The sun was rising over the beautiful and quiet Denver—the streets were empty, devoid of any sign of life. They were missing the sound of cars, the loud laughter of children, and the swearing of drivers angry at pedestrians. Although the sunrise was beautiful and enchanting, it was almost hidden by thick, black clouds dancing across the sky. Outside, an icy cold wind was blowing, and in the distance, faint thunder could be heard.

Despite the bad weather outside, nothing could change the fact that today was an incredibly important day for Alexander—today was the beginning of his training. The day had finally come after long anticipation and killing impatience.

The blond-haired boy was sleeping deeply, wrapped in a thin sheet, as if he could still feel the warmth of last night's conversation. He had gone to bed late, almost at the break of dawn, after hours of chatting with Penelope. Their conversation had stretched on, filled with casual words and laughter, as if time didn't matter. She, as always, kept him awake—not by insistence, but with the ease and magic of her personality, which captivated him more with each message.

They started with the usual topics, but with each passing minute, their correspondence became something more intimate, more meaningful. Every reply from her brought freshness and playfulness, but at the same time, revealed the hidden depths of her soul. She managed to spark his curiosity with every word, and he, more and more engrossed, wanted to continue writing, to discover more about her. Penelope was not only charming and witty but also mysterious—she skillfully led the conversation, leaving small traces that lured him to keep going.

For Alexander, the hours passed unnoticed. It was as if he was in another world, a world of words and thoughts, where the two of them were alone despite the distance between them. In every playful remark of hers, there was a note of sincerity, giving him the feeling that he understood her on a deeper level. For her, it was like a dance—a play with words that made her smile in front of the screen, knowing that she had his full attention. She enjoyed this flirtation of thoughts and feelings, knowing that his interest in her was growing with each passing minute.

And so, as the night progressed and the world around them fell asleep, the two continued to write to each other as if they were the only ones that existed.

"Alex?" Christina's gentle whisper pulled him out of the world of deep sleep. "Alex, wake up."

Her soft hand lightly stroked his short blond hair—something Alexander had adored ever since he was a little boy. A smile played on his sleepy face before he groggily asked,
 

"What time is it?"

"Nine thirty," the woman replied seriously.

His blue eyes widened in sudden horror—their meeting was scheduled for ten, and it was already nine thirty, yet he was still lounging like a carefree child. Panic struck him instantly. He shot up from the bed, but in his haste, he got tangled in the thin blue sheet that was still wrapped around him. The awkward situation took him by surprise, and before he knew it, he found himself on the floor, sprawled in a comical mess.

"Damn it, damn it, why didn't my alarms go off? Damn it!"

An overwhelming sense of anxiety gripped his mind—he had been waiting for this important day for so long, and now he was going to mess it up. He kept darting left and right, lost in a panic. As he headed to the bathroom, he muttered curses under his breath and cursed his phone for once again failing to activate the damn alarms.

Behind him, Christina was quietly laughing to herself.

"Oh, damn it, I don't have time! What am I going to wear?!"

He paced the hallways in nothing but his boxers, his whole body covered in goosebumps from the cold that had enveloped him. Time was ticking—ticking away, and he still wasn't even fully awake.

Christina continued to follow him quietly, smiling with amusement. From the kitchen, a loud male laugh echoed—Alexey couldn't hold back after witnessing his lover's little prank, and Antoine barely swallowed his sip of water.

"Mom, tell him it's eight o'clock!" Antoine whispered, causing Christina to laugh even more loudly.

Alexander opened his wardrobe, scanning it from top to bottom—his eyes searched for the best shirt and the finest jacket. His outfit always made him stand out, made him feel strong and confident, and today, that was exactly what he needed the most.

To prove himself as a competent, ambitious person.

The blond took a deep breath again.

He quickly left his room, wearing his snow-white shirt but without pants—the comical outfit drew roaring laughter from everyone in the kitchen. Antoine felt himself choking from the unstoppable laughter that washed over him like a wave. Terry, on the other hand, didn't quite understand why everyone was laughing so joyfully, but he too smiled widely, just to not feel left out.

"Mom, is this shirt good?" Alexander looked down at himself. "I'll put on pants, no worries."

