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chapter 11
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-08 09:53:29
Bab terkait
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 12
I barely had time to catch my breath when Chris found me in the hallway. My heart still drummed in my chest, the weight of disappointment heavier than the ache in my limbs. The sting of placing tired gnawed at me, a reminder that no matter how hard I pushed, it hadnโt been enough โ not today.โHey,โ Chrisโs voice cut through the noise in my head. His smile was cautious, like he wasnโt sure if it was the right moment. โYou did great out there.โI forced a small smile, though it felt thin on my lips. โThanks.โChris stepped closer, his hands tucked in his jacket pockets. He shifted his weight from foot to foot,he seem to quite nervous. I figured the cameras werenโt around this time, so whatever he wanted to say mustโve been real.โLookโฆ I wanted to apologize,โ he started, his gaze flicking away before meeting mine again. โFor the media messโฆ for how everything played out. You didnโt deserve that.โI blinked, caught off guard. I hadnโt realized how badly I needed to hear those words unti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-08The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 13
โEvelyn, babyโฆ how are you holding up?โ Her voice was warm, familiarโlike a soothing balm on an open wound.Tears welled up before I could stop them. I let out a shaky breath, the disappointment crashing over me all at once. โI shouldโve done better, Mama. Third placeโฆ itโs not enough. What ifโฆ what if Iโm not good enough? What if I never make it?โThere was a pause, then her soft chuckle. โOh, sweetheartโฆ youโve come too far to give up now. Youโre a fighter. You always have been. This is just one chapterโnot the whole story. Remember how you used to sneak into the kitchen late at night, trying to perfect that lemon tart? You burned it three times before you got it right. But you never stopped trying.โA small smile tugged at my lips through the tears. โI almost set the curtains on fire that night.โShe laughed, the sound wrapping around me like a warm hug. โExactly. And look at you now. You made it to the finals. Not everyone can say that. Third place or not, youโre still one of the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 14
Damien pov:The faint hum of music filtered through the walls, a steady bass thrumming beneath the laughter and clinking glasses of the networking event just beyond the door. The dimly lit room smelled faintly of perfume and expensive whiskey, a combination I was all too familiar with.Her nameโฆ what was her name again? Madison? Melanie? Something with an M, I think. Not that it mattered. She was pressed against me, her fingers toying with the buttons of my blazer, her breath warm against my neck.โI missed you,โ she purred, tilting her head to brush her lips along my jawline.I smirked, one hand lazily trailing down the curve of her waist. โDid you? Or did you miss what I could do to you?โShe giggled, a light sound that filled the room like a practiced melody. โBoth. Canโt we do this again? One night wasnโt enough.โMy grin widened, but there was no heat behind it. I leaned in, lips grazing her ear. โYou know the rules, sweetheart. No second rounds.โHer pout was almost convincing.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 15
Damien povThe noise of the event buzzes around me, but Iโm focused on one thing, or rather, one person. I ignore Chrisโs latest remarkโsomething about her โcleaned up nicely.โ or โhow she got everyone under a spellโ. He can talk himself hoarse for all I care. I need a moment, a drink, and I spot a waiter passing by, his tray loaded with glasses of champagne. I grab two, handing one to a nearby acquaintance before slipping the other into my own hand.My gaze cuts through the crowd, and I find her immediatelyโEvelyn. Sheโs smiling, her confidence radiating like a beacon. She stands there, surrounded by chefs and industry elites, but she doesnโt seem like she belongs to either group. Thereโs an energy about herโalive, dangerous, the kind you canโt look away from. Her eyes dance with sharp intelligence, and the way she handles herself among them? Effortless. Itโs almost too easy for her.I donโt wait long. I take a sip of champagne, feeling the bubbles tingle against my tongue, and then I
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 16
Evelyn povThe evening stretches on, the air thick with the scent of roasted herbs and aged wine. I step outside onto the balcony, hoping to steal a moment of fresh air away from the crowded room. The cool breeze brushes against my skin, offering a fleeting sense of reliefโuntil I catch the faint glow of a cigarette ember in the shadows.Damian Blackstone leans against the railing, half-hidden by the dim light, smoke curling lazily from between his fingers. I freeze, not realizing anyone else was out here.โSorryโฆ I didnโt knowโโHe glances at me, one brow lifting in that effortlessly arrogant way of his. โYou donโt have to apologize. Balconyโs big enough for both of us.โI hesitate. The polite thing to do would be to leaveโbut something about the way heโs watching me makes my feet stay rooted. Still, I force myself to turn back toward the door. My hand grips the handle, ready to disappearโbut it doesnโt budge.Locked.A low chuckle rumbles behind me. โDonโt tell me youโre afraid of a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-12The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 17
