Narrator pov...

The facial expressions of Brent has now is showing boredom. He even didn't want to join the wedding of her mother in the first place but what now,,, he's here, standing at the back of the hallway seeing his mother’s face with happiness.. He wanted to go but still waiting his mom notice him and after it does, he go away.

'why do i care if she sees me or not' he said in frustration... He decided to move.

Mildred, his mother finally saw him walk away but decided to not bother him at all, instead she entertain more friends of her who attended the wedding. She may have a sad face but continue to act normal.

Meet Brent Luimber 20 years old and he loves cooking. A tall and handsome man.

Ever since he was a child , his grandmother teaches him how to cook but after her funeral day, Brent never cook again.

Outside the church, that is far from the crowded people he sat down and thinking what he should do next.

Thank God ,,, he always have a positive way in life,,, thinking for negative thoughts is not totally on his vocabulary.

"i need to find a job" he said to himself, while saying this, he smell something.

The aroma of a chicken curry paste carried out by the wind and comes from where he is now,

he remembered when his grandmother teach him how to cook, those ingredients are exposed to the hot oil on the pan. The sound of a spatula scraping the bottom of the pan, and the sweet smile of a middle-aged woman while making the delicious dish together with him. He embraced his mouth to bring out the whole sense of smell And the taste remains

"Wow,, it's smell so delicious but there's only one missing ingredient left" he said while smelling.

He looked for where the smell came from, but in that area, he was surrounded by the small restaurants. In a normal person, it didn't find it so easily, but he is Brent, the talented person in the world of cooking, it was so easy for him to look around whatever it is.

And just as expected he found out where it is, and, that is, inside the modern white painted restaurant set in a beautifully decorated garden area but quietly empty. The storefront sign( Cibo e bevande restaurant) shows an incredibly beautiful food image. It seems that this is an Italian restaurant with a blend of Thai traditions. Brent opened the back door were the smell of curry dish is whereabout.

He saw a handsome man who was serious about cooking a curry dish.

He knows that it is wrong to enter a place that you do not own but that it is carried away by the smell of food being cooked.

He thought of just leaving the place but it was too late to do it now because the handsome man had already seen him

"Who are you!? and why are you here, are you a thief!?" The man said angrily in a baritone voice

"oh.. Oh.. I'm very Sorry, I just made a mistake, I was just carried away by the smell of what you were cooking" he nervously said

"I'm go ahead bye" he quickly ran away

'Whose That, a divine goddess, Heavenly Goddess, why has you come to my shop?' in chef D's mind. He wanted to stop him but it's not the right thing to do this time. So, he decided to continue his cooking.

Meet Drake Clinton aka chef D, the 2nd runner-up of best chef competition. He wants to be the winner but his cooking is lack of something that he can't figure out what it is. So he decided to practice more and create a new dish.

...Back to Brent......

Brent was so scared when the owner saw him, why couldn't he stop himself from following the smell of the food he discovered? He always like that, everytime he smell a delicious food, he always follow and find out what it is or where it comes from. even when he was 7 when his grandma found out that he has a talent in cooking, that's why, she started to teach him.

" Brent!! Brent!! Brent!!"

...Another problem comes......

"Brent!! Damn it!!" The voice of Bernard caught his attention.

"What's wrong?" he shouted and waiting for him to come closer.

"You better see for yourself." he followed him and found that nearly half of the house was in a state of disorder and chaos. The chairs and tables were broken, the broken glass are scattered across the floor, lastly he saw 10 people dressed in black that were placed around the room, refusing to stop destroying the room. Jess was trying to negotiate with them, but it does not seem to be working…

...Brent pov........

As soon as they saw my face, one of the people in black suddenly moved towards me as if he were going to attack me, but my feet were faster. I nimbly grabbed his hands, twisted, and pulled them then rained blow on him forcefully until they collapsed on to the floor. How could I not recognize their movements, since this bastard turned out to be one of those that I had beaten up yesterday. Although his face and that of several others was badly bruised, so it was hard to recognize them.

