grilled and added them, as well.
“Ravioli, Chef,” Lorenzo said, sliding over the tray of handmade, dried ravioli he’d stuffed with ricotta, lump crab meat, parmesan and wild mushrooms.
Gabe gave him a brisk nod even as he focused on spooning the pasta into the boiling water. Ten minutes later, he ladled the bisque into a large family-style ceramic bowl before adding the ravioli using a long-handled skimmer. He shredded fresh parmesan and quickly chopped scallions to scatter across the top.
With a nod of satisfaction, he set the bowl before Lorenzo, who at some point had poured himself a large glass of red wine. “Enjoy,” Gabe said, stepping back and wiping his sweaty brow with the hand towel he had tucked inside the waist of his apron.
It was only then that he noticed the staff had wandered into the kitchen to observe him as he was cooking. He smiled as he saw the looks of admiration on many of their young faces. He had been so lost in his art.
“Well?” Gabe asked Lorenzo.
Everyone turned to him to gauge his reaction.
His friend took care to scoop an entire ravioli covered with bisque before spooning the steamy food into his mouth. He closed his mouth and released a little grunt of pleasure as he chewed. “I see you learned the lesson Chef Roderick taught you very well,” he said. “Es la perfección, amigo mío.”
“Gracias.” Gabe thanked him with a nod as applause exploded around him at his friend saying the dish was perfection.
They all quickly moved to indulge themselves in consuming the dish, and he took time to watch the pleasure wash over their faces at their initial bites. It felt like the first time he knew he had the skill and the talent to make delicious food.
He retrieved a goblet and slid it over to his friend to fill.
“Here’s to one night only,” Lorenzo said with a wink.
Gabe toasted to that, thinking of another one-night stand that was unforgettable.
One week later
Life was surreal.
Monica awakened in her housekeeper’s quarters as always. She showered and dressed in her uniform, prepared to begin her daily chores. In her all-white bathroom, she took a moment to study her reflection.
For five years this had been her life. Here with the Cress family. On the perimeter but still one among many. It was the most stability she’d ever known. What with growing up in foster care and then traveling with James, she had never had a chance to plant roots. It felt silly to worry about yet another new start when she had been blessed with so much money to do it with, but she did.
Same surroundings. Same tasks.
Different Monica.
She’d given her two weeks’ notice to Mrs. Cress and was excited about the money, which was to clear her bank account the next day, but she was also nervous about leaving her home-that-wasn’t-really-home next week, packing her personal items and forging ahead.
Alone again.
She saw the sadness and fear fill her eyes and turned away from it.
Was it silly that I’d rather have had my father back than his money now?
She made her way upstairs to the first level, and like any other day, the house was still and quiet. She took a moment to pause in the kitchen and slowly turn to take in everything in the early morning. Pockets of light from sconces and under-cabinet lighting gave it such a lovely glow. Even as she looked across the kitchen and adjoining dining room with its glass wall, the waterfall at the end of the garden was backlit and made the backyard appear magical as the sun began to rise in the metropolitan sky.
It was a beautiful home in an affluent neighborhood and she would miss it when she left.
What will Gabe think?
He’d been in Paris all week, and she didn’t know if he knew her days at the Cress town house were nearing an end.
Pushing aside thoughts of him, Monica made herself a cup of coffee and had fresh fruit before moving throughout the entire first level ensuring no messes had been made by the family after she retired to her quarters last night. She chuckled, remembering during her first few weeks awakening to the aftermath of a late-night, spontaneous dinner party to top all dinner parties. Chaos had reigned and the empty plates and wine bottles had been abundant.
Thankfully all was well except for a random glass here or there, overturned pillows and a few filled wastepaper baskets that she emptied into a garbage bag. Lightly humming