The taxi weaved through Manhattanโs endless motion, the city alive with flashing billboards, honking horns, and pedestrians moving with purpose. Skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, their glass surfaces reflecting the golden hues of the morning sun. I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening around my bag strap.Damianโs penthouse was in one of the most exclusive high-rises, and as the taxi pulled up to the entrance, I took a steadying breath before stepping out. Inside, the lobby was all marble and glass, the kind of place where money wasnโt just spentโit was displayed.The front desk receptionist, a blonde woman with sharp eyes, barely spared me a glance before giving me a once-over, her lips pressing into a thin line. โCan I help you?โ she asked, skepticism lacing her tone.โIโm here for Damian Blackstone,โ I said evenly.Her brows lifted. โAnd you are?โโEvelyn Carter. His private chef.โShe didnโt bother hiding her doubt, eyes flicking to my simple black blouse and jeans. I sighed,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 18
The early morning light spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Damian Blackstoneโs penthouse, casting a soft glow over the sleek, modern kitchen. I roll up the sleeves of my crisp white chefโs jacket, inhaling the stillness of the morning before the inevitable chaos that will come with working for a man like him. The marble counter tops gleam, untouched, the high-end appliances silent. Itโs a kitchen built for show, not for use, and itโs clear that no one has bothered to cook in here before me.I step toward the massive double-door refrigerator and pull it open, taking stock of the groceries delivered yesterday. Everything remains exactly where I left itโpristine vegetables still wrapped in their packaging, farm-fresh eggs untouched, smoked salmon sealed in its sleek black casing. My fingers brush over a loaf of sourdough bread, its golden crust slightly crisp to the touch. Good. At least I wonโt have to deal with stale bread this morning.Grabbing what I need, I set the ingre
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 19
The door clicked shut behind me, the sound echoing in the silence. My bag slid from my shoulder, landing with a soft thud on the floor. I stood there, just for a moment, letting the weight of the day sink in. My feet ached. My head throbbed. Every muscle felt stretched too thin, like a wire about to snap.I moved toward the kitchen, each step heavier than the last. The apartment was dark, quiet. A stark contrast to the glossy, oversize penthouse Iโd spent the day in. I reached for the glass on the counter, filled it from the tap, and took a long drink. The water was cool, grounding. I leaned against the counter, staring at the blank wall.My mind wouldnโt stop. I could still hear the low hum of Damien Blackstoneโs voice, smooth and taunting, wrapping around me like smoke. His smirk. The way his eyes flicked toward me, catching every stumble, every awkward breath I took. I squeezed my eyes shut.The flashback hit hard.The kitchen at the penthouse was pristine, every surface gleaming u
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
Bab terbaru
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 75
evelyn povThe moment the elevator doors slid open, Damian didnโt wait. His hand found mine as he pulled me into the penthouse, the quiet click of the doors sealing us away from the world behind.The gala was hours behind us, but the emotions were still raw. The confrontation, the tension, the way I had stood my groundโand the way he had protected me and, All of it lingered between us like a spark begging to be lit.As soon as the door shut, he turned and kissed me.There was no pretense. No slow buildup.Just lips on lips, deep and consuming. His hands found my waist, guiding me backward until my back met the wall. He kissed like he needed to feel alive againโlike I was the only thing anchoring him to the ground.I gasped softly as his mouth moved along my jawline, and my fingers tangled in his dark hair. Damianโs breath was warm and uneven, his words muttered against my skin.โYou have no idea what tonight did to me.โHis hands slid down to my hips, pulling me closer, and I smiled a
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 74
evelyn povDamian and I eventually reached the center of the room, where a small gathering of powerful figures stood, engaging in animated conversation. But I felt the heat of Ericโs gaze on me before I saw him move.And then, it happened.Ericโs eyes locked onto mine, and everything around me seemed to blur into a hazy, distant noise. My heart stopped for a beat, my breath caught in my throat.โYouโre here,โ he said, his voice tinged with disbelief as he approached us, completely disregarding the woman on his arm.Damian stepped in front of me, his posture protective but calm, a silent warning in his stance. โShe doesnโt owe you anything, Eric,โ he said, his tone even but firm.Eric shot Damian a look of disdain but didnโt say anything to him. Instead, his gaze stayed locked on me. โI thought I might get a word with you. You know, for old timeโs sake.โI resisted the urge to recoil at the way he said it. His smile was still that charming one, the one that had once made my heart race,
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 73
evelyn povThe city lights shimmered through the tinted glass as the Rolls-Royce Phantom glided through Manhattanโs evening traffic. Rain had left the roads slick, reflecting bursts of gold, red, and sapphire from traffic signals and store signs. Inside the car, the world outside barely touched them. There was only the hush of leather seats, the faint hum of tires, and the palpable energy between us.Damianโs hand rested on my thigh, warm and grounding. He hadnโt spoken in a few minutes, just looked at me like he was memorizing everythingโmy curls cascading over my shoulders, the sheen on my collarbone, the curve of my lips still stained with his kiss from earlier.Then, as if unable to hold it in any longer, he turned slightly in his seat.โI have something for you.โI blinked, my heart hiccupping. โWhat is it?โHe reached into the inner pocket of his tailored jacket and pulled out a small velvet box.My breath caught.He opened it slowly, revealing a ring so intricate it almost didn
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 72
