Chapter 7: Chapter 7

“Oh.” replied Gaston.

“Marissa looked at both of them and instructed “Look, out here you need to remember some words which are very important while living in Paris. The first one Bonjour which means hello, the second being Merci which means thank you in French and the last one is pardonez moi which means I’M sorry in French.”

“Oh okay.” said Gaston nodding in conformation.

The butler carried the suitcases and was instructed to take them to the guest bedrooms where Gaston and Katherine were to be separately staying in.

Marissa was giving them a tour of her home.

She showed them all twenty rooms the villa had to offer. She even showed them her parents’ bedroom, her own bedroom, the guest bedrooms where they would each be staying in, the indoor gym, indoor theatre and the game room where there was the snooker table, table tennis table and big screen television with gaming consoles.

She showed them the kitchen. It was so big and so spacious. It had eight refrigerators and three chefs including Jason who would regularly be preparing food for the residents of the villa. The kitchen was very well maintained and looked like a restaurant kitchen with all its supplies and fancy equipment.

Marissa’s bedroom seemed like something out of a brochure for interior designing and home furniture. It was everything a girl could dream of in her bedroom. It had all facilities one could imagine and her bed was a master bed very big in size. Everything in the bedroom was pink and purple Marissa’s two favourite colours.

Even the guest bedrooms where mum and Gaston and his mum would be staying were very comfortable and very well furnished and maintained.

Again, both of them found it very hard not to look so impressed and not to stare so much at all the beautiful ornaments, chandeliers and variety of different furniture and decoration pieces around them.

The villa was so nicely and lavishly furnished and everything looked so grand inside the manor and outside of it. The whole villa looked like a palace of sorts as everything looked so grand and luxurious inside it.

Gaston and his mum looked in awe at everything doing their level best not to look too impressed and not to stare so much, but it was really difficult since they had never been in a more beautiful home before.

Marissa led them to the doorway of a big drawing room.

Marissa looked at both of them in the eye and with a serious tone she announced “Okay, both my parents Mr and Mrs Williams are inside and now it’s time to meet them. They know English so you can converse with them easily. Both of you look at both my parents in the eye when you meet them, when they shake hands with you both then shake firmly, put on a big smile, introduce yourselves and do not act nervous and play it very cool in front of them. Please, please make a very good impression in front of them.”

Katherine Smith nodded.

“Got it.” replied Gaston nervously nodding who was feeling extra nervous by now.

Marissa opened the door and led them both in.

Marissa announced “Mother, father…this is Gaston and his mum Katherine Smith whom I have told you so much about. They will be staying with us for a few weeks. Gaston will enter the ‘Culinary Land’ competition, hoping to perform well and Mrs Smith will be staying over as a guest for sometime. This is the one whom I had such a good time with in London and who helped me adjust to life and school so well. He really helped me out there with school work, book reports and assignments.”

Marissa’s parents got up from their royal blue sofa they were sitting in.

Marissa’s father, Mr Williams was a tall semi-bald well-built individual with a big mustache. He seemed to be dressed in a royal blue suit and white collar shirt underneath with well polished brown shoes and brown belt. He seemed like a nice man but one with whom the other person wouldn’t dare mess around with.

Marissa’s mum, Mrs Williams was a tall, fair, slim, elegant, pretty and most of all a super posh lady. She was wearing a floral dress and had big white pearls on, diamond earrings and smelled like a rose garden from afar due to the heavy doses of expensive perfume she regularly showered upon herself.

As soon as they saw and met Gaston and Katherine Smith, they both looked at them closely, smiled and stretched their hands forward to greet both mother and son.

“Why hello there, so nice to finally meet you. Marissa tells us so much about you” said Marissa’s mum stretching out her hand to greet Gaston. She then hugged him and said “So nice to finally meet you young man. You seemed like a bright young man with a lot of potential in the kitchen after all that Marissa has told us about you.”

“Well it’s certainly nice to meet you both and I definitely hope to live up to expectations especially where my cooking is concerned.” replied Gaston nervously with a forced smile across his face.

Gaston then met Marissa’s father. He looked firmly at Gaston, stretched out his hand and firmly shook Gaston’s hand. He did the same with Katherine Smith as well.

