Kitchen Affairs Part 19

I shuffled through my drawers quickly trying to find my black stockings. Where the h.e.l.l are they? I slammed the drawer shut and darted to the closet to scramble through the piles of clothes on the floor. It's been a hectic last few weeks with rounds and finis.h.i.+ng my cla.s.ses, but the day was finally here. Graduation.

"Stella-bug! Sweetie, help mommy," I begged. I wanted to look great today. My parents drove in to watch me walk the stage finally getting my degree. Having the interns.h.i.+p was a perfect end to my training. I felt great training next to professional chefs for the past several months. I was ready for this. Ready to graduate, ready for a career, and ready to let Drake love me.

"Mommy, you look beauty-ful!" Stella smiled as I twirled around.

"Let me grab my cap and gown and then we can go." I grabbed them off the bed and headed into the living room where my parents, Drake, and Michael were sitting and waiting.

Michael and Drake stood up as they saw me enter wearing huge grins on their face. "What?" I asked confused at their reactions.

"You look incredible!" Drake walked over to me grasping me in a tight hug. "Are you ready?"

"Sure am! Let's do this." Drake had his limo pick us up so we could all ride together. My parents had never been to Chicago, so when they arrived four days ago Drake insisted on taking them around to all the sites. Although my parents weren't married anymore, I could still see their chemistry. It was an instant connection and it was obvious it was still between them.

We had taken a sunset boat tour the second evening of their visit, which ended up being a romantic dinner date for four. Awkward. My parents, being great like they usually are, made the best of it. They enjoyed getting to know Drake and hearing all about him.

I was excited about the ceremony and having them all there to watch me was the best feeling ever. It was like a dream come true. Finally, after all my struggles and hard work, here I was finis.h.i.+ng my degree, madly in love with a wonderful man, and made a great little family.

The ceremony was long and Stella got antsy bouncing up and down in her chair. Finally, my name was called and I walked up the steps. I greeted the college President as he shook my hand and congratulated me. I continued walking to my advisor where he wrapped me in for a hug and whispered "congratulations" in my ear. My advisor helped me through everything these last three years. I greeted one more staff member and received my diploma. I held it up high for my family to see; proud of everything I went through to get to this very day. My mind flashed back to the very moment I knew my life would forever change.

"Mom, I received a letter today from Kendall College!" I shouted through the phone. I applied three months ago and today was finally the day I would know. Stella was only eight months old and hopefully in short four months I would be moving to Chicago. I was so nervous holding that letter in my hands. My future was at stake and whether or not I got in meant everything to me. I wanted to do this. I needed to do this. For Stella and me.

"Well, honey, what's it say?" she urged impatiently.

"Okay, mom, I'm ripping it open!" I placed my phone on speaker and put the phone down. I ripped it over shredding the envelope in the process. I opened up the three-folded letter and started reading out loud.

"Oh my G.o.d, oh my G.o.d!" I screamed reaching for my phone. "Mom, I got accepted!"

For the next four months, I packed and got ready for our new lives in Chicago. I begged Michael to come with me and after some convincing, he reluctantly agreed. The program started out intense right from the beginning. We had long cla.s.sroom hours, which meant long study sessions. Stella just started being mobile and walking around everywhere, which meant I stayed up late almost every night after she went to bed. For months and even years, I struggled between being a student and a single mother. I wanted to be both, but only being one person, I often overdid it and was exhausted all the time.

Once Stella got enrolled in preschool, she was able to make some friends and socialize with children her age, which made it easier to study at night seeing that she had played hard all day and went to bed earlier. Each moment I had with Stella was precious even when we weren't doing anything. It was those little stolen moments that made me appreciate her even more. She was the one person I was doing this for. She deserved two loving parents, but since she only had me, I had to play the role for both.

"Babe, I am so proud of you!" Drake found me after the ceremony and swooped me in for a tight hug. I buried my head into the crease of his neck where his scent once again sucked me in.

Michael, Stella, and my parents weren't far behind them as I hugged each of them. I know Stella was too young to completely understand the significance of today, but I knew she could look back some day and be proud of her mom.

I searched for Travis, as I wanted to say goodbye. We were both heading in different directions as he got a job in San Francisco. I would miss him, and our little fun moments we shared in the kitchen, but I was really happy for him.

"Travis!" I yelled waving my hands in the air. "Over here!" He finally noticed me and ran in my direction. He smacked hard into me giving me a tight squeeze. "Gees, Trav. You are going to kill me with those bear hugs!" I gasped trying to breathe.

"I'm gonna miss you, Mols! Especially all those funny clumsy moments of yours!" He teased nudging me. I rolled my eyes at him as he made fun of me most of the time for dropping, spilling, tripping, or just being pure clumsy.

