An opportunity
Time flew by, and now, the sun began its descent making its way down slowly behind those thick clouds, casting a warm golden glow across the small kitchen of Adriella's Foodhaus. The air was filled with the rich scent of sugar melting and caramelizing, a sweet toffees we were about to create. I stood at the counter, my heart light as I prepared for my latest lesson to Mike, one of the best cooks on our team.
Today, I am teaching him how to make toffees—a deceptively simple dessert that required patience and a steady hand, two things he had yet to master.
"Alright, Mike," I said, handing him the wooden spoon.
"The key to making perfect toffees is all in the stirring. You need to keep it constant and even. No slacking off!" I encouraged, fully aware of how exhausting it could be. In cooking, patience, understanding, and care are essential. Without these, you risk ending up with a dish that's poorly mixed or lacking in flavor. It's much like relationships: if you're impatient, closed-minded, or indifferent, don't expect things to go smoothly. Disagreements and misunderstandings are bound to arise, and without those key qualities, it could even lead to a breakup. So, whatever the situation—whether it's about food, a lover, family, or coworkers—having patience, understanding, and care are crucial. These traits are vital in every situation and truly make a difference in how we connect and succeed together.
"Chef! Ma'am Adriella suddenly showed up. She's asking for you outside."
"Keep stirring for a few more minutes, okay? I'll just check on Ma'am," I told Mike, and he nodded in agreement. As I stepped outside, I spotted Ma'am Adriella, fanning herself despite the restaurant's air conditioning.
"Ma'am," I greeted.
"Oh, Chef Zane! I need to tell you something. Let's go to the VIP room," she said, her excitement bubbling over as she pulled me along behind her.
As I settled into a chair across from her, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of curiosity. "What is it, Ma'am?"
"Zane, I need you to prepare ten dishes today. Anything you like," she announced, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
I blinked in surprise. "You have two and a half hours for the preparation? Someone important is coming later and wants to taste your cooking. If they like it, they'll talk to you and propose something. They didn't tell me what, but I guess it's an opportunity, so I said yes," she explained, her smile unwavering.
"Huh? But what about your restaurant, Ma'am? I can't just leave suddenly if they like my cooking. I don't want that," I quickly replied, concern creeping into my voice. Even though I had just started working here, it felt like family, and I had no intention of walking away.
"What are you talking about? You don't get it, do you?" she asked, her laughter ringing out.
"No, Ma'am," I admitted, furrowing my brow.
"Sorry, hahaha, I got a bit excited," she chuckled, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "Of course, you're still part of Adriella's Foodhaus. Think of it this way: we'll be forming a partnership with that businessman."
"I won't be sending you away. Besides, you're my favorite chef—well, that sounds biased. I love all of you; you're all equally important. But I can't just hand over my younger brother to them."
"They're planning to build something. They didn't give me the details, though," Ma'am Adriella added.
"Breathe," I suggested gently, noticing she was speaking so excitedly that she might forget to take a breath. She paused, giving me a grateful look and inhaled deeply.
"Anyway, that's all I wanted to tell you. Give them your best dish, Zane!" she encouraged, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
"GOOD LUCK!" she cheered, wrapping up her pep talk with a bright smile.
I sighed, a mix of anxiety and determination swirling inside me. Just when I thought I'd finally be able to go home peacefully after the rush hour, it seemed like there was still an aftershock to deal with.
MAXIMUS
TIRED. EXHAUSTED. DRAINED. WORN OUT. EVERY SYNONYMS OF TIRED.
EVERYTHING HURTS. MY BODY HURTS. MY ANKLE HURTS. MY MENTAL HEALTH IS FLUCTUATING AND IM GETTING CRAZY I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
My assistant, on the other hand, seems perfectly at ease, as if miles of walking were a daily routine for him. He just keeps moving, saying nothing, while I dutifully follow his lead—after all, he's my assistant.
It feels like an endless journey.
Is this what training is supposed to be? This has turned into the longest walk I've ever taken, possibly since before I was even born. My patience is wearing thin, and my emotions are all over the place. I'm on the edge of snapping at anyone who dares to speak to me right now.
"Do you know why we're walking?" he asked casually, his hands clasped behind his back as he strolled along the busy city highway.
"Obviously not," I shot back, my irritation bubbling over. This new assistant of mine is really pushing my limits. I thought I was the one in charge, but it feels like the roles have flipped—now I'm the one being treated like the servant.
"Your mouth, Maximus. I've corrected your manners so many times. That's why we don't stop walking," he said, finally halting to look at me. I raised an eyebrow, utterly confused.
"I don't understand. Please, enlighten this mighty heir," I replied with a touch of sarcasm.
Old Zheng raised an eyebrow at me, clearly judging. "Mighty heir? Where did you pick up that phrase? You sound like you have superpowers, Maximus."
Whatever.
With a sigh, he added, "You really haven't realized anything. Your father's right—you are quite dense," and began massaging his temples.
I rolled my eyes. My father never missed a chance to broadcast to the world that he has a stupid son—he should really keep those thoughts to himself.
"I really thought you'd understand the essence of 'patience,' " old Zheng started, taking a seat on a nearby bench. I followed, my exhaustion finally catching up with me.
"This nonstop walk is meant to teach you patience," my assistant explained. "It's something you can apply in real life and, hopefully, improve your attitude as well."
He continued, "With this walking, you'll feel the exhaustion and aches in your body. But what I really want you to grasp is the life lesson about patience. Take this experience and use it to your advantage. Apply the lesson of patience and persistence to other parts of your life, and watch how it helps you grow and improve your attitude."
I let him talk while my gaze drifted to the road and the passing cars.
"Actually, I learned something today," I said abruptly.
"Life is hard," I added, glancing up at the sky, a faint smile touching my lips as I leaned on my hands for support.
"Oh, that's a good start—sharing what you've learned and saying something catchy to grab attention," old Zheng said with a smile, encouraging me to go on.
"No, that's not what I learned today," I replied. "I just read the sign on the billboard. Let me finish reading it before I share what I've truly learned."
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SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? VISIT US TODAY! FOR MORE DETAILS, CHECK OUTWWW.PARADISEFICTIONARTS.COM/BOOK' " I finished, panting but grinning like a true salesman, enticing customers.
That was exhausting.
"You done?" he asked, his smile looking like it was barely hanging on.
Uh-oh. He didn't look happy at all. I always seem to have a knack for running my mouth at the worst times.
"Nope, I'm not done yet," I said, trying to keep my nerves in check. "I still need to tell you everything I learned. Just bear with me a bit longer, okay?"
"I don't need to hear that anymore. Because I know, it's just nonsense. It'll only make my blood pressure rise."
"Let's go. We still have somewhere to be. I've already called ahead, and the restaurant's nearby, so we might as well walk." With that, he started walking again while I trailed behind him.
Good thing he lost interest in what I was about to say because I wasn't sure if he'd be pleased with what I learned or if he'd faint from anger.
'Sometimes, the best lessons come from walking for miles for hours.'
That's what I should have told him. Isn't it inspiring? You can learn a life lesson despite the brevity of the sentence.