"Why do you say so aunt." Edison asked.
"I first met her on the street while I was about to cross the road all of a sudden she held my hand and we crossed the road. She usually does charity in the neighbourhood with her cousin Reema but since Reema has a job and is always busy at the office only Erica goes out for charity work." Mrs blaze said.
"Doesn't she have a job." James asked.
"No she is jobless and only the competition made her stay away from home it was difficult to find a job as a cook. She helps everyone, old and young and also she comes to my house every time to help me clean, cook and we also sit and chat."
"Then aunt what about the boxes." Sarah said.
"It was my idea and Erica was the delivery girl." Mrs blaze said.
"No wonder I saw her on two occasions and she was also wearing my helmet." Edison said.
"Yes I gave it to her riding a motor scooter 🛵 without a helmet is dangerous but Erica says wearing a helmet is uncomfortable and makes it hard to see."
"You really formed a bond with Erica." Elizabeth said.
"Yes sister in law that child is too good I love her so much good vibes are always around her and wherever she steps her foot in so the man that will marry won't be needing anything else."
"Brother Edison can I work in your restaurant as a cleaner." Sarah said.
"Why." Edison asked.
"Because I want to get to see Erica everyday."
"Or we should also employ her into this house as our cook and as a part time job or maybe Erica can take it as doing charity for us." James said.
"Yes." Everyone said.
"No." Edison said.
"Why son she is far better than Veronica and I feel that my health has been depreciating because of the food that girl makes." Elizabeth said.
"Yes brother Veronica's food is a crime against humanity." Sarah said.
"At the restaurant she will be more busy because she is going to be the senior chef."
"Then I'll talk to her she can make three square meals for us and also keep us company." Mrs blaze said.
"Okay aunt do whatever you want." Edison said.
"Thank you so much son."
The next day, Erica woke up by 8am she checked the time "Oh my God sir said I should be at the restaurant by 7am." Erica hurriedly prepared for work.
When Erica got to white Chillies restaurant, she looked at everywhere smiling "Finally I'm going to have a job and also at a big restaurant like this God thank you for this big blessing now, I'm going to show everyone what I've got. All these while my cooking talent was hidden I only cooked at home but now everyone is going to see what a great cook I am including Mr Edison Hadley." Erica smiled again and this time the smile reached her eyes. Erica went into the restaurant she saw a waiter.
"Please where can I meet the boss." Erica asked the waiter and the waiter directed her to Edison's office. "This restaurant is really big and beautiful like a five star hotel." Erica thought.
Kelly was working on papers. "Hi Kelly." Erica said.
"Oh Erica you are here." Kelly said.
"Is sir in."
"Yes he is I'll call him up first." After Kelly finished speaking to Edison she turned to Erica. "You may go in and good luck to you."
"Thank you." Erica said and entered Edison's office.
"Good morning sir." Edison looked at her from head to toe.
"Why are you coming in by this time."
"I'm really sorry sir I overslept because of the party yesterday it won't repeat itself again."
"Unfortunately because you were not in early, I can't introduce you to everyone because everyone is busy."
"Sir I'll work with them then I'll introduce myself to them."
"Do you think anyone will believe you when you walk up to them and say you are the senior chef." Erica looked down "I'm very sorry sir."
"Go to the kitchen and find anything to do."
"Yes sir."
Immediately Erica entered the kitchen everyone turned to look at her. "The senior chef." They made way for her. "The introduction introduced itself and sir is busy thinking no one will know."
They briefed Erica on everything. Erica wore her apron and cap and joined them. The chefs she saw making a mistake with the food preparation she immediately corrected them and never shouted at them but politely she corrected them.
The restaurant was filled with people. It was 4pm and there were now few people she sat down stretching her body "What a stressful day." Then she remembered "Oh my God mrs blaze I wonder how she must be coping on her own." She stood up and started pacing up and down she was so worried so she called Mrs blaze.
"Hello Erica."
"Ma I'm so sorry for not coming to see you today this is why getting a new job is difficult because you take time to adjust your schedule."
"Dear you don't have any schedule to adjust I am now with my family so I'm okay on my own."
"No you're not okay." Erica was still pacing up and down. "Ma just give me thirty minutes please I'm coming to see you." Erica hung up and as she turned again she bumped into Edison. She looked up at him and shifted backwards "I'm sorry sir."
"What are you doing here instead of the kitchen."
"There are few customers here and there is nothing to do in the kitchen again." Edison said and was about to leave.
"Sir, since there's nothing to do may I take a leave now."
"The restaurant isn't closed so you can't leave."
"Please sir I have to attend to someone."
"And who is that person you have to attend to."
"There is an old woman in my street if I don't help her then I'll die of guilty conscience."
"Miss Andrews you are now working so stop the charity if you know you can't quit your charity then quit your job I will accept your resignation letter anytime even now." Edison left. She looked at him angrily "Jerk he doesn't have an atom of kindness in him I even hate him more." Erica thought.
The restaurant closed by 9pm Erica was terribly exhausted she went to Mrs blaze house and rang the doorbell but no one came she kept on ringing the doorbell but nobody came then she called Mrs blaze but she wasn't picking up. She sat on the bench in Mrs blaze front porch "Where could she have gone to I want to apologise for not coming to see her." Erica said worriedly.