"Alex, look at the clock, please!" Alexey laughed loudly and pointed to the beautiful wall clock with his finger. Confused, Alexander quickly turned his head—the wooden-brown hands showed eight fifteen. An annoyed yet amused sigh escaped his lips.

"Ha ha, very funny, Mom. I'm going back to bed."

"Come on, just have breakfast. We don't have time."

The sleepy and groggy Alexander, with his blond hair, silently agreed. He knew his place well—at the kitchen table, bathed in sunlight that gently highlighted the tempting delights set before him. Fluffy French toast was piled high on one side, while a large white plate beside them held an assortment of fresh fruits—a true feast for the senses. Next to them, a bottle of maple syrup and a jar of chocolate spread stood regally, promising to finish off the culinary wonder with touches of indulgence.

Alex quickly ran to his room to change into comfortable clothes before breakfast. The blond-haired young man carefully folded his snow-white shirt and left it by his bed.

"Did you put something different in the mix?" Alexander smiled warmly, his eyes meeting Christina's.

"I felt something different too—I really like them!" Alexey spoke with his mouth full, his satisfied gaze moving over the beautifully arranged table of delicious treats.

"I used powdered sugar instead of brown sugar. And a bit more vanilla extract."
"They're amazing, honey," the man rested his head gently on her shoulder as a sign of gratitude and respect, but mostly deep love—a feeling he experienced so strongly and so magically. Christina smiled happily—his warm words had touched her heart gently, like a white feather.

"You did a great job, Mom, but I'm running late for practice." Antoine complimented his mother, making her cheeks blush.

"Shall I pack them for you?" Alexander asked shyly, looking kindly at Antoine.
"No need, I'll probably have lunch with the guys after practice."

Antoine wiped his face, casually smeared with chocolate spread, and got up from the table. Little Terry's eyes were watching him intently, but there was a hint of sadness in them because the dog knew he was leaving. His little heart filled with longing whenever his owners were out and not at home. Alexey noticed this and gave a light whistle, causing the furry little friend to wag his big fluffy tail.

"Do you want some French toast, Terry?"

Terry grinned widely as he slowly rose from the cold floor, excitement building as he sensed the moment of his well-deserved reward approaching. His large paws trembled slightly with anticipation, while his big pink tongue hung playfully from his mouth, and his charming smile lit up his face. His eyes, deep and warm like chocolate, were locked onto Alexey's hand, which held the coveted prize—the crispy, aromatic French toast.

Blond-haired Alexey, with a slight smile on his lips, slowly tore off a large piece of the toast, savoring its fragrant scent before carefully bringing it closer to Terry. But before offering it, Alexey, with a soft yet confident tone, commanded:
"Sit."

Terry immediately, with obedience and grace, lowered himself onto his hind legs, though his eyes never left the prize. His trembling nostrils caught every molecule of the French toast's aroma. Alexey leaned a little closer and continued:
"Give me your paw."

The obedient little dog extended one of his paws, looking at Alexey with anticipation and joy. Alexey's voice softened even more as he proudly said:
"Good boy!"

In response to the praise, Terry couldn't contain himself and barked loudly, trembling with happiness, before finally receiving his well-earned bite. The sound of his joyful bark filled the room, causing warm laughter from Christina and Alexander, who watched with smiles on their faces. They adored their faithful friend—the dog that had brought them countless moments of joy and love.

Alexander finished his breakfast—his stomach was satisfied, and his soul filled with delight. The boy placed the dirty dishes in the sink and quickly washed his hands from the sticky maple syrup, now ready for the new day and the new opportunities that had opened their doors to him. His smile seemed unstoppable, growing wider and more charming by the second, lighting up his face.

The sound of a notification rang through the air, reaching everyone who was still sharing kind words around the kitchen table. Alexander's bright sea-blue eyes shifted toward his phone, whose screen had lit up from the received message.

P: Good morning, sleepyhead. You're sleeping in.

A warm smile spread across the young boy's face, and his long fingers eagerly grabbed the phone, impatient to reply to Penelope. Her photo popped up on the screen again, making his heart skip a beat.

