Addicted: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance(65)

But I knew, even before Dad died, what I wanted to do. He'd been taking me into the kitchen with him ever since I could walk, and some of my favorite memories of him were the two of us hanging out in the kitchen as he taught me the secrets of his spice mixtures, or how he got the consistency just right on his beans. "Someday Krystal," he would tell me, "you're going to have to cook for yourself. There's a whole world of food out there to discover. Enjoy it."

I did, and knew what I was getting into. After graduating from Kendall College with a degree in the culinary arts, I'd immediately gone out to all of the top restaurants I could in the St. Louis and Chicago areas, determined to find a position and work my way up. In that respect, I guess being young and rich helped, because I could afford to start off slicing vegetables for three hundred bucks a week. I'd worked my ass off for the past three years, dealing with the dictatorial executive chefs and the cut throat sous chefs, just waiting for my chance to get on the line.

My big break was within my grasp, as I heard the sous chef start making his way towards me from the other end of the kitchen. The head chef, Shannon, who besides having an ego the size of Chicago was actually pretty nice, had gotten a call from the producers of Iron Chef America. She was scheduled to take on one of the Iron Chefs in two months in a special holiday episode, and she wanted to put together her "battle crew."

However, Alinea couldn't close because of filming a TV show, so instead of just taking the top chefs who had worked with her for the longest, she had tasked Horst with selecting a crew that would listen to her directions best and produce for her with minimal guidance. Apparently Horst had a friend who was a sous chef for a contestant who had lost on Iron Chef, and said that it was the most important thing to do.

So that gave me my opportunity. With four of the kitchen crew gone, I had the chance to either take a place in the line, or if I were lucky, to maybe be the most junior member of Shannon's team for Iron Chef. I wasn't sure which I wanted more, honestly. I mean, three days of working the line directly under Horst would give him a clear view of my skills. On the other hand, if I could produce for Shannon in that one hour of television taping, it could be even better. If Shannon lost however, I might be out of a job. She had that kind of ego.

"Show your work, Aksoy."

I stepped aside, and let Horst look at my efforts. He hemmed and hawed as he looked with a hawk eye over my cuts. Finally, he stepped back and nodded. "Good work. I'm going to tell Chef Shannon that I think you would be a good member of her battle team."

"Thank you Chef," I said, doing my best not to completely flip out and start doing cartwheels in the kitchen. "I'll work hard."

"I know you will," Horst said. For the first time in the year and a half I'd actually been allowed to speak with him, he smiled. "Don't think I haven't been watching, Aksoy. I have pushed you harder than any of the other young ones who have come in the door precisely because I know who you are. In fact, I apprenticed under your father many years ago, although you probably don't remember. It seems that German DNA and Turkish cooking don't get along well. But he was a kind man, and when you came along looking for a job, I made sure there was something for you."

"Thank you Chef," I repeated, trying to control the tears that threatened to come to my eyes. I tried to think of words to say, and couldn't. "Thank you."

"Good. Now, I saw today you have requested time off next week to go to your mother's wedding. Is that correct?"

"Yes Chef."

"Ja wohl. I remember her, she is a fine woman. Okay then, starting tomorrow you get nine days off, including next weekend. Just remember, when you come back, Shannon will be expecting you to do competition practice as well as your normal duties. So don't relax too much on me."

"I won't Chef."

Horst nodded and patted me on the shoulder. "Now take ten Krystal, and go enjoy the moment. You've made it to the next step."

I smiled and gave him a nod as I walked away, making note that he used my first name.



Chapter 3

Krystal



The Castelbon Manor is immense. Driving up in my rented Honda, I had to pause once I got out just to take it all in. I mean, growing up as Krystal Aksoy, only child of Danyal Aksoy and Sandra Hepburn, and one of only three grandchildren of Maximus Hepburn, I've never had a point in my life like some of my co-workers in Alinea where they didn't know where their next meal was coming from. I went to good schools, got to go on trips overseas when I was on summer vacation, and in general led a very good life. But Mom was a lot like me, in that she never wanted to flaunt her wealth. We lived in a gated community sure, but the house wasn't extravagant. Meanwhile, Castelbon Manor had a servant's quarters larger than the house I lived in when I was in high school.