Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Chapter 9

Dreamland

The next day when Gaston woke up, he immediately dressed himself up, ate breakfast and proceeded to his school much like the previous day.

“Ready for school young man?’ asked Katherine Smith.

“You bet Ma!” affirmed Gaston cheerfully.

His excitement and joy of being able to spend time with Marissa Williams only grew and grew.

As soon as he reached school, the flurry of mean names hurled at him from bystanders seemed to have no impact on him whatsoever.

Gaston felt like he was living in a dream. Dreamland to be precise. He felt blessed that he made such an amazing friend and that he was living a dream while being awake.

He carried on a smug smile on his face and proceeded to class.

The bystanders who usually called him hurtful names now started to wonder as to why their name-calling seemed to have no impact on Gaston anymore. As if their efforts were going to complete waste from now onwards.

Gaston sat himself on his seat. Marissa shortly followed.

“Hey”

“Hi”

“So we leave like yesterday for a little sightseeing then and then over to my place for culinary lessons.”

“Sure thing…just where exactly did you have in mind to go sightseeing?”

“Oh just the London Zoo and then the London Aquarium. Have heard so much about both places and wanted to get in touch with some animal instincts you could say.”

“Sounds great. See you then.”

Just then Mr Woodward entered to take class.

Gaston and Marissa smiled at each other before proceeding to take out their notebooks for the lecture.

Soon enough the day passed and Gaston and Marissa made their way to the London Zoo and London aquarium.

They took photographs with the giraffes, monkeys, penguins and dolphins and even the baby lions, tigers and leopards.

They spent a busy day wandering around and having a memorable time with all the creatures surrounding them.

“Phew, sure was nice to see some cool animals before proceeding towards the kitchen huh?” said Marissa opening the door to her apartment as soon as they returned to her abode.

“You bet! Sure was a nice refreshing change of sorts.” admitted Gaston as he entered Marissa’s apartment.

“Good day Master Gaston, Miss Marissa.” said Jason greeting the two as they entered.

“Good day to you too Sir.” replied Gaston.

“I hope today can be as productive and fruitful as yesterday.” said Jason

“Let’s hope so too.” replied Gaston.

Jason, Gaston and Marissa proceeded towards the spacious, well maintained kitchen.

“Right now, let’s get started shall we. Today we’ll be learning how to cook a Ribeye steak and for dessert Red velvet cheesecake.

“Okay Sir.” nodded Gaston in conformation.

Marissa smiled as she saw the look of enthusiasm on Gaston’s face.

Jason read out the ingredients and the cooking recipe “INGREDIENTS

1 24-ounce bone-in ribeye steak, 2-inch-thick, at room temperature

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon canola oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, smashed

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS

Using paper towels, pat both sides of the steak dry; season generously with 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Heat a medium cast iron skillet over medium high heat until very hot, about 1-2 minutes; add canola oil.

Place the steak in the middle of the skillet and cook, turning every 2-3 minutes, until a dark crust has formed on both sides, about 12-14 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium low. Push steak to one side of the skillet; add butter, garlic, thyme and rosemary to opposite side of the skillet, tilting the skillet towards the butter and cooking until butter is foaming, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Working carefully, spoon butter over steak for 1-2 minutes, turning over once, until it reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees F for medium rare, or until desired doneness. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Serve immediately.”

“Wow, that’s a lot to remember.” remarked Gaston.

“Nonsense, once you start, you’ll immediately get the hang of it. While I’m at it I may as well read out the other recipe for the other dish so that we prepare them simultaneously today. announced Jason.

“Ingredients

17 chocolate cookies and cream cookies, crushed

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon sugar

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 tablespoons baking cocoa

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten

1 bottle (1 ounce) red food coloring

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.

In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, buttermilk, cocoa and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in food coloring. Pour over crust. Place spring from pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.

Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 60-70 minutes. Remove spring from pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer, covering when completely cooled. Remove sides of pan.

For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost top of cheesecake. Refrigerate until serving.” announced Jason reading out the dessert recipe.

