Chapter 0206
Chapter 0206
Abby
It’s been raining cats and dogs all morning, but I’m too excited to care. All I can think about is the
anticipation buzzing in my chest as I make my way up the walkway to the upscale studio where the
interviews for the cook-off are being held.
“Hello,” I say from under my umbrella to a security guard leaning against a post, looking bored. “Is this
the right entrance for the interviews?”
“Yup,” he says, nodding, and gestures to a set of double doors behind him. “Head in there, take a left,
and follow the hallway to the end.”
“Thank you.”
As I step through the doors, my heart rises into my throat. It’s all I can do to swallow it and force my
feet to carry me forward.
I’ve never been on television before. This is going to be both exciting and terrifying, and probably more
terrifying than the former. But, thankfully, I’ve arrived early and I feel prepared. I’ve spent the past week
practicing for my questions, and I have my answers ready to go. All that’s left now is to get this
interview over with, and then tomorrow is the cook-off.
The cook-off.
I can’t believe it’s already almost here. In less than twenty-four hours, I’ll be walking into another
television studio where I’ll be competing in front of a live audience. Am I just as prepared for that as I
am for this interview?
I really, really hope so.
But at the same time, aside from the interview and the cook-off, there’s another knot of dread forming From NôvelDrama.Org.
in my stomach—this time, thanks to Karl.
He’ll be leaving after tomorrow, only returning in a few weeks for the Alpha party, and then leaving
again.
I think, in a weird way, I took his presence for granted. I feel a little selfish because of that. All this time,
he’s been putting aside his extremely important Alpha duties for me. And I have so much to show for it.
But what does he have? Wasted time? I hope it’s been more than that for him, but I have no way of
knowing.
Suddenly, I’m pulled back to reality. Crisp lighting, a monochrome palette, and a faint scent of hairspray
fill the air as I walk down the hall, my heels clicking on the marble floor—everything about it screams
professionalism.
I’m then greeted by an assistant and directed to a waiting area that looks more like a beauty salon,
complete with hair and makeup stations.
I glance around and spot the three other contestants—a tall, rugged man with a European air about
him, an older-looking man who doesn’t even glance my way, and an impeccably dressed man with
black hair and a disdainful expression that seems glued to his face. They’re both in the process of
having their hair done, and a makeup artist waits nearby.
I sit in the empty chair next to the black-haired man introducing myself with a polite smile. “Hi, I’m
Abby,” I say, holding my hand out.
“Daniel,” he says, holding his hand out without lifting his gaze from the magazine in his lap. I shake it,
feeling all too awkward as his hand practically crushes mine. When I pull away, I feel oddly violated in a
strange sort of way.
I clear my throat. “Nice to meet you. I’m the owner of La Belle Vie Bistro in town.”
My eyebrows shoot up involuntarily. “You mean Anton? Yes, he’s an incredible chef.”
Daniel chuckles as if I’ve just affirmed something he’s been suspecting. “I’m sure he is. But cleanliness
is also crucial in the kitchen, don’t you think?” Content of Drаmąոovels.cоm
“And you are…?” I ask politely, leaning forward a bit to meet his gaze.