2. The Cooking Test

Just a thought of working in the large, sumptuous mansion is enough to give me creeps. My mind is giving me alerts that I have taken a wrong decision.

The neighborhood of the Hobsons Mansion is quiet and calm and has only few residential houses. The Mansion itself looks like a modern-day royal castle with the magnificent architectural work, palladian windows and warm brown bricks.

I see array of beautiful maple trees at the opposite side of the house, long palm trees are standing. Their branches are moving back and forth due to light breeze.

"Yes?" Sudden male voice disturbs my sightseeing. The person is in uniform, older than me, probably a household staff, standing at the entrance of main gate.

I clear my throat, "I'm Sanaya Frances. I came here for the interview for the house cook job. I've already talked with Mr. Brooke."

He pauses for a moment, then says, "Please come inside."

I nod and start taking miniature steps, following him. The patio of the mansion is full of greenery. A beautiful garden that has trimmed, moistened grass and seasonal, full-grown flowers, scenting the whole place.

Fresh floral scent reaches to my nostrils, reducing some of my stress as I walk inside the mansion. We pass the foyer and go to the elevators. With every step I'm taking, my confidence on myself is lessening. My mind suggests me to take u-turn and return to the school dormitory. This place is not for people like me. This house resemble to some royal palace and it surely would have experienced and intelligent employees.

That man takes me to living room and asks me to wait for Mr. Brooke here. I hesitantly sit on the L-shaped, leather sofa and study the interiors of the room. Even the paints on the walls or the floor tiles have been chosen magnificently. Everything here is worth thousand dollars.

Fifteen minutes later, a man in blazer suit steps into the room. I immediately rise on my feet. He is maybe around thirty or more, has amber eyes, dark hair and fair skin tone.

"Please keep sitting. I'm Andrew Brooke, the head of the household staff here." He comes forward and gestures me to sit down on the seat behind me.

Motioning my head in agreement, I settle down on the same spot, "Hello, sir."

He sits in front of me, smiling, "Nice to meet you, Miss Frances. I've already seen your resume and you know you lack something big according to the requirement of this job. But still I called you here because I was curious to know why you still dared to apply here."

I didn't expect him to be that straightforward. All of my remaining confidence disappears into the thin air after this question, "I trust my cooking skills. I've learned cooking at the orphanage where I grew up. Home cooking is not difficult. If you're looking for a house cook that means you want a cook who can cook simple meals. Besides, I know beyond simple cooking."

I pause, expecting a response, but all I get a frown from him. He doesn't say anything so I continue my speech, "I can cook many things from other foreign cuisines. Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai. I even know baking."

"But, the household staff here is quite experienced. You don't even have single diploma in the respective field. Why should I give you this job?" He quizzes, arching a brow at me.

Say goodbye to your college admission this year.

The voice in my head scares me.

I tighten my jaws, scratching my temple in uneasiness, "Try me. Give me a chance. Try my food and then decide. I need this job, Mr. Brooke."

"Call me Andrew." He says, "And besides, my job is to select the best domestic staff for the family. Hobsons are very sensitive about their food. I can't take a risk."

I fight the urge to go on my knees in front of him and beg for the job. My pride stops me and forces me to act civil, "How can you be so certain without trying me? I know very well about this family's reputation and power. Still I dared to apply here why? Because I'm so sure about my cooking. Try me, Andrew. I assure you, you won't regret."

He starts laughing. I raise my brows at him. "I like your confidence. Prepare something Italian."

"What? Did I get this job?"

"No." He shakes his head, "But, I gave you a chance. You're lucky that you got one only because I'm urgently in need of a cook. Prepare dinner for the family. They will taste it and then I'll tell you their feedback."

A smile slowly makes its way across my face. I can't believe he is finally convinced. All I needed a chance to prove myself to them and I got one. Excitement prickles through me.

Andrew asks me to follow him. He is taking me to the kitchen. On the way, he tells me tips and techniques to impress the billionaire family. He also tells that mostly there are only three people who eats here three meals a day; Matt Hobsons, his wife Katherine and their younger son Ashar Hobsons. Sometimes, their elder brother Austin also joins them with his wife for any meal of the day.

