Chef Charming (10 page)

By Friday afternoon, t
he last of her artwork was set up at the gallery, and
her placards were in place. Rori stood back and admired her work.

She was still debating
whether to submit the piece she had just finished. She
didn’t like the title, or the subject matter, for that matter. Of course,
twelve hours ago it was the most treasured piece she had ever created. Now she
didn’t even want it on display. Professor Smith insisted.

The piec
e, currently titled, ‘Aurora’s Castle’ was a haunting
piece whose initial impression was of a dark and dreary land. Upon closer
inspection, the viewer would see a castle emerging from the clouds in the
background, just as dawn broke through the gloomy clouds. The piece, done in
oil, was not very large. The tag held the
all significant
letters “NFS” meaning it was “Not for Sale.”

“Are you sure y
ou want to let this one go, now?” Dr. Smith asked
again. “At least put it up for the evening’s silent auction with a higher
reserve price.” The professor knew there had to be a back-story to her change
of heart.

“
The auction is fine,” Rori insisted. “But only put
fifty dollars as my starting point. That will cover the cost of supplies. I
don’t need, or want, the piece anymore.”

The preview turned out to be
a relaxing evening for Rori
. She had
taken a long three-hour nap in the afternoon and soaked in a warm bath before
the preview. Not having to face Marcus tonight was a huge relief. She was
almost giddy with relief. It didn’t hurt that the Preview
was
reserved
for the movers and shakers of the University, as well as all
the art department professors and their spouses. These people were some of her
favorite and closest friends. She would miss them all, but enjoyed the relief
of the sophisticated cocktail party atmosphere of the evening.

During Friday night’s class
Jess had been unable to keep her feelings hidden, she glowered at Marcus
. He studiously avoided her gaze the rest of the
evening. As she was leaving, though, he mentioned that because of her other
culinary training, she did not necessarily have to take the “exam” tomorrow. He
was planning to give the class an easy test to show them how much they had
actually learned. In reality, he was hoping Miss Johnston would choose not to
come because he wanted to avoid anyone involved in any way with Her Royal
Princess, Aurora Sinclair.

“Like I’d miss the class
party,” Jessica commiserated with Rori late that night after the preview
. “I still think you should thumb your nose at him and
go anyway.” Rori just shook her head slightly. Jess let the matter drop.

Jess left for the class
party Saturday morning, sne
aking out
without waking Rori. Despite her worry over the situation, Jess enjoyed the
affair. She should have skipped it, but she couldn’t resist seeing how Marcus
was holding up. Rori was a mess. Thankfully, her parents would be arriving
later this morning.

Jess made a point of
reminding John and Calvin about the art show within earshot of Chef Charming
. Although Jessica knew Chef Hampton promised to get
him to go no matter what, she decided it wouldn’t hurt to have a little jealous
competition. She had seen the jealous looks Marcus had leveled at the young man
over the course of the class. What Marcus didn’t know was that John had finally
gathered enough courage to ask Jess out and the art show was to be their first
official date.

“I know it would mean so
much,” Jess oozed, “especially for you to be there, John.
” If the glower on Marcus’ face was any indication, he
had taken the bait. John and Calvin were completely aware of what she was
doing, since Jess had explained it all before class. The young men heartily
agreed that their professor needed a bit of a reality check.

Jess couldn’t resist,
turning to the seething chef, “You should come, too, Chef MacRae
. I’m sure Rori would be
thrilled
to see you,” adding a wide smile for emphasis.

“Thank you for the
invitation, Miss Johnston,” Chef ground out through clinched teeth, “But I’m
sure I have some other plans for tonight.” He turned abruptly and stomped into
his office, closing the door with a thud. It was obvious to Jess that Jake had
not had a chance to clear things up with the stubborn man.

The trio barely held their
laughter until they got outside.

Sitting with her parents at
her favorite diner in town, Rori was able to relate the events of the past two
weeks
fairly
objectively
. Only a few tears
were shed
, but
she had resolved to move on with her life. Obviously,
this
foolish fantasy she had dreamed up was just that – both foolish and fantasy.

Her parents were curious to
meet the enigmatic man who had their eldest daughter in such a state
. Without Rori’s knowledge, Jessica had been able to
fill in some of the details that Rori left out. Professor and Mrs. Sinclair and
were now expectedly looking forward to the evening. It promised to be quite
entertaining.