“Good to finally see you Gaston. Marissa talks very highly of you. I hope you perform well in that competition and I hope you enjoy yourself in Paris and please make yourself at home here.” He said firmly but at the same time warmly welcoming them to live in his house.

“Yes please, make yourselves at home and if there’s anything at all that you need, anything in fact just tell Marissa. Darling Marissa will see to it that you both feel comfortable here at our humble abode.” announced Marissa’s mum after meeting Katherine Smith making both of them feel right at home.

After hearing “Humble Abode”, Gaston and his mum found it very hard not to break down in hysterical laughter.

Gaston took a gulp and mustered up enough courage to reply “Yes and thank you so much, Marissa has been a dear and has shown us all around your beautiful home. It really is a beautiful home you got there. I’m sure we’ll be fine and I hope to make everyone proud in that competition.”

Mr and Mrs Williams smiled after hearing Gaston’s reply.

Katherine Smith had never met such posh people before and as a result found it really hard to break the ice or start a conversation with such people.

Marissa noticed this and immediately said “Well you two must be tired now with all your recent travelling and sudden change of events from this morning. Why don’t we all go rest a bit and then later on join everyone for dinner tonight.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea Marissa. It was lovely meeting you both and thanks for all your hospitality. Let’s hope to see everyone at dinner time now. Come on Gaston let’s go.” said Katherine Smith as she proceeded to her guest bedroom with Gaston and Marissa.

“Take care now. If there’s anything at all that you need just let Marissa know. See you at dinner time.” said Marissa’s mum waving at them as they exited the big spacious well-furnished room.

As soon as Katherine Smith had settled herself in her guest bedroom, Gaston who was to settle himself into his was stopped by Marissa who grabbed his arm at the doorstep and said “Come on, you didn’t exactly think that I’d let you rest did you! I only said that so we could spend some time together. Come on let’s go. I’ll show you around Paris Gaston.”

“Okaayy.” replied Gaston who welcomed the idea of spending some alone time with Marissa. He suddenly felt a lot more comfortable with Marissa alone than in front of her parents whom he needed to particularly impress with his culinary skills in the coming days.

“But first please change into something more appropriate.” Marissa instructed.

“Huh, what do you mean.” asked Gaston puzzled.

“You see, out here in Paris we pay a lot of attention and detail towards your appearance and how we look. It’s a very fashionable city so you kind of always do have to look you best. I sent one of the maids to send you clothes for you to wear while during your stay in Paris. Please put them on, they’re in your bedroom cupboard and please meet me outside once you get done.” instructed Marissa.

Gaston went inside his bedroom, opened the closet and to his great surprise saw a host of branded clothes just waiting for him to wear. Gaston had never been able to wear such fantastic clothes before. The clothes he had were mostly all secondhand or of really a substandard nature. He was over the moon after seeing such beautiful branded clothes at his disposal. He could previously only dream of wearing such clothes.

Gaston put on grey dress pants, a navy blue button down collar shirt that he tucked in, a brown belt and wore formal brown shoes to complete the ensemble.

He put on the expensive cologne that was lying with the clothes.

He felt really good and his mood became very positive after sporting all these things upon himself.

He went downstairs and saw Marissa waiting for him at the door.

She was wearing an elegant floral dress, had expensive perfume on, had heels on, had her blonde hair straightened and a hint of makeup on herself.

“Wow, you look great.” admired Gaston.

“You don’t look too bad yourself! Now let’s get a move on, I want to show you Paris.” instructed Marissa grabbing Gaston’s hand leading them outside.

Marissa led them outside towards the garage and instructed Harry to take them around Paris in the white Rolls Royce they had arrived to her residence in.

Marissa instructed Harry to go and take them to all the places she wanted them to visit.

She took Gaston to the Louvre Art gallery and museum where they both saw the famous Mona Lisa painting. She took Gaston to several parks and museums. They went to multiple city centers and trade districts. Gaston was in complete awe as to just how beautiful the city of Paris really was. It turned out that the city with all its charm and glamour really was all that it was cracked up to be. A traveler had to witness the city with all its might and glory since pictures and postcards didn’t do justice to the city.

Marissa treated Gaston to a French pastry at one of the city’s most famous bakeries and said “ imagine this as your competition. You will be up against something like this. You have to try and produce something far better than this.”

She took a bite and instructed Gaston to do the same.

