Chapter's song: Can't sleep love. (Freaking love this song!)
I couldn't sleep. I washed my clothes and my uniform coat. It was the most awkward and embarrassing situation ever. I was pretty much naked ─only covered by Bryan's t-shirt─ washing and drying all my clothes, quite aware that I was naked at my boss' house. My only consolation was that at least I had a fresh pair of clothes to use in the morning.
On my way back to my room, I stopped to observe the framed photos on the wall. I'd missed them when Bryan walked me through. There weren't many but he looked younger, maybe in his teens. A couple hugged him, only that they didn't look alike. He had brown hair and sea-blue eyes, while they both were blond with brown eyes. There was no resemblance whatsoever. Not even the squared shape of his face or the straight nose. Plus, they seemed older, more like his grandparents, to be honest. However, he was smiling that lopsided, playful smile that showed up only in special occasions.
While I laid in bed, I stared at the ceiling, thinking about that teen Bryan and the men I was starting to know. I had no idea how he'd became the guy that he is right now, but I could see that he was passionate, kind and reserved at the same time. It was so intriguing, and unnerving at the same time. To make things worse, his t-shirt had a faint smell of cologne. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the way it made my stomach flip, and after tossing around in bed, I finally fell asleep.
The next morning, I took a quick shower and started to get dressed. I stared at the other t-shirt he gave me as I was about to put on mine. I knew how it could look. That I slept somewhere other than my house and knowing myself, I'd tell Monica about it, which could be like announcing it to the whole group. Sighing, I folded my shirt and put on his.
I left the room and as soon as I opened the door, the bitter scent of coffee assaulted me. The thumps of my heart started to race as I made my way to the kitchen. I passed the pool and exhaled slowly, trying hide how nervous I felt in front of him.
The sound of pots and the smell led the way. "Good morning," I tucked my hands on my front pockets as I entered the room. Bryan's hair was still wet from his morning shower and he looked like he hadn't shaved yet. Damn. It suited him.
He turned to me and his mouth parted as he his eyes landed on me. The Adam's apple on his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. He stayed still for a moment, before he looked away, clearing his throat. "Hi."
I bit my lip. "Can I help you?"
He walked to the fridge. "I'm making cheese omelets. Is that okay?"
"Of course."
He glanced at me for a moment. "I got it. You should get your things and maybe put on your uniform coat since we'll be leaving soon."
"Okay," I went back to my room to get my backpack.
When I came back, my omelet was served next to a steamy cup of coffee. "Thank you."
Bryan was reading something on his tablet. "Yeah." He didn't look up, and his plate was half-finished beside him.
The air felt thick as I sat on the stool in front of the counter and started to eat. The omelet was delicious. Right before I downed my coffee, he got up and took my plate away.
"I'll see you at by the car in ten? Do you need a toothbrush or something?" He shook his head. "I should have asked that yesterday."
"I always have one in my backpack to brush my teeth after lunch."
He nodded. His eyes seemed darker as he looked at me and my stomach churned as I licked my lips. Bryan turned away and before I could thank him, he was gone.
I took a deep breath and washed the dishes in a hurry. He had a block of yellow post-its and a pencil on the counter. The first post-it had a half-written list. I teared it off, grabbed a clean one and wrote a thank you note with a smiley face. I placed the first post-it back on the top and stuck mine on the fridge.
Since I didn't have much time, I ran to my room again and brushed my teeth. I glanced at my reflection with a frown in my face. I looked like me. I wasn't even wearing makeup, and yet, Bryan gaze felt different. I must be seeing things where there aren't.
Bryan was already in the driver's seat when I reached his car. It was too early but I figured he didn't want anyone to see us arrive together. I was on the same page.
Thankfully, the building was empty as he parked on the back. "Thank you," I mumbled as we stepped off.
"Don't mention it." A small smile appeared on his face. "I mean it. Don't mention it."
Shaking my head, I grinned back. "I won't."
"Good." He flashed me that boyish smile for a second making my heart skip a beat. With a straight face, he added, "I'll drop by the list for today's ingredients on your desk in five minutes. You can finish the files in the meantime." And just like that he was back to being bossy Bryan again.
My grin widened. "Yes, chef." He smiled again as he unlocked the door and let me pass first.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Bryan and Tom made us chop what felt like an infinite amount of vegetables in different ways. Our dices had to look perfect from the little ones to the bigger ones. They made us repeat them over and over again. Especially the julienne ─the long stick─ and brunoise ─the tiniest dice ever─ Tom even measured them. Bryan said that it was probably the first thing we were meant to do at the restaurants and he wanted our cuts to be perfect.
Despite everything being back to normal between Bryan and I, my eyes wandered more than once to him. A lot. I tried not to, but it was like I was drawn to him in a way. I hoped that I'd be back to normal by Monday morning.
When the classes finished, Tom posted a restaurant schedule. They had divided everyone between the restaurants they had. My name was next to Monica's and Andrew's. We were going to a Japanese restaurant downtown. I smiled at the idea of learning how to make sushi.
"So we're a team, now?" Andy said behind me.
"I guess," I shrugged.
He rubbed his chin. "I wonder if they'll let us cook. I'm pretty sure they're going to make us chop everything. Maybe stir the rice or some shit like that."
"You're not supposed to stir the rice," I said in a know-it-all voice.
"Whatever." He rolled his eyes and playfully bumped into me with his shoulder. "Do you have plans for tonight?"
I stared at him like he was crazy. "Do you go out every day?"
Andrew grinned. "I'm young and reckless. What can I say?"
"And he has the hots for you." Monica crossed her arms as she reached us.
I scrunched up my nose. "He doesn't." She raised an eyebrow.
"Anyway," Andy stressed out, "Give me your number so we can message or something." I was glad to finally exchange phone numbers with my friends. Monica even created a group chat before Tom appeared by the door and urged us to finish our chores.
By the end of the day, my feet were, once again, killing me. I took off the uniform coat and folded it neatly so it could fit on my backpack. "Ready to go home?" Bryan leaned on the threshold of my little office.
"Yes."
"Good. Get some rest. Next week it's going to be harder."
I frowned. The fact that they kept it saying it over and over made me feel anxious. "I'm excited about going to the restaurant, though." I said as I finished packing everything in my backpack.
"That is exciting. Where are you going to?" My eyes cut to him. He didn't know? "Tom was in charge of that," he shrugged.
"I'm going to the Japanese restaurant, I can't remember the name right now, with Monica and Andrew."
Bryan uncrossed his arms, bobbing his head. His lips were set in a straight line. "Nice." His tone was clipped. He pushed away from the door. Rubbing the back of his neck, he stared at me. "Have a nice weekend, Jess."
My lips parted as I gazed at those mesmerizing eyes. "Thank you." That lopsided smile flashed for a second before he walked away.
Oh man. I was starting to like him too much, wasn't I?
I glanced at my phone. Maybe going out with Andy wasn't such a bad idea. I could use the distraction.
Ok. So...who would you cast as Andrew??
Guys, I wrote a bonus chapter for Princess in Love for the Winter's Wattpad Block Party. Be sure to check it out, a lot of amazing authors are in and it's going to be great with giveaways and such.
Also...I think I sort of overused the images on last chapter, so I'll be posting a few at the end of the chapter so it doesn't interrupts the flow of the story (and I was going to put on Matt Bomer's pic because I just drool over him everytime I see him. But you know, Emma Stone is ok. I guess.) ;)
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Have a great week and I plan to post more chapters this week!!!!