NEW YORK, CITY |March 4, 2017| 8:00 AM

A LOUD beeping sound ripped me from my uneasy slumber. I sat up in alarm, trying to blink the sleep from my eyes. Confused, I looked around until I finally realized the ringing was coming from my alarm clock. A groan escaped my lips and I flopped back, burying my head under the pillow. I don't know what time I'd return home last night – I sigh, when I remember my laptop. Damn that snatcher!

Throwing the blankets to the side, I placed my feet on the floor and yawned, scratching my head. I stood and shuffled towards the bathroom, still stewing over having to wake up. I closed both doors softly and turned to my reflection.

Under my eye is the proof that I haven't slept properly – my hair stuck up like the bride of Frankenstein. I shook my head and let out another deep sigh, and continued my so – called morning ritual. I need to think of a possible excuse so that I could do the task that my editor – in – chief gave me. I can't really do that freaking interview!

After my so – called morning ritual in the bathroom. I went directly towards the kitchen and started making my coffee. I don't eat in the morning since I'm not a heavy eater – aside from that I really don't know how to cook. Though, at the age of twenty – three I live alone. Well, I don't have a choice but to live alone since my parents died five years ago and my brother... well... Let's forget about him. I shook my head to remove that uneasy feeling that I feel again.

I got my phone and the business card that the editor – in – chief had given me. Without even thinking I dialled the number that was written then – after a couple of rings someone had picked it

"Hello, I am Lucy Heartfilia from Forever Young Magazine, may I speak to Chief Marcus Evans?"

"Yes, speaking," that baritone voice instantly make me shiver and my heart started to beat as fast as it could "I am Chief Marcus Evans"

"Good day Sir, according to Mister Kevin Smith of Forever Young Magazine, he already notified you about the interview that you had at our restaurant. I would like to know what your convenient time for the interview is" I say awkwardly.

Please don't get me wrong, okay. I never did this kind of thing in my three – years on my job so doing this kind of thing is really awkward for me.

I heard him chuckle on the other line – which make me bite my lower lips – I do know that I sound so terrible "You can come to my restaurant at 11 o'clock today, Miss Heartfilia" Woah! That was fast! 

I opened my mouth to say something but my own words vanished inside my throat – I don't know why I'm acting like this towards this person who I have never met before. I mean is this normal?

"Miss Heartfilia?" he says trying to remove me from my thoughts.

I blush furiously when I realize that my thoughts are consuming me "Y-Y-Yeah, 11 o'clock today," I clear my throat when my stutter "Thank you, Mister Evans"

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Heartfilia"

Damn! What the fuck is wrong on me?

LAMARIE, NEW YORK, CITY |March 4, 2017|

I BIT my lower lips as I stare at the establishment. I freaking don't know why I'm doing this! I shouldn't accept this task from my editor – in – chief. I took a deep breath and laid my head back against my seat.

Do I really need to do this interview? My editor – in – chief had high hopes for me on this. But my self – esteem and my social awkwardness is the problem.

After gathering my self – esteem for almost an hour I finally decided to get out of my car, "I got this" I say as I walk towards the restaurant. I slowly push the door open – there's no other people in the restaurant but I can smell something coming from the kitchen.

"Umm... excuse me. I am Lucy Heartfilia from Forever Young Magazine. We agreed to meet at 11 o'clock. Hello? Is anyone here?"

A frown embedded into my face when I heard nothing but the sound of my shoes as it kissed the floor. My eyes travelled the entire place – and I had to admit that this place was so beautiful – the sun shone brightly inside the entire restaurant making the entire place look comfortable. This doesn't feel like a wild game restaurant at all.

"It doesn't have deer head mounts or anything like that..." I murmur under my breath.

I gasp escaped from my lips, when I suddenly heard footsteps coming from the kitchen. My throbbing heart was reaching up to my throat as I waited for that person to come out from the kitchen,

"If that's the case, I'm sorry we couldn't meet your expectations. Are you disappointed?"

My breath was nearly knocked out from my lungs when I saw the one who came out from the kitchen – standing in front of me was a man who wore a chief outfit. His hair was dishevelled but it made him look more gorgeous and hot, his stubborn jawline, pointed nose and thin lips. The man in front of me smiles softly

"I'm Marcus Evans the chef – owner. Pleased to meet you."

His baritone voice is really good from my ears. I clear my throat "It's pleased to meet you too, Mister Evans'' I say as I manage to look at the place "This place is wonderful, Sir." I say truthfully or probably half lie. I don't know anything about architecture.

He suddenly put his hand on my chin as he made me look at his eyes. I bit my lower lips – not knowing what I should do or say in this kind of situation. I mean, I have never been in this kind of situation where I let a man touch me.

"Is there something wrong with my face, Sir?" I say and I was thankful that I didn't stutter. His intense gaze was too much for me to handle – I inhaled softly before I decided to step back.

I cleared my throat "Sir—"I was taken aback when he suddenly put food inside my mouth.

My eyes widened at him – completely confused by his act. He smiled at me sweetly, "My business card." What?

"That's right. To a chef, this is a business card. Well? How do you find the taste of new macaroons?" What's with this person?

I slowly eat the macaroons that he put in my mouth. Wasn't that kind of rude? And asking me about the taste out of the blue like that... How am I supposed to answer that?

My eyes widened when the taste slowly penetrated my system. "It's delicious" I mumble, "how should I put it? There's a hint of saltiness and richness, and even though it's a confection. It feels like a hors d'oeuvre. It's very delicious. This is the first time I've eaten something like this"

He smiled at me "Glad to hear that! By the way, this was made with bear fat."

"I see. Bear fa—"My eyes widened on what he had said – that's unbelievable "Bear fat?" my eyes held his gaze and smile. It feels like all the nervousness I felt was gone "That was unexpected. But it's really tasty"

He chuckled under my breath and softly extended his hand on me. 

"I think we can move on to our interview today. I guess, you are not that nervous, anymore"

Did he notice that I'm nervous?

I open my mouth to say something but he just smile at me and continue,

"Shall we start now, Miss Heartfilia"

Start... the beginning of everything.