Gaston as soon as he took his first bite and tasted the rich tasty layers within the pastry immediately felt his heart racing. He knew at that moment that he was up against some stiff competition in a fortnight’s time.

Still, he tried to enjoy his pastry and all the richness that came along with it.

Afterwards, when it was nearly sunset; Marissa had instructed Harry to take them to a park that had a clear and evident view of the Eiffel Tower right beside it.

In fact, Gaston and Marissa were under the Eiffel Tower it seemed while they were still standing on the park’s grass. That’s how close they were to the tower once they had vacated the car to spend some alone time with each other.

“Come on let’s catch the sunset here.” Marissa initiated.

Gaston followed her.

As they were looking at the sunset, standing on the grass and admiring the awesome structure of the Eiffel Tower, Gaston spoke up “ Marissa, I honestly don’t have the words to thank you for being such an incredible and amazing person to me these past few months. You’ve been so generous and kind to me. It seems like I’m living a fairytale every time I’m with you. Every moment spent with you is like a dream come true. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me thus far ever since that fated day when you entered my life.”

“Why Gaston, first of all you’re welcome. Second of all, I feel the exact same way around you too.”

Gaston and Marissa both smiled at each other sweetly.

Just then Marissa instructed “Now Gaston sweetie, please close your eyes and enjoy what I’m about to do next!”

Gaston closed his eyes and couldn’t believe what happened next!

Just then Marissa grabbed Gaston’s neck and brought him closer to her. She hugged him tightly, and then brought his face closer to her. Then she closed her eyes and then gently kissed Gaston first on both his cheeks before finally locking lips with him. Gaston proceeded towards doing the same.

The two continued this behavior for a few minutes because they were both so new to this and both lovebirds were having the time of their lives living this fairytale moment standing under the Eiffel Tower with the sun setting down behind them.

“Wow, so this is what it’s like! Couldn’t have happened at a better moment I guess! Thanks for everything Marissa.” exclaimed Gaston trying to catch breath of what just happened. Earlier today he was feeling sorry for himself in his beat up apartment in London and now hours later he just kissed the girl of his dreams under the Eiffel Tower behind a gorgeous sunset in Paris France. He definitely felt that it was all too good to be true.

“Yeah this is what it’s like. It was pretty amazing huh! We should definitely come back here and do this again while you’re around in my hometown.”

“Yeah let’s.” said Gaston nodding in confirmation.

They both were initially friends, then turned into best friends and then finally became boyfriend and girlfriend!

They both looked at each other, held hands, smiled sweetly and blushed till it was time to go back home. Truly wonderful was the feeling of spring in Paris.

On the way back home, Marissa instructed “First of all don’t tell anyone what we just did, secondly why don’t you prepare dinner for everyone Gaston! That way everyone will taste your cooking and see your true potential as a culinary expert someday.”

“Affirmative.” agreed Gaston nodding his head in agreement.

As soon as they both reached home, Gaston and Marissa immediately made their way towards the kitchen.

Gaston met all three of the chefs present in attendance within the kitchen and introduced himself. He didn’t have to introduce himself to Jason though who knew him from beforehand.

He announced that he would be preparing dinner for everyone today and that he required everyone’s help in doing so.

They agreed to helping him out.

Gaston could feel the pressure on his shoulders as he had to prepare dinner for everyone that evening. First impression being the last impression, he just had to get it right in front of MARISSA’S PARENTS.

He felt like a nervous wreck, but knew that he had to suck it all in and perform for his life that evening let alone the competition in two weeks’ time.

Marissa instructed “Gaston, why don’t you prepare one of your own hand crafted recipes. Stuff that you mastered back in London instead of recipes people already know about. That will set you apart from the rest and everyone will see what a great chef you’ve become.”

“Great idea, let’s get cooking!” agreed Gaston as he began with the proceedings.

Gaston using all the elaborate grocery items at his disposal, proceeded to make pepperoni, pizza fries, orange chicken, buffalo sauce infused prawns, dynamite chicken and prawns, stuffed chillies with chicken and cheese in them and for dessert, chocolate mint mud pie with a serving of chocolate mint ice cream.

Gaston worked tirelessly. His efforts could be clearly seen by all those visibly present in the kitchen. He was to be a perfectionist as there was to be no room for failure of any sorts. He just couldn’t afford any slip ups in front of Marissa’s parents.