The attraction between them was like a spark, waiting for the right moment to ignite into a raging fire of emotions... but it was only a matter of time, and time was marching forward.

Minutes turned into hours, and hours into days. When would their feelings become clear and acknowledged? No one knew the answer, not even they themselves.

A: Good morning, gorgeous. You're up early; didn't I keep you up late last night?

A soft, quiet laugh escaped his lips—his mind was enchanted by memories of their intriguing midnight conversations and the playful teasing he had directed at her with growing confidence and interest. The fact that she responded to his flirting, and not just responded, but did so with even more assertiveness and confidence, filled him with delight.

P: Apparently not, huh?

"Alex?" Christina called for the third time, laughing this time. "Alex, can you hear me?"

"Yes, yes, I hear you," the blond quickly replied.

"I want you to go and gather all the necessary documents. Jessica was very clear about it."

"I'm on it."

A: My training starts today. I'll call you later.

P: Good luck. The road to the top isn't easy, but victory is oh so sweet, right?

Alexander grinned slyly and replied:

A: Just like a dazzling beauty in a restaurant, Penelope.

P: Charmer. 

She replied, smiling widely as she sipped her hot, aromatic espresso. The girl was still sleepy and tired, but it had been worth staying up to get the attention of the blonde.

Alexander headed to his room with a clear goal in mind: to choose an outfit that would highlight his presence at the important meeting with the head manager, Jessica. He carefully took out the snow-white shirt, whose fine stitching and perfect fit clung to his lean, muscular body as if it were made just for him. The fabric shimmered slightly in the light, accentuating his elegance. The dark blue pants with a refined silhouette were complemented by a black leather belt, whose shine added the final touch to the perfectly matched look. Every detail of his attire spoke of a person who knew how to make an impression – confident, sophisticated, and with an inner strength that could not go unnoticed. His blonde hair fell freely around his face, and his expression was determined, ready to face any challenge, as if he were capable of climbing the highest peaks with ease.

The young man headed to the living room, carrying the necessary documents – birth certificate, social security number, tax form, as well as a reference and certificate from his previous job.

Only one thing remained – to pull out his diplomas from culinary competitions or seminars. He placed the prepared documents on the table and began carefully analyzing the cabinets with focused attention.

Behind the walls of all these certificates awaited beautiful memories, soaked in happiness and pride. Many countries visited and much experience gained – for him, it was something magical, given with a purpose. Meeting new people who shared the same passion as his own was also very important – he was building connections and forging new friendships.

Alexander began taking out the certificates one by one, with each one filling his heart with joy, while his mind was submerged in memories. One of his fondest memories was the week-long trip to Texas – a place he had loved since he was a child. There, he participated in several culinary competitions: a cake contest, a cookie contest, and his favorite – a pie competition. With a smile, he recalled how he had made his unique blueberry pie, whose fragrance carried the scent of childhood memories and maternal love.

His thoughts then drifted to the trip to West Virginia two years ago – an exciting adventure filled with unforgettable emotions. There, he had the honor of participating in a best chicken sandwich contest, where he proudly secured third place among a total of sixty-seven contestants – an achievement that still brought pride to his heart.

Alexander carefully took out the certificates one by one, immersing himself in the memories each of them carried. With each unfolded paper, he felt his heart warm, while his mind traveled back to past moments of triumph and joy. One of the brightest memories that surfaced was his week-long trip to Texas – a place that had always held a special place in his heart since childhood. There, amidst the vast landscapes and culinary culture of the southern U.S., he participated in several exciting culinary competitions.

The first was a cake contest – a sophisticated challenge that required not only skill but also creativity. After that came the cookie contest, where every bite had to strike the perfect balance between crispness and sweetness. But his favorite competition by far was the pie contest. He fondly recalled making his beloved blueberry pie – a recipe he had learned as a child. The aroma of fresh blueberries, combined with the sweet, crumbly crust, brought back memories of childhood, of moments spent in the kitchen with his mother, and of her indescribable love that seemed to be woven into every piece of the pie.