Gaston looked in awe and wonder hoping to replicate the previous day’s form today.

He nervously started chopping down the meat and vegetables and started placing them in the pans.

He likewise started doing the same with the dessert as well. He quietly listened to all instructions given to him whilst not losing focus for even a second. He did everything that was asked of him in the best possible manner to the absolute best of his capacities.

Marissa was noticing just how much heart and soul Gaston was putting into this opportunity handed to him and how he wouldn’t dare screw things up. Not even a little bit.

As soon as everything was put into the oven for baking and onto the stoves for frying and boiling and when it was again time for waiting once more, Gaston again feverishly wiped the sweat off his forehead and constantly kept on looking at the grandfather clock. Hoping, praying that the outcome would be the same as the day before.

Marissa noticed Gaston’s tense behavior.

“Don’t worry silly, everything will turn out okay. Remember how well things turned out yesterday? I’m sure it’ll be the same today.” said Marissa trying to comfort Gaston.

“I sure hope so.” replied Gaston in a small husky tone.

Soon enough, it was time to test the ribeye steak.

Jason laid out the delectable meal on the table for all three of them to try.

All three of them first took a bite of Jason’s delicacy and then Gaston’s.

“Suddenly all three of them looked at each other in wonder and astonishment.

“Great Scott! It’s even better than yesterday’s effort and even better than my own work! Good show Master Gaston you really are surprising us all with this newfound hidden talent of yours!!!” exclaimed Jason praising Gaston highly.

“Yes Gaston, it really is a marvelous attempt! I’m so proud of you for doing so well and that too in your first attempt!” exclaimed Marissa proudly praising Gaston.

“Wow, it really has turned out better than I expected. I’m so grateful that things turned out alright in the end. This really does feel like a fantastic achievement though.” remarked Gaston humbly accepting all the praise around him.

“Now let’s quickly dig in before we have dessert right after this.” advised Jason getting a move on with finishing the meal.

Soon enough, as soon as they were finished, it was time to take out the Red Velvet Cheesecake.

Gaston was again feeling awfully nervous since he hoped to meet expectations and keep his current form ongoing.

“Relax, I’m sure it’ll be good.” said Marissa trying to comfort Gaston.

“I sure hope so!” said Gaston as he nervously looked at Jason bringing forward the two separate dishes of the cheesecake.

Jason laid out six different bowls and put his work and Gaston’s work in them.

First everyone took a bite of Jason’s delicacy, and then of Gaston’s attempt.

Suddenly all three of them looked at each other and gasped.

“My word this is even better than yesterday’s chocolate mousse! Great show Master Gaston!! I’m really proud of you for being such a quick learner and such an excellent apprentice! Job well done!!” lauded Jason praising Gaston highly for his performances.

“Well done Gaston! You really have a knack for being an excellent chef someday!” praised Marissa.

“Thanks guys, I’m just really glad that everything turned out alright.” said Gaston humbly accepting everyone’s praise.

“Gaston I’m stunned! Just how do you manage to get it so right every single time?” questioned Marissa who was now quite surprised by how well Gaston had been performing in the kitchen.

“Yes young man, do tell.” said Jason who wanted to know the secret behind Gaston’s most recent culinary success.

Marissa and Jason looked closely at Gaston.

Gaston explained : “Well, for starters…I do everything very carefully and with a lot of care and detail so as not to mess anything up…then I have to ensure that things turn out right hundred percent because I have an audience to please. Lastly and most importantly, I put in a lot of thought, care, effort and love and hope to make it super tasty for whoever has to eat it.”

“Wow, so that’s the secret ingredient. Truly when you put your love and care into something will it taste even better!” exclaimed Marissa.

“Well done Master Gaston. You’re a young lad with a lot of bright potential to be an excellent culinary chef in times to come. Good show young man!” praised Jason.

“Thanks for the compliments…now guys let’s quickly finish dessert since I need to get a move on and head home to Ma as well.” said Gaston humbly while quickly hinting to finish off dessert.