Gaston worked hard to try and let everything be as perfect as it could be. He put thorough detail into everything that he was preparing hoping to get all the little things right along with all the big things.

He had even prepared mango and peach juice for everyone to enjoy.

When dinnertime had arrived and everyone was seated on the dining table, Jason had brought Gaston’s prepared meal and laid it onto the beautiful wooden table where everyone was expected to dine.

Katherine Smith was wearing new clothes of her own. She asked Gaston where he got his new clothes from. When he was done explaining, she confirmed to him that the exact same thing happened to her as well. She felt terrific being able to wear such nice new clothes for a change.

Jason had announced that it was Gaston who completely prepared the dinner and not him.

Katherine Smith gasped and had her fingers crossed hoping that Gaston would meet everyone’s expectations of him.

“Well this should be interesting. Let’s begin shall we. Let’s pass each other everything and try everything now shall we,” announced Marissa’s mum putting the dynamite chicken onto her plate.

“Good show with the attempt towards dinner young. Goes to show you’re a brave lad who doesn’t fear a challenge when put in front of him.” hailed Marissa’s father who put dynamite prawns onto his plate.

Gaston and Marissa who were seated next to each other smiled to each other.

As soon as everyone had tried everything and were finished with dessert, everyone seemed to praise Gaston’s cooking and his efforts towards putting his heart and soul to making them a memorable dinner.

“Why young man you really have outdone yourself it seems, good job and now I can see the potential that Marissa saw in you. Well done Lad!” praised Marissa’s father.

“Excellent meal prepared by an ambitious young talent indeed! Brilliant result Gaston dear!” exclaimed Marissa’s mum praising Gaston.

“Dinner was excellent dear, keep it up.” complimented Katherine Smith who was suddenly feeling a lot easier and more comfortable after Gaston’s most recent culinary performance. She was finally feeling confident enough to speak in front of these posh people.

Gaston and Marissa gave big grins to each other.

Gaston suddenly felt a lot more comfortable and confident after hearing praise from Marissa’s parents.

Gaston finally spoke up and said “Thank you everyone, it really means a lot to me that you all enjoyed tonight’s dinner. What matters most is that you enjoyed. I hope to make you all proud in two weeks as well and let’s hope for the best. Till then I will try to make everyone a meal at every single time so that you all can review my work. As of tomorrow, I will be preparing everyone’s breakfast, lunch and dinner and hope that you all enjoy my cooking and the recipes I discovered on my own.”

“I think everyone would really like that Gaston!” announced Marissa on everyone’s behalf.

Everyone smiled on the dinner table and it seemed as if everyone’s spirits had been lifted all of a sudden.

Soon, when the dinner table was cleared and it was time for everyone to go to bed, Gaston and Marissa met each other before proceeding to their bedrooms.

Gaston said “Look Marissa, everything is going exactly how it should be, but still anything could happen to change everything and turn it upside down I can’t afford that to happen. Is there any way I can continue practicing in the kitchen and further perfecting my craft because two weeks isn’t much time at all to be honest and I really, really do need to get this right for mum’s sake and I.”

Marissa announced “Why yes of course you can. You can continue practicing and perfecting everything for as long as you like in the kitchen. It’s open for you all night and all morning. No need to feel pressurized, you can go there right now and practice till the wee hours in the morning.”

“Thanks Marissa, I’d really like for that, it’ll improve my chances of performing better in that competition.” Thanked Gaston.

Gaston then immediately made his way to the elaborate kitchen and began helping himself to grocery supplies and started practicing and preparing to his heart’s content. Anything that would give him comfort and satisfaction that his chances in the competition would improve.

Marissa said goodbye to him and proceeded to her bedroom to sleep.

Gaston meanwhile continued to experiment and discover new ways to prepare new dishes and continuously prepare new things.

He proceeded to do so until the early hours of morning.

Chapter 11

Gaston and Marissa in Culinary Land

The next morning, Gaston woke up before everyone else. He managed to do so even though he slept later than everyone else.

He dressed himself up, put on brand new jeans, new black shoes and a black brand new half sleeves collar polo shirt.

He made his way to the kitchen and started preparing everyone’s breakfast.

He worked into every single detail into making it an incredible breakfast for everyone seated on the dining table. It was as if he was determined to make everyone proud.

