Dimitri’s House
Dimitri’s POV:
“Mum?” I opened the door to find Mum dancing in the kitchen while cooking. The music pulsed with energy.
“You’re back!” She chirped, launching herself into a hug that nearly knocked me off my feet.
“What are you doing here? Where’s Fred?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Cooking, obviously.” She shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Fred? Oh, I sacked him.”
“What?! Why? He’s a good cook.”
“He’s getting old. I want him to spend time with his family, not staring at boring walls. Besides,” she added with a wry smile, “I gave him a million for feeding you so well. I don't exploit kindness.”
“Oh…then who’s going to cook for me?”
“I’m hiring a new cook for you, of course. Meanwhile, I’ll take over. I can’t trust you without someone watching over you.” She said with a playful tone as she went back to stirring whatever she was cooking.
“I’m not five, Mum.” I whined. She always treated me like a child.
“You’re two.” She retorted, her mind working faster than I could follow. I struggled to come up with a witty comeback, always outpaced by her quick thinking.
“Mummm…”
“Oh, stop whining. Go take a bath. Dinner will be ready by then.” She ordered, pushing me toward the stairs.
“Yes, Madam!” I mock-saluted her before marching upstairs, grumbling about her teasing and how I'd just entertained her. How ungrateful...
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“Mhmmm! This is delicious! I miss your cooking.” I sighed contentedly as the flavors exploded in my mouth. Mum’s lobster pasta was heavenly.
“My cooking only? How can you be so cruel?! Such a son I have here. You seriously hurt my feelings.” Mum feigned hurt, but I saw the grin creeping across her face.
“Oh yeah, your new cook will be chosen by tomorrow. I’ll notify you once I’ve confirmed someone.”
“Okay.” I trusted her judgment. She was a fantastic cook, and her choices were always spot-on.
Dimitri’s Mum
Ray’s POV:
“You have a letter, Ray!” Chris waved an envelope in front of me, looking strangely excited. Who even sends letters anymore? It had been years since I'd received one.
“Why are you so overjoyed about someone receiving a letter?” I asked, bewildered.
Taking the letter from him, I opened it to discover I’d been shortlisted for something, with an interview scheduled for tomorrow! What was this about?
“So? What does it say?” Chris pressed.
“It says I’m shortlisted for something.”
“Oh! I forgot to tell you I signed you up to be someone’s personal chef? Oops?” He laughed sheepishly.
“What? Why did you do that?!”
“You were jobless, weren’t you? I was looking for available jobs and found this one. I sent in your resume, and tada! Please don’t kill me, I’m too young to die.”
“Shut up, dickhead. Thanks.”
“So you’re accepting the job?”
“I’m shortlisted, not confirmed yet. I have an interview at 3 PM.”
“Wish you luck!” He belly-flopped onto the sofa.
“Thanks. What about you?”
“I applied to be a car engineer, but no reply yet.” He shrugged, switching the TV channel to Despicable Me 3. Typical Chris.
“I’m going out now. The place is an hour away.”
“Okay. I’ll make dinner, so don’t eat out.”
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Wow…this place feels so out of place. It was like a paradise for the rich. I pulled out my phone and dialed the number on the letter as I lingered outside the cafe.
“Hello? Erm, I’m here already. Where are you?”
“I’m around the back of the cafe. I have wavy brown hair, different shades.”
“Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Walking into the cafe, I spotted a lady with hair similar to the description and walked over to her immediately. Looking up at me, she smiled warmly before inviting me to have a sit.
“You’re Ray, right?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Call me Joyce. So I assume you know why you’re here. I’m going to ask you a few questions, and you have to answer truthfully. Okay?” I nodded seriously as she began.
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“Last question, why do you cook?”
“I cook because of my mum. She ignited my love for baking and cooking. She said food can touch people’s hearts, and I believe that’s true. I love seeing customers’ eyes light up with delight and asking for seconds after finishing their first plate. I also believe food can cheer people up, no matter how sad they are.”
“Okay. You’re hired.” She said casually, placing a paper in front of me. “These are your expected duties and benefits.”
‘1. You have to make three meals a day for one person. Always change your dishes daily. 2. You’ll live in a house provided for your convenience. All bills are covered, so all you have to do is cook whenever you’re needed. 3. Money will be given to you to buy whatever you need for yourself and ingredients. You’ll receive a daily allowance of $200, plus another $100 for ingredients. You can keep any remaining cash. 4. Breakfast must be made by 7 AM, lunch by 1 PM, and dinner by 7 PM. You’re to prepare the meals at your house and deliver the food to the main house by those timings.’
Wow. Is she really paying that much?! This is like a dream job come true.
“So, do you agree?”
“Um, sorry, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Can I have my friend move in with me? We’re living in a rented flat together, and he has no one else to go to. Can I also hold cooking/baking lessons in the house for housewives who are interested?” She pondered for a moment before agreeing.
“Okay.”
“For both? Really?”
“Yes. Really.” She chuckled, nodding firmly.
“Thank you so much, Joyce! I’ll do my best!”
“Great. You’ll move in tonight and start tomorrow.” I nodded eagerly, speeding back home to tell Chris the good news.
I can’t believe my luck turned out so well after everything. I have to thank Chris for this.