March 25 2024

Anne: Fresh basil and garlic for the sauce.

The group of friends, Anne, Maria, Caleb, Benjamin, Alex, Lois, Anna and Sydney were at Anne's house, cooking pasta, However Lois, Sydney and Anna were just sitting by the dining chairs, watchinf their friends cook pasta.

Maria: Crushed tomatoes and a bit of red pepper flakes.

Caleb: Penne pasta, nothing fancy, just classic.

Alex: Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a splash of cream for good taste

Benjamin: Parmesan cheese, lots of it!

Anna: You're doing well, honey

Lois: First of all, why is Benjamin cooking? I thought he was supposed to bake something for us.

Sydney: I was thinking the same.

Benjamin: Hey, I'm a man of many talents! Baking can wait.

Caleb: Ben, hand me the parmesan cheese and bake a cookie for us.

Benjamin: No

Alex: Let him stay, He hasn't done anything besides putting cheese, so we're safe.

Benjamin: See? Alex trusts- Wait, did you just say "We're safe?"

Anne: I'm afraid you might turn the pasta into a crossiant.

Benjamin: How does that work!?

Caleb: That's why you called yourself "A man with many talents"

Benjamin rolled his eyes and smacked Caleb's shoulder before turning to Alex and smacking his back as well, The friends shared a laugh at this funny and lighthearted moment as Maria said something.

Maria: Come on, let's finish this, I'm already feeling hungry

Sydney: How long is it going to take?

Anne: Probably. . . Twenty minutes?

Lois: Twenty minutes!? My stomach is growling right now.

Anna: Why are you guys so slow? You guys were like the flash in the restaurant.

Alex: It's because of Benjamin *Looks at Caleb* I told you we shouldn't have brought this guy.

Caleb: Yeah, and he's smitten about his girlfriend right now.

Benjamin: Hey!!!

Alex and Caleb immediately dropped the spoons and ran off the kitchen while Benjamin chased them, The girls facepalmed before sharing a laugh together.

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Caleb: The first plate goes to my beautiful wifey.

Lois: *Kisses his cheek* Thank you, Peaches.

Alex: And for my beautiful sunshine.

Sydney: *Blushes* Aww i love you.

Benjamin: Here ya go, Milady.

Anna: *Giggles* Love you, Pumpkin.

Maria: Anne, Say something nice to me.

Anne: Shove this pasta on your face.

Maria rolled her eyes as everyone in the room shared a laugh, The boys and Anne took their seat as Maria smacked Anne's shoulder.

Maria: Can't you be nice for once?

Anne: Nope, I'm hungry right now.

Winters gave a cheeky smile as Maria laughed before everyone began eating their meal, The pasta was delicious.

Benjamin: So, Anna, Syd and Lois, How would you rate this?

Anna/Sydney/Lois: Ten out of ten!

Alex: I'll take all the credit.

They gave a stare to him as Alex had an innocent smile on his face, As the group continued talking to each other while eating, Something clicked on Lois's mind as she looked at everyone.

Lois: Guys, We're forgetting something.

Sydney: Oh wait. . . We are forgetting something!

Anna: Uhhh, I'm a little lost here.

Maria: Did we just completely forget the salt again?

Caleb: I thought it was a low sodium experiment

Lois: *Laughs* No! Where are the beverages?

Anna: Ohhh! She has a point, We need the drinks.

Anne: Oh, I don't have any in the fridge, I'll go out and get some.

Benjamin: Wait, you should sit down, I'll go and buy it.

Anne: I appreciate it, Benji. But no, It'll be quick. You guys want the soda, right?

Maria: Yup, just make sure it's cold enough.

Anne: Alright, I'll be back soon, Make sure to keep my plate away from Alex.

Alex: Hey!

Caleb: Be quick, Anne. I can't fight him for long!

Anna: Says the guy that might steal the food before Alex does.