Before long, it dawned on me as to why he was heading straight for me. I was continuously throwing punches and kicks while fending off their attacks. With the help of my two friends, I was confident it was enough to help beat up this group of wild dogs.

"There you are…" Another assailant threw his fist, but I blocked his punch mid strike and stared at him intently.

"What is your problem with me?" I asked.

"What did you just say? Just look at what you have done to me and my men!" He answered angrily. The rest of his men were still fighting with my friends and Jess, who was taking part in the fight by grabbing a chair and throwing it furiously at a person in black.

"It's because you are weak." I taunted as I raised my hand with a smirk before hitting him with full force until the man choked a little. But he did not give up and grabbed some of my things to hit me, Unfortunately for him... I am ten times faster than him so what can he do? I skilfully made use of the defensive techniques I know, to the point that it made him even more furious and exasperated for revenge.

...Narrator pov........

another group of people came into the house of Brent, so they decided to ran away.

At this point, no matter how strong they are, with the arrival of another group of people, of course they will not be able to hold their own against them, especially now that they are fully armed with knives and other sharp weapons.

He saw that terrifying scene and thought that if he did not get out of there quickly, then he would become a ghost in no time.

"Let's go!" he yelled with his two friends. The two were just looking at him and each seemed to know the plan to escape.

"How can we, when we are surrounded?" Jess respond while fighting the remaining person.

"Follow me." Brent pulled his arm and dragged him into the kitchen, to the alternative rear exit of the house

"Where are we going?" said jess, while Bernard is already gone, only the two of them will remain.

He did not say anything because all his thinking right now is to escape from the trouble. This is because he realized that the real cause of this chaos was him.

Sometimes, helping others who are not related to you is always giving you a trouble in the future comes.

He remembered that yesterday, he saw the rich kid bullied by the group of people who he never met before, but out of pity he helped him, and now, he's the one chasing by those people whom he knockout.

"Brent!! This way!!" Bernard shouted, he saw that Bernard is already inside the car and ready to go, so he quickly run into the car. In that way, they'll scape from them.

Meanwhile,,, after they escape,,, they immediately headed to Bernard's house

"Hi Brent....!!!! ” A high pitched voice is a sign that jewel is behind the closed door

" here comes the 'bebe'..... " shouted jess when hearing jewel's voice, he only teasing him. Brent only shrugged at him

The door is open without anyone is opened it.

Here comes jewel, the girl with a beauty and cheerful heart. Hihi... She's ugly but never mind, because she loves herself. She thinks she's the most beautiful girl in town.

“Hi jewel.” Bernard said politely when seeing her while Jess only looked at her and smile with appreciation.

“ Hi guys, I have some food with me, I found out that you are coming so I went immediately to give you food, I know you're hungry from the trip especially Brent my love" she said but Brent didn't pay attention to it. He only played with his cellphone.

“I’m good.” jess said while sitting on the couch next to Brent.

"what's wrong Brent, why so many bruises on your face " she ask...as if she's worried. But Brent only keep distance from her

"nothing.." he answered.

Jewel is only preparing the food because Brent is not interested of her presence.

"my Brent... Are you sure you don't want to eat, I'll throw it out to the trashcan " she said in seductive way. But Brent ignored her

Even though, he is far from the dish, he manage to recognize the food. It was an adobo with too much soy sauce and the pancit canton with too much seasoning but he ignored it.... beside it only Purchased from the carinderia ni aling losing,

"It's me.... It's me... I'm the one who hungry, I'll eat you.. I'll eat you... I mean your food so don't waste it, right brother Brent??" said Bernard.

"yeah right.." he answered but the truth is, he had no idea what they were talking.

"my Brent... Do you want me to feed you" jewel said with no strength.

"no thanks" he answered.

"fine!! I'll go now" she said with disappointed

"okay bye" he said with no regrets.

