Melissa returned home with a lot of goodies. "How did you afford all this stuff Melissa?" Sunny said. "Abuela gave me beautiful things" Sofia said.
"Abuela?" Ariana asked. "Sounds like you have a new sugar mummy" Sunny said. "It's a long story" Melissa said as she collapsed on the couch. "Please tell me more because how in heavens name is an electric toy car in the house" Sunny said.
Melissa explained everything to them. "So you're saying that she offered you three million a month just to be an assistant and a bodyguard and you rejected it?" Ariana asked. "I haven't given an answer already" Melissa said.
"I mean you don't have a choice.... We need that money" Sunny said. "That woman is dangerous... There's more to her that meets the eye" Melissa said.
"She would hurt us if you don't. I have a feeling you met a bad guy" Sunny said. "I mean other than the fact that she would hurt us, she is offering us protection from enemies" Ariana said. Melissa groans in exhaustion.
"I think I know what must be done" Melissa said as she rubbed her palm across her face.
Sunny got to work the next day. The restaurant was so busy, Alejandra gave her a promotion. She no longer wash dishes, she now assists in the kitchen.
Later in the evening, everyone had left. Sunny was busy making a quick meal she brought from home. She placed hers in a dish and ate it.
It tastes so familiar, she closed her eyes so she could memorize the feeling. Tears fell from her eyes. "You are the first person I've seen that cry's just by tasting a dish" Alejandra leans on the door.
Sunny wipes her tears. "It's spicy" Sunny said. Alejandra made her way to the dish, she tasted it. "It's a chinese cuisine... You never told me you cook Chinese delicacies" Alejandra said.
"You never asked me" Sunny said awkwardly. "It tastes good" Alejandra simply said. "I could give you more if you want" Sunny said. Alejandra gave her a nod.
Sunny placed another plate on the table. "Who taught you this?" Alejandra asked. Sunny paused, she didn't want to tell her that it was her mother who taught her.
"I took online classes with my spare time" Sunny said. "Online classes could never teach you this. The mixture of ingredients, it feels like something a mother would teach a daughter. It tastes like a family secret recipe" Alejandra said.
"Perhaps she taught us her family recipe online" Sunny said. Alejandra didn't push further, she ate silently. "Why are you here chef?" Sunny said.
"Isn't this my restaurant?" Alejandra asked. "I mean, you are never here at such an hour" Sunny said. Alejandra sighs in exhaustion. "Would you like to have a drink with me?" Alejandra asked.
Sunny wants to refuse, she should pack everything and go home but something is pulling her, perhaps it's curiosity. "Okay" She says weakly.
Alejandra went upstairs to her office, she gestured Sunny to have a seat while she looked for the whiskey. Sunny sat at the edge of the chair, Alejandra placed two glasses and poured the whiskey.
"Thank you" Sunny said. Alejandra drank the whiskey in one gulp. I wonder who made chef this mad.
Alejandra drank a lot till she became drunk. Sunny sat there watching her, she was too worried to drink. "Why aren't you drinking?" Alejandra asked. "I'm tipsy chef" Sunny said.
Alejandra stood up and swayed towards Sunny. "You're not as stupid as I thought" Alejandra said. Sunny moved far away.
"It's getting late, I need to go home" Sunny said. Sunny stood up abruptly, Alejandra grabbed her arm. "Don't leave" She said.
"I am questioning my life choices at the moment" Sunny said. She eventually sat beside Alejandra.
Alejandra sighs in exhaustion. "I am tired of being strong you know. I have certain roles to play, I don't want to pretend anymore. I want to be like you"
"Like me?" Sunny asked. "Yeah.... You're free, honest and beautiful. I feel free with you... You're the only person who doesn't look at me like a prize. You don't look at me in disgust and fear. You make me feel seen, make me feel human" Alejandra said.
"Chef you need to go home and rest" Sunny said. Alejandra paused, she looks at Sunny in confusion. "Why do you keep making me feel this way?" Alejandra asked.
"How do I make you feel?" Sunny asked cautiously. "I feel like.... I can't stop thinking about you" Alejandra caress her lips. She closed the space between them, their faces were inches apart.
Sunny pulled away quickly. As much as she would like to kiss Alejandra, she couldn't. She knew that Alejandra is straight and is speaking under the influence of alcohol.
Sunny made her way to the door, Alejandra grabbed her wrist and pinned her against the wall. "Chef... Let me go" Sunny said. "I'm in love with you and it drives me crazy" Alejandra said.
"You can't love me... You're drunk" Sunny said. "I love you" Alejandra lips crashed into Sunnys.
Alejandra kissed Sunny with desperation. Sunny tried to break free but Alejandra held her neck firmly. Alejandra kissed her passionately, they broke free.
"I love you Sunny" Alejandra passed out on her shoulder. Sunny stood there trying to process everything that just happened. Her lips still tingled from the kiss.
Eventually she helped Alejandra to the couch, she placed a blanket over her. While Alejandra slept peacefully, Sunny slowly sank to the ground till she sat on the ground.
Sunny buried her face in her palm. "What just happened? What have I done?" She asked. Sunny cried so hard. She had always dreamt of this moment but why does it hurt?
Could it be because Alejandra is straight or because she knew too well that it was a drunken confession and Alejandra would forget everything by morning.
Sunny left the office without looking back. Tomorrow she has to pretend non of this ever happened.
Melissa went to get groceries, she entered the house. The bags fell from her hands when she saw a familiar face. "Glad you could join us Melissa" Abuela said. "This wasn't part of the deal" Melissa said.
"What? It's Saturday, I'm here to take Sofia out for picnic" Abuela said. "I'm ready Abuela" Sofia screams in excitement.
Melissa grits her teeth. "Why is she dressed?" Melissa asked. "Abuela is taking me to an amusement park" Sofia said. "Don't worry, I won't hurt my princess" Abuela said with a smile.
That smile made Melissa skin crawl. Abuela left with Sofia. "I am in trouble... Lord help me" Melissa sat on the ground.