“Sure thing…oh and I’ll send some over for your mum like yesterday. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.” offered Marissa.

“Gee thanks Marissa.” Thanked Gaston taking a big bite of his prepared delicacy.

As soon as dessert was over, Gaston took a container of the Red Velvet Cheesecake he had prepared for his mum and said goodbye to Marissa and Jason.

He thanked them both for the culinary lessons then proceeded home.

“Bye, see you tomorrow Gaston.” said Marissa waving goodbye to Gaston.

“Bye Marissa, thanks for everything.” said Gaston as he waved back at her.

Harry dropped Gaston home in the black car.

While Gaston was riding back home, container in hand, he closely observed the sunset in front of him.

He thought to himself “Wow! First time in my life things are turning out so well! I had no idea that my life could change so much ever since the day Marissa walked into Mr Woodward’s class. How much and how quickly my life is changing for the better. I just hope everything works out in the long term and continues this way. I just hope this dream never ends!!”

Indeed for Gaston it felt like he was living in Dreamland for the following days, weeks and months flew by with him and Marissa having the time of their lives.

Gaston and Marissa would daily do sightseeing and then proceed to culinary lessons every day after school were to conclude.

Every single day Marissa would invite him over for culinary lessons. Even on weekends she’d send over Harry her chauffeur to pick Gaston from his residence so that the two could first do a little bit of sightseeing then proceed with the culinary lessons.

Throughout the tenure Gaston and Marissa managed to explore almost the entirety of London itself while daily learning to cook tasty dishes.

Gaston learned to prepare Lobster Thermidor, Beef, chicken, vegetable and Turkey Lasagne, crab soup, crab cakes, crab cutlets, red snapper and all kinds of burgers, pizzas, steaks and exotic dishes.

Every single day Marissa would make Gaston take some home for his mum so that she too could enjoy Gaston’s cooking.

Gaston would exceed everyone’s expectations with his hard work and evident success in the kitchen, pleasing everyone who put their trust in him towards becoming a culinary chef.

Soon enough after mastering every single dish taught to him, Gaston began experimenting on his own to whip us something new and exquisite in Marissa’s kitchen.

He started making chocolate truffles, chocolate eclairs with peppermint. He started making shrimp pasta, shrimp Fettucini Alfredo, Caesar salad, fruit trifle, chocolate mud pies, he started making all kinds of savoury treats for himself, Marissa and his mum.

Towards the end of the school term Gaston had not only learnt to prepare countless dishes, but also master his own recipes and his own culinary delights through his own personal experimentations in Marissa’s kitchen and with Jason’s help of course.

His mum felt particularly proud of her son who was doing everything he could to improve life for both of them and give her everything he could from his end.

Gaston and Marissa also continued growing fonder of each other with the pair starting to develop intimacies towards each other and an affectionate belonging towards one another. The two of them really not only enjoyed each other’s company, but wanted to sustain it but keep it ongoing and continue seeing each other.

All the pupils in school stopped calling Gaston hurtful and mean names because they were so curious to know how someone from such a humble background would make his way into Marissa’s black car every day and with her because she was so beautiful. It didn’t make sense to them at all.

Everyone stopped calling Gaston awful names in sheer bewilderment.

Gaston and Marissa indeed felt like they were each living in Dreamland.

Gaston and Marissa were having the time of their lives, enjoying each others company, exploring London and nearby cities every day and most of all eating Gaston’s deliciously prepared food every day.

Gaston didn’t want this dream he was living in to end. He was living his life to the fullest with Marissa Williams by his side. He didn’t want this fairytale to end.

Months went by and he mastered countless recipes and mastered his own creations, making recipes of his own after successful experimentations.

However, Gaston would have to bid farewell to the current state in which he was enjoying his dreamland with Marissa Williams for no time period is constant.

He would soon face a new challenge that lay in wait for him. Something that would require every ounce of effort and mental and physical strength from him on his part.

Indeed, it would be a make or break scenario for him for what lay ahead of him next.