CHAPTER 21

DAKOTA’S POV

I can’t look at Chef Ivo because I’m scared. He was very serious as he looked at me and Akihiro, who were now holding Shane’s cell phone and watching a video. When I noticed that Chef Ivo didn’t like that thing, I immediately took the cell phone from Aki. He looked at me and I signaled him to focus on what Chef was going to tell us, so he did so.

“So why does he have to stay here again?” Chef asked me.

I was about to answer, but Aki spoke. “I know Miss Dakota. Believe me. I have to be by her side all the time because her family asked me to look after.”

Chef Ivo frowned and so did I. Willow didn’t know how to react.

“How did you meet her? Are you related to her?”

Akihiro shook his head. “No, but I hope you don’t separate me from her.” We were all surprised when tears welled up in his eyes. “Even if I work here at the restaurant, I will. As long as I’m here, Chef Ivo.”

I don’t know if Aki is doing the right thing, but I really hope his begging method works. Anyone would feel sorry for the way he looks now. I noticed that Chef Ivo sniffed before shaking his head. Later, it stood up.

“Let’s talk tomorrow. Get some rest.” He faced me. “I’m going to rest.”

I suddenly felt guilty because of what happened. Chef Ivo came from a series of meetings, but I immediately give him a problem. I nodded. Chef seemed to say something, but we both stopped when Liam spoke.

“Get some rest, Chef. I’m sorry.” He faced me. “Get Aki upstairs first, Dakota. It’s not good for the kid to stay late at night.”

I nodded. I felt that Chef Ivo had stepped forward, so I approached Aki. “Come upstairs so you can rest.”

“Miss Dakota, don’t allow yourself to be far from me.” He hugged me so I also hugged the poor child, who was crying.

“Yes. I’ll talk to Chef tomorrow. Promise.”

The next day, I woke up early. I met Liam at the restaurant, who was mapping the floor. I even surprised him to see me come down early.

“It’s too early for you to come down.”

I smiled at him. To be honest, I didn’t sleep well, but even so, I was still positive that everything would be alright. That Chef Ivo will let Aki be here first to help me remember.

It surprised me to notice that Chef Ivo was also looking at me. He’s in the Cooking area and he looks like it’s about to start preparing something to do in the restaurant. I smiled a little, but he looked away from me because Liam called me.

“Help me to cut. I’m about to finish what I’m doing.”

I nodded. I immediately looked for Kurt and Ashton. “Where’s Kurt?”

“They do the shopping with Ashton.”

I immediately took action and entered the cooking area and took a seat. We started cutting things to use while Liam and I were talking. Now and then, we laugh because Liam tells funny stories about him when he was young. We were both surprised when the door of the cooking area suddenly slammed. We both looked at each other. “Chef Ivo, come out?”

Liam shrugged. “Perhaps it was because of you. You have the strength to laugh so hard.”

“Hey, I don’t laugh out loud!”

IVO’S POV

I slammed the door of my room. I don’t understand, but I suddenly feel annoyed. When I woke up a while ago, I felt okay. I took a deep breath and thought of going up to the rooftop to get some air and to get rid of the annoying feeling. Suddenly, I thought about how Liam and Dakota were talking earlier. Why do they talk to each other like that? Are they close? I asked myself, not knowing the answer.

I let out a deep breath. What if they are both close to each other? I don’t care about their lives.

I just shook my head, thinking about that.

After getting dressed, I decided to go down. Even though I’m not in the mood, I have to go down to the restaurant to work. I caught Ashton and Kurt cleaning up.

“Oh, where are you from, Chef?” Ashton asked, wiping the table while Kurt is holding the shopping bags. I just looked at him and then went straight to the kitchen. I put on an apron before cutting the ingredients.

Later, Dakota and Liam came in from outside, still talking. I smirked, but I didn’t make it obvious to our companions. Maybe because what else to think?

“You’re so funny, Liam. I didn’t know you could be so rude when you were young!” Dakota said.

“Well, it’s true, so why—”

“It’s time for work. You can talk later when there’s nothing to do,” I said. I don’t know if they sensed that I was not in the mood and that I was annoyed with them.

The two stopped talking and laughing. The three of us just looked at each other, but suddenly Kurt and Ashton entered the cooking area, looking surprised because of the atmosphere. “Why? Why are you silent? What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Shut up. Go back to work. When it’s time to work, you should know that I don’t want you to waste your time.” I said that seriously while looking at them one by one.

“What’s going on here?” Kurt asked, still holding the mop.

“Nothing. Go back to what you’re doing,” I said again before turning to Dakota. “Where are your friends? It’s already late, but why aren’t they here yet?” She was startled by my voice.

“Ah... I can call—” I didn’t let Liam to finish what he had to say. His voice disgusted me.

“Go get and call them, Dakota. And you, Liam, clean up the trash in the back,” I said coldly.

“Huh?” The young man looked at me in surprise.

“But tonight—” what he was going to say was suddenly cut off when I looked at him evilly. Later, he just obeyed my order. I could feel the tension inside the cooking area.

Dakota immediately followed what I said when I looked at him. When I was left inside alone, I couldn’t help but get more annoyed with myself. I shouldn’t be affecting but I still feel it. I’m disgusted. How close were Dakota and Liam for him to laugh like that at what he was saying?

DAKOTA’S POV

The whole day passed, but I felt very sad. Maybe because Chef Ivo not in the mood earlier. I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but I hope he doesn’t scream like that because I’m scared of him. I don’t know how to open the topic regarding Akihiro.

“Miss Dakota, are you okay?” asked Aki, who was just playing on Shane’s cell phone. It’s a good thing that he lends her a cell phone because Shane loves children.

“Yes. I’m fine. Just stay here in the room, huh? I’ll talk to Chef Ivo if you can stay here. If not, I might take you somewhere else. I hope he agrees.”

“I have a feeling he will agree, Miss Dakota. Don’t worry.”

I just smiled. Sometimes I don’t understand why it seems so easy for Aki to say that. I hope that’s all, so we won’t have any more problems. I took a deep breath before talking to him again. “Aki, are you really not going to tell me who I am and Willow? I really want to remember.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Miss Dakota, but I’m not in the position when it comes to that matter.” He held my hand. “Don’t worry, because I’m here. I’ll be with you no matter what happens.”

I don’t know, but it seems like a warm palm caressed my heart because of what he said. Because of that, I hugged Aki because somehow I felt better. I’m scared, but I can’t do anything other than being positive so that my chest can calm down.