11. Chapter 11 #3
I nodded my thanks to him and made my way to the kitchen.
The earthy scent of spices wafted through the hall, filling my senses with savory overload.
I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to the comforting aromas of Bellissima.
From Dax’s food. A few of the cooks and bussers gave me hurried nods in greeting as I settled into the dish-pit and lost myself in the rhythm off the job.
I could barely make out the sound of reggaeton blasting from a portable speaker over the rush of running water and clatter of dishes.
Rinse, wash, drain, repeat. I could tell when the restaurant was starting to get busy—the volume of bussers dropping off trays of plates and silverware increasing over time.
Despite that, I kept my pace, a constant rotation of dirty dishes to clean ones.
Clean plates brought back to the line for the next delicacy to be arranged upon with precision.
I only stopped working when the sous-chef, I recognized as Mateo, told me it was time to take my break.
The break area was intertwined with the dry storage supplies: shelves of labeled spices and a few canned goods, dried pastas and herbs, different charcuterie hanging by ropes along the ceiling, and a long rustic wooden table with mismatched chairs right down the center of the small room.
Down the middle of the table lay decadent plates of food.
The instant ramen I was used to eating was put to shame by the display in front of me.
Colorful salads, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and a few different meats piled up on platters.
I lifted a plate from the stack on the edge and made my way around the feast. I dished myself a helping of salad and plucked a perfectly crisp chicken thigh from a large pile before I made my way to one of the chairs.
I was a little annoyed Dax didn’t tell me he wouldn’t be here tonight.
Yesterday he seemed so concerned with my safety, yet he didn’t even think to check in with me once today.
I was grateful he was willing to help me, but I truly didn’t understand him.
One minute he was a cocky chef, the next he was this sudden protector with mysterious resources.
For a reason I couldn’t explain, each version of him sent my nerves into overdrive.
It wasn’t just because he was nice to look at—even though he admittedly was. It was something more. Beneath the sculpted muscles and sharp jawline, there was something much more harrowing. It both terrified and excited me.
“You seem to be managing well tonight.”
The icy voice shattered my thoughts. Bianca made her way into the small room and grabbed a plate.
Her glossy hair was piled above her head in a way that looked elegant and effortless at the same time.
She wore her usual deep red lipstick and moved with the grace of an old time Hollywood actress. Sophisticated. Haughty.
I wanted to hate her, and maybe I did. But there was a chance she had more information that could help us track down Chad and Gabe. That was something worth setting aside our differences for. I just really hoped Ricky was right about her.
“I’m just washing dishes.” I set my fork down before fully meeting her eyes. “It’s not that hard.”
She gave me no response other than shifting her thick eyelashes downward as she plated her dinner.
I pulled out my phone and started to scroll.
I wasn’t really absorbing anything on the screen but wanted to seem busy to avoid any other conflict with her.
I blankly kept clicking and staring at my phone, trying to calm my frustration.
“I’m sorry about the way I’ve been acting toward you.”
I nearly jumped from my seat as Bianca slid into the chair next to mine. Did she actually just apologize to me?
“What?” My voice sounded squeakier than I’d have liked, but I tried to balance it out.
“I know I’ve been a bitch to you, and you don’t deserve it. That first night you were here with those guys, it just sent me to a dark place.” Her eyes met mine briefly.
I was shocked, but it seemed like she was being sincere. Maybe getting on her good side would be easier than I’d originally thought.
“Okay.” I gained my composure. “I appreciate the apology, but why are you suddenly willing to talk to me like a real person?”
“Because…” Her deep eyes bore into mine with a pause. “This place means a lot to me, to all of us. Dax is a good boss. I understand now you weren’t trying to screw him over. And now you’re part of the team, I hope we can be on good terms.”
I considered this for a moment before giving her a slow nod.
“I hope so, too.” I didn’t know what else to say.
I wanted to ask her more about what happened to her friend at The Wire, but I was afraid it would shift the conversation in the wrong direction.
I wanted her to trust me, and hopefully she’d eventually be comfortable enough to share more.
I thought about Tara. Maybe Bianca was also protecting her friend.
Perhaps that story wasn’t hers to tell, either.
“I’m not sure what your plans are for after work, but Ricky and I like to play cards over a shifty or two at the end of our shifts. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.” She took a bite of her salad, eyes trained on me.
“A shifty?” I asked.
She let out a little laugh. “A drink. With coworkers. It’s an industry thing. You haven’t worked in a restaurant before, have you?”
My cheeks heated. “It’s that obvious?”
She sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that. Stay a little while after work tonight. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
I didn’t know what to make of Bianca’s sudden change of heart about me, but my shoulders relaxed a little. She was inviting me into this place, this world. Dax’s world. It would be stupid of me to pass on such an opportunity, wouldn’t it?
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.