Chapter 18 Lorenzo
T he flight to Panamá was long and tiresome, so after we arrived at the villa last night, we pretty much crashed until the next day.
The villa I rented is a short walk from the restaurant I’m opening soon, so we agreed to meet outside and head out first thing in the morning. A warm, sticky breeze drifts from the ocean, filling the air with the scent of salt and sun-baked sand as we head to the location.
Opening a restaurant in Panamá has always been a dream of mine. I found the perfect spot right on the beach, where we can offer outdoor seating with a beautiful view of Bocas del Toro, one of Panamá’s many gorgeous beaches. It took a lot of effort to find this place, and I’m more than looking forward to seeing the final touches. Since we’re getting ready to open in about a month, the construction should be almost ready.
When we arrive at the location, the place is bustling with activity. Construction workers are moving in and out, carrying tools and materials. As we approach the entrance, I stop dead in my tracks, taking a look at the interior that’s nowhere close to being ready .
What the fuck?
Sophia stands next to me, her eyes wide with confusion as she surveys the space. “Didn’t you say you’re opening in a month?”
My eye twitches, and I clench my jaw before replying. “Yeah. I’m as confused as you are. Excuse me,” I say, pulling my phone out of my pocket. My shoulders tense as I scroll through my contacts until I find who I’m looking for.
Me
Call me, now.
Diego (NextGen Builders)
I can’t right now, what’s going on?
A humorless laugh escapes my lips as I angrily type.
Me
You’re kidding, right? Have you been to Panamá recently?
Diego (NextGen Builders)
It’s on my schedule for next week, but the crew lead told me everything was going according to plan.
I shake my head and walk inside the restaurant, taking a video of the place. The kitchen is not built, not completely, anyway. The equipment that arrived last week is sitting in the corner, not even covered. The extension we decided to add to make the outdoor dining area bigger looks like they just started on it. Once I’m done taking the video, I walk out, because I can’t stand looking at it any longer.
Me
Sends Video Attachment.
Diego (NextGen Builders)
It’s being handled. I’ll be there first thing tomorrow morning.
I don’t even bother to reply, because I’m seething right now, trying to keep my cool. I’m going to have to cancel the training that’s supposed to be happening tomorrow.
Fisting my hair in frustration, I look up and close my eyes, taking a deep breath.
“You okay?” Sophia asks softly.
I relax my shoulders a bit. “Yeah.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. I just have to roll with the punches.”
I’m meeting with Diego one way or another, because he owes me some serious explanations.
“I know I said we would go back to Chicago tonight, but I have to stay and talk to the builder, Diego. If you need to go back, I will get the jet ready for you, just say the word.”
“Diego García? As in the owner of NextGen Builders?” she asks.
I squint. “Yes. How do you know him?”
“Who doesn’t? He has the biggest construction business that’s practically taking over the world. Everyone knows him.” She shrugs. “And I can stay a few more days, I think it will be interesting to see you work behind the scenes.”
Relief floods through me. I don’t know why, but I was hoping she’d say that. Having her around will be nice. She’s fun to talk to and keeps me on my toes most of the time, never afraid of giving me an ego check, and I always look forward to it. The company is a welcome change, since I’m always traveling by myself. It gets lonely, always being out and about and having no one to share your time with. It’s why I typically fill the void with other extracurriculars that have become less and less interesting to me lately.
“This is not what I had planned,” I say with a low chuckle. “I wanted to show you the restaurant.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “You still can. Walk me through it and tell me what the ideas are. I have a pretty good imagination.”
A small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth, and I tilt my head toward the restaurant. It’s lunchtime right now, so the construction crew is not around as I walk her through.
Entering the area that’s meant to be the kitchen, I wave my hand around. “It’s going to be an open concept. Customers will be able to see what the kitchen staff is doing, from beginning to end.” I point to a corner of the space. “We’ll close off this area to create a private washing zone”—then to another corner at the far back—“that section will be enclosed for a ventilated dry store. With the weather here in Panamá, we have to ensure the ingredients are stored properly. The freezer will go right next to it,” I add.
She looks around, nodding as she takes a small notebook from her purse and starts writing. She looks so beautiful with her eyebrows furrowed in concentration, her hand moving quickly, as if she needs to write all the words down before they escape her. Her hair falls onto her shoulders and down to her hips in soft waves. Sophia has this type of beauty that knocks the wind out of you without even trying. Her beauty is graceful and overwhelming. It’s impossible to look away, even if I tried.
Before she finishes writing her thoughts, I let out a fake cough and look at anything but her. I don’t want her to think I was gawking at her—even though I quite literally was. I continue the tour and give her as much detail as possible. This is one of the projects I’m most excited about, because I’m finally expanding and dipping more into different types of menus. It’s nerve-wracking to start a new project, but the exhilaration I get every time I open a new place makes up for it. The restaurant business is not easy, especially when you have hundreds of them to manage, but the food industry is where I’m most at peace. It’s where I find my tranquility. The only thing I would change is I would love to be a part of the day-to-day and the creative side of things. Ditch the suit and wear the apron, opinions be damned.
I’ve never known what love is like, but if the passion and care I have for this job is anything like it, it’s not the worst feeling in the world.