(Evelynโs POV)If someone had told me a few months ago that I would be wrapped up in a whirlwind with Damian Blackwellโthe Damian BlackwellโI wouldโve laughed them out of the room. Yet here we were. Caught in a strange kind of bubble, floating somewhere between reality and something that felt too good to be real.After that night with Eric, after the investigation plans and the rush of tension, something shifted between us. It was subtle, but it was there, threading through our days like silk ribbons. A look that lasted too long. A brush of fingers that lingered. A softness in Damianโs voice when he said my name.The next morning, I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and cinnamon. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming.Then I walked into the kitchen and found Damian standing thereโshirtless, wearing only a pair of soft gray sweatpants, his hair deliciously messy, stirring something in a pan like heโd done it a hundred times.He turned when he heard me, a boyish grin stretching acro
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 71
Damian stepped forward, his presence imposing as always. โIโm warning you, Eric. You donโt want to go down this path.โafter I stood up then and walk toward Damien and now am face to face with Eric, my heart pounding in my chest. I wasnโt going to let Ericโmy ex, the man who had betrayed me with my best friendโcontrol the narrative of my life anymore. He didnโt get to decide what people knew about me, what I owed anyone. And certainly not after everything I had fought through to get here.โDamian, stop,โ I said, my voice steady despite the rising tension. โIโll handle this.โDamian looked at me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I could see the conflict in his eyesโhe wanted to protect me, but I knew this was something I had to face on my own. After everything I had been through, after all the ways I had been silenced, this was my fight now. And I was done being passive.โEric,โ I called out, stepping toward the door, my voice firm. โYouโre not going to tell my story. Iโm going
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 70
Evelyn povThe penthouse felt quieter tonight, the dim light from the chandelier casting soft shadows on the sleek walls. The city buzzed below, but up here, it felt like a world apartโone that was just mine and Damianโs. The kind of space where, for once, everything else could fade away. The soft clinking of glasses, the hum of the stove, and the sizzle of food in the pan were the only sounds filling the room, and even they felt like they were part of a private rhythm weโd only just begun to understand.I moved in a fluid motion as I sautรฉed the vegetables in olive oil, a simple but comforting dish that had come to be my way of showing Damian I cared. After everything that had happened, after the tension and misunderstandings, there was something about cooking for him that made me feel like I could finally breathe again. It was the first time in so long that I didnโt feel like I was just pretending to be something I wasnโt. Cooking for Damian was different. It was honest, like the fo
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 69
Evelyn povThe restaurant was one of those places you donโt find unless someone wants you to. Tucked between rows of elite boutiques and imported wine bars, it was all low lighting, pressed linens, and whispering waiters. I shouldโve felt proud. Accomplished, even. Instead, my skin buzzed with an unease I couldnโt quite name.Damian had surprised me at the mentorship kitchen that evening, walking in like he belonged in every roomโeven the ones meant for me. I didnโt mind, not really. At first, I thought he came to support me. But over dinner, I started to wonder if he came to stake a claim.Heโd been quiet since we sat down. Not in the way people are when theyโre tired or content. It was the kind of silence that hangs off every movement. His eyes darted between me and my phone, lingered too long on my wrist where Chef Marcellus had also my complimented bracelet and of my dishes. Pride lingered in his gaze, but so did something sharper.I tried to laugh it off. โYouโre quiet tonight. D
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 68
POV: Evelyn They say healing comes in waves. Mine came in chaosโcryptic messages, my ex boyfriend lies, and a man I never meant to fall for.It started with a trap. Damian and I, cornered by secrets and shadows, devised a plan to catch the ghost who had been haunting meโโE.โEven now, the memory makes my chest tighten. We whispered code words in hushed voices, mapped out decoy routes, and layered truth with just enough fiction to bait someone clever enough to stay hidden for weeks I remember how shaky my hands felt as I tied my shoelaces the morning it all began. I remember the taste of fear on my tongue, bitter and stubborn.I never expected the enemy to come from my pastโฆ from Cold Spring, where Iโd spent my life trying to be invisible. E was someone I barely rememberedโa former coworker from the diner. She always had something in her eyes when she looked at me. Envy, maybe. Or hatred. Maybe both. Apparently, Iโd shined too quietly for her liking.just few days before we caught her
The chef and The charmerย ย ย chapter 67
Damien povThe morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Montgomery estate, casting a golden hue over the manicured gardens. I stood on the balcony, my gaze fixed on the figure below. Evelyn was in the garden, her hands gently tending to the roses, her movements deliberate yet distant.I watched as she paused, her shoulders slumping slightly, a silent sigh escaping her lips. The weight of recent events was evident in her posture. The anonymous notes, the public scrutiny, and the complexities of our arrangement were taking a toll on her.Descending the staircase, I made my way to the garden. The scent of blooming flowers greeted me, a stark contrast to the tension that lingered in the air.โEvelyn,โ I called softly.She turned, her eyes meeting mine. There was a vulnerability in her gaze that I hadnโt seen before.โI thought some time in the garden might help clear my mind,โ she said, her voice barely above a whisper.I nodded, stepping closer. โItโs a beautiful morning.โSh