"I'll miss you too, Trav. Thank you for everything. Seriously, you were a great study partner." I hugged him remembering our weak moment in the kitchen. We were able to move on from that, but I knew Travis still loved me. "Good luck! And don't' forget to call me! And come visit!" I shouted as the crowd got rowdy. We hugged one last time before he ran back to his family.

Drake led us back to the limo after the ceremony and since it was my parents last night with me, he wanted to make it extra special. He had planned an evening at his home on the balcony where we had our very first date.

"I can't wait to get you back home and give you your present." He smiled his wide grin at me knowing exactly what he was thinking.

Present, huh?

"I look forward to it. Hopefully I can wait that long," I whispered into his ear keeping my eyes on him.

As the evening went on, I could feel a burning sensation between my thighs. I was ready to dig my teeth into that man and I didn't know how much longer I could wait.

"I'm getting anxious for my present," I said walking up to him wine gla.s.s in hand. I pressed my lips to his neck as I felt him quiver at my touch. "Perhaps we can excuse ourselves for awhile?" I suggested as I felt him hard against me.

"That's very tempting," he said kissing me back.

"I have a surprise for you. But you have to find it."

"I have to find it?" he asked puzzled. "How do I do that?"

"I decided to give myself an early graduation present last week. It's a tattoo... and you have to find it in order to see what it is," I answered slowly teasing him with my mouth on his.

In one quick motion, he picked me wrapping my legs around him and covered his mouth with mine. He walked from the kitchen where we were grabbing another bottle of wine to his bedroom.

"Does this mean I'm getting my present early?" I asked hoping I was right.

"Does this mean I get my surprise?" he asked knocking us into his bedroom door trying to find the handle.

I smiled against his lips as we entered his room and stumbled to the bed. We fell to the sheets and wrapped our legs around one another. I laughed as he thoroughly searched my body for any sign of new ink.

"How about here?" he asked slowly pus.h.i.+ng my dress down under my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He puckered his lips over the nipple making them instantly hard. "Over here?" he asked again making his lips down my torso.

"You're getting warmer," I said eagerly. Much warmer. It wasn't in a public location so most people wouldn't even see it unless I told them about it or I was wearing a swimsuit. I laughed as his stubble tickled my skin as he continued kissing and exploring my body. He slowly rubbed his fingers over my panties exploring each possible spot. "Getting hotter."

"You are making me hotter," he said pleased at our new little game. He pushed my dress all the way up over my head and threw it to the ground. "Now we're talking." He continued kissing down my bikini area and spread my legs apart getting a full view of the new addition to my body in between my thighs.

"Do you like it?"

"It's absolutely beautiful. And perfect. Just like you." He smiled and kissed over the anchor tattoo. I decided on an anchor design with the word 'Hope' underneath that I've always wanted, however, it meant so much more to me now. It was a reminder that no matter what, I was strong enough to get through it.

"It has dual meanings, ya know?"

"And what would that be?" he asked confused at my expression.

"Well, for me, it obviously means hope, which is something I've had to hang on to since the moment Liam pa.s.sed away. But also, it means steadfast like our love. It's to remind me that whatever life throws at me and whatever happens I won't sink." I placed my hands on his cheeks and lowered him in for a kiss.

We eventually headed back to the party. "They're going to know," I smirked as we walked back fixing my messy s.e.x head and wrinkled dress.

"I'm so glad you guys came! Thank you so much!" I hugged my mom tight as her and my dad said their goodbyes. They arranged to drive together since it was only a short trip. I secretly wondered if that was a good idea, but I really didn't care as long as I got to see both of them. "I'm really going to miss you guys."

"You'll come back, darling. Won't you?" my dad asked hugging me once again.

"Yes, we will." I smiled at Drake. "We all will."

We said our final goodbyes and off they were. Stella had a blast the last five days she got to spend with her grandparents, but soon it would be summer break for her and we could all make a trip to see them again soon.

"Well, Stella, what do you say we go make some lunch?" I asked picking her up in for a hug.

Drake and Stella stayed in the living room while Michael and I headed to the kitchen. It was moments like this that made everything we went through worth it.

"Babe! Come here!" Drake shouted.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Drake nodded his head towards the television where he was watching the news. Apparently, Kendra was filmed skydiving and had a freak accident.

"Oh my G.o.d!" I shrieked as I continued watching the news anchor talk about the multi-billionaire heiress.

"I have to call my father and get in touch with her family. I should go." Drake stood up and kissed me goodbye without letting me react. Get in touch with her family? Did he want to go see her? I could understand wanting to check on her, but this was the same woman that humiliated me all over the social media. And threatened me. Karma's a b.i.t.c.h...

"What was that about?" Michael asked rus.h.i.+ng to my side after Drake bolted out the door.

"I'm not sure. Kendra was hurt in a skydiving accident." He could see the hurt and frustration on my face.

The next six hours went by without hearing from Drake. I a.s.sumed he'd be back over for dinner but he wasn't. I decided to wait until he contacted me.