He just stared the girl's back when walk away, as if he had a grudge of her

Jewel is Kenneth's girlfriend, his ultimate rival in town. So he didn't want another trouble at all. (jewel is another story, so don't bother)

"tss!!! This boring life of mine, i wonder if when it's end" he said, but Jess only punch him a little in his head.

"Ouch!!! It hurts!! “ he mumbled. He looked to jess but only an irritated smile he gets.

" don't you ever said those words again or else i will knock you down " he warned.

Jess saw Brent in a deeply thought.

" Hey" his voice, make him stop thinking.

"stop thinking, tomorrow, I'll bring you to the restaurant 🍴 where I am working.." he said

"don't you know what's the food she serve??" Jess said while pointing out the dish on the table

"tss... It was adobo with too much soy sauce and the pancit canton with so much seasoning" he answered without even thinking.

Jess only smile.

"what..." Brent stared him

"oh... Its nothing," he said, trying to change the mood of place.

"why don't you work as a chef, I'm sure you're a good fit of it and talking about food gives you a good vibes" he suggested .

"nah!! That's not gonna happen anymore, I'm already quit those dream job of mine, it's useless now that grandma is not here anymore" he said in boring expression.

"but..." jess

"jess... We already talked about this, remember " he said seriously.

Back then he was happy everytime he give Jess a new dish he cooked but, when his grandmother died, he said out of loneliness that he never cook again, he never cook again for he only remember the day when his grandmother still alive and the two of them we're happy in cooking.

And the day afterwards is no more happiness in his life.

His grandma is his life, because she's the only one who give him mercy after he was born to this earth, She was the only one who gives food and shelter to him and especially the one who teach him to cook and that cooking is not just a food to make so that the hungry men can eat and full their stomach but the cooking with full of love so that it taste delicious and full of satisfaction when eating.

“All right, is there any delicious restaurant for you?” Jess said out of nowhere.

"hmm 🤔..." He answered as if he's thinking...

Jess then, only smiled. he admitted to himself that only he could know everything about him, that Brent has tongue-tip techniques. Excellent taste analysis of food In addition to making delicious dishes as well, it's a pity that he never cooks again after what happened.

...Narrator pov... ...

In the restaurant.....every person involved are having a different secret identity in life

"goood moooorninggg guys...." Jess shouted..after entering the shop.

(just like Jess who has a fierce battle yesterday but now, he becomes a little childish when greeting his friends)

It's only 5 o'clock in the morning and the restaurant is in open at 6, so there's no need to worry about.

In the shop, there is jories and Wilson, lany and Jhon, Mikaela and Peter. They are so busy with their different duties.

"hai Jess" it's Mikaela. She also saw Brent but ignored him for she was busy cleaning the counter.

(Mikaela is best friend of Drake but another thing is, she's the wife of Leonard, drake's rival in cooking)

" Jess!! Your late!! " it's chef pet, who just passing through the kitchen.. Then chef D comes out from the kitchen.

(chef pet is so much mysterious like no one else can tell his secret)

"Jess!! You're fired because you're always late" said chef D with a serious tone.

When seeing Jess, he noticed the guy next to him. That guy was the one who entered the restaurant yesterday, the one he suspected to be the thief.

He remembered that Jess talked to him yesterday night about the friend he wants to work with and begging to let him in, but he never expects to be the man he saw yesterday is also the one that Jess is talking to.

"chef D,, no... Don't fired me yet, I'm begging you please..." Jess said like having a drama on his own

"oh Jess... Who's with you" it chef D while putting the dish on the table, and ignore what Jess is doing a while ago.

"ah by the way chef D he's Brent my friend who I am talking about yesterday and he wanted to take the job." he said like nothing happened.

" is that so, then i have a challenge for him before he passes the job, " he said and then every one is looking each other with curiosity.

" I tried a new menu. If this dish is ok I will add it to the menu of the shop. So I want to … let you taste it. Then please tell me if it is okay? “ chef D excitedly saying.

Then Brent pointed to himself, as if he disbelieve what he heard. The two come closer to him and saw the dish.