When everyone had seated and it was time for breakfast, Marissa’s parents inquired where Gaston was.

Just then Gaston came with a tray bringing everyone’s breakfast.

He greeted everyone and then proceeded back to the kitchen to bring two further trays with him.

As soon as he had served everyone, he seated himself down and joined everyone for breakfast that morning.

Gaston had prepared chocolate chip pancakes, mixed berry waffles with vanilla ice cream. Blueberry and chocolate chip waffles. He made mushroom, spinach, cheese and pepperoni omelette. He made Turkey bacon sandwiches and chicken roulade for everyone. He also prepared his own mix berry juice containing four different berries.

Everything looked very fresh and delectable. Gaston paid a lot of attention towards presentation and how everything looked as well as how it tasted.

He didn’t take the help of any of the chefs present in the kitchen anymore, rather chose to do everything on his own since his confidence was now slowly growing.

“Wow, this is quite the spread young man. Let’s hope this tastes as good as it all looks.” remarked Mr Williams as he took the first bite of waffles.

“I’m sure it tastes just as good as it looks.” replied Mrs Williams as she took a sip of his prepared juice.

Everyone finished breakfast, thoroughly enjoyed it and then immediately praised Gaston for his efforts at preparing them a world class breakfast.

“Good show young Man! Well done! Really proud of you for your hard work and tenacious efforts at becoming a culinary expert some day.”

“I think he already has father! If we’re honest with ourselves, then I genuinely think that the apprentice has become a Master! He didn’t even need the help of any of the chefs today and prepared it all on his own. I think he’s reached the level of culinary expert everyone expected of him!” praised Marissa highly.

“Yes I would have to agree with darling Marissa, I think we may really have a special talent with us at our disposal and one who will definitely do good in the kitchen for a long tenure indeed!” praised Mrs Williams.

Gaston humbly accepted everyone’s praise and modestly said “Thank you, it really means a lot and it honestly does, however let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Nothing has been achieved as of yet and the competition will indeed be stiff so therefore, let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground and continue working and hoping for the best come competition day.”

“That’s a good attitude to keep dear, mustn’t get overconfident.” said Katherine Smith smiling who found the humble and modest attitude in her son to be most admiral and of a high quality trait.

“Right.” said Gaston siding with his mum.

After completing breakfast, everyone made their way out of the dining room.

Marissa asked Gaston if he wanted to spend some time with her but much to her surprise, Gaston refused and said that he only wished to be left alone in the kitchen as he would begin preparations for lunch with immediate effect.

This left Marissa in a state of bewilderment.

Gaston made his way to the kitchen and worked tirelessly putting effort into the minutest of details.

For lunch he made everyone Guava juice, strawberry mixed with banana milk shake, Brazilian barbeque cuisine with Brazilian dishes of all sorts. He made calamari with oyster sauce, Turkey lasagna and for dessert caramel bread pudding and chocolate soufflé.

He managed to wow everyone at the lunch table as well with everyone passing a flurry of compliments towards him.

Still, Gaston kept his feet firmly on the ground and kept his focus only to preparing dinner that evening and kept on reminding himself to perform to the best of his abilities at the ‘Culinary Land’ competition.

After lunch Marissa asked Gaston if he wished to spend some time together and go back to the park where they went yesterday. Again to Marissa’s surprise Gaston outright refused and said that he was only focusing on preparing dinner that evening and getting things right for everyone at dinner table that evening.

This recent change in Gaston’s behavior left Marissa feeling a little vexed as she was now falling for him and he kept on refusing to spend time with her as his main and primary focus had now turned towards performing well in the Culinary Land competition.

Still she reminded herself not to get irritated, rather wish him the best and be happy for his progress since she knew how important all of this was for him and his mum and how much their lives could change for both if things went smoothly.

Gaston spent hours in the kitchen preparing for dinner that evening.

Gaston prepared Lamb roast Brazilian barbeque style, he prepared shrimp cocktail, leg of lamb, lobster with stuffed parmesan cheese and butter. He also prepared blended smoothie using a variety of different fruit available to him. For dessert he made mint custard, blueberry cheesecake sundae and raspberry velvet cheesecake sundae.

He brought everything himself to the dinner table and told everyone to enjoy the concoction he had prepared.

He seated himself next to Marissa on the dining table and to little surprise manage to stun everyone on the dinner table.