Chapter 22

22 22–Joseph

The Xander’s kitchen was buzzing with all sorts of noise. They needed to prepare the food so that it could be sent for the trial. ”

“Marissa! Akari! For God’s sake leave the kitchen and get ready!” Sophia was screaming at the top of her lungs.

Marissa’s team was preparing the three–course meal along with Beef Fajita. They had mutually decided on a Vegetarian Mediterranean themed Meal.

Hummus and Pita for an appetizer. Vegetable Moussaka was the main course and for dessert, they had decided on Baklava.

“Citra!” Sophia clapped loudly just like Marissa used to do in the kitchen, “What’s the position?”

“It’ll be ready in the next fifteen minutes, Sophia,” Citra was quickly mixing honey and nuts.

“Amanda!” she called another worker.

“I just need to run the blender before five minutes timeline and then I’ll just garnish it with black olives and some olive oil. Hummus needs to be presented fresh… Pita is half–cooked and I’ll give final touches at the last minute,” Amanda informed busily.

Sophia found Marissa discussing something with her employee and all Sophia wanted to do was shake her friend wildly.

Why couldn’t she understand that she was required to represent her venture and needed to get ready on time?

“Marissa Aaron! I will kill you if you don’t leave the kitchen right

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now! This very minute!” Marissa jumped when Sophia screamed at the top of her lungs.

“I just wanted to make sure…” Poor Marissa trailed off when found Sophia glaring at her. With a nod, she hurriedly left the kitchen. However, she was Marissa, and anything could be expected of her.

“Citra! Make sure to cover the aluminum foil properly! Make it airtight!” she was still giving orders when Sophia slapped her ass before slamming the kitchen door in her face.

Marissa took a long sigh and then turned to get to her room. Today she needed to look her best because this might be the biggest

contract of her life.

A contract that would help her get rid of that dirty insect called Amir and it might also give her business much needed exposure.

She quickly changed into a beige midi dress along with an olive green jacket. Instead of caking her face with makeup, she just went with deep red lip color along with mascara and kohl.

“Wow, Mom!” Alexander who was standing behind her whistled making her spin around in surprise.

“Who taught you to whistle?”

“That doesn’t matter, Mom,” he looked at her in awe, “Your beauty.

made me do it!”

Marissa who was initially freaked out due to the competition, threw back her head and laughed hard.

She kneeled before her son and cupped his cheek, “From where, did you learn these cheesy lines, Alexander? Is Flint teaching you

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to romance?”

Alex shook his head with a smile, “Forget that, Mom. Just.

remember. You are too good… as a human, as a mom, and as a chef. A successful businesswoman indeed and I’m proud of you.” He

kissed her cheek making her teary–eyed.

But the next words that came out of his mouth took her by surprise, “Mom. I know this is not the time to talk. I just needed to tell you that I won’t judge you… Ever. I’m not only your son but also your friend. If you find it in your heart, do tell me about the man who hurt you and gave you pain. I would like to get even with him.”

Her mouth was hung open at the words and the way he brushed. her cheeks with his chubby hand, “I’ll always love you. Go and blast the place. Today they’ll come to know how tough the competition

is.”

“Oh, God, Alex!” she hugged him and tried her best to control her

tears.

He had always been an extraordinary genius. A long time back, Flint did predict once that he was exceptionally intelligent.

“Mom,” his voice muffled against her chest, “I know you’re beautiful but please don’t spoil your makeup.”

A teary laughter escaped her lips.

“You three are the best things ever happened to me!” he kissed her

cheek with a smile.

When she got to her feet there was a proud grin on her face, “Just watch me, Rafael.” She thought, “See how blessed I am. Sometimes I feel sorry for you, honey.”

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She quickly fixed her mascara and examined herself.

“Mom. You look lovely,” she beamed when saw Abi and Ariel push

the door and come inside.

“Thank you, girls,” she offered her cheek to get kissed by them.

She went down and saw the girls of her team carrying trays

covered in aluminum foil to the car!

All of them started whistling and clapping when she entered the kitchen making her blush.

“You people are embarrassing me!” she rolled her eyes and was sure the blush had given a beautiful hue to her cheeks and ear

lobes.

“Best of luck, Marissa!”

“Bye!”

They all kept making noise until the car started moving slowly.

***

Sophia dropped her and Akari along with the trays of food. Marissa got out of the car and checked the aluminum foil packing, pressing it from the edges.

“Best of luck, girls!” Sophia said, giving them a thumbs–up before zooming away in the car.

-Trying to balance the trays, they entered the MSin building and

were immediately taken to the conference room where other participants were also there.

“Hello, everyone,” Marissa greeted them good–naturedly and

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placed the food on a table.

“You need to place your food on that desk,” A friendly middle–aged woman told them pointing in the direction.

Marissa nodded and immediately picked up the tray. Akari was busy talking to another participant

“I can easily carry them.” She thought to herself and picked up two trays. However, she didn’t know whose elbow nudged into her ribs, and her trays went almost flying. Marissa was sure the blond girl standing there did this to her.

Several gasps could be heard in the room when the trays landed with a clanking sound, causing all the food to spill out.

There was another shock for Marissa when she saw who had

entered through the door. He was the same man who she met in the superstore.

Who was he?

There was something fishy here. This man was not what he was portraying himself to be.

“Mr. Joseph. How are you?” Marissa looked up when a participant spoke behind her.

Joseph? Who was he? She had heard this name before. But where?