Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 09

"Nakakatakot ka po talaga kanina nung mag-prepare na tayo. Halos hindi niyo na po kami kinausap, pero naiintindihan ko naman po, Chef. Kahit naman ako, kapag focus ako, parang gusto ko walang istorbo, gano'n."

"Hala, pero hindi kayo istorbo sa akin ha! Ask me anything, huwag lang during ng demonstration ko mamaya," bahagya kong saad.

Mas lalo pa kaming nagtawanan nang sumali si Easton sa usapan, kumuha siya ng mga wet ingredients na kakailanganin niya.

I almost forgot about them. Literal. Nagmukha tuloy akong suplado o maldita sa kanila, at sana hindi naman nila ako isipan ng ganyan. Huhu. Bago ko pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa, huminga muna ako ng malalim at nilinaw ang laman ng ulo ko.

I'm not alone this time, hindi katulad kapag nasa loob ako ng kusina. Today, we are a team here, and I am leading this team. Kaya kailangan ko rin ng communication skills lalo na kung may itatanong sila.

I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to plating, kaya siguro gusto akong tanungin ni Easton kanina.

But looking at what they did to the pizza— they're all appetizing!

"Uy, Italian cuisine!" sabik na sambit ng isang babae sa mismong tapat ng booth namin.

Conrad spotted the group from a distance. Three women dressed to the nines, their laughter blending with the gentle hum of conversation in the bustling expo hall.

"Good morning, ladies!"

His voice carried just the right amount of charm and warmth, like a fresh cup of coffee on this Saturday morning. "I couldn't help but notice your excitement. I am introducing two of our signature pizzas today made by our very own chefs, straight from the oven. Would you like to give them a try? I promise they'll transport you to the heart of Naples in one bite."

The women exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Wow, talaga? Ang pogi naman nito! Anyway, ano'ng flavours nila?"

Conrad grinned the kind that could win over even the toughest critics. "We have a classic Margherita, simple and common but bursting with flavour. And for those who want something with a twist, we've got our Truffle Mushroom Pizza. Both are made with fresh, and local ingredients from our province and passion. What do you say?"

Napansin ko ang masiglang pagkuha ng dalawang babae na iisipin kong nasa 40's. They all looked delighted, at dahil dito ay mas lalo pa akong namamangha sa lalaking nakatayo sa tabi ng booth namin.

Even Chef Iris noticed how good and approachable Conrad was. He looked so confident. I couldn't even believe he could pull it off dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay mas malamig pa siya sa lamig ng aircon rito.

He's damn cold to everyone! Ni hindi nga 'yan ngumingiti!

"I can't help to stare at you! You really are a gorgeous man! Can you tell us your name? Masyado kang nakakaintriga, katulad nitong booth niyo!" kumekembot pang turo ng babaeng nasa kanan nung sumigaw kanina.

"Conrad. The owner of Cucina Eterna." He looked at the restaurant logo on the other side, dahilan para mas lalo silang mapanganga.

"I have a single daughter! At parang same age lang kayo. I will guess your age." The woman stared at him while closing her eyes na para bang naghuhula talaga siya.

Bumaling ako kay Chef Iris upang samahan niya ako tumawa. When I saw that she wasn't focusing on something, kinalabit ko siya at tinuro si Conrad sa harap ng tatlong babae.

"I know that you're 26! Ang galing ko talaga! My daughter is 25 and a licensed doctor from a private hospital in Makati City. I can set a date for both of you!"