Across town, Marcus was also
receiving some clarification and chastisement
. He had received a call demanding his presence at the local pizzeria.

“What have I done?” Staring
at the sketch, Marcus’s shoulders slumped in misery
. A long talk with Jake revealed what Jess had said
about the sketch that had ruined his life.

“You really think we have a
chance?” Marcus asked Jake. “I’m pretty sure I blew it completely yesterday. I
can’t imagine that she will ever forgive me.”

“Well, you won’t know if you
don’t try,” Jake told him. Reluctantly, Marcus agreed to go to the show.

Leaving the restaurant,
Marcus should have headed straight home, but instead found himself in front of
Rori’s dorm
. Her silly car was still
outside. He headed back home and called Jake.

“I know it’s late to be
changing my mind, but I don’t think I can do it,”
frantic fear sounding in every word. “I’m not going to
the show. I can’t face her.”

“You sound desperate, my
friend,” Jake trie
d to comfort his unsure
friend.

“You, Carla, and Miss Johnston
all seem to be so sure, but what if this is just something I’ve imagined?”
His voice clearly showing the turmoil he was
experiencing, he was miserable. “Tell me again that I’m not crazy to pursue
this. I still do not believe in love at first sight, but this woman is in my
blood and I don’t think I’m going to get over this.”

“We talked this over and
over, Marcus.
You need to step out on
faith and trust that maybe, just maybe God is bringing you two together. And
you heard the same advice from Pastor Collins, didn’t you?” Jake reminded him
of their conversation with the assistant pastor after church last Sunday. At
the time, Marcus was frustrated with trying to avoid Rori and his growing
feelings for her. What he didn’t know was that Pastor Sam had watched in awe as
the young culinary instructor talked about the very young lady that had stopped
by to see him early in the week.

Indeed, God works in
mysterious ways,
Sam Collins had thought.

Bringing Marcus back to his
present misery, Jake resorted to only half-joking threats.

“If you don’t show up, I
will come find you and drag you there,” he threatened. “I never expected such
cowardly behavior from Chef Charming.”

“Chef
Charming?”
Marcus asked curiously.

“Oops,” Jake pretended the
slip was unintentional. “That’s what Rori calls you.
I think it’s kind of sweet, Princess Aurora and Chef
Charming.”

“Maybe I should ride into
the gallery on a white horse,” Marcus muttered, but Jake heard the beginnings
of a slight smile.

“Marcus,” Jake decided the
time for joking
was done
, and straight talk was
needed. “You love this woman and she loves you. God has brought you together.
Don’t waste this opportunity. End of discussion.”

“Thank you, Jake,” Marcus
hung up the phone finally hopeful again.

Rori had to be at the art
gallery an hour before the opening. Dressed in a green and blue evening gown
with layers of different colors creating the scarf hem, she looked every bit an
elf princess. The spaghetti straps exposed her honey-toned shoulders. The
turquoise pendant on her gold chain added to her air of regality. Her long
hair, loosely held by a hair clip,
was adorned
with a
peacock feather that matched the tones of her gown.

Normally so casual about her
outfits, even Rori had to admit she looked quite good tonight
. It helped her feel confident, almost as though armed
for battle. Thankfully, I won’t have to slay any red-haired lions tonight. I’m
sure Chef Charming Marcus MacRae is glad he’s seen the last of me.

Her parents were among the
first guests to arrive
. They had met many
of her professors on a previous visit to the campus, so they headed right in to
look at their daughter’s competition. Her dad promised
to
outrageously overpay
for one of her ‘silly scribbles,’ as he jokingly
called them. She knew he in fact was very proud and envious of her talent.

About an hour into the
three-hour showing, she and her parents were discussing the silent auction
. She explained that the pieces available were marked,
pointing to the special tag on 'Aurora’s Castle'. Bidders would head to the
table at the back of the gallery and register their highest offer for the
pieces they wanted. Their bids, sealed in individual envelopes,
would be opened
after the show ended later this evening. The
winners
would be contacted
in the morning.

