Late night interruptions
ZANE
It was late at night when I arrived at the apartment I'm staying in. This past week, I've been looking for a vacant job as a chef after resigning from Luminous Aroma Kitchen.
Well, Luminous Aroma Kitchen is one of the most popular eateries in the country. They offer a variety of foods and unique services catering to customers' needs. Whether you're craving Japanese, Korean, Chinese, or any asian cuisine, you can come here and have your cravings satisfied. The food they serve are unbeatable because I created them. But then, I chose to leave for my sanity.
The place looks elegant from the outside but is full of unpleasantness inside. I couldn't handle the mistreatment from management, not just towards me and my fellow chefs, but especially towards those in lower positions.
In short, our employers have no good business ethics and fairness in labor rights. They are arrogant and greedy. Money is all that mattered to them, so I resigned a week ago. I thought a year and a half of service was enough. When the employer is greedy, it's best to leave. They don't deserve employees who do their best in their respected jobs.
Currently, I'm working part-time as a cashier at the Seven Eleven convenience store around the corner because I want to explore different jobs besides just cooking. On my days off, I continue to work as a private chef. The pay is decent, enough to cover my spending and other extravaganza since most of my monthly billing, like internet, water, and electricity, are paid three months in advance in case something like this happens. It's very convenient for me as I tend to forget things.
I've already applied to five big restaurants and two average eateries near my apartment. Pretty sure I'll get hired, but I applied to seven, so I'll have options. I'm considering the salary offered so I can save up, but it's okay if the pay is a little lower as long as they treat their employees well. At my previous, it was the worst. The pay was low, and the employer was arrogant. Instant double kill.
Right now, I'm just waiting for a call from the places I applied to, chilling at home and watching reality shows on TV after work.
*phone notification bells*
Speaking of waiting, this might be a notification from one of the restaurants I applied to, so I grabbed my phone from my bag to check who had messaged me. Luckily, I hadn't used my other hand, as I was in the middle of eating dinner, so I used it to check.
An email from Adriella's FoodHauś informed me that we would have a food tasting tomorrow. We were asked to prepare at least five different dishes. It could be a dessert, main course, side dish, quick meal, BBQ style-whatever we wanted to present to them. I responded that I could make it and assured them they could expect my best dishes. They approved fast, so I put my phone down and continued eating the chicken, thinking of what food to present tomorrow.
The eerie intro of the movie started. I sat to my olive green sofa, grabbing my favorite pillow on the side. I finished eating minutes ago and decided to watch a horror movie while the food I ate digest fully before I sleep. I chose to watch "Insidious." Dont ask the full title because I didn't read the next words after it.
The movie started, so my focus is on the screen. There were some jump scares here and there, but my face remained calm. This is the first time I have watched this movie. And I thought it was great. The plot was good, the actors played the character well, the quick change of emotions are top notch so sometimes, I'd be startled, get scared for a second, but not in an over-the-top way where I'd scream loudly. My eyes would widen momentarily, then return to normal as if nothing happened.
People often say I'm nonchalant. They say I never show emotions appropriate for the situation. If there's an accident on the road, I just watch them from a far, not getting myself involved. If there's a fight, I do the same. I might even grab a snack and eat it like I'm watching action movies. If there's a gun shooting or hostage taking , they say I might not even try help or get in between and just do my own business without a care of whats happening.
Well, that is all true. That's exactly what I'd do in each situation because I don't like getting involved. It's not because im selfish. I help those in need, donate to charities, volunteer in community programs, and more. I just don't like to be involved in any situations that could harm me. that's why I always avoid this kind of situation where there is no guarantee of my safety. I need to protect myself, most importantly my hands. These hands are my top priority above all because they'll be the one wholl help me cook delicious foods to the people and satisfy their hunger.
I live to get rich and help the poor.
Count me in if you think it isn't risky. Hundred per cent, no further questions asked, I'll help you.
I watched the movie without much thought. The movie is on its climax, when I heard my apartment door open and slowly closed with a small creaking sound.
