chapter 5

Chapter 5:

        Marsh was offended and angry at how Josh behaved with him at the bar. He didn’t wait for Josh to return home and spent his time in his office. Somehow he was waiting for Josh to call him and apologize for his behavior but he didn’t know what Josh was up to.

        He returned to the apartment two days later only to find it partially empty. And there was a note waiting for him on the table.

        “I am leaving your apartment.” It was just one line and maybe it was anger, frustration, or finally realizing the fact the Josh had left him for good.

-----

        Josh was sitting in his office when he heard a knock.

        “Yes”. He called his manager to come inside.

        “Sir I…” Josh lifted his head and looked at his manager to see him hesitating over something.

        “What is it Peter? Everything okay?” he was concerned but Peter handed him an envelope and left the office.

        Josh was frowning over his strange behavior but looked at the envelope he had given him. It was addressed for him but he didn’t remember anyone mentioning anything.

        He opened the envelope and finally saw the invitation card sent for him. Marsh was getting engaged to Natasha in an intimate family gathering. And it had a note too written for him.

        “I would be looking for you for old times’ sake.”

It wasn’t a note, but a dagger that Marsh had stabbed in his heart and he couldn’t even cry in pain. It was hallow, dark and hurting inside as he saw all black in front of his eyes.

        And that was the last thing he remembered before he lost his consciousness.

-----

SIX MONTHS LATER

Josh was busy since morning as he had to arrange a lunch feast in none of his president halls. That means a lot of space to be arranged and then the food.

       

Normally he would make sure the things go naturally but this was actually referred to by someone close to him and to top it off, it was basically to honor a senior police officer as a gift of his services on his retirement. 

He had a busy morning and lunch time preparing his signature dishes since they were given a specific menu instead of regular menu for his customers, and now all he had to do was make sure that his guests were enjoying everything he had prepared. 

“Come on boss, they are fine. They are enjoying their food. Relax now. Go to your office. I will call you if needed.” Pete came to talk to him for the umpteenth time and finally this time Josh actually listened to him.

“Okay I am in my office, but you will let me know as soon as anything is required.” He instructed him once more and turned to go to his office. But his lips stretched into a grin when he heard Pete ordering the staff to bring him beagles and coffee. 

Josh closed his eyes as his body screamed for some rest. He had just realized how tired he was. He thanked Pete in his heart for being so considerate to bring him food. 

He was almost slumped down in his seat when he heard a knock followed by a grumpy Pete. 

“What happened Pete? Everything okay? Something messed up with the officers?” He quickly stood and approached who clucked his tongue.

“Calm your nerves, Boss. They are enjoying the food a bit too much that they are requesting to meet the Chef. I told them you are busy and resting but they are insisting on your company.” Josh didn't know whether to hug Pete tightly or smack his head upside down.

“Pete, I appreciate your concern but if they are asking for me, I am supposed to attend them right. And besides, I am free after this. I promise I will leave for home and will not come here until lunch. Deal?” He tried to placate Pete who gave him a stinky eye but let him pass because an owner is an owner. 

“Gentlemen. I hope you have enjoyed the evening. My manager told me you were asking for the chef?” Josh entered the hall and was instantly blushing when they all stood up to cheer him.

“That was one of the exotic foods we ever had. Hello I am Connan Hawk. I was recommended this restaurant by a good friend of mine and honestly I was scared but you have proved your worth. 

I actually wanted to meet the Chef so that I could personally appreciate and compliment the food. The arrangement, food, taste, everything was epic and the soda actually complimented it perfectly.” He was speaking and Josh was getting red with every passing minute.

       

“I Uh… thank you so much for appreciating. I am Josh and this is my restaurant as you just know, and well, I am the chef.” Josh said hesitating in the beginning but then he regained his confidence level. 

“Are you serious? You cooked it? I mean you prepared the whole menu?” Josh looked at Connan and burst out laughing. He was looking like an animated character with eyes wide as a saucer and mouth gaping. 

“Yes, I am serious. I cooked all the dishes, and in fact the menu shared with you guys was my exclusive one for my special guests.