“Rori,” came Jake’s voice
behind her, “I’d like to meet your parents
.
And tell them how you misbehave in Sunday
School
all
the time.” She and Jake were always battling each other with puns and silly
comments during class. Carla was very tolerant.

Rori turned and felt the
color drain from her face
. Marcus was
with Jake and Carla.

“What are
you
doing
here?” Rori blurted.

“Aurora Grace Sinclair!” her
father said gently, but firmly. “That was quite rude.
You should apologize to this nice young man.”

“I apologize,
Chef
MacRae,” Rori said, not quite sincerely. Marcus seemed to find her discomfort
amusing.

“Marcus,” he reminded her.

“I apologize, Chef Marcus,”
she knew she was baiting him, but couldn’t help herself.

“Just Marcus
.”
One eyebrow rose.

“I apologize,
Just Marcus.
”
She crossed her arms, unwilling to budge.

“You win,”
Marcus
laughed, adding
mysteriously, “for now.”

He turned to her father and
introduced himself.
Rori’s father had
watched their interplay with amused delight. 

“Dr. Sinclair, Mrs.
Sinclair, my name is Marcus MacRae
. I’ve
had the pleasure of Aurora’s presence in my gourmet cooking class over the last
two weeks.” Her parents nodded and smiled, falling immediately under his
spell. 

Traitors
, thought Rori.

“It’s been interesting,”
Marcus added, turning back to her. “Miss Sinclair,” Marcus held out his hand.
“I look forward to seeing your art this evening. Could I beg a personal tour?
” She is
absolutely gorgeous
,
he thought.

She nearly choked
. “Of course,” was all she could
manage.

Thankfully
, Jake came to her rescue and made the rest of the
introductions. He then asked Rori to show Carla the work of one of her
classmates as soon as she was done with Marcus. These particular pieces were
fascinating multi-media works that fooled the eye from a distance, only to
reveal that they were indeed just household objects cleverly arranged.

Marcus pulled Rori’s hand
through his arm and nodded to her parents. “I look forward to visiting with
you, if I could, as soon as Aurora shows me her works.”

“It would be our pleasure,”
her mother said, smiling at the handsome young man. As she and her husband
watched the couple walk away, they shared a knowing look.

“Oh my,” Rori’s mom said.
Looks like we may be planning a
wedding soon.
This thought she kept to herself, knowing her husband
would insist that she was rushing things.

As Rori led Marcus toward
her painting, t
he frustration over the
sketchbook picture, and the realization that this was the end of her hopeful
dreams of a life with this man, had lent Rori a dose of courage. She planned to
hold nothing back.

“Chef, could you please
explain something to me?” She turned to him as they moved out of earshot from
their group.

“It’s Marcus,” he insisted
again, “and certainly. Your wish is my command.”

“Why can you call me
whatever you want, ‘Princess’, ‘Aurora’, ‘Your Highness’, ‘Miss Sinclair’,
‘Rori’,” she began.

“I’ve never called you
‘Rori’,” he interrupted.

“You’re right,” she
conceded, “but that’s beside the point. Why do I have such restrictions on what
I call you? And why do you keep switching what you call me? Does it show what
mood you’re in or is it all part of an act? When you think of me, not that you
ever do, what name do you use in these musing
s?” Rori knew she was treading on dangerous ground but couldn’t seem to
help herself.

“You wouldn’t believe me if
I told you,” Marcus said, smiling at the thought of her reaction to an honest
answer. He knew his most common name for her over the last few hours was
‘wife’. His smile widened into a grin.

“I’m glad you find me so
amusing,” Rori grumbled and let the topic drop.
Remembering how mad he was as he stormed out of breakfast yesterday,
she
was baffled
by his current behavior. She proceeded
to show him her paintings, trying to sound objective and informative. He
admired the paintings, genuinely impressed with her unique style, but spent a
large part of the tour watching her animation as she explained her art.
He wanted desperately to tell her what was in his heart, but had
promised himself to speak to Dr. Sinclair first.

After they returned to her
parents, Rori led Carla to the section of the gallery with her classmate’s
unusual works. They moved away from the group, Jake’s wife asking questions
about each piece as they moved through the gallery
. Her instructions from her husband had been clear.
She was to keep Rori away so Marcus could talk to Dr. Sinclair.