Page 87 of The Chef

Not if I can stop this.

30

BAY

With all my force I push open the front doors of Rockpool and storm outside into the hot summer air. I turn right and head straight on down the main street of New Water, away from the restaurant. Towards the beach.

I’m practically sprinting towards the ocean, not caring about anyone in my way. Wet tears stream down my cheeks as I march ahead.

And I don’t look back.

I’m still recovering over what just happened, still getting used to what I saw and heard in that office.

Cliff and that Cleo woman embracing, near kissing. The images of her legs draped over him, her perfect ass sitting perkily on his desk, her smile at me as I walked in, and how she reveled in my shock and horror haunt me as I rush down the main street. Cleo Dash doesn’t know who I am, she hasn’t even met me before, but I bet she could tell how in love I am with Cliff. She could tell how in love I am with a man I could never truly get, but a woman like her, with her beauty and social standing, could.

A supermodel superstar and a poor waitress, as if there could be any competition between us.

And then she offered to buy the restaurant.

And Cliff said he was considering it.

That was the last straw. I couldn’t stay in that office for another moment, not while she was there or if Cliff was actually thinking of selling Rockpool. Both were too much for me to handle. I had to leave. I had to rush away.

I have to get away from him.

And that’s why I’m practically running to the beach.

Why would Cliff consider selling the place?

What about us? What about everything we’ve built together?

None of it makes any sense. I’m so confused.

I need to get away from them.

Of course, the boy would run to the pretty girl in the end over me.

I knew that would happen. I was stupid to believe otherwise, it was stupid for me to dream and fantasize about a future together that would never be. We’re all fools in love.

Love can blind us to reality.

“Bay!”

I hear Cliff’s voice somewhere far behind me on the street.

“Bay!”

I pay no attention to him. I don’t turn around. I don’t want to see him.

He’s chasing after me.

I reach the end of the main road of New Water, where the town makes its way into the beach. I skip down the stairs into the white sands, still wearing my shoes. I don’t care.

As long as I get away from him.

I wrap my arms around me and sprint across the beach towards the cool blue water. I need to get away from Cliff.

“Bay, wait,” he calls from the top of the stairs behind me.