I am glad that you all loved the food and I hope to see you all again and again. You all are always welcome here for whatever the function you want to be arranged. And I really appreciate it. 

My manager, Pete, will give you my card for any further bookings. And to complete the meal, the wine of the evening is on the house. Enjoy your time gentlemen. Have a nice time. See you.” Josh politely excused himself, unaware of the fact that one particular man had been stuck at his place since he had started talking.

—--

Connan was in his office trying to focus on a file he had to study but he failed for the third time since morning. 

He was a high ranked police officer for God sake, well over 30 years old, and here he was crushing over a man who had occupied his mind since last week. 

He wanted to go to the restaurant again but his work schedule was not letting him breathe even for a moment. 

He was appointed as the top class sniper in his field, with his experience forte in crime cases. He was well reputed in his department as well as other departments too. 

He was looked up to by his juniors and his seniors respected him too and here he was helplessly sighing like a thirteen year old who had just discovered their hormones. 

“Fuck it”. Connan tried again but slumped the file shut as he finally made up his mind. He had just picked up his keys and wallet and was about to leave the office when his fellow officer Richard caught him at the door. 

“Are you going somewhere, Bolt?” Richard asked him. His fellows had named him Bolt because of his accurate precision of his shot. 

“Yes. I am going to have lunch”. Bolt tried to sound nonchalant but even he knew he was poorly covering it. And the knowing smirk on Richard’s face was the answer to it. 

“Martin, please come over here. Austin you too”. Richard waved around chuckling and no matter how much Bolt wanted to smack him, he ended up chuckling too. 

They entered the restaurant five minutes later and instantly Bolt caught the face he was dying to see. 

Josh was standing in the middle of the restaurant talking to some guests and his laughter was like a rainsplash on his otherwise deserted heart. It was so long that he never felt the attraction towards anyone. 

“Good day sir. How can I help you?” He saw the manager, what was his name again, coming towards him. 

“Well, our friend here is a big fan of your food. So we are here to have lunch”. Richard spoke, patting Bolt on his shoulder before he followed Pete who gestured towards a table. 

Bolt was constantly following Pete with his eyes and saw when Pete stopped at Josh, whispering into his ears. He was sure Pete was telling Josh about them and his suspicion turned true when Josh turned to face them and once again Bolt was enchanted with the smile he saw on Josh’s face. 

—---

Josh was actively listening to one of his regular patrons when Pete leaned in to whisper in his ear. Usually Josh would wave him off but he turned towards him as he mentioned a group of officers in their uniforms. 

He turned and saw the familiar faces from lunch the other day. He excused himself and went to greet them. 

“Hello everyone. How many I serve you today”. He said in a pleasant mood. 

“Hello. Well, we are here to eat whatever special you are cooking today. Right Bolt”. Martin said with a smirk. Bolt, who was not so subtly checking out Josh, startled at the mention of his name. He glared at Martin before turning to Josh. 

“Yes, I uh… Please bring us whatever you have made today”. Bolt said composing himself. He had not missed the little smile placed on Josh’s lips. 

“And what gives you that I cooked something today? It might be my day off from the kitchen”. Josh said in a serious tone. But he didn't miss the disappointment in Bolt’s eyes too. 

“Yeah. You are right. It can be your day off. In that case we will have anything on the menu”. Bolt said in a low voice. 

Josh bit his lower lip and turned around to go to the kitchen. He didn't know why but he liked teasing Bolt. 

He came back in about fifteen minutes with the waitress in tow. She served them with mouth watering lasagne and pasta. 

“Please enjoy yourself with the dish of the evening.  And just to say, it’s also cooked by me.” Josh winked at them especially at Bolt and turned around chuckling at his own joke. 

“Damn this man.” Bolt murmured to himself, ignoring the way his heart was beating fastly. Yes he was totally smitten by him. 

And this was just the beginning. Taking the advantage of his office building near to the restaurant, Josh would often see Bolt either alone or with his friends, and no matter how friendly Josh tried to be with him, he still had his guard on. 

He was still not over at his heartbreak and call him pathetic or anything, he still had a place of Marsh in his heart that he wasn't ready to fill up.

—----

Tabby