#Chapter 53: A Mess To Clean
Abby

The sun’s barely peeking over the h o rizon as I pull open the door to the restaurant.

I can already feel the hustle of a new day, the potential for a fresh start. Walking in, I expect the familiar

comfort of an empty space, but I’m met instead with Ethan’s brooding form. His jaw is set tight, his

brow furrowed.

He doesn’t look up as I approach.

“Morning,” I greet cautiously, sensing the tension in the air.

He sighs heavily. “Abby… What the hell happened here last night?”

Confused, I follow his gaze. The kitchen. Oh no. My heart ski ps a beat as memories of last night flood

back. The cooking. The laughter. The… moment with Karl.

“What do you mean?” I manage to ask, feigning ignorance.

Ethan’s eyes fix on me, and I can see his irritation. “I’ll show you.” Without waiting for a reply, he leads

me into the disaster zone that is the kitchen.

Every counter is smeared with remnants of our late-night feast. Pots and pans are sc at tered

everywhere, some still containing leftover food. The sight makes my stomach churn with guilt. How

could I have been so careless?

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “I… I was working late last night. Got hungry and…” I trail off, trying to

find a good excuse, but words fail me.

Ethan just raises an eyebrow, his expression demanding more.

“And… I forgot to clean up,” I finish lamely, avoiding his gaze.

A beat of silence. Then, “Forgot?” His tone is sharp, filled with disbelief.

My mind races. If he even catches a hint of what transpired with Karl, rumors would spread like wildfire,

jeopardizing not only my reputation but potentially the restaurant’s as well.

“I was exhausted,” I murmur.

His eyes scan the kitchen, lingering on a particular spot on the counter, and my heart races. That’s

and I… No. I shake my head m entally.

I roll up my sleeves. “I’ll clean this up,

“Just…

grimly. But all I say is, “I

with the mess—both the literal one in

my mind can’t help but drift back to

To Karl.

every dish I wash, feels like an

the touch of his

to stop this. Last night was a

shouldn’t

scrub, the more I try to erase not just

confusion. The longing.

as I’m lost in my thoughts, cleaning up my mess in

is spotless—gleaming counters and organized tools. I wish it

sort out my emotions.

lean against the counter, the same one where Karl and

is still fresh, the feelings raw. But this is neither the time nor

the counter, reminding myself

and the promises I made to

is a new day, and I need to focus on the present,

sl ants through the half-drawn blinds, casting soft

earnings. There’s a particular rhythm to the mornings

my office

a knock, crisp and

expecting to see Ethan or even

to reveal a tall, commanding figure that I don’t

an air of

hand, introducing himself. “You’re

restaurant?”

nod, furrowing my brow. I wasn’t expecting any

smiles.

to greet him, I shake his offered hand,

an appointment.

represent the Alpha Gathering Committee. I understand

but your restaurant has garnered quite the

It’s where deals are struck and alliances formed,

and fine

that date with Karl, since

to grasp why a representative from the committee

modest office.

establishments

four finalists we’re considering to cater for our next

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