= Chris POV =

  After meticulously cleaning up my station, I eagerly joined the other chefs, anticipating our upcoming debriefing. The central staff had finished their meal, and the room was abuzz with lively conversations.

  Ruby instructed us that we all had staggered diners before the staff came in so we would not be hungry. However, I felt more energetic than usual and thought of asking Sarah for a drink after we were dismissed.

  Once the st chef joined us in the debriefing area, Ruby called us all to attention and started her debrief. So far, the main item that outperformed the rest this week was the Oyakodon, which many students had bought. Also, the new house sad with salmon and mandarin oranges did very well as the oranges were in season and the overall dish was cool and refreshing for the summer.

  As Ruby announced the bonus for our high sales returns, a wave of surprise and joy swept through the kitchen staff. We were also bidding farewell to some of the midnight chefs who had started two weeks before me, adding a bittersweet note to the evening.

  “I would so like to welcome Chris to the board finally. She has been with us for a week and a half now. Although next week will be her st week with us, she is a permanent member of the board of directors and has agreed to continue at smaller intervals from now on,” Ruby suddenly announces, fshing me a cheeky grin. I was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events, feeling a mix of surprise and gratitude.

  “Wait, I—” I started to say, but everyone immediately started cpping for me, hooting and hollering, so I decided to let it go. Fine. I guess I could always use the extra for my CV.

  “Alright, that’s it for tonight. Feel free to join the other departments outside and have a good night,” Ruby concluded the debrief.

  Another round of appuse and then everyone started filing out of the kitchen.

  I walked out with several other chefs to see if Sarah was still around. Soon enough I spotted her nursing a coffee while talking to her colleague and boss at the same table I saw earlier.

  I made a beeline for her and tried to think of how to ask her out on such short notice. We hadn’t spoken much all week, and earlier, when she said she loved me, although she had meant my food, I couldn't help but get excited over it. I just wanted to grab her, hold her close, and repeatedly ask her to make that mistake over and over again.

  “Hey, Chris! Wait up!” I heard someone call me from behind.

  I sighed internally and turned around. Sarah was so close.

  “Oh! Marylin, what can I do for you?” I asked as Marylin ran over from the crowd of chefs.

  “I wanted to know if you were doing anything after this. If not, would you like to go karaoke?” Marylin asked, csping her hands together.

  My mind raced as I tried to figure out how to handle this situation. I wasn't sure what to do. I guess I wasn’t. I mean, I would have been…if I had reached Sarah in time…shit shit….

  “Karaoke?” I heard someone say behind me. I turned to find Heather looking at us like a puppy who just listened to the word treat.

  As Heather's question hung in the air, a thought occurred to me. I could still salvage this.

  “Yeah, karaoke? Shall we all go? Sounds like fun, right?” I asked, looking from Marylin to Heather and finally to the one I wanted the most, Sarah.

  To my surprise, Sarah was already looking at me, though the expression on her face was completely unreadable.

  I finally walked the st few steps over to her side and casually pced a hand on her shoulder, trying not to be too obviously into her.

  “What do you think? Are you up to going karaoke with us for a bit?” I asked Sarah, looking down at her light green eyes.

  Sarah blinked rapidly and looked away, making eye contact with Heather instead. “ I mean, it’s kind of te, right?”

  “Nonsense!” Heather said and suddenly stood up. “ Hey, anyone who wants to go karaoke, it’s on me! Let’s go sing our hearts out!” Heather roared for the whole Cantine to hear.

  The staff immediately erupted in cheers and ughter.

  “Karaoke! Karaoke!’ Everyone said, pumped that they got to go out on their boss’ dolr.

  “Get! There is a karaoke that can accommodate rge groups,” Marylin said as she went over to Heather and took out her phone, showing Heather the pce.

  “Nice, and it’s nearby. I’ll call and book a room, let everyone know where to go, and you all can make your way over,” Heather said, whipping out her phone and calling up the karaoke lounge.

  “Do you know a lot of songs?” A colleague of Sarah’s asked Sarah as he stood up and stretched.

  I released Sarah as she stood and crossed my arms, feeling slightly left out.

  “Not really. I mainly sing old balds. What about you, Chris?” Sarah asked as she turned to me.

  I felt my heart flutter, seeing her steer the conversation to include me so casually. She looked beautiful in office attire, her hair tied up in a bun and her little white ce handbag draped over her shoulder….

  “Rock, I love rock songs, especially the Screamo ones,” I replied. “But you know what? I do think I know a bald or two; I might try one out today if they have it on the pylist.”

  Sarah’s colleague joined us, and I reached out my hand, “ Chris.”

  “Lawrence,” Sarah’s college said, returning the firm handshake. “ I’m in marketing. I saw what you made for Sarah; it looked really good. If you are still around next week, I’ll order from you as well,” Lawrence said.

  I grinned ‘sure thing” I said, but to be honest I was fine just cooking for Sarah.

  “I heard Sarah really loved what you made her,” he added and grinned, elbowing Sarah, who immediately turned three shades of pink.

  I ughed, “Oh, did you hear her slip of the tongue? She does it all the time. She's such a cutie pie, isn’t she?” I grinned, which made Lawrence ugh as well.

  “ She is very well-mannered and easy to get along with. That's for sure. She makes our office a delightful pce,” Lawrence said approvingly.

  “Alright, enough, Sarah appraisals, let’s sing our hearts out!” Heather said, joining our little group.

  Sarah crossed her arms and pouted, “ If you guys keep teasing me, I won’t come.”

  Heather raised an eyebrow. “ Oh, but I hear Chris sings like a nightingale after a drink. Are you sure you want to miss that? Fine, we’ll have Chris all to ourselves!” Heather grinned and pounced on me, grabbing my arm and pulling me away as if she were kidnapping me.

  I ughed; it had been a while since I saw Heather so enthusiastic about something, so I let her have her fun.

  “No, I’ll come! I want to hear it, too!” Sarah said, trailing after the three of us as we continued to tease her while walking off to join the crowd of staff heading to the karaoke pce.