Chapter 145

Elena’s POV:

I couldn't believe what I had just seen. What is Nicklaus doing here in this hotel?

Nicklaus slowly stood up and walked up to me. 

“Nicklaus?”

"Yes, my name is Nicklaus Coleman, but it seems you already know me,” he said and extended his hands for a handshake.

I was about to extend her hands to shake him when Nelly pushed her hands away, “Stay away from our partners. You hoe,”

“Why is there excess sugar and salt in the meal?” Mr. Stone asked angrily. 

“Oh no, I am so sorry, sir. I will quickly prepare another one,” I said, and I was about to run out of the kitchen when Nelly stopped me.

“You have ruined the breakfast meeting we had been planning all weekend. Get your stuff and leave. You are fired,” Nelly spoke in anger. Everybody stood there watching, and I began to plead with her.

“No, please. I apologise for what happened. Don't fire me. I will make another,” I pleaded. Tears were already beginning to fill my eyes.

“I said, leave. I never want to see you here ever again.” Nelly shouted; tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Give me another chance to make it right,” I pleaded.

“Well, you had just ruined the chance you got,” Nelly spoke. Elena knew that Nelly wouldn't give her time to explain herself. She had always hated her and was looking for the perfect opportunity to fire her.

Nicklaus spoke up immediately, "Well, since Miss Elena is without a job right now, I am planning to hire her as my personal chef since I will be staying for a month. I think that would be enough time for her to prove herself and get her job back.”

“Isn't that so, Mr. Stone?” He asked, his eyes still fixed on Elena.

“Your wish is my command, Mr. Coleman. She gets her job back if she behaves very well with you,” he said.

Nelly looked at them angrily and decided to step in. “Mr. Coleman, I could get you the best chef around here. It doesn't have to be her; besides, she is fired already,” she spoke.

“But we just struck a deal. She will be my chef. I want a personal chef because I might be extending my stay,” Nicklaus said, and Nelly angrily walked out of the room.

Elena didn't say a word; she just stood there feeling remorse.

“What do you say, Miss Elena?” he asked

Nicklaus stood in front of her. “What do you think about the offer?” he asked.

She snapped back to reality. “No, I don't think I can,” she said and angrily walked out of the room.

“I'm sorry about that, Mr. Nicklaus,” Mr. Stone apologised. But Nicklaus never left Elena.

“It's fine. Just give her time,” Nicklaus spoke. “I have something to attend to right now. See you later,” he said and walked out of the room.

Elena ran to the changing room with tears in her eyes. She didn't want to cry, but what happened in there was too painful.

She was so angry that other chefs tried to cheer her up, but it wasn't helping. Now she had to accept Nicklaus’s job offer because she couldn't afford to pay her son’s school fees and take care of his bills without a job.

She paced around the room restlessly, “What do I do? What do I do? Is this the only means I have for me to prove myself?” She asked, trying to look for another solution, but there was none.

She stayed in her locker all morning. Other chefs were done making lunch and serving the guests. She couldn't believe that Nicklaus had just found her. What was she going to do? What if he finds out that she is with his son?

She can't help but think properly. Elena was becoming scared. She had always wanted to be far away from Nicklaus so that they would never cross paths.

When it was almost evening, she stayed in the locker room, still processing all that had happened. Zoey had been trying to reach Elena on the phone, but she wouldn't pick up her calls. She and Wave decided to stop by the hotel to find out what was going on.

Elena was in a hurry to leave the hotel since it was getting dark. She had to rush out and get the bus when she bumped into a hard figure.

“Oh no,” she muttered and looked up to see Nicklaus standing in front of her. She gathered the courage to face him.

“Why are you stalking me? What do you want?” She asked, her voice raising. Nicklaus didn't say a word. He became numb as he watched her.

She was about to walk past him when baby Wave rushed over to her. “Mummy!” he shouted, and she wrapped her arm around Wave. “How are you doing, my love?” she asked, running her hands through his hair and ruffling it.

“I'm good, mummy,” he said, and when he set his eyes on Nicklaus, he shouted, “Daddy!” and wrapped his arms around him.

Nicklaus held Wave, and he couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

Zoey gave Elena a questioning look.

Elena angrily pulled Wave away. “I have warned you to stop calling strangers your father. Now let's go,” she said.

“Did you have a son, Elena?” he asked.

Elena's heart skipped a beat, and her palms became sweaty. She didn't know what to do. She just stood there watching him with her mouth wide open.