CHAPTER 9

Ivo was really upset when he entered his room. He didn’t know why Claire was acting like that even though they didn’t have a relationship with the girl even from the beginning. They became close since Claire were his best friend Clark’s sister, but when he noticed that Claire had a crush on him, he avoided her. He just treated her like a sister and that was it.
Also, he has no intention of having a relationship with an ordinary person. Even though he socializes with normal people, he still prefers to have a wolf like him in a relationship. He also promised his parents that thing and he has no intention of not fulfilling it.
What he is most concerned about is the customers who are not used to that scene. He was annoyed with Claire for not knowing how to be shy around other people.
‘Dakota…’
Suddenly, his new employee entered his mind. Ivo couldn’t help but wonder why he suddenly thought of her. That’s not all. Dakota surprised face from earlier while looking at them also came back to his mind. Her eyes, she seemed to read fear but he just couldn’t determine what.
He shook his head to get the girl out of his mind. Ivo took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed then took out his cell phone when he heard it ring. Noticing that it was his brother Eros who was calling, he immediately answered it. “Why? He asked.
“How are you? You’re not coming home yet? Cyntax’s birthday is tomorrow,” Eros said. He refers to one of their friends.
“No. There are too many things to take care of here at the restaurant.”
“The last time you came home was on father’s birthday. Mother is sulking at you.”
Ivo didn’t say anything. He knows that but he can’t leave the restaurant to Ashton. It’s not that he doesn’t have confidence and trust to his employees. He really just wants him to be hands-on with his business. He cleared his throat then nodded. “All right. I will try to go home but I don’t want to promise. Maybe if I don’t make it, you all feel sorry for me.” He laughed at what he said.
“It’s good taht you know.”
It didn’t take long for the two brothers to talk. He immediately said goodbye and turned off the cell phone. He is going back to the restaurant and maybe his colleagues will need him.
“Chef Ivo?”
Ivo was just as shocked when he saw Dakota standing outside his door. He frowned at her. “Dakota, what are you doing here?”
“Ashton is calling you downstairs. There are as many customers,” she informed him, which is why he nodded. “Are you all right?”
Instead of answering, he stared at her for a while. Dakota’s eyes seemed to hypnotize him, causing him not to look away. A few moments later, he took a deep breath before blinking his eyes. “I’m fine.”
He took a step to start walking, but Ivo was shocked and stopped when Dakota did the same, causing them to run into each other and feel alienated because of their closeness. Ivo had a chance to stare at Dakota’s beautiful face, that was also looking at him. The cycle of the world seemed to slow down because the beat of his heart became unfamiliar to Ivo.
Ivo speek after a while. “Excuse me, Dakota,” he said, to reduce the nervousness he was feeling.
“S-sorry, Chef Ivo.” Immediately retreat to make way for him.
Dakota and Willow’s three-week stay at the restaurant flies by quickly as she gets used to being with friends Shane, Wendy, Liam and Kurt. Besides, Ashton was the only one he hadn’t reconciled with. Because it is too hot-headed and always shouts. He always seems to bring trouble to the whole world. No matter what she does, he will shout and get mad at her again. He also treats Willow the same way that she often sees her cry. Dakota also noticed that Willow was weak and cried easily.
“Dakota, is it okay if you take this out and put at the back?” Wendy asked her.
Glancing at what she was referring to, she nodded. Dakota smiled at first and then continued sweeping inside the restaurant. It was three o’clock in the morning and they were almost done cleaning.
Chef Ivo, on the other hand, was already upstairs because he said he still had some paperwork to fix. The men are busy closing the iron bars that will serve as a barrier to the glass wall of the establishment.
Dakota carefully lifted and arranged the garbage bags in the back of the restaurant. She piled them up so they wouldn’t look messy. When she felt something around her, she was almost done. Dakota looked around to see if anyone had observed the act, but there was none. She was nervous that she wouldn’t understand.
Dakota just continued what she was doing and was very careful with her actions. It’s a bit dark in that part, which is at the back of the restaurant. After finishing, she looked around for a while. Dakota was in that position when her back suddenly started to hurt. She grimaced and slightly reached for the painful part.
“Hey, Dakota! Why are you taking so long there? Come on, we’re going upstairs. Let’s rest," Shane called. It stood in the doorway and looking at her.
Dakota immediately straightened up and adjusted her face so that her friend couldn’t see that she had feelings. She hurried over to her friend, who was still peering.
“Why did it take you so long? Don’t you want to rest?” Even though she knew her friend was joking, she couldn’t smile. Her back still hurts, and she doesn’t know why she feels that way. Dakota doesn’t know anything that could be the reason why she feels pain.
“Sorry. I even fixed the trash.” Dakota grabbed her friend by the arm and pulled her so they could enter the restaurant.