Everyone shared a laugh as Anne quickly made her way out of the house and began walking towards the nearby convienice store, Soon, She made it to the shop and looked into the fridge, finding the sofa cans as she took some cans while humming to herself, Anne decided to look around the store, seeing if there was anything else.

She continued looking around the ailes until she heard a familiar voice.

???: Didn't expect to see you here.

Steve was holding a packet of grapes, taking a bite as he flashed a playful smile. Anne's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting to bump into her manager. It was a coincidence, But she definitely likes this.

Anne: Steve? I wasn't expecting to see you either.

He chuckled as Anne had a huge smile on her face.

Steve: Guess we both needed a run. Grapes for me, soda for you?

Anne: *Laughs* Yeah, me and my friends cooked dinner but we forgot about the drinks, What about you?

Steve: Just a quick snack. Plus, me and Kelly are planning on a movie night right now.

When she heard Kelly's name, Anne frowned a little, She always forgets that Steve was happily dating someone, He always talks about Kelly and even calls her during work, There were also times where Kelly would visit the restaurant just to see him, Anne did feel a little jealous since she always had a crush on him, But Anne knew that he was happy with someone and she couldn't do anything, The feelings were still present but Anne just waited for it to fade on its own, Eventhough. . . She still talks about him to her friends.

Anne: Oh really? Sounds fun! Hope you two will have a great time.

Steve: Yeah, I suppose we should get going. . . Unless you like to ditch your friends to hang out with your favourite manager.

Anne couldn't help but laugh as Steve laughed a little while taking another bite of grapes, Winters knew his words were no lie, since he was her favourite manager.

Anne: If I did, would Kelly mind?

Steve: Uhh no, unless you plan on stealing her popcorn.

Anne: *Laughs* Got it, but i think i should get going before Alex steals my food.

Steve: *Laughs* Alright, By the way, You should buy these grapes. They actually taste like cotton candy.

Anne raised an eyebrow and looked at the packet before nodding while smiling at him.

Anne: I'll keep that in mind, Thanks Steve!

Steve: No problem, have a great night.

He smiled back, staring at her before walking away as Anne had a smile on her face before walking to the cashier, She was waiting in line for the person to pay for their items until Anne felt a tap on her shoulder and saw Steve behind her, with a smile on his face as Anne smiled back, feeling her heart race by how close she was.

Eventually, She paid for the soda cans and left the store, looking at Steve one last time before smiling to herself, She could tell she was already blushing when she saw him.

Soon, Anne made it back to the house as everyone was almost done with their meals while talking to each other, Anne bit her tongue, knowing that she was a little late.

Anne: Sorry, I had to stand in the line.

Maria: Good thing no one stole your food.

Anne: *Laughs* Great! *Puts the cans on the table* And guess who i met at the store?

Sydney: No way!

Anne: Excuse me? I haven't even said it!

Anna: It's your handsome looking manager, isn't it?

Anne: Well. . . Yeah.

Benjamin: Ooh, coincidence!

Caleb: Ahh, no wonder you arrived late.

Alex: Oh goodness, thank god you're back. Otherwise, you would've run away with him.

Lois: And we wouldn't have gotten the soda cans!

Anne: Urgh, Screw you guys.

Maria: *Laughs* We're just messing with ya, Don't worry.

Anne rolled her eyes and smiled at everyone before she continued eating the pasta while the others finished their meals and began drinking soda while talking to each other, However Anne was lost in her thoughts, thinking about Steve mostly.

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(The next day)

It was the morning, Lumière & Ember was open, The kitchen was already busy as the first few customers trickled in. The clinking of utensils, the sizzle of ingredients on the stove, while people were talking.

Maria was at the prep station, preparing the ingredients, Marshall noticed Anne was texting someone as Maria decided to peek at the contact name.

Maria: Mr Charming???

Anne: Woah! Why are you looking at my phone!?

Maria laughed a little as Winters was staring at her, closing her phone.

Maria: Thought you weren't doing your job.

