Purple Romance

''We have a new face here as you might have noticed. She is called Paula Abdul. She will be the new Nutritionist in this kitchen''

After introducing Paula, the kitchen turned silent as they all stared at her. Paula became self-conscious after being stared at like that.

''What are you doing? Won't you introduce yourselves to her?'' the manager asked and the chef who remembered Paula since the incident from the last time spoke first.

''You are welcome, Miss Paula. From now​ onwards, we will depend on you for the wellbeing of our kitchen affairs''

''I still have a lot to learn, I hope that you all will help me'' Paula said back.

''Sure''

''Come with me, I will show you to your new office and hand over the things you will need to you'' the F and B manager said to Paula.

''Yes, sir'' Paula smiled at the staff before following the manager out.

As soon as she went out, the kitchen turned chaotic with the chefs talking with the waiters and waitresses.

''I thought they were going to post the vacancy and then have an interview, but they actually brought someone through the backdoor? What kind of relationship does she have with the CEO?'' one of the chefs said.

''I saw her coming with the CEO when I was bringing the cabbage inside'' another added.

''Are you people that free? What matters is her talent. Does it matter how someone has gotten her job?'' the head chef, Mr. Lucius asked them and they started dispersing.

By the time Paula had finished changing, she took the hotel's cookbook to study and also wanted to ask a few questions, so she went to the kitchen first. she saw Mr. Lucius and the other chefs and kitchen assistants there. The waiters and waitresses had all left after Mr. Lucius queried them.

The moment she stepped into the kitchen, the whole place quietened down and everyone's gaze seemed to follow her everywhere she went. Paula was aware of the eyes on her and it made her weird but she ignored it and went to Mr. Lucius first, since he was the first known face to her. She still remembered how he catered to her needs the last time she was there.

''Miss, are you here to supervise her?'' Mr. Lucius asked playfully, but actually it was the duty of the nutritionist to supervise and make sure that the ingredients that they used were always fresh. She also had to ensure that the cooking area was cleaned properly before the day's activities.

Upon hearing Mr. Lucius question, Paula flushed and shook her head defensively saying, ''no. I still have a lot to learn. I was hoping that you would help answer some of the questions that I have after looking into the hotel's cookbook''

'You were allowed access to the hotel's cookbook? That book was only showed to the nutritionist that left after she was a few months here. What kind of connections do you have?''

''Huh?'' Paula looked at the woman who asked her that question and noticed that everyone's gaze was on her. She clenched her fingers tightly around the cookbook in her hands nervously. She felt like she had stepped into the lion's den.

''Amara, mind your language. She is the nutritionist now. Does it matter when she started?'' Mr. Lucius asked the woman who had asked Paula that question. The woman seemed to be dissatisfied with the appearance of Paula.

''Well, it was just a question I asked because she just came today and she already has the cookbook. The hotel's cookbook is almost the same as the recipes in the kitchen. If by any chance they get outside there, it will bring a great damage to the hotel'' the woman called Mara added as she looked at Paula.

''I am not that kind of person. You also can't question my competency without giving me a chance to work first. I know a lot of you are looking down upon me because I was scouted by the CEO himself, but, I am not someone who depends on my connections to get a job. I believe I got this job because I am competent. I have my resume and it can prove that I am good at what I do, so please, before you decide to look down on me or say questionable things about me, first of all watch how I work. Mr. Lucius, I will come back when you are less busy'' Paula finished and looked at Mara before leaving.

The kitchen turned silent with everyone looking at the door that Paula walked out from. Mara banged her kitchen napkin on the table and snickered before she walked away.

''Whoa, the new nutritionist is no joke. She looks like she could be bullied easily but sure knows how to look out for herself. I am impressed'' one of the kitchen assistants said.

Mr. Lucius sighed and shook his head. things were about to get chaotic inside here, but he smiled suddenly. It seemed he didn't have to look out for her after all. She knew how to protect herself.

At the ladies' washroom, Paula splashed water on her face before placing her hands on both sides of the sink and sighed. She thought about the encounter inside and didn't know what to make of it.

'What is her deal with me? It's not like I did something to her, why is she attacking me first?'' she took a few tissues and wiped her face. Looking at the mirror, she frowned, 'should I have worn a lot of makeup to look more intimidating? Aye, Lisa is going to laugh at me when she finds out that I was bullied on my first day'' she sighed and suddenly heard the flushing of the toilet from one of the stills and stiffened.

Paula turned immediately when she saw the still opening and came face to face with Godiva, ''Ma… Manager Godiva… hi'' she waved at Godiva shyly.

''Usually people who are not competent tend to blame other people for their incompetency. Sadly, these kind of people are in every company. Don't let their insecurity rob you off and don't allow them to say just anything to you. The first step to conquering the bias of society is knowing how and when to stand up for yourself. I personally believe that anyone chosen by the CEO is talented so I will be watching you closely'' Godiva said with a smile and patted Paula's shoulder before going out.

''What was that? Was she telling me to stand up for myself or not? She will be watching me? Why do I feel even more pressured?''

''It means she likes you'' another voice said as the other still opened. A woman dressed formally stood in front of Paula with a radiant smile. She looked at Paula and stepped closer to her. She stood next to her and washed her hands while Paula looked at her confused.

''What are you?'' Paula suddenly asked and shook her head, ''sorry, I meant to ask who are you?''

''I am Magdalene, the assistant of the woman who just left right now'' she said and pointed at door before lifting her hand up. her fingers brushed against Paula's cheeks softly and Paula shivered.

''I meant to touch these from earlier. I couldn't believe they were real'' she said and pinched Paula's cheeks, ''they are so soft'' she murmured.

''What are you doing?'' Paula asked her.

''I am not a strange person'' Magdalene said.

''I think you are considering that we just met and you are touching me?''

''I already introduced myself. I am Godiva's assistant and I think you might just be my girl crush''

''Huh?'' Paula found the woman to be extremely weird.

''I heard about you from the waiters at the restaurant and I was curious about you. Now that I've seen you, I think you are quite a catch and a good person'' Magdalene looked at herself in the mirror and added, 'in this hotel, everyone is striving for power. Be careful and watch out for yourself, friend''

''Friend?''

''Yes, I already told you I love your face. It's soft like a baby's face. I like you''

''I don't like women''

''I know, but I do and I like you. But, don't worry, I won't touch the CEO's woman. Can't get fired for messing with the CEO's woman''

''I am not…''

''The CEO's woman? You will be, sooner or later. Everyone can see that. That's why they are going to make things difficult for you because they are jealous of you'' Magdalene said and smiled. ''I always go to the rooftop during my breaks. If you want someone to talk to, come and find me there, friend''

Paula watched the woman leave the washroom and she turned to look at the mirror and touched her face.

''Why am I meeting strange people alone on my first day of work?'' she signed and shook her head before picking her purse to leave.