While arranging the next certificate, his thoughts flew to the trip to West Virginia two years ago – a true adventure that made him feel alive and full of energy. The sights of the vast mountains and wild nature were not only an inspiration but also a challenge for his senses. There, he had the incredible opportunity to participate in a competition for the best chicken sandwich. He remembered how he poured all his experience and passion into creating a unique recipe that earned him the well-deserved third place out of sixty-seven participants. Even years later, this achievement continued to fill him with pride and satisfaction – proof that hard work and effort are always rewarded.

Something caught his ocean-blue eyes—Alexander carefully placed the certificates on the table next to the other documents. His long fingers reached for an old photo, and the faces on it seemed to make his heart skip a beat.

In this old, yet well-preserved photo was a little blonde boy sitting in his mother's lap—his ocean-blue eyes were fixed on the beautiful smile of the woman who had given him life. She held him tightly in an embrace overflowing with love and peace.

Alexander's eyes filled with tears, and his face twisted into a pained expression. The absence of his mother felt stronger than ever in that moment, screaming in his mind and causing him to tremble. Even though he had been just a child, he still remembered what kind of woman Valeria had been—strong and unshakable, yet extremely kind and loving.

The pain hit him like a hammer, and Alexander felt an overwhelming anguish that made him grab his head with his hands—his temples throbbed from the tension, and his eyes burned from the tears he tried to hold back.

"Alex?" A male voice reached him, making him turn his head in the opposite direction. Alexey was already dressed and ready to leave for work, but he had stopped by to wish his son good luck. His face, initially filled with pride, darkened when he saw the hot tears in his son's ocean-blue eyes.

"Are you okay, son?"

"I'm fine. It's just..." Alexander trailed off.

Alexey set his car keys down and walked over to him. The old photo didn't escape his heavenly gaze, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. Sadness danced within his soul, though he tried his best to conceal it, not wanting to upset Alexander further.

He sat down next to his son, gently stroked his back, and said softly:

"Don't be sad, son. There's a reason you found this picture right now."

"What is it?"

"That Mom is with you and she's proud," Alexey said quietly. "Have you ever thought about that? That everything appears at the exact right moment, in the most unexpected way?"

Alexander fixed his gaze on his father, and in the next instant, tears silently began to stream down his flushed face. His eyes sparkled, not just from joy, but from that gentle pain that comes with missing someone. He so desperately wished she were here now... to see him happy, grown, and fulfilling the promises he had made to her as a child with shining eyes.

His heart seemed to tighten with emotion. His hand, slightly trembling, slowly wiped away the tears that continued to roll down his cheeks. Despite everything, a warm and genuine smile appeared on his lips. His father, Alexey, responded with an equally warm smile, his eyes full of pride. He reached out and gently ruffled his son's hair, as if trying to bring him back to childhood for just a moment.

"Good luck today, son," Alexey whispered, his voice full of love and faith. "Not for a single day have I ever doubted that you would succeed. Both your mother and I are proud of you."

His words, spoken with such calm and confidence, sank deep into Alexander's soul. He took a deep breath, as if trying to seal this moment in his heart forever. Then, slowly and with all his love, he pulled his father into a hug—a quiet embrace, yet full of unspoken feelings. A hug that seemed to say everything that couldn't be put into words.

"I love you, Dad." As he spoke those words, his voice cracked like shattered glass, but Alexander was determined to stay strong and keep moving forward. Alexey allowed a warm smile to cross his face as he replied:

"And I love you too."

The man stood up, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts, and went outside. The cool air enveloped him in a hug before he got into his car and headed to the hospital. He was expecting a long, exhausting shift filled with anxiety and fatigue, but both his body and spirit were resilient.

Alexander kissed the photo and slipped it into his back pocket as a token of support and love—it brought him warmth and some peace, despite the sadness and absence. His heart slowly began to calm down, and his ocean-blue eyes started to clear. The excitement for the upcoming meeting hit him again, and he took a deep breath.

"Chris, I'm ready!" The blonde stepped outside, where he saw his stepmother sitting on the beautiful porch. Her elegant dark blue suit paired with white high heels made her look authoritative and strong. Her caramel hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and her face was accentuated with light, natural makeup. The woman took the last sip of her tea and said:

"Please, leave the cup in the sink and let's go!"

