Capítulo 0008

Chapter 27

Aster: third person's point of view.

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"Chef Santos! Good morn—"

He ignored her remark and walked inside the kitchen, not bothering to share anyone a glance. Xyrill put her hand down as embarrassment and awkwardness took over the staff who witnessed the small situation earlier.

"Morning to me, I guess."

Still, Aster's face remained the same, with unnoticeable differences from afar. But being someone who has been a part of his life, Xyrill saw everything. From the way his eyes lost its color, to the way his shoulders slumped lifelessly, like a doll losing its owner, having no control over oneself anymore.

Slowly, she approached the oblivious chef, placing her hands on both of his shoulders, massaging them lightly. She felt him flinch with her touch but eventually relaxed. It lasted for a mere moment before he placed his hands above hers and turned around, giving her a brief glance, almost without a care at all.

"What are you doing?"

She shrugged, purposely ignoring the tone of his voice used on her. "I used to massage you whenever you're like this...well, before, so I thought it would help loosen you up."

"It didn't, now get back to work, it's almost peak hours."

"Okay, Ba—"

"I never said you can call me like that," he spat, averting his attention back to the vegetables he's cooking. "Maintain professionalism, and please, use formalities."

She remained unmoving, staring at his back. "I believe we're way past that stage, Clyde."

"Get back to work, miss Acosta."

Lowering her head, she sighed and walked away, leaving him in his own array of thoughts. He went out of the kitchen, staring at the vacated seats of the restaurant, hoping to find a certain someone enjoying her favorite steak. His own specialty exclusively for their VIP costumer.

Nah, she must've been on her way there, on her way towards somewhere, who knows.

Sighing, he reached for the cayenne pepper when his wrist came in contact with the hot metal of the saucepan filled with boiling caramel near the stove. He cursed, removing his arms and stepping back, causing it to tip over and spill on his body, gaining the attention of all the people present. Panic arose in the kitchen, while Lore appeared from behind the storage room, still confused of what's going on. He went near the area, widening his eyes when he saw the executive chef's state.

"What happened?! Can someone grab the first aid kit or something?!" He ran to Aster, reaching for his bloated hand and groaning in frustration. "What did you do?"

"I don't— good grief, the pain is getting worse."

"Meg will seriously cut my throat. Where in the depths of this kitchen is Gabriel?! He was in charge of the croquembouche's caramel!"

"Hey, it's fine."

"Quit that, Aster. This ain't fine. What would Megan say if she found out about this?"

"And what does Megan have to do with him?" Xyrill's soft voice resonated through the kitchen, stopping Lore from scolding the injured guy any further. In her hands was the unused first aid kit.

"Excuse me?" Lore spoke again. Xyrill chuckled, walking closer and crouching down to see the situation. The caramel hardened on the cold floor, with some of it sticking to Aster's swelling hands and covered body. Beside him, Lore is looking back and forth between the two, unsure of where to start or what to say.

"Answer me, chef. What does Megan have to do with you?"

"Why do you care?" he muttered, closing his eyes and wincing at the growing pain on his left hand. His breaths are getting heavy, and his heart is pounding at the nervousness he's feeling.

"Because I have the right to."

"I'm afraid not," he stood up, snatching the container from her hold with his other hand and leaning on the counter. Lore stood up and supported his weak body, guiding him outside of the kitchen and heading upstairs, leaving the lady alone again.

As soon as Lore made him sit on the couch, he started tending to his wounds, clicking his tongue numerous times in the process.

"What has been bothering your mind that you couldn't even see that boiling sugar?" he huffed, smacking the guy on his thigh. "I have never seen you make a misstep like that before."

"No, I'm just not feeling my best right now."

"Where is Megan, anyway?"

His head lowered down, refusing to meet Lore's confused eyes. "She left last night."

"Where to?"

He stood silent, just shaking his head as a response.

Lore sighed, closing the kit's lid and standing up. "You don't know?"

Aster's decent hand brushed his curly hair as both of them heaved a sigh. He moved to the side, creating more space for the other chef.

"She didn't tell me."

"Wait," Lore tilted his head, cracking his knuckles as he sat up. "Did you fight? Meg would never leave like that over something irrational, though. Did something happen?"

"My stupidity happened," his hand went down to his face, wiping it as he bit his lip before he spoke again. "I kissed her." He opened his eyes as his hands dropped. "I kissed her after I made it clear that I don't feel the same way."

Hearing his words, Lore left the room without a word, leaving him confused of his thoughts and actions last night.

It was true that he drank, his mind can't grasp the reality that he just lied to the woman he loved. He escaped again, he hurt her again, and he can't forgive himself for that so he downed a shot or two, hoping that that would suffice for the growing guilt inside.

Going to Megan didn't help either, it made him lie to himself more, it made him hurt another woman.

And Lore's mad at me too, no doubt. Good grief, Aster Clyde.

The day went on without color. Strangely, he couldn't get used to the woman's absence, and he's sure that he's not the only one who felt that way. Lore, the staff, and even the manager were glum after hearing the news about her sudden departure. Xyrill however, stayed indifferent, as if it did not affect her at all. There was no change seen in her demeanor, which annoyed Aster to the core. She doesn't care, it doesn't feel right.

It's not good at all.

I know I shouldn't be feeling this way with Xyrill around but, I'm starting to miss you already.

Megan Spencer. Even if you're away, your existence still daunts me.

As he walked outside of the restaurant, a cold, shaking hand caught his wrist, catching him off guard. He turned around, only to be surprised by a whimpering and shaking Xyrill. Still oblivious of what's going on, he wiped her tears and stared at her in worry.

"Aster, Baby, I need to go back."She stopped for a moment, claiming her breath and gulping, still not meeting his eyes. Her grip went up to his arms, he can now feel it shaking even more. "We need to go back, please."

"Why?"

"I can't, Baby. My hands, they're..."

He looked down at his crumpled sleeves. She's holding on to it tightly. Her hands are now shaking uncontrollably. As seconds passed, it only got worse.

Something's not right.

"Hey. Did you even eat yet? I don't understand you. You can't leave, you still need to work—"

He held his tongue as his arm reached out, preventing Xyrill's unconscious body from dropping to the ground.