you sure you only live alone here?"

"Yeah, my parents are in overseas,"

"Okay, so what should we drink?"

"I only have vodka left,"

I explained, and she appeared to agree. We simply sit on the side of my couch and prepare the beverages and nibbles.

"Alright, so I guess we can now talk freely, maybe I can say whatever I want to say... they said if you can't tell to the people you know, better tell it to a stranger,"

She continued, her eyes filled with grief, which has been all I've seen in her since we spoke.

"I am all ears,"

I stated.

"Okay... well I just don't understand why am I like this, I don't know if I am ugly that no one wants to be with me... or sometimes it is all on me why no one is in my life because I choose my job over them,"

She said continuesly.

"So you feel alone…Hmmm me, I choose to be alone; I find serenity; You know the point is, you were alone because it isn't time for you to have someone with you; it isn't because of your job coz the right one will always understand what you do,"

I explain, and she simply stares at me, appearing inebriated. She now has a flushed face and begins hiccuping and burping.

"Fuck! The way you say it melts my heart.... If you were simply a man, I would kiss you right now! Eeek...!"

She exclaimed, and I'm right, she's already intoxicated.

"I don't need to be a man to kiss you,"

I said that causes her to pause and stare at me. I was astonished when she held my face and gave me a genuine gaze.

"But.... but you are too beautiful to be kissed; you are even prettier than I! Eeek...!"

She exclaimed, peering at me with her tipsy eyes. I hold her hand in my face and speak.

"You are gorgeous, more than any girls I have been with, your kiss shook me within, you don't need a man to feel that you are not alone, look, I am a woman, but I am the one with you right now,"

I said, causing her to glance at me, and all I know is that our lips have already crossed the gap apart.

I'm not sure where this is going, but for the first time, I felt it again. I am now filled with excitement...