Moreover, I also find out that Ashar Hobsons is getting married within a month. That's why nowadays family enjoys all mealtimes together and discuss the wedding preps. I listen to him carefully in order to know how many people are going to be there for dinner so I can prepare the food accordingly.

"This is the kitchen." As soon as Andrew steps inside the room he says.

My jaw hit the floor as I look at the kitchen. It is equal to five combined rooms of my school's dorm. All the lights are on right now, brightening the place. The red and maroon cabinets with a black, shiny marbled counter and white, mirrored tiles are making it look like a kitchen of a five-star hotel.

It also has room-sized frozen area where they've kept fruits, veggies and variety of meat, arranged in a way you see it in a closed, air-conditioned meat shop. If I would just pass today's test, this beautiful kitchen would be my workplace. A feeling of excitement fills me.

"Start your work. I'm sending someone to assist you." He says and then walks out.

This mansion is like a dream house. Normally a person would see these kinds of houses in movies and pictures. It's not easy for me to believe that it's all real. I have never encountered with someone who is as rich as this family.

...

I have learned cooking from my one of the best teachers at foster home. Kids there call her mother. because she is one of the seniors there and has been looking after orphans since last twenty years. She persuaded me to learn as many skills as I could, so that I wouldn't have to live jobless. All thanks to her that I'm here, confident about my cooking talent.

It took me two hours to prepare the dinner. For starter, I prepared Italian Salad with the toppings of olive and lettuce. As Andrew said, try something Italian, that's why my theme for today's dinner is Italian.

I cooked Pasta Alla Norma, famous, traditional, Italian pasta. Other than that, I had prepared Italian-styled sausage soup and Strawberry Gelato.

"I heard you've prepared the dinner." Andrew walks in. I'm transferring pasta into bowls.

"It's ready." I put the empty pan on the counter and then turns around.

He inhales, "The aroma is appealing."

"Thanks."

"What are your future plans, Miss Frances?" Andrew asks.

I answer while putting some olives around the pasta "I'm planning to go to NYU to pursue degree in marketing."

"Hmm. Good luck with that." He says, "Anyways, you don't have to serve the food. Your task is finished here. Would you like to go home and wait for my call or would you like to stay here and wait for their answer?"

"Can I really stay here?"

He nods his head, checking the time from his wrist watch, "Yes you can. It's already time of their dinner."

Great. I would get the final answer today. I whisper to myself.

Restlessness inside me is not going to calm down until I get a confirmation about this job. I want to leave from here with an answer. So without thinking much, I tell Andrew that I will stay here till the end of the dinner.

He would've understood by now that how desperate I'm for the job.

...

After about an hour or so, Andrew enters into the living room where I'm sitting and waiting.

"They want you to work for them." He says in a serious tone.

I blink twice, waiting for him to be clearer, "I told them that you've no professional experience, but guess what? they didn't believe me. They liked your food and ordered me to make you prepare such a delicious food daily."

A faint smile appears on his face.

A wave of surprise washes over me. He smiled, it means I got this job. Oh my God, I got this job.

I rise on my feet, "Thank you so much, Andrew."

He bobs his head up and down, "Congratulations. You've passed the cooking test."

I knew it. I had faith in mother's cooking lessons. I knew if I would get a chance I could impress anyone with my cooking. I exhale out a breath, relaxing myself. My shoulders feel lightweight. I can't believe I became a cook for this renowned family and they even liked my food. I didn't know I was that good or maybe this family don't have high standards.

"Now, listen carefully. You're going to prepare three meals a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner." He starts giving me instructions. I put aside all of my overwhelming thoughts and pay attention to him, "Sometimes, family demands special food. You'll be told in advance about that. Otherwise, you're sometimes allowed to decide the menu by yourself. I'll give you few recipe books that would tell you family's preferences."

"Okay, understood." I respond.

"You can stay here and work as a full-time employee for us or you can just come here, cook and go back to your home. It's up to you."

Wait, what?

I get flabbergasted.

"I...I can't right now since I've still some classes left."

They are even offering me a place to live. I guess good days are coming and these Hobsons wants to play my fairy Godmother role.

When the school dorm would ask me to move out, I can shift here until I would find a place on rent. At least now I don't have to worry about living on streets. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you never know. Life itself is an adventure.

"Okay, no problem." Andrew agrees.