CHAPTER 7

IN A big mission Ivo brought Dakota. The girl seemed to feel nervous and regretful because they even came here. It was as if it caused her a lot of nervousness. Dakota turned to Willow next to her who was staring out of the car. Willow felt her gaze and that's why her attention went to her.

Because Dakota's heart has treachery. Its pulse is okay when they are talking to someone else, but when she only looks at Chef Ivo, it becomes abnormal. Especially whenever their eyes meet. Dakota didn't understand what was going on and she seemed to be hypnotized.

"Let's go," Ivo told them when the car's engine was turned off. He went out first and later, Dakota and Willow look at each other. She didn't know if they would get off or just stay inside the car.

"Let's go?" Willow asked her.

“Do you think we need to go inside?” she asked her friend.

Willow nodded. "I think so, Dakota. I'm hungry too." Willow even held her own stomach and then shyly smiled at her.

She smiled slightly because Willow is beautiful and looked innocent. Dakota just nodded after a while and then headed to the big mansion.


WHEN THEY ENTERED the mansion, their world seemed to become small. All pairs of eyes in the said area were focused on them. Dakota seemed to want to just go out and go home with her friend. They just bowed while Ivo supported them.

"Dude, it's good that you made it. I thought you will miss my party. By the way, who are these beautiful girls with you?" said a man with narrowed eyes. He is white and smells like fragrant perfumes. He's handsome, too.

"Of course, I will not miss your party, Clark. Dakota and Willow by the way." Ivo introduces them to Willow's friend.

Dakota was even surprised when he held and kissed her hand. "Nice to meet you, Dakota, your name suits you." He even winked at her. He turned to Willow and did the same.

Her friend's eyes widened when she looked at Ivo, whose eyebrows now met. Dakota felt her cheeks heat up. Even without a mirror in front of her, she knew that his cheeks were red from embarrassment.

"That's enough, dude," Ivo said to his friend. The two men talked a lot more while Dakota and Willow just stayed listening and watching the other guests who were busy dancing, eating, and drinking at the party.

"Hi, Ivo." A beautiful young woman caught their attention. When Dakota looked at who it was, her eyes almost widened. She thought a beautiful supermodel approached them and suddenly kissed Ivo on the lips. Everyone was surprised, including the young man. Dakota looked embarrassed and looked away. She and Willow looked at each other who also stopped chewing.

"Claire... stop!" Ivo tried to move his place to avoid the woman who kissed him. "There's a lot of people here," he whispered but Dakota can hear.

"And so what? I miss you so much. Aren't you happy to see me?" This is a gentle question to the young man.

Dakota simply looked at them and noticed that Ivo seemed annoyed but there seemed to be a tinge of anger in his eyes. Dakota wasn't sure what she was seeing because she also took her attention away from the two.

"You're just drunk, Claire," he said to the woman named Claire. "Dude, your sister is here, you didn't tell me," he whispered but Dakota heard.

"If I told you right away for sure you wouldn't come here, right?" Clark even grinned at Ivo.

Dakota noticed Ivo's head was pulled out of his head and she did not know what happened next. Suddenly he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of the mansion. Willow eventually followed them, who was still in a hurry to follow even though she was shocked. Dakota didn't know why and where they were going. The three of them were walking out of the mansion.

"Get in," Ivo said to her and Willow, which is why her friend immediately got on board while she was stunned just looking at Ivo.

His face was red and his jaw was clenching. When Ivo looked at her, she feels scared because she can see the anger in his eyes. "What are you looking at? I said, get in," that is almost a whisper but enough to make Dakota feels goosebumps when she heard Ivo's voice. It used to be strong as if it was an order from someone with a high role and she need to obey.

She hurriedly entered the car and sat next to Willow.

"What happened inside earlier?" Willow asked her.

Dakota shrugged. "I don't know either," she answered, still looking outside at Ivo who was now talking to someone on the cell phone. It seems he didn't like what the woman did to him. 'Well, why did she kiss him?' She even asked herself but tried to get away from that thought. That is not her business.


"CHEF IVO, why are those two wearing aprons?" Ashton asked. Ivo just looked at him and continued cutting other recipes that they will need. "Hey, Dakota! Do you know how to cook or cut some onions? Maybe you can't just peel, huh?" Ashton seems like a boss who is teasing his employee.

Dakota just bowed quietly. She didn't know how to it so choose to stay quiet and not give an answer to Ashton.

"Ashton, could you please stop it? It's early so early in the morning and you are teasing Dakota!" Liam yelled at Ashton.

"What! Are you yelling at me, huh?" He is about to hit something on his friend.

"I am just telling the truth. You should stop and continue what you are doing."

Ashton is ready to fight back at Liam, but Ivo stopped them. "That's enough!" He even gave them a sharp look and looked at Dakota. "Dakota, just wash these vegetables. Let Ashton peel and cut those onions." Chef Ivo ordered Dakota who immediately followed him.

Meanwhile, while they were busy in the kitchen, Shane and Wendy were outside where they were taking care of the guests while Willow was helping to clean the tables that were left by the customers. When Shane placed the orders, they simply signaled and quickly went to a part of the restaurant and talked.

"It's good that Chef Ivo agreed to let Dakota and Willow stay with us, right? I feel relief because of that. I thought he will be mad at us," Shane pointed out while holding the tray.

Wendy nodded. "You're right, even I was worried."

They were about to talk more but suddenly Kurt called them. The two girls turned and approached the man. They deliver the order and immediately bring it to the customers. Shane looked at Willow to point to a table left by customers who had just left. Willow immediately followed.