FreeNovel
Abby
My heart feels like it’s doing somersaults in my chest as I stammer out my
words. “You’re—you’re Vanessa Greene. The Vanessa Greene.”
“The one and only,” Vanessa says, her voice as soft as a gentle breeze. She
offers her hand, and I feel the warmth of her skin as our palms meet. My hand
trembles, and I’m embarrassed but can’t help it.
Vanessa Greene is literally the most renowned female chef in the country. Aside
from being a bestselling author, she also owns an entire chain of three-star
restaurants called ‘The Greene Plate’, which specialize in organic, farm-to-table,
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gourmet vegan dishes. It’s something that no female chef has ever
accomplished.
Aside from that, she’s the host of her own cooking show, ‘Brunch with Vanessa,’
and has won countless awards.
It goes without saying that I didn’t expect her to be here. Is she one of the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcontestants, or one of the judges? Surely she’s a judge. Why would they have
the most successful female chef in the country competing against amateurs like
us?
“Oh my god,” I mutter. “Y-You’re like my biggest role model. Your book, ‘A
Woman in the Kitchen,’ was life-changing for me. You have no idea.”
In the background, I catch Daniel smirking from his chair, like a cat watching a
mouse scurry around. It’s a look that just oozes condescension, making my
stomach churn. The moment’s perfection crumbles a bit at the edges, and
suddenly I feel like I’m already on stage, being scrutinized by hundreds of
people.
But Vanessa’s reaction is as sweet as honey.
“You’ve read my book?” Her eyes brighten, and it feels like I’ve just been thrown
a lifeline. “That’s wonderful to hear. It was written for women like you, women
striving to make it in this industry.”
“Make it? I’m barely scraping through, compared to you.” I chuckle nervously,
gripping my hands together so they stop shaking. “Your restaurants, your
awards—it’s like a dream. A far-off dream that I can admire but never touch.”
Vanessa tilts her head, her afro catching the light like a halo. “Dreams are
meant to be chased, not just admired from afar.”
I look up to meet her gaze and see something that I haven’t seen since I walked
into this room: genuine kindness. There’s no veil of insincerity or secret
competition—just warmth, pure and simple.
“Say, if you bring your copy of ‘A Woman in the Kitchen’ to the cook-off
tomorrow, I’d be honored to sign it for you,” Vanessa offers, and the room seems
to spin around me. Is this really happening?
“I—I would love that, thank you so much!” The words tumble out like an
avalanche.
I see the makeup artist rolling her eyes, impatiently tapping her foot on the tiled
floor. “Miss Greene, we need to get started with your makeup. And you,” she
looks at me, “need to head to the greenroom.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmI apologize, flustered. “O-Of course, sorry. I didn’t mean to hold anyone up. It
was so nice to meet you, Vanessa.” I pull away, my legs carrying me past
Vanessa, though it feels like I’m leaving behind a moment I’ve dreamt of for
years.
Just then, I bump into Daniel as I hurry past. “Watch where you’re going,
fangirl,” he snickers, his words laced with an unbearable smugness.
“Sorry,” I mutter, mortified and not meeting her eyes.
…
“Abby? It’s your turn.”
The stage lights feel like they’re trying to bore holes into my skull as the
assistant ushers me toward the stage. The cameraman is giving the cue, and
I’m trying not to look like a deer in the headlights. There’s that prickly feeling of
many eyes on me; it’s like high school all over again, except it’s now being
broadcast live for the whole world to see. New chapter avаilable oո
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“So, Abby, tell us a little about yourself.”
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