Chapter 35

Chapter Rating: PG

The aromas filling the air around Natalia's tiny workspace were doing their job in taking her out of her 'here and now'. She had set aside eleven small ceramic bowls for the different spices and powders she was about to use for her latest creation. She hadn't a lot of room to work so she had decided on something quick and easy. The hotel was particularly busy this weekend and the kitchen staff was clamoring to satisfy the needs of a nearly fully populated restaurant. It wasn't exactly the most appropriate time for her to be in there, but she kept to herself and tried to stay out of the way as much as possible. She needed the distraction today; something that would keep her engaged for at least a short period of time. She was to be spending time trying not to 'accidentally' run into Olivia today. Olivia's orders. It seemed that in the moments in which the two of them should be far apart, they both drew each other closer somehow. She believed that here, tucked away quietly, was the safest way to comply with Olivia's request.

Despite the hectic pace of a demanding dinner crowd, Head Chef Johan Almstedt had been watching Natalia as she laboured over her task. He noticed her look of stern concentration; watched as she poured herself into her work. He went over to the appetizer line to make sure that everything was running smoothly and then made his way over to where the young hotelier was slicing some red onions.

"You know," he interrupted her gently as he leaned against the wall beside her, "you may have to make a whole lot more of that if my diners smell what you are about to make."

Natalia smiled sweetly at the tall, middle-aged man. She had known Chef Almstedt for thirteen years and never had he criticized anything she ever made while in his kitchen. "Hi Johan. I'm not in the way, am I?"

Johan waved a hand in the air as he shook his head. "No, no not at all," he replied. "You've heard me yelling at my crew this afternoon. Do you really think I would let you get away with anything just because you are like family to me?"

The brunette chuckled. "Yes, actually, I know you would." She turned back to the medium-sized bowl which contained plain yogurt. She began adding the ingredients for her marinade. She began with the pastes: ginger and garlic. Then went in the powders: red chili, paprika, and coriander. She picked up the bowl and started mixing everything together. Taking a small spoon she tested the mixture. "I think I added too much ginger," she said.

Johan smiled and moved from his position against the wall. "I don't think it's possible to ruin..." He looked at the remaining items on the table. "Tandoori chicken." He took a new spoon and tasted the concoction. He rolled the flavour of it around in his mouth and narrowed his eyes. "Hardly noticeable," he gave the spoon back to Natalia. "Add in a little more ground green chilies and a bit more garlic."

"Thanks."

"Anytime." The Chef looked quickly around the kitchen to make sure no one needed anything from him. "Haven't seen you around here very often."

"It's been a crazy few weeks."

"Ahh, yes. Visitors from the East?"

Natalia smiled and shook her head a couple of times. "Nothing gets by the kitchen staff, huh?"

"Superhuman hearing. It's much different from eavesdropping." He winked. "And, of course, we are sworn to secrecy."

Natalia let out a sigh and opened a box of fresh chicken. She placed four pieces on the table and began slicing shallow grooves into them on both sides of the cutlets. "At this point, you all probably know more about what's going on around here than I do." She set the knife down with much more force than necessary.

"Not that I normally encourage deep discussions with angry women while they wield sharp knives, but..."

"I just feel like everything is falling apart here, and I can't help but feel at fault. I am responsible for this hotel, the clientele, the vendors, all of you..." She made an all-encompassing gesture with her arm.

"No one is blaming you for their employment insecurities, Natalia. It's how things are these days." He watched as she shrugged. "Do you know what changes this new 'business partner' plans to make if this merger goes through?"

"I wish I did, believe me. It annoys the hell out of me to think that she can just waltz in here and undo all I've worked so hard to achieve in all these years."

"My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you've done a hell of a job here. You should be proud."

Natalia grabbed a re-sealable plastic bag from one of the shelves above her head. She transported the marinade into the bag and added the four pieces of chicken. After tossing the bag back and forth between hands a few times to make sure the contents were thoroughly coated, she set it down and went over to a small sink to wash her hands.

Chef Almstedt continued to try and alleviate her from her troubles. "It is perhaps time for change though. Maybe this is a good thing. At least now you will be part of that process instead being shut out entirely."

The woman sighed at this. "I suppose."

"I know it's selfish of me to say this but, from your employee’s standpoint, as long as the newcomers in this venture trust us all to continue doing our jobs and let us stay, I know that you'll have our 100% support no matter what those changes end up being."

Natalia chuckled and dried her hands off. "It's giving them my 100% that seems to be the problem."

"You are strong-willed, just like your mother." He saw her demeanor shift quickly as she paused and looked up at him with a softer gaze.

"I miss her," she said quietly.

Johan smiled and nodded. "We all do, darling."

"Everyone knows that I will go to bat for you all, right? I'm not going to let any of you go without a fight."

"There was never a doubt, and we appreciate it very much." Johan gave Natalia a sideways hug. "Now, set those in the fridge and I will have someone take them out for you in..."

"Four hours."

"Got it. And what are we going to be using for the baste while grilling?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Natalia smirked, knowing she was being tested by her long time family friend. "Lemon juice, 1/2 a teaspoon of tandoori masala, and a pinch of salt."

"We'll have it ready for you. I may not be here so, if I don't see you, please take care of yourself. And, as we only see you around here when you are anxious about something, may I also say that I hope you don't come by all that often."