Alexander did just that—he took the dirty cup and walked over to the sink. Terry watched him with a sad look but wagged his tail, expecting a goodbye kiss. The blonde bent down and gently petted the big muzzle, whispering:

"We won't be long, sunshine. I'll bring you some treats!"

The little animal's ears perked up at the mention of his favorite word, "treats." A soft laugh escaped Alexander's lips before he left his home and walked towards his car, accompanied by Christina, whose smile hadn't left her face all morning. As he inserted the key and started the engine, his soul filled with satisfaction and anticipation for what lay ahead, along with the peace of knowing that someone was watching over him and supporting him from above.

Alexander and Christina stepped into the restaurant, which had just opened its doors. At that moment, there weren't many customers, and it was quiet. The jazz music gently caressed their ears, dancing with their senses. All the staff were dressed in beautiful uniforms and adorned with lovely smiles.

His heart began to race again; euphoria had him in its grip, and there was no escaping it. The blonde felt the eyes fixed on him with each passing second but continued to walk confidently along the path of success and fulfilled dreams.

As they entered the large interior hall, they were warmly greeted by Jessica, who was talking to another manager about a delayed kitchen order. The visible tension on her face dissipated the moment she saw Christina and Alexander approaching her. Her lips, coated with brown lipstick, spread into a wide smile, and her face seemed to light up with excitement. The sound of her high heels hitting the floor reached everyone as she walked over to Alexander and pulled him into a hug.

"Hello! Oh my God, Alex, I'm so glad to see you here!" Jessica placed a gentle kiss on the blonde's cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. Excited, actually."

"Oh, I understand. Let's sit down."

Jessica moved her long chestnut curls away from her face so they wouldn't obstruct her view. Alexander and Christina followed her to a nearby area to talk.

Christina had great trust in Jessica—she was the best at her job and had earned the position of general manager through her determination and knowledge. Christina had supported her from their meeting in Australia and had never underestimated her abilities, giving her all for the restaurant. Her efforts had been rewarded—she was respected by Christina and all the staff. The respect was at a high level.

The three of them took their seats at a massive wooden table adorned with a beautiful white vase full of red tulips. Jessica, with her serious yet kind gaze, looked at the excited Alexander and chose her words carefully. She remembered how much she had heard about him early in Christina's relationship with Alexey, and if someone had told her that this grown-up boy would be sitting across from her today, she would never have believed it.

"Alright, Alex," she said with a ringing laugh. "I'm glad you're here and ready to start your training as a manager. First, I want to give you a general idea of what the training will cover. There will be several important aspects that you'll need to master to manage the restaurant effectively. Are you ready to start?"

"Yes, absolutely," he smiled broadly. "I feel motivated and am ready to learn everything necessary."

"Great!" Jessica exclaimed. "The first and perhaps most important part of your job will be encouraging the staff to provide good customer service. This includes not only leading by example but also communicating properly with them and creating a positive work environment. How do you think you can approach this?"

"Sorry to interrupt," a soft, quiet voice touched everyone's ears. Jessica looked up, and her eyes met those of Alaya, who looked both guilty and innocent at the same time.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot my uniform. Could I please ask for another one as soon as possible, Jess?"

"Go ahead and show those tits, all tips are on me later!" Jessica laughed loudly, while Alexander pursed his lips, trying not to laugh. Alaya's cheeks flushed with shyness, but her lips stretched into a warm smile.

"I'm currently in an important conversation, wait for me and I'll get you your uniform."

"I'll take care of it." Christina smoothly stood up from her chair and extended her hand towards Jessica, indicating that she wanted the inventory keys. Jessica didn't hesitate—she pulled out a heavy bunch of keys from her shirt pocket and handed them to Christina. Alaya quietly followed Christina to the storeroom, leaving Jessica and the unfamiliar but charming young man alone. Her gaze couldn't leave him the entire time—he was handsome, and his voice was deep and captivating.

"Where were we, Alex? What do you think is the right approach?" Jessica wanted to give him a role-playing task to see if he was grasping his new adventure.

"I think the key is to be attentive to the needs of the team and to be available for them," the blonde boy continued calmly. "I would also like to have regular conversations with the staff, provide feedback, and encourage them to share ideas on how we can improve service."

