Sidney slid into the kitchen shortly before the dinner rush, quickly making Phil a plate of Chicken Katsu Don before ushering him back upstairs to his posh hideout. She slipped her chef's coat on and did a quick check-in with the team before the kitchen did it's thing and took on a life of its own. Inventory was checked, schedules were adjusted, menus were tweaked and she did it all with ease. This was complete order. The only place where she felt like she performed with confidence. An effortlessness that she craved for the other parts of her life. She was becoming exhausted with the chaos of everything. The shit was exhausting and she tried to run away from it all. Really she did, but despite all her best intentions, she was thrown into muck over and over again.
"Sidney, can I see you for a second?" Sidney was not sure when her boss got arrived but there he was, behind her as she secured this week's schedule to a magnetic whiteboard. Nissan wore his purposefully disheveled look perfectly as usual.
"Sure." She smoothed the papers on the board and shoved her hands in the pocket of her coat to keep them from shaking. As she trailed behind she watched as he raked his hand over the back of his head like he always did when there was a serious matter at hand. What could she have possibly fucked up now? Through all her drama, she managed to never miss a shift. The restaurant had more five-star reviews than it ever had and she even handled a banquet for a Tech convention all on her own because Nissan was out of town. Yeah, the rest of her life was a shit show but she made sure to bust her ass at work. She needed this job and she didn't want Tomi to look bad because of anything she did.
Nissan bristled into his office and motioned for her to shut the door behind them. Every fiber in her being moved to protest but in the end, she swallowed her apprehension and shut the door. Nissan took a deep breath before launching into his speech.
"I'm sure you have noticed that I have not been around as much lately and for that, I do apologize. I've been working on a project. Seeing if some things are...possible. Now it seems they are so I thought this would be the best time to come to you."
Sid allowed her shoulders to lower a bit. Whatever it was, this did not sound like it was her fault. Her ears perked up. Yes, he had been gone a lot lately. Actually, that was something Sid enjoyed over the last few weeks. It made her feel like she had some true autonomy, and it allowed her space to work through all the recent curve balls she'd received without a boss breathing down her neck.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, yes. Everything is great actually. I've been Ito's executive chef for six years now and I think it's time for me to start my own legacy. I'll be leaving Ito at the end of the quarter to start my own venture."
A pang started in her chest and radiated outward. Would she be out of a job again? Or forced to prove herself to some new hotshot chef? The weeks of confidence that she built with Nissan would be down the drain. What if the new Executive Chef was an asshole like Raymond? Sid's thoughts were spiraling. She tried to reel it in and focus on what Nissan was saying.
"I've worked with many Sous Chef's in my time and they all have been barely competent. Whatever it is, I think you have it and I don't want to leave that behind. I would like for you to join me."
Sid's breathing went fully erratic and she had to cling on to Nissan's desk in front of her. She really hated the way life constantly through her for a whirlwind. In less than twenty fours Phil had shown up out of nowhere, Aiden was threatening to take away her sweet little boy, and now she was being offered a chance to get in on the ground floor of a world-renowned chef's first restaurant venture.
Nissan pulled out a leather portfolio from a drawer in his desk and opened it before beckoning Sid closer. She approached on wobbly legs and leaned over the desk.
"These are some renderings. I want to do elevated American cuisine. What do you think?" Nissan asked her. It was weird for her to be there. Asked to give her opinion about one of the most important parts of a person's life. She looked over the rustic chic design and automatically felt like she wanted to be there. It was more gritty than Ito. Ito was pure elegance pushed into every corner with its chandeliers, crisp white linens, and minimalistic style. Nissan's restaurant, it felt like it was built for family. Sid thought of her father and imagined that he would have decorated his restaurant the same way. Gruff, soul-food, with paper table covers and large comfortable seats.
"It's amazing. I think it'll be perfect. Millennials will love it." Nissan chuckled and lit up, like her approval really mattered. It made her want to throw off her apron right then and there. But she knew she couldn't.
"Where are you opening it?"
"Back home. In Massachusetts."
Wow. Sid nodded and placed her hand over her mouth. She wanted to be able to say that she would go. But leaving would surely make Aiden take AJ. There was no way she could fight for a child in a different state away from all her friends and family. But she wanted a new life so badly. A fresh slate to start over from.
"I don't know."
"Don't make a decision now. Like, I said. This isn't happening for another few months. But...my offer is on the table."
"Thank you...this is...it means a lot that you would consider me."
Nissan waved her off. He was just as bad as taking compliments as she was. She smiled, left the office and returned to the soothing buzz of the kitchen. Sid let a heavy sigh escape her. Even the best things happened for her at the wrong time. She wanted to call Tomi and tell her immediately. It felt wrong keeping anything from her now that she spilled all the beans about everything that was going on.
It could wait until the morning though. They had enough excitement for one day and besides she had a shift to finish before she had to face Aiden tomorrow. She texted Phil instead.
Sid: Guess what?
Phil: What? Btw this food is bomb. I'm going to need some more.
Sid: lmao. Sure thing. But my Exec chef just offered me a position at a new restaurant he's opening.
Phil: That's big time! Congrats. You deserve it.
Sid: No congrats yet. It's going to be in Massachusetts :-(
Phil: Massachusetts is dope. Weed is legal there.
Sid: Of course you would know that.
Phil: Got to keep track of the important things.
The pressure of making a decision and what that would mean for her lifted off of her shoulders. She couldn't help but notice that Phil had the capacity to do that often. His gift at dulling the harshness of the world was refreshing to her. She needed it more than anything right now. She shot off another quick text to him before returning back to work.
Later that night, her white jacket hung over her arm as she turned off the kitchen lights after closing. She made her way to the lobby on exhausted legs. Phil had texted her throughout the night, keeping her company during her shift until he had conked out and stopped responding to her random text messages. She thought about just letting him sleep and returning back to Tomi's and rest before morning. Tomorrow held a talk with Aiden that she wasn't sure of how it was going to turn out but whatever it was going to be she wanted to be well rested and ready to spar with whatever bull he threw at her. But it was like Sid's body pulled her toward the elevators instead of the humid night. She just wanted to lay with him for a moment. Recharge her batteries with his energy.
She made her way onto the elevators, another order of Chicken Katsu Don she prepared for herself but would be happy to share with Phil tucked into her purse. Sid made sure to keep out of sight of the nosy Front Desk attendant. A few moments later she stepped off the elevator. She noticed the spring in her step even though her body felt tired and heavy. She couldn't help but think that the extra pep in her step was due to her finally getting some earlier. Sid thought of her time with Phil earlier, and found herself covering a smile that crept onto her face. She would never have thought of dating a younger guy, or anyone for that matter, but Phil made her forget about all of that. Hold on, pump your breaks. Nobody said that we are were dating. Though Sid was alone in the hallway she still looked around with embarrassment. Hoping that no one caught her pining over some guy. The best thing she could do was take things slow. She had a lot to figure out in her life before she even considered a relationship. They would talk and take their time and see how things went. Well...she would be okay if they kept getting physical like they had. She couldn't complain about that.
With a smile on her face, Sid slid the key into the door of the apartment and shut it quietly behind her a moment later. Peering into the dimly lit room Sid's heart sank into the bottom of her gut.
"Hi, Sidney." Chills spread down her core and froze her in place as Kru's voice filled the room around her. "I understand you have my money?"