Anne: I am, Steve wanted to ask me something.

Maria: *Smirks* Wow, Steve decided to ask you but not us?

Anne: He likes me. . . Not in that way.

Maria: Seriously though, Mr Charming sounds risky, What if someone sees that?

Anne: It's not like he's gonna look at my phone.

Maria raised an eyebrow, Staring at her until Anne heard Caleb calling her as she immediately went to check on him, Maria chuckled and shaked her head before asking another chef for help.

Sometime has passed, Maria stepped out of the kitchen for a moment, seeing the customers walking in and out, That was until she caught a familiar face walking in front of her.

Maria recognised him, knowing it was the same guy from the other guy, Anthony looked at her, taking off his sunglasses as Maria looked at him before he flashed a smile and leaned his elbow on the counter.

Anthony: Hey there, sweetheart.

Maria: *Smiles* Uh hi, but you should be asking the waiters for the menu.

Anthony: That's fine, I just wanted to know what's on the breakfast menu, I mostly came here for lunch and dinner.

Maria knew that he should be asking the waiters, but it's like he wanted to talk to her, At least that's what she assumed. Maria smiled a little and decided to tell him while clearing her throat.

Maria: We have a classic French croissant with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon and if you want something lighter, We have fresh fruit salad with yogurt and a drizzle of honey, If you like something sweet, We have a ricotta pancake stack with fresh berries and maple syrup.

Anthony stared at her before leaning closer to listen, Maria felt her heart race by how close he was, He was silent for a moment, thinking what he should order.

Anthony: Sounds nice, What do you recommend?

Maria: I think the croissant with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon is pretty special, in my opinion.

Anthony: Alright, I'll take it. But only if you promise to bring me your best cooking skills.

Maria: *Laughs* Sure, Sir. I won't disappoint.

He smirked and leaned back before walking away as Maria quickly went to the kitchen, preparing his breakfast meal.

Eventually, Maria was done as she sent one of the waitresses to serve the meal to Anthony, Marshall was already hoping he would enjoy the meal, Maria took a peek through the window and saw Anthony eating quietly, She couldn't help but smile a little before realising that she needed to focus on her work.

Later on, as Maria continued working, Steve began calling her name as Marshall looked at him, placing the utensils down.

Steve: Maria, Someone wants to talk to you, He's waiting outside the kitchen.

Maria: Oh, I'll be back in a few minutes.

Anne: It's okay, Maria. I'll take over!

Maria flashed a smile to her best friend before quickly walking away, She left the kitchen and saw Anthony leaning on the counter again, He looked at Maria and smiled at her as she quickly approached.

Maria: Hi, Is everything alright,

Anthony: Yeah, I just wanted to thank you for the recommendation, It was delicious. Totally worth it.

Maria: I'm really glad you liked it, You should come again when you have the chance.

Anthony: Always, I'm kinda a regular customer here actually.

Maria tilted her head, not knowing he actually comes to this restaurant very often, Anthony fixed his hair before smiling at her again.

Anthony: I'll see you again, Sweetheart, Thanks again.

He winked before walking away, Maria felt her heart skip a beat before smiling to herself, This was the first time she actually spoke to a customer, Usually she would let the her friends or the other workers to handle it, But this. . . Was different.

As Anthony was walking away, He noticed Sydney was walking by, He immediately stopped her, wanting to ask a question.

Anthony: Excuse me, there's a chef i just spoke to. Do you know her name by any chance?

Sydney: *Raises an eyebrow* Sorry, Who?

Anthony: Uhh, beautiful brown wavy hair, Gorgeous blue eyes and. . . and her face, it's got that perfect mix of softness and strength.

Sydney was thinking for a moment until her eyes lit up.

Sydney: Oh, You mean Maria Marshall? What about her?

Anthony: That's a sweet name for a sweet woman. Just wanted to ask, Thanks.

He smiled before walking away as Sydney smiled before walking away, continuing with her work.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)