Her smile was quick to appear.

"That sounds like a good approach. Regular communication and feedback are extremely important. You can focus on building trust so that the staff feels comfortable sharing their observations and suggestions. It's always good to encourage the team to think collaboratively and to feel responsible for the restaurant's success."

"Yes," Alexander agreed confidently, nodding his head. "I definitely want to create that kind of environment. It would be beneficial not only for them but also for the customers."

"Exactly. The next important part of your training will be to familiarize yourself with all the stations in the restaurant. This includes every part of the kitchen—from the bar to the packing stations, all kitchen stations, including the sushi bar and the prep station. You will need to know all the dishes and drinks, as well as the processes for their preparation. You will work at each station for a while to gain a comprehensive understanding."

The sound of Christina's high heels reached everyone again, and Jessica turned around. She noticed that the woman was carrying a small black tray adorned with two cappuccino cups and one cup of lemon tea, accompanied by two packets of honey. The aroma of the drinks touched everyone's senses, and warm smiles appeared on Jessica's and Alexander's faces.

"Alex, I brought you extra sugar."

"Thank you very much," he said, his cheeks flushing from the kind gesture. "I understand, Jess. Does this mean I will need to learn both the technical aspects and the time each station requires for preparation?"

"Exactly. You will need to learn all the recipes, preparation times, and how to manage each process. This will give you not only technical knowledge but also a better understanding of how to coordinate the team and oversee task execution. This way, you'll be able to make informed decisions in the future."

"I feel like this will be a big challenge, but also very useful," Alexander said, thinking about the task ahead. "It will make me a better manager if I understand every step of the process."

"You're absolutely right!" Jessica exclaimed excitedly, taking a sip of her coffee. "Once you've completed the station training, the next important part of your training will include financial duties and reports. You'll need to learn how to track revenue, expenses, inventory, and how to prepare monthly reports. This part is crucial because managing finances is key to the successful operation of the restaurant."

Financial responsibilities sound a bit more complex to me. I have some experience with budgets and expenses, but I haven't managed a restaurant's financial system before.

Don't worry, you'll receive detailed instructions for that. You will work with our accounting team until you master the processes. You'll learn how to prepare and analyze income and expense reports, optimize costs, and monitor departmental performance.

This will definitely help me feel more confident.

I'm sure you'll do great. Next, you'll need to learn the restaurant's infrastructure. This includes the areas, table numbers, and customer distribution. It's important to have a good understanding of this so you can coordinate the team during busy hours and assign tasks effectively. You will learn how to manage departments and create schedules. You'll monitor departmental responsibilities to ensure that everyone is working in sync. Effective time and resource management is key to the smooth running of the operations.

I feel that this is a lot of responsibility, but it sounds like an interesting and challenging process. Will I have the opportunity to work directly with the departments while I'm training? - the young man inquired.

Yes, of course. First, you will observe, then you'll start taking on individual responsibilities, such as creating schedules and monitoring the tasks of different departments. You'll learn as you go, and gradually you'll take on more responsibilities.

I believe you will do well, Alex. The most important thing is to be patient and not be afraid to ask questions. The training process will take time, but every day you'll learn something new and important. Is there anything specific you would like to discuss or any questions you have at this stage?

Everything is clear to me so far, but I'm sure I'll have questions during the training. I'll appreciate feedback as I apply what I've learned.

Of course! Feedback will be ongoing. We'll have regular meetings to review your progress and discuss the challenges you face. The main thing is to stay engaged and motivated.

I'm definitely motivated. - Alexander laughed brightly. - Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity and support. It is a huge honor for me.

Kristina smiled widely and gently wrapped her hand around his, as if she wanted to convey not just warmth but also sincere affection. Her eyes lingered on the young man with a soft smile that reflected the warmth she felt for him. The lemon tea had warmed her body, but Alexander's presence had penetrated deep into her heart, warming her soul in a way that only he could.

Whenever someone asked her about her family, she proudly answered that she had two sons—Antoan and Alexander. In their names and presence, she found everything she could wish for—love, strength, and meaning.