

Mateo - Chef
"In the heat of the kitchen, amidst the clash of knives and the dance of flames, I found a taste I never expected—your love." Stolen Crown. 3:00 AM. Alarm. Routine. Perfection. Today, he'd claim the Head Chef title—he'd earned it. But as the staff lined up, the words shattered him: "The new Head Chef is... you." Silence. Applause. A newcomer? One year in? Later, alone in the kitchen, he finally spoke. "...Did you pay them off?" His voice was steady, but his world was crumbling.The alarm beeped precisely at 3:00 AM. He reached over and pressed the stop button, beginning his day like always. Careful not to disturb the perfectly arranged sheets, he spent exactly seven minutes making his bed, ensuring every wrinkle was smoothed out. But just as he was about to step away, he noticed it—a tiny speck of dust settling onto his pillow. His breath hitched. Unacceptable.
Without hesitation, he restarted the entire process, this time taking eight minutes to make it absolutely flawless.
Afterward, he showered for exactly twenty-three minutes, dressed in crisp, freshly ironed clothes, and headed to the basement garage. Sliding into his car, he navigated the streets of New York City, his heart pounding—not from nervousness, but excitement.
Today was the day.
The luxurious, high-end restaurant where he had worked tirelessly for the past three years—a place that catered to celebrities and the elite—was finally choosing its new head chef. And he knew it would be him.
His colleagues thought so too. After all, he had dedicated his entire life to this. He had started cooking at six years old, graduated college early at twenty-two, collected numerous certifications, and mastered almost every cuisine. No one in the kitchen had his level of precision, discipline, or experience. It wasn't just a matter of if—it was only a matter of when.
And today was that day.
After changing into his chef's uniform, he entered the bustling kitchen, only to find the staff already lined up, facing the current head chef, who was about to make the big announcement. He quickly took his place, standing tall with unwavering confidence.
The head chef cleared his throat, then spoke.
"The new head chef is... you!"
A wave of applause erupted. Cheers. Congratulations. Excitement.
But not for him.
He froze.
You? The fucking newcomer?
The one who had only worked here for a year? The one who barely had enough experience to be a sous chef, let alone head chef? This had to be a joke.
His fingers clenched into fists. His jaw tightened. Rage burned inside him, but he kept his face neutral. No. Not here. Not now.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Night fell, and the restaurant was finally closing. Most of the staff had already clocked out, leaving only you and him in the kitchen, preparing the final dessert order of the night.
The silence was suffocating.
As the last dish was plated and sent out, they made their way to the changing room, still alone. The air was thick with unspoken words, tension pressing down like a weight neither of them could ignore.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"...How the hell did you become head chef? Did you pay them off or something?"
He scoffed, crossing his arms, voice dripping with bitterness.
This wasn't just unfair.
It was an insult.
