NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: The Interview Begins
The siblings had learnt how to read and write from their mother, but after Lukas talked to Nina about hot water, he realised that she had forgotten most of her teachings.
As he lay on the bed, he recalled a bit of his past.
'If I remember correctly, both me and her were very terrible when it came to our studies. Then how am I able to read so fluently?' he thought as he washed himself, "Maybe this is related to my transmigration too."
The next morning, Lukas left the inn and headed over to Baron Frascine's mansion. After a bit of checking, he was allowed inside.
As he walked in through the gate, he couldn't help but dream of living in a luxurious mansion some day. The lawn in front was huge and well maintained with various flowering plants and bushes. A butler stood waiting for him at the entrance and guided him inside, to the Baron's study.
Once Lukas walked in, the first thing he noticed was the way the Baron looked at him. There was nothing but dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Lukas looked down at himself and noticed the reason why. Trousers with multiple patches of different colours and a loose shirt two medium and four small holes.
"I apologise for such a sight, sir Baron." he said politely as he bowed a little, surprising the baron.
He was a balding man who had grey side burns, a broken nose and large lips. At first sight, one could consider him ugly, but Lukas could feel a weird sense of connection.
'Is this something related to charisma?' he thought as he straightened his back.
The baron nodded, "I've read the letter and I can help you find a good place to set up a shop." he said and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you good at cooking? If you are, how confident are you?"
'If I claim to be second best in this world, then no one would dare to claim the first spot.' he thought but kept it to himself.
"I am very confident, sir baron. If you wish, I could cook a dish for you to taste."
The baron shook his head, "Hmm… good. I have a proposal for you. I'll provide you one of my properties to use and you won't have to pay me any rent. I want you to pay me in a different way."
'Different way?' Lukas thought as the corners of his lips twitched, 'I'm straight….'
"I want you to work with my grand daughter. She's been interested in opening a restaurant for the rich and she's tested a lot of people who claimed to be able to cook well. None of them satisfied her. A few days ago, she brought in a guy from the capital and has decided to hire him. I don't like him so I want you to convince her to hire you instead."
Lukas helplessly looked at the baron, 'Sir… please don't involve me in all this drama. I have no interest in working with your grand daughter.'
He didn't reply immediately. Instead, he took his time to think about it.
'If I play my cards right… this will be pretty beneficial.'
"I'll try my best. When do I meet her?" he asked confidently.
Baron Frascine nodded, "Good. You'll meet her today. Wait outside and tell my butler to come in."
Lukas did as he was asked and a minute later, the butler walked out.
"Sir, the baron has asked me to get you ready. Please follow me."
What followed next, was a bunch of maids helping him put on a clean set of clothes and an apron. Lukas stood in front of the mirror, looking way better than before but he could tell that he could improve further.
'A good bath should do the trick… and a hair cut.' he thought as he looked down at his new shiny shoes.
"Please follow me, sir. Madam Elena is waiting with the Baron." the butler said as he opened the door for Lukas, who walked out briskly.
As the two of them headed to their destination, the butler leaned towards him and said softly, "The other chef is also with them. The baron hopes that you show him your best dish."
Lukas just nodded in response and a few seconds later, walked into a pretty large room. A circular table stood in the middle with the baron, his grand daughter and the chef sitting around it.
Three meters from the table was a cooking station which was completely set up.
"If you need anything, you can ask Tinkett." the Baron said as he raised his chin at a man standing near the door.
With a nod, Lukas turned to look at Tinkett.
"I need some buns, a good amount of minced meat, preferably beef. Onions, tomatoes, lime, some eggs, any oil and cheese…. yes, that should be enough. And by cheese, I mean milk cheese specifically. Thank you."
Once Tinkett was gone, he turned to look at the three people. The girl was petite, looking arrogant while also having a youthful charm to her. The chef she had hired was an extremely tall man with a thin, curled moustache and curly hair.
'The way he's looking at me…. calm down bro, I'm just going to make something for you to eat.'
He didn't have to wait for long as Tinkett came back with everything in under five minutes.
"Ma'am, I heard that you wish to open a restaurant for the rich. Keeping that in mind, I've decided to make you a special dish that looks simple, but is complex in a mysterious way."
The girl nodded, looking serious.
"A lot of people have claimed to be special. Please just get to work."
Lukas shrugged. Having a shitty boss was something he was used to, and Mr Ming was way worse.
He casually walked over and began preparing the ingredients efficiently. Years of experience in flipping burgers came to his aid as the three people in front watched in trance.
"Fast, smooth and decisive movements. He's very experienced… probably even more than my teacher." the chef said as he looked at the girl, surprising both her and the baron.