"So what's the deal with this Kendra chick? Is Drake still in love with her?"

"G.o.d no. At least I don't think so." I answered mostly to myself. "They used to date in college and their families are friends or something. I don't know. But it's a little uncomforting." I admitted. Extremely uncomforting.

"Well, maybe he just wants to be there for her family. You never know. It's probably nothing, Molly. Drake loves you."

"I know, Michael. I just wish I knew what was going on. He hasn't called and I don't want to call like a needy little girlfriend." I pouted. "What do you think I should do?"

"I'd call that pretty little man up, girl. He might want to console her family, but he should at least consider your feelings in the process." He's right. I understood tragedy better than anyone, but I at least wanted to know where he was.

After still not hearing from him for three more hours I decided to call after Stella went to bed.

"Drake?" I asked as he answered.

"Molly. I'm sorry I haven't called. I'm at the Advocate Masonic Medical Center with my family and hers. She's been in surgery for hours." The tone in his voice sounded serious and I began to worry.

"Is she going to be alright, Drake? I mean... will she live?" I asked nervously.

"She's in critical condition and will be in the ICU for weeks. They said they'll probably put her in medical induced a coma while her body heals." My body started shaking as he was talking about Kendra. I wanted to hate her, but at the very moment I felt awful knowing what her family must be going through.

"Wow that's terrible, Drake. I'm so sorry you're all going through this. Can I do anything? Do you need anything?" I wanted to be sympathetic, but it wasn't because I liked her, it was for Drake.

"I'm fine for now, thanks honey. I'll probably be here all night. You should get some rest." Drake insisted with a heavy heart.

Part of me was thankful that I never had to go through that with Liam. I wish he were still alive, but I don't know how I would have been able to see Liam in that condition; lifeless, suffering, and worried if he'd make it.

For the next week, Drake and I played phone tag while only seeing each other for a few hours here and there. Kendra was still in critical condition and wasn't yet conscious. I tried my hardest to support him and to bite my tongue, but I wanted my man back.

"Don't be selfish, Molly. She's a friend."

"I'm not being selfish, Drake. I'm trying to be here for you, but you're keeping me at a distance and not letting me in. Kendra is your ex girlfriend, she wasn't exactly my biggest fan, so try and think what kind of position it puts me in," I said trying to sound genuine.

"I'm not having this conversation, Molly. She was a huge part of my life for many years and just because we weren't on best terms at the time of her accident doesn't mean I shouldn't be here for her and her family." Drake snarled back at me. I was sick of this argument already. Ugh!

"Well, call me when you have time for me again," I snapped and hung up. I didn't want to upset him, but I was new to this. Arguing.

"Liam, I hate you!" I said smacking my hands in his solid chest. He wrapped his arms around me closing me in for a tight hug. "Let go of me!" I yelled fighting back.

Liam hated controversy. He had to listen to his parents fight most of his life and avoided it at all costs. He usually let me yell and vent out at him without saying a word back to me, which made it incredibly hard to stay mad at him.

"Liam, stop! Let. Me. Go!" I protested as he hugged me tighter.

"No, not until you say you love me," he responded calmly. "Say it."

"No." I stood my ground.

"Molly, you're being unreasonable. Nothing happened." I never felt jealous of anyone until I fell hard for Liam.

"I saw you! She was all over you!"

"Saw what? She brushed a piece of fuzz off my s.h.i.+rt. You're being ridiculous."

I was being ridiculous. h.e.l.l I was seventeen years old, what did I know? But now I wasn't being ridiculous. I wasn't jealous, I just wanted my boyfriend to realize what this was doing to our relations.h.i.+p.

I had to brush it off because today was my final interview for Riverside Restaurant. I interviewed before graduation with the executive chef and now I would be interviewing with him and the restaurant a.s.sistant manager.

"Miss Woods, pleasure seeing you again." Mr. Castellanos greeted me as I stood up. He was the executive chef I interviewed with previously. He was a charming Greek gentleman who was in his thirties with well-rounded cooking experience. I would learn so much under him being that he's refined in different cultures and cooking methods.

"Pleasure, Mr. Castellanos." I shook his hand greeting him with a light smile.

"This is Mr. Rizzo, a.s.sistant manager to Riverside." We shook hands and walked to their office.

The interview lasted a long ninety minutes. It was intense and aggressive. I managed to survive through it without pa.s.sing out. It was like I held my breath the entire time. After the interview, they promised to have an answer within the week.

"So girl how was it?" Michael bombarded me as soon as I got in the door.

"It went amazing! It was tough, but I feel confident about it," I responded smiling as I saw Stella playing on the floor. She was the reason I was working so hard and I wanted to make her proud. "So Kendra is still in ICU. Drake will hardly leave her side." I frowned.

With all my extra free time this past week, Michael, and I had spent a lot more time together. I missed it. I missed him. We used to veg out watching chick flicks together every weekend.