Page 4 of The Chef

“It’s the rules, sir.”

“I don’t care. I’m in a rush, I can’t wait around all day.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

I have to say, I’m kinda enjoying this little spat. Seems like karma’s come round to bite Mr. fake Cavill in the ass. He shouldn’t have pushed in front of me at the door like he did.

This is fun.

At least this little embarrassment I’m witnessing has put off my nerves, I’m assured that at least I’m not this guy embarrassing myself in front of everyone in the bank.

Superman points at the banker. “One second, that’s all I’m asking. Give me one second to grab the other form from the car.”

Before the banker can even respond, Superman spins back around and rushes past me out the bank’s door, glaring at me dangerously as he passes by. I avoid his stare and I shuffle the papers in my hands. I think I have the right forms.

I hope I have the right forms.

Forget about handsome rude man and just focus on what’s happening right here, right now, Bay. That’s what I tell myself.

The banker locks eyes with me.

“Next,” he calls out.

Oh god.

That’s me.

Here we go.

My turn.

Suddenly all my nerves come flooding back as I remember how important the next few minutes are going to be. This could change my life, for better or worse.

I pray this works. It better work.

2

BAY

This banker has my entire future in his hands. His decision, right now, will decide my fate. For better or for worse.

It’s all up to him. And what he decides right now.

Oh god.

It’s terrifying.

At the counter, I nervously surrender my financial documents like they’re my newborn baby. My hands shake as I rifle through the pages, and the banker takes them without a word. He sits in front of me, the bank’s counter between us. A gulf.

It feels like a wall.

Everything depends on this man and his decision today.

And he doesn’t seem like the most humorous of fellows.

“And what do you intend to do?” he asks me quietly without making eye contact. I lean forward, trying hard to calm my shaking hands and to look professional and composed.

I am anything but.