The question hung in the air between them, sharp and direct. "Jax… how did you do this?" Elara's eyes were locked on his, a mixture of awe and deep, professional curiosity. The half-eaten plate of perfect carbonara sat on the table, an irrefutable piece of evidence. It was an accusation and a compliment all in one.
Jax felt a surge of panic. His mind went blank. He was a man who solved problems with force, not elegant lies. He opened his mouth, but only a half-formed stammer came out. He looked like a cornered animal, and he knew it.
A voice, calm and imperious, sliced through his internal chaos. It was Kazimir. "Don't just stand there gaping like a fish, Chef. She's a smart girl. A simple lie won't work. You need a plausible framework for your impossible genius."
The mental intrusion was a jolt of ice water. Jax snapped his mouth shut. "You got any bright ideas?" he shot back in his own mind, his thoughts a frantic scramble.
Kazimir's mental voice was laced with smug superiority. "I am nothing but bright ideas. This is a story of mentorship, of hidden genius. It's classic. It's believable. Now, listen carefully and repeat after me. Try to look sincere."
Jax took a slow, steadying breath. He met Elara's searching gaze and leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to create an air of confidentiality. The panic in his eyes was replaced by a carefully constructed seriousness.
"My investor," he began, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. "He's very hands-on. He knew the food was the weak link in the business. The reason it was failing."
He paused, letting the statement sink in. It was the truth, after all. Lies were always stronger when they were built on a foundation of truth.
"Good," Kazimir coached. "Now for the maestro."
"So, as part of the investment deal," Jax continued, his voice even, "he provided a consultant. A chef. One of the best in the world, apparently."
"An excellent touch," Kazimir commented privately. "Vague, but impressive. Keep going."
"He's… eccentric. Very reclusive." Jax chose the word carefully. It felt right. "He works with me after hours, when the place is closed. He drills me like a soldier. He breaks down every ingredient, every technique. He's the one who taught me this. He's the one who taught me how to actually cook." The story felt thin, but it was better than anything he could have come up with on his own.
"Try to sound less like you're describing a prison sentence and more like you've been blessed by a culinary angel," Kazimir quipped in his head. "Enthusiasm, Chef. Sell it."
Elara listened intently, her head tilted. Her expression was unreadable. As a culinary student, she was immersed in the world of chefs. She knew the names, the faces, the Michelin star winners. An unknown, reclusive genius was a romantic but unlikely notion.
She set her fork down gently. "A consultant? What's his name? I've never heard of anyone who could teach that kind of leap in skill overnight."
It was the test. The question he couldn't possibly answer. Jax's mind went blank again. He was caught.
Kazimir's voice was instant, a safety net appearing just before he hit the ground. "Deflect. It's not about the name; it's about the privacy. My terms."
"He's intensely private," Jax said, the words flowing smoothly now. "A no-name basis is a non-negotiable condition of his contract. My investor is a very powerful man. He protects his assets." He gestured to the plate of carbonara. "The proof is right there. I couldn't have made that yesterday. You know I couldn't."
He held her gaze, praying she would buy it. This was the most important deal he had ever closed, and it had nothing to do with money or violence.
Elara looked from Jax's sincere, desperate face to the plate of impossible food. She picked up her fork and took one last, slow bite. She chewed thoughtfully, her eyes closing for a moment as she processed the flavor. The evidence was undeniable. The logic, however flimsy and romantic, was the only explanation that fit the facts without venturing into the realm of the supernatural.
She let out a long breath and placed her fork down for the last time. "Okay, Jax," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I don't know what kind of deal you've made, or who this mystery chef is. But… this…" She tapped the rim of the plate. "This will work. This will be a success."
Relief washed over Jax so intensely his knees felt weak.
"I'll take the job," she said. He opened his mouth to thank her, but she held up a hand. "On one condition."
He waited, his heart suddenly pounding again.
"I'm not just a manager who handles the books and the customers," she said, her eyes flashing with a sudden fire. "I'm a culinary student. I need to be a part of this. I want to learn these new methods. I want to see how this 'consultant's' system works. I want to be in the kitchen with you whenever I can."
This was a dangerous, impossible condition. But to refuse would be to admit he was lying. And more than that, he wanted her here. He wanted her by his side.
"Done," he agreed immediately, his voice more forceful than he intended. "Absolutely."
A slow smile spread across her face. She stood up and extended her hand. "Then it's a deal, boss."
Jax stood and took her hand. It was warm and firm in his. "It's a deal, Elara." Their handshake lingered for a moment longer than it should have, a silent acknowledgment that this was now more than just a job for either of them. It was a partnership.
She finally pulled her hand away, her expression shifting immediately to one of professional efficiency. "Okay. First things first. We'll need to re-hire Leo for the dish pit. He's a good kid and he needs the work."
"I'll call him first thing in the morning," Jax said, grateful for the change in subject.
"And we'll need another server, at least part-time," she continued, already mapping out the dining room in her mind. "If this food is as good as I think it is, we can't run a full room with just the two of us. I'll put an ad out."
"Whatever you need," Jax said, a genuine smile finally reaching his face. "You run everything outside that kitchen door. It's yours."
The scene was set. They stood in the middle of the empty dining room, a fragile new alliance formed between them, built on a foundation of delicious food and dangerous secrets. They had a plan. They had a partnership. Now, they just had to survive the first night.