"Wow!! Looks delicious, and smells like so yummy" Jess comment for what he saw

“Would you like me to have a taste?” Brent asked

"wait a minute.... Let me clarify first, am i in or out, am I fired up or job in" Jess interrupt

"you can go home if you like, if won't then stay and do your duties" chef D answered

"fine!!!" then Jess go away, only the two remain.

“Yeah you, I would like you to taste it” (when pointing out the dish.) Brent saw the excitement of the Chef when saying it.

"Have you forgotten that you got here yesterday just because you smelled what I was cooking." he recall

"oh.. Oh..., I'm sorry for what happened yesterday, chef, promise, I won't repeat it" he said with embarrassment.

"It's okay... It's okay... Don't mention it anymore... So??? Would you like to taste it??" He asks. Brent only smile like a child.

Hesitantly, he still obeyed the Chef's order.

Chef D allows his heart to dance when he saw the face of a cute person up close. Reaching much higher than him. His face matched with slender eyes and shaped lips.

“The scoop in the cup is poured onto the crispy stuff. Then you can use your hand to taste it. " chef D recommended, when he saw that the other party was hesitant about how to taste it.

He scooped the pork in a salted crab stew and poured it over a crispy meal And then ate it. Chef D wrapped his shoulders, waiting for the reaction of the other party

Brent considers the taste that gets into his mouth. 'a salted crab stew' his mind recognized the dish.

Even though he didn’t see the crab But this is a salted crab stew,only that Chef D adapted it to be a crunchy snack. Which is new in the style of a chef who is excellent in creativity.

In Brent's mind he discusses the judgment based on what he feels. The sweetness and salty crab smell go well together. But there was one thing that stuck in his heart.

Chef D noticed his change of expression.

Brent is not sure about the sweet taste he tastes. Could it be that …

“You didn’t use palm sugar” he said without hesitation.

Not just Chef D who was shocked. But also Brent for what he just did. He just realized that he accidentally criticized the professional chef, the 2nd runner-up of Chef Master competition, and especially the owner of the restaurant.

“But I think it’s delicious." Brent hurriedly addressed the correction.

“Say it again, say it again.” chef D’s eyes flashed with excitement.

“I don’t want you to just say it’s delicious. But I want the deliciousness so you feel like Wow. Do you have any comments? Say it! “chef said with eagerness on his face

Brent was considerate. But if the other party insists that they want to comment honestly Brent will not save hands

“Your simmer is too sweet. Add tamarind juice and more salt. And if you want to play with crispness I think you should try changing from bread to rice. Then put the fresh vegetables separately “

'This person can even tell what ingredients he should add!' in chef's mind

the young chef looked at the other person with a shocked feeling combined with joy. Sparkles in the eyes of excitement

“You … can cook, right?” he said it loudly

"yes... Obviously chef" Jess answered much louder with excitement.

"no!!!! I'm just nobody who loves food.. That's all" said Brent with full of objections. Other people are shocked with his overreaction movement.

"oh.. Okay.." Jess and chef D only look at each other and decided to think about no more to discuss.

But after a while...

" your friend is excellent, he even recognize all the ingredients that I put on the menu, is it true that he's just a nobody, I think he's not " he said uneasy as if he's about to insane

"I'm sorry chef but believe me, it's like what he said earlier, he is just a nobody, he only love to cook back then, with his grandma. Before, he dreamed to be a chef. .but, after the death of his grandmother, he also lost his desire to cook and dreams of becoming a chef. Even though he doesn't have a dream now, his skills in cooking are still remains and nobody will take it " Jess said in a childish way. Chef D is a seniors of Jess back in high school, and they were so close back then, that's why, when he got his own restaurant Jess volunteered to be his waiter.

Chef Drake didn't complain anymore, but he was determined to change Brent from his thoughts about cooking

The two returned to the kitchen where everyone is on..

"okay you pass the job" chef D said when giving the final judgment of what Brent did but a little disappointment.