"What are you doing?" I asked while still focused on the movie.
"Answer me," I said when there was no response.
"Wh-what's up, Z-zane! I was just getting ready to scare you. How do you know it's me~ "
"Ughhhh, such a boomer~" Brando scratched his head irritably. His brows were furrowed, showing his annoyance.
"Well, if you had opened the door more quietly, maybe I would've been surprised," I said, shaking my head. If Brando were an amateur thief and moved like this, he'd be caught before he can even take a step inside the house.
"Your reactions aren't normal, frenny,"
"You know what, you should get checked by a doctor. I'm worried about you, zanie, my friend," he added as he sat beside me.
"Don't be overdramatic. I'm normal." I simply said.
No matter how many times I tell him, this guy won't believe me. He'll just overreact and blow things out of proportion.
"'Why are you wearing fitted shorts? Your privates are showing, Brando,' I point out after noticing his outfit. He's wearing a top with silky white sleeves that resemble a dress as it extends down to his buttocks. The top has four buttons undone, revealing his soft, milky chest. He's also wearing very short, black fitted shorts-his butt cheeks are even slightly exposed, making it look almost like underwear because of the long top. To complete the look, he's wearing white, glittery boots that reach up to his knees. Despite the bold choices, the outfit suits him perfectly, making him look stunning.
Well, he is beautiful.
"There you go again, frenny! We'll really become frenemies at this rate, hmph, " Brando joked.
"And don't call me Brando. That name sucks; it's too macho for my girly, beautiful face," he said, leaning in closer to my eye level to give me a better view of his features. This earned him a playful smack on the head from me.
He really doesn't like the nickname 'Brando', so of course, I decided to call him that. Not just to annoy him but also to see his funny reactions since killing two birds with one stone is my forte.
"And you can't just say that to me! Look at yourself first. Yours are worse. That's definitely a boxer short, " he defends, pointing at my underwear.
" It's because I live alone. I wouldn't wear this if I know you're coming here, "
"BUT-"
"Brando"
"YUCK, EWWW I'M GONNA THROW UP," Brando dramatically acted dizzy and nauseous. He's so over the top.
"I've told you countless times, it's Brenda! Not Brando!"
"More like Brando during the day, Brenda all night," I said with a nonchalant shrug.
My friend is quite the pretender. During the day, he dresses very masculine, always in grey joggers, tops with an oversized black shirt, a black Balenciaga cap, and 2024 limited edition balenciaga shoes. All he lacks are muscles to attract girls, but even without that, girls still swoon over him.
Sorry, girls, he's gay at night. His clothes are even shorter and even sluttier than what you wear.
"You're bullying me again, frenny! I hate you!" He pouted and acted like he hates me to guts.
"Hate is such a strong word Brando. And whatever you're thinking, I'm telling you now, I don't want to go," I said, cutting him off because I knew he'd invite me to a bar. He always does this, acting like he's about to cry, suddenly hating me because he needs something from me and that is he wants to tag me along.
"You're such a killjoy," he said, rolling his eyes at me.
I wanted to go out, but I'm not in the mood to drink. Plus, I need to rest-
"Okay, okay. I'll go," I said. I didnt realize I just said that. I guess my mouth spoke before my brain could process it.
"REALLY!?" His mood shifted quickly from being sad and dramatic to happy as if nothing happened.
"Only if you change your outfit. That, specifically" pointing at his shorts. His sleeves are fine because I'll make him button them up until they look formal to me.
"BUT WHY~ THEY'RE COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO WEAR."
"That's not a short; it's a brief. Go change. I'll change my clothes in the meantime."
Actually, it's not that revealing, but it's too short for me since Brando is still a guy. Shorts that look like underwear don't fit the normal male attire. But who am I to judge him? And besides, he's gay. But honestly, Brando is a good-looking gay guy. He's got a cute face. If I were into slim guys and a top, I would've courted him already and made him my boyfie. He's more girly than most girls. Too feminine for a guy.