A week after William planned to bring diners to D'Amelie's restaurant, he nailed his plan with cafes. Esmee and other workers at the restaurant seemed overwhelmed by the visitors who came and went. Even Esmee could repay Anne's debt faster than she had promised.
But even though the restaurant was busy, Esmee continued to do her part-time job as an assistant cook at the club. No one knows this until Charles accidentally sees Esmee at the club where she works and reports it to William.
"What are you saying? She works part-time at the club?" William asked Charles. He looked at Charles in disbelief.
Charles nodded. "I accidentally saw her in the club kitchen when I was about to go to the bathroom."
"Then?"
"Out of curiosity, I pretended I was lost and went into the kitchen," continued Charles.
"And you saw Esmee in the club kitchen?"
Charles nodded again. "I saw her cooking. Maybe she works as a cook assistant."
"Have you confirmed it?" William again asked Charles.
"I'm pretty sure that she works part-time at the club. You can prove it yourself if you want."
William took a deep breath. He then muttered. "Could that be the reason she is often late for shopping?"
"Do you want to prove it or not?" asked Charles.
William turned to Charles while frowning. "She's always been late lately. Could that be the reason?"
"The club is open until 01.00 AM. Esmee probably finished work at 02.00 AM because she had to tidy up the kitchen before going home," Charles replied.
William snatched Charles' words. "And she must go grocery shopping for the restaurant in the morning. That's why she's been so late lately."
Charles nodded. "So she only rests for three to four hours every day."
William sighed. "Is she a robot? The workload in the kitchen was hardy, and she only rested for three to four hours."
Charles shrugged. She should think of a way to improve the finances at her restaurant. You said yourself that the finances at the restaurant were terrible."
"If she acts like that, her health will be troubled over time," said William.
Charles suddenly noticed William, who was silent while looking straight at the television in front of them. "You seem concerned about Esmee's health."
William turned to Charles. He then hissed softly.
"Just admit that you're worried about her?" Charles teased.
"Don't you ever worry about me if I work too much?" William asked Charles back.
Charles shook his head. "I don't have to worry about your health. You will get the best professional treatment if your health deteriorates."
"Itch. I'm going to cut your paycheck, Charl," William said.
Charles laughed. "Of course, I'm worried about you. But only a little. Because if you're sick, I'll be the one in the trouble of rearranging all your schedules."
"My concern for Esmee is like that too. Her restaurant could fall apart if she got sick. I couldn't possibly help Sven cook," William said.
"Isn't that what you wanted? She messed up the restaurant. If she gets sick and the restaurant messes up, it's in your favor," said Charles.
William was silent, nodding his head. He took another deep breath. "Then we'll have to wait until that happens. After that, we end the faked help for the restaurant."
Charles laughed softly after listening to William's words. Meanwhile, William stood up from his seat and stepped into his room. Charles chuckled as William closed his bedroom door. "Why do I feel like he cares about Esmee? But unfortunately, he didn't realize it."
----
Like the previous days, D'Amelie gets many visitors at lunchtime. Esmee and Sven were busy cooking while William did other work. While preparing food orders, Marie suddenly entered the kitchen and immediately met Esmee.
"What's going on, Marie?" asked Esmee.
"There is someone who wants to see you," answered Marie.
Esmee frowned. "Who wants to see me?"
Marie shrugged her shoulders. "He said he's a cook, someone you know. His name is Pierre."
"Pierre?" Esmee frowned.
Marie nodded her head.
Esmee chuckled. She then nodded. "Tell him I'll see him in a minute."
Marie again nodded and immediately left the kitchen. Meanwhile, Esmee finished the dish she was making. As soon as she finished cooking, Esmee took off her apron and walked out of the kitchen. While checking the food orders on the shelter table, William sighed when he saw Esmee coming out of the kitchen.
----
Pierre widely smiled when he saw Esmee approach his table. "Wow, you look different here."
Esmee shyly as she tucked the hair that hung down to her ear. "Why didn't you tell me you wanted to come?"
"I already said I wanted to come to your restaurant, right?" said Pierre, smiling at Esmee.
"But I didn't expect you to come now. If you come at a busy hour like this, I can't accompany you any longer," said Esmee.
Pierre noticed the situation inside Esmee's restaurant and smiled at the girl. "I can help you."
Esmee raised her eyebrows. "You want to help me?"
Pierre stood up from his seat without taking his eyes off Esmee. "This time, I will be your assistant. That's if you don't mind."
Esmee laughed. "Of course, I don't mind. I need help in the kitchen."
"Then, what are you waiting for?" said Pierre.
Esmee nodded. She then invited Pierre to enter the kitchen of D'Amelie's restaurant. Pierre happily followed Esmee's steps into the kitchen of her restaurant.
----
"Attention, everyone!" Esmee called William and Sven.
Both of them turned their heads to Esmee in unison. William's brow slightly furrowed when he saw Esmee return to the kitchen with a man.
"Please, introduce. This man is Pierre. He will help us today," continued Esmee.
Pierre smiled as he nodded his head at William and Sven. They both nodded slowly.
"Wait a minute, I'll get you an apron," Esmee said to Pierre.
Pierre nodded again while he smiled at Esmee. He then waited for Esmee to find him an apron while observing the situation in the kitchen of D'Amelie's restaurant. Pierre broadly smiled when Esmee returned with an apron for him.
William notices Pierre's hand accidentally touching the back of Esmee's hand when Esmee gives him an apron. He snorted and went back to chopping the carrots.
Once in a while, William stole glances at Esmee and Pierre, who were preparing the dishes. For some reason, he felt something that made him uncomfortable when he saw the closeness of the two.
****
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