(1 month later)

Life has been changed drastically for me. From being a no one to becoming a professional Chef, is terrific.

After getting the title with my name, everyone would suggest to feel superior. In spite of feeling superior, I feel the same. I am the same Winnie Smith I was before this masterchef.

The same timid girl who gets intimidated by the whole world.

Although, I have learned to hide my expression within myself and portray a brave face to the outside world.

The whole month has been very busy for me; I managed to invent a new recipe, which I failed at a couple of times. Sometimes the selection of ingredient wasn't correct otherwise the spice didn't blend to the taste. But nonetheless as the saying goes 'failure is the first step to success.'

I displayed the recipe on my social media and the very next day, I was called in a cooking show. Obviously, me, being the shy girl I am, denied.

I had enough of media through my chef journey. But the lady, was a total sweetheart. She has called me everyday and promised to not make me uncomfortable in front of the cameras.

I signed a contract with her, and went to her cooking show to cook with her.

In return, I was given fifty thousand dollars.

More over to mention the fact that I have a million dollar and about forty thousand in my bank. I had to use some of the money, to pay for the rent of my small yet cozy apartment.

To enlighten the fact, after the competition; I never went back to New York. Yes, I stayed here in Chicago.

I wouldn't lie about the truth that I miss New York. Even though I had no relatives in New York either just like in Chicago. But New York was always a home. It doesn't feel good to be outside your home.

"Winnie, please." Oakley murmured.

Oakley comes to me a lot for visits, and whenever Chris has trips abroad; he leaves her to me. I love having Oakley around.

"I can't." She is persuasing me to come back to New York. Not only that but it is someone's 31st birthday soon and she wants me to be the one making a cake for him.

I believe, he doesn't know that yet or so Oakley says. Chris and Oakley, along with Ethan and Xander are organising a big event for him. A surprise birthday party. I don't think he would fancy the idea. In fact, he would enter the party, give everyone a dirty look, smash the cake and leave in his audi without a care in the world. This is why, I do not want to make a cake for the brat.

I have recently invented a new recipe which I told about to Oakley earlier.

And she wants me to be trying it on his birthday.

I heard a ringing of the phone that Oakley has brought with her. It is not her phone, but whenever Chris drops her, he leaves this phone for her so he could call whenever he want. He has strictly asked me not to give the phone to her to play.

I picked the phone and looked at the caller's id, it said a private number.

I picked it up without a second thought and passed it to Oakley. She shook her head at me, and pouted. Not wanting to talk with whoever is on the call.

Sighing, I put the phone close to my ears. "Hi," I greeted.

...

He gulped another cup of bitter coffee. He was doing fine, very better. Even though it has been hard to control himself and not just go get her, beg for her forgiveness and make her his forever. He has maintained his tranquility until now. But today after hearing her voice, he has lost it. He could imagine her angelic face while she innocently greeted him. If only he was able to reach her through the phone.

Six months are down, four more to go.

He has made a pact within himself that he will give her how much time she want, to freshen up, relax and focus on her career. For six month, he has been keeping tabs on her. He has appointed the best security guards for her, who guard her twenty fours- seven without her acknowledgment.

"Sir, it is notified that the branch of the company in Chicago is on downfall." His assistant informed him.

Chicago. He sighed. If he visit that city, he knows he will lose it. He will lose the hold on himself which might cause the situation to tense up between him and her. He does not want to do anything that will make her hate him more.

"I suppose you should go and supervise the company for a few weeks." Damien firmly replied back.

"I doubt that will work, Mr Knight. I think the firm requires your attention."

He hesitated as Damien gave him a daring eyes.

"I mean, you have much more experience than any of us, Mr Knight. Your one visit will be enough to understand the problem within the firm however I would have to keep visiting and try to understand what is wrong and then you won't have an assistance here which will cause downfall of this firm as well..."

"Stop." Damien spoke. The blabbers of those ridiculous humans that he hates.

He only has the patience to listen to one person blabbering and that is his precious Winnie.

And here it comes. He was trying to avoid the city but looks like even fate wants him there. He sighed. He cannot just go there and not visit her. Or maybe have a glance towards her.

His heart was jumping of happiness, he was finding a reason to go there.

Ok, I know I updated after a while. Honestly I actually wrote this chapter down long long ago but couldn't get the time to post. 😭

I apologise and I feel so guilty for not updating.

Stay safe.

Peace ✌🏼