Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 77: Mounting Frustrations
Abby

The day starts just as any normal day should: with the aroma of simmering tomato sauce and sizzling

bacon filling the restaurant, and the sound of happy breakfast customers wafting through the air.

But as I settle into the rhythm of another busy workday, something feels off. I can’t quite explain it, but it

almost feels as though something is electric in the air.

That’s when it happens.

I haven’t even taken my first sip of coffee of the day when Ethan is suddenly rushing into my office

faster than I thought he could even move with his leg, and there’s a look of dread on his face. Before I

can even open my mouth to speak, his words are tumbling out in a torrent of emotion.

“Abby, we’ve got a problem. Amelia West from ‘Gourmet Gazette’ is here, and she doesn’t look happy.”

My heart sinks at the mention of the infamous food critic.

“Why?” I ask, bolting up from my chair. “What happened?”

Ethan shrugs, throwing his hands up in the air. “Hell if I know. All I know is that she got her food a few

minutes ago, made a face, sent it back, and started writing in her notebook. G od, I’m such an idiot. I

didn’t even recognize her at first…”

With a deep breath, I place a hand on Ethan’s shoulder reassuringly. “It’s alright, just keep calm. Let’s

make sure everything is perfect. Double-check the specials and inform the servers. I’ll go talk to her

and see why she sent the food back.”

After taking a moment to compose myself, I head over to Amelia’s table. “Good morning, Ms. West. It’s

an honor to have you here. Is everything to your satisfaction?”

She looks up from her notebook, snapping it shut with a sour look on her face. “Where do I even start?”

she hisses. “My food was lukewarm, and I couldn’t even taste the garlic underneath the mountain of

sauce on the plate. I’ve been waiting for my coffee for fifteen minutes, and your waitress had an

attitude when I sent the food back.”

The food critic’s words send a shiver through my spine. Amelia West isn’t exactly known for being the

most lenient of food critics. If I had known that she was here, I would have served her myself.

“I’m very sorry, Ms. West,” I reply, maintaining my composure. “Your feedback is invaluable to us. I’ll be

sure to brew you a fresh pot of coffee right away, and the waitress will be disciplined accordingly. Can I

dish

chair back. “No, don’t bother.

up and storms out. All

beeline for the kitchen, where Ethan

of

bother,” I hiss as the door swings shut behind me.

eyes widen. “You’ve gotta be kidding!” he

bridge of my nose. “There’s nothing we can do now,”

Ethan, talk to whichever waitress had Amelia’s

an ‘attitude’. But there’s no need to get too upset; Amelia

the waitress.

my entrance, returns to its normal pace; but Karl

can do is throw him a shrug and walk away, hoping that this is the worst

happen today.

my office to collect myself. Thankfully, I’m able to lose myself in some paperwork

as though it’s only been

knock on

“Come in.”

the servers. Her face is

looks like a nasty cold. She’s got a tissue in her hand and her

sorry. I thought I

trying to hide the mild annoyance in

in the day. “Feel

“Thanks, Abby.”

barely been in my office for

He looks

I think

over my face. “Try not to

Ben leaves, I let out a weary sigh and sink further into my chair.

critic, and the breakfast rush isn’t

leave the sanctuary of my office, heading back to the floor

of our employees, locked in a heated argument

exclaims, her

You don’t own the floor, Lisa!”

give

and not

apologies, but the tension lingers in the air after they leave. I watch them

to the hostess station to see

and an official-looking badge on his

as I can. “How many are

terse smile, holding his hand out. “I’m

if I take a look

universe still has

I manage, taking his outstretched hand. “We always aim to maintain

highest standards.”

kitchen first, where Ethan and the crew are wrapping up the

asking to see the temperature logs, the storage

labeling on the spices.