Chapter 15

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“Yayyy!” Marissa’s employees started clapping when a party order was dispatched in a food truck. They all were hugging each other, and Marissa had a proud grin on her face.

Her kitchen was buzzing with excitement as everyone was busy exchanging high fives. Marissa was standing in the center observing her staff members celebrating their hard work and

success.

“We did it, girls!” She called out, her voice full of enthusiasm, “This must be our fifth big order that is sent without a single hitch.”

Her employers gathered around her, their faces glowing with a sense of accomplishment. Small orders were nothing for Alexander’s Homestyle Catering. But this one was huge and they all needed a pat on their backs.

The aroma of pies and Lasagna ştill lingered in the air.

“Now, now, now!” Marissa clapped again to get the attention of her teammates, “We have covered another milestone in our business, folks. I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you. You’re all amazing.”

Marissa threw a proud glance towards her employees. She was extremely lucky to have such a dedicated team.

The business that started with her and Akari now had so many people associated with them. The best thing about these women was, that they never questioned her about her kids‘ father and always tried to be understanding and empathetic towards her.

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“Hello,” their eyes moved when they heard a familiar voice from the doorway. Flint and Sophia were standing along with the kids, “Can we come inside to celebrate?”

Everyone knew about the rule and that was: No kids allowed when

the burners were on.

The kids were looking at her with so much innocence that for a moment Marissa wanted to hug them tight and cry.

“Mom, please!” Alexander thought that she was getting furious, so he thought to act like an angel by batting his eyes dramatically.

“Yes, mom. Please.” Abigail also joined them.

Marissa didn’t say anything and spread her arms, kneeling on the floor. The kids came running to them.

“Careful, Abi!” Marissa’s heart skipped a beat when she saw her youngest one running. It was a risk to her health.

She hugged her kids who not only pushed her to the floor on her a*ss but also settled themselves on her lap. Marissa was laughing and crying at the same time.

“All of this was possible because of you, my little ones,” she kissed each of their foreheads and the women standing there had tears in their eyes.

“Now it’s time to kiss, Aunt Sophia…” Sophia teased her and crouched on the floor making everyone around them laugh.

“This was such a big order, Soph,” Marissa told her and helped her kids to stand from her lap, “This one is the biggest order I ever got.” She stood with the help of Citra, and everyone present there.

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could feel her face glowing.

Sophia walked up to her and pulled her in her embrace, “This is all your hard work, Marissa” She then ran a gaze over other women, “And no doubt you have got an amazing team.”

Marissa nodded and then faced her employees, “Alright, let’s get this place cleaned up and then we’ll celebrate properly!” Marissa announced, her grin widening, “Drinks are on me tonight!”

The room erupted in cheers once more, and Marissa couldn’t help but laugh. After every order, it was moments like these that made

all the hard work worthwhile.

They started cleaning the kitchen along with the kids. Only Abigail was the one who was sitting on the kitchen counter and was. directing her siblings to pick up the litter.

“Come on, guys! That piece over there. Pick up that wrapper too,”

When Flint started placing the drink bottles and glasses, Sophia quickly asked the kids to go to their room and she would bring them the best shakes ever.

“Come on, my little helpers,” Marissa ruffled their hair, “Mom will be back soon to tuck you into bed.”

Once the kids left, the drinking party started with everyone chatting in a carefree manner. Bottles were uncorked and the drinks were passed on.

Marissa started tinkling a spoon to her glass, “We all deserve a toast, girls!” she raised her glass, “Cheers!”

“Cheers!” The whole room erupted with excitement and the

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clinking of glasses.

Marissa looked at her employees‘ faces and thought of giving them a bonus for their hard work. Just then the phone that was placed in the far corner of the kitchen started ringing.

It was their official kitchen phone and was usually operated by Akari. She was the one who used to take and confirm orders. She had great client handling skills.

“I don’t think we have any other order now,” Marissa mumbled and saw Akari struggling to get there.

“Hello,” Akari spoke on the phone and then gave a helpless grin to Marissa. Marissa scrunched her nose and then did her signature action which was clapping.

“Guys! We have got a phone call. Can you all please be quiet for a minute?” Akari mouthed a thank you in her direction and then started listening to the call.

All the other employees who had lowered their volume were now talking in hushed tones while Marissa’s eyes were on Akari where shock was evident on her face.

Marissa felt her heart sinking. Why was Akari acting in this way?

“Akari,” she shouted across the room, “What’s the matter? Is there a

problem with our order? Did you wrap the aluminum foil around that pasta tray?”

Akari who was standing, glued to her spot like a statue tilted her head to glance her way. The low conversation that was taking place among other women slowly died down.

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All of them were now looking at Akari with concern who had a dumb expression on her face.

“Akari! Speak up!” Marissa tried to be gentle with her. Another employee whose name was Loxley went to Akari and offered her a glass of water along with a stool.

Akari pushed aside the glass, “Marissa. I think we have got a new order.”

“New order?” Marissa frowned, “From whom?”

“Remember? I told you about this new multinational firm in our city? They have shortlisted us among twenty caterers.”

“What?”

“What?”

There was light chatter in the room now. Akari slowly nodded, her lips gradually curling up in a beautiful smile,

“They have invited us along with a three–course meal. However, the CEO wants every one of the caterers to come with Beef Fajita.”

“What?” Sophia chuckled, “Beef Fajita?” everyone around here knew that Marissa made the best Fajita. She could cook it several times for her family and employees.

But she always apologized to her customers and never made it commercially.

“Who are they, by the way?” Flint, sitting by the counter, asked while sipping his drink.

Akari thought for a moment and then said, “It’s a newly developed company and they are throwing a huge narty in honor of their

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CEO. The company’s name is MSin Industries.”

And then she looked directly at Marissa, “If we get that order then we might be talking about millions of dollars, Marissa.”

There was a stunned silence in the room after the announcement.

Akari spoke again, “The owners are supposed to present their meals on coming Friday. Marissa, are you ready for it?”

But Marissa’s mind was somewhere else. MSin Industries.

Why did it sound strange to her ears?

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