Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Let Them Talk

The morning buzz of the Frenchies and Fries kitchen was alive with the clatter of pans, the hiss of steam, and the rhythmic chopping of knives.

Hunter walked in, the faint aroma of freshly baked bread mingling with the tang of herbs and spices.

Marcus, the second chef, stood at the counter, expertly kneading dough for flatbread while simultaneously watching a pot of creamy soup simmering on the stove.

Hunter rolled up his sleeves, walking toward the workstation. “Morning, Marcus. Need a hand?”

Marcus glanced up, his expression brightening. “Hunter! Wait, you got the job? I’m mean, how could you not when you’re that good. Congratulations,” Marcus said and Hunter waved it off.

“Thank you. I’m really glad to be working with you. Let’s work?” he said with a wink and Marcus grinned.

“Yeah, very good perfect timing. I was just about to start prepping the roasted chicken for today’s special,” he said looking at Hunter with a smile.

Though he didn’t like that Hunter was more handsome with those sparkling blue eyes of his, he liked that Hunter was easygoing and knew what he was doing.

He had known Hunter would get the job after tasting Hunter’s special two days ago when he came for the interview.

Hunter nodded, winking at Marcus. “Let me handle that,” Hunter said, grabbing an apron.

“You need to stop winking at me, Hunter. I’m not a lady and neither am I handsome,” Marcus said and Hunter laughed.

“I would’ve stopped at some point since I don’t want people to think I’m gay. But, right now? I don’t think I would want to stop now that you’ve asked,” he said with a grin and Marcus shook his head.

“Whatever man,” he said and Hunter nodded before turning away to focus on the job at hand.

He moved to the sink, washing his hands meticulously before reaching for the raw chicken. He inspected it with a critical eye before seasoning it generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of paprika.

Meanwhile, Marcus began dicing fresh vegetables—carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers—into uniform pieces.

“The customers love this vegetable medley. It’s simple, but it brings out the natural sweetness when roasted,” Marcus explained, tossing the veggies into a bowl and drizzling them with olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a touch of rosemary leaves.

Hunter smiled, appreciating Marcus’s precision. “Simple dishes done well are what make a place like this legendary.”

Marcus grinned. “Exactly. That’s what Ivy always emphasizes—flavor over fluff.”

Hunter nodded, his thoughts shifting to Ivy. As he massaged butter and herbs under the chicken’s skin, he considered his next move.

Marcus has been here a while; he’ll know what Ivy was like in her element. If I can get him to talk, I’ll have a clearer picture of how to approach her. He thought, a silly grin gracing his face.

“So,” Hunter began casually, placing the chicken into a preheated oven, “what’s Ivy like as a CEO? Strict or laid-back?”

Marcus paused mid-chop, glancing at Hunter. “Ivy? Oh, she’s great. She treats everyone here like family, you know? It’s not just about the job for her; she really cares about us. I’m sure I wouldn’t have gotten a job here considering how good every other chef was but she gave me the job, still because she knew I needed it.”

“Sounds like she’s a pretty nice person,” Hunter said, reaching for a bundle of fresh thyme to toss into the soup.

“Nicest person I know,” Marcus said with a nod. “She’s hardworking, fair, and honestly… too good to be true sometimes. I just wish she had more time for herself. You know she doesn’t even have a boyfriend?”

Hunter raised an eyebrow, feigning casual interest. “She doesn’t?”

“Nope,” Marcus said, shaking his head as he spread the vegetables on a baking sheet. “And it’s not because she’s not beautiful. Ivy’s stunning. It’s just… I think she’s so focused on work she forgets about everything else.”

“Hmm,” Hunter said, a thoughtful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Maybe she’s a bit too uptight. That could explain it.”

Marcus looked up, frowning. “What do you mean by that? Do you know her outside of work?”

Hunter chuckled, shaking his head as he brushed off the question. “Just a thought. Anyway, let me finish up this batch of chocolate mousse,” he said, steering the conversation away.

Marcus didn’t press further, but Hunter’s mind was already racing. If Ivy really doesn’t have a boyfriend, that makes this even more interesting. So she’s all work and no play, huh? Let’s see about that.

Once his dish was completed, Hunter excused himself from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel as he left. Pulling out his phone, he made a quick call.

“Hey, I need a delivery to Frenchies and Fries. I’ll text you the details shortly,” he said before hanging up.

A while later, in the office lobby, Selena was flipping through a file when the front door opened, and a delivery man carrying a large bouquet of vibrant flowers walked in. The scent of fresh roses and lilies filled the air.

Selena’s eyes widened as she approached him. “Can I help you?”

The man smiled. “I have a delivery for Ms. Ivy Anderson.”

Selena blinked in surprise. “Ivy? Flowers? Who sent them?”

“Don’t know, ma’am. Just delivering them,” the man replied.

Shaking her head, Selena grabbed her phone and dialed Ivy’s extension. “Ma’am? You need to come out here. There’s, uh, something for you.”

Minutes later, Ivy stepped out of her office, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Her sharp gaze landed on the delivery man, then the flowers.

“What’s it Lena?” Ivy asked and Selena jerked her head in the direction of the flowers.

“For me?” she asked, a hint of disbelief in her tone.

“Yes, ma’am. If you could just sign here,” the man said, handing her a clipboard.

As Ivy took the flowers, a small smile played on her lips. The arrangement was stunning, vibrant and perfectly arranged.

Who could’ve sent her flowers? Who was her admirer? Ivy mused. Her mind immediately jumped to Hunter and a chuckle escaped her lips. He’s starting already, isn’t he? Bold move.

Selena watched her boss’s reaction with an amused smile. “Well, well, I didn’t know you had a secret admirer.”

“It’s nothing,” Ivy said, brushing off Selena’s comment. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“Sure but I know everyone is already talking. He walked in with those flowers, ma’am,” Selena said and Ivy shrugged.

“Let them talk, then,” she said before walking back into her office.

But as she walked back to her office, placing the flowers carefully on her desk, she couldn’t stop the smile from growing.

Settling into her chair, she glanced at her phone, half-expecting a call or message from Hunter.

He would probably want to call to ask if I got the flowers. She thought with a smile before returning her attention to the laptop in front of her, her gaze flickering to her phone every now and then.