Natalia laughed at this. "I know, I know... I'll stop in more frequently and I'll make sure that I am angst and anger free. Promise."

"We'll take you. Whatever state you're in."

Natalia made her exit and headed back towards her room.

One hour down... She looked at her watch. A dozen or so more to go.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The afternoon sun was warm but there was a gentle breeze blowing around them as Olivia and Andrew watched Emma playing with Boris from their spot on one of the hotel's park benches. The little girl was trying just as hard to coax her friend out of his shell as Olivia was trying not to run to Natalia in order to do the same. She knew they needed some time apart. She had already spent so many hours inside her own head, reflecting upon what had happened between them, that she thought it best to create a distraction for herself; one that would help her find her way towards the right motivations and priorities. That was why she had called up an old friend and invited him to take a stroll with her and her daughter.

"A snail, huh?" Andrew laughed as Olivia lifted her hands in front of her and shrugged her shoulders.

"Beats me!" She replied. "When I was her age I wanted an attack dog... or a piranha. Something fierce."

"That does not surprise me in the least," Andrew said. "In so many ways the two of you are almost identical. And yet in others, she is completely different."

"Yeah," Olivia's smile faded somewhat. "Life hasn't turned her into a heartless bitch yet. I must be doing something right so far."

"Actually, I think she is the one that has done a lot of the turning in your relationship."

"Shut it."

"Just saying."

The adults began talking about the merger and trying to estimate how much longer it would be before they heard back from Antonio about his decision. With the mention of Mr. Rivera, Andrew somehow changed the focus of the topic towards Natalia, much to Olivia's chagrin.

"So... How did your meeting go with Ms. Rivera yesterday?"

Olivia looked away, squinting into the sun at a fountain in the distance. "It was... uhhh... " She didn't quite know what to say. "I guess you could say we had a very stimulating conversation." She smiled a toothy grin at her own answer.

Andrew noticed the gleam in her eyes as she reminisced but chose not to overanalyze it. He knew that Olivia's wicked and mischievous looks could mean one of hundreds of different things, she was so unpredictable. "So it went well?"

"Not exactly, no."

"But you came to a mutual understanding? She's not going to be spending her time trying to screw you over once again, is she?"

Olivia's smile only got bigger as she tucked her hands underneath both thighs and leaned forward slightly. "Well... I definitely came to something. And as for her 'screwing me over'... well... I guess I shall just have to wait and see." She turned and looked directly at her friend. She watched him as he briefly tried, but failed, to piece together what she was cryptically telling him.

"Why do I get the feeling that you are talking in some kind of code?"

"Probably because you know me well." She giggled.

Andrew gave up. "Whatever. All I care about is that you somehow smooth things over with her. I don't want you wasting your time worrying about what her next move is going to be."

"A little too late for that," Olivia mumbled under her breath.

Just then a ladybug flew in between them and landed on the bench. Both of them looked at it for a moment and Olivia was just about to mention something about its beauty when Andrew rolled up the papers in his hand and squashed the bug.

Olivia – stunned – could only stare open mouthed at the man beside her.

"What?" Andrew asked when he saw the look he was being given.

"Who the FUCK kills a ladybug?!" she said in disbelief. "Seriously! I am soulless and even I would never dream of killing a ladybug!"

"It's an insect."

"It was gorgeous!"

"Ahhh, but you have obviously not learned the lesson that all men know about beauty and how very deceiving looks can be. If you try and hold onto a ladybug, it will bite you."

"That's your defense?"

"Oh, please! There was once a time when you would have rained sniper-fire into a crowd of baby penguins without a second thought."

"Guess you were right about Emma changing me then... I have a pet snail living with me. I go out and buy it special shell-strengthening vitamins for fuck's sake!" Olivia shook her head and sighed. "I am getting soft, aren't I? Did you know that I actually have feelings now?"

"Now, by saying the word 'feelings', I assume you mean more than the ability to differentiate between hot and cold..."

"I'm serious. I can actually care for another human being. And don't you dare tell anyone I just said that."

"Don't worry, no one would believe me."

"Funny... Honestly though..." She paused.

"Go on. I can do 'honestly'," Andrew encouraged her.

"Despite all the rough edges... am I lovable?"

Andrew had never really witnessed an 'insecure' Olivia before and was quite taken aback by the question. "You can be an intimidating and somewhat abrasive shrew at times," he paused to smile at the defensive look on her face, "and yet none of that means that you are unlovable. Just ask Boris," he winked.

Olivia smirked and kicked at a weed that was growing in between a crack in the pavement.

"So, who is the lucky human being? Do I know him?" Andrew interrogated his friend.

"I am keeping my mouth shut for now. Too many revelations for one day."

"Uh-huh." He eyed her suspiciously. "I will figure it out you know."

"This past conversation implies that you won't, but I will let you try." Olivia picked up her purse and called to Emma to bring her pet back to his glass case.

"Mommy, Boris almost made it all the way out of his shell today!" Emma said excitedly when she came back over to the bench.

"See? I told you all he needed was time."

"You think he will be all better by tomorrow?"

"We can only hope, Honey."

Emma smiled at her little creature. "I can't wait until tomorrow," she beamed.

Olivia looked over towards the hotel.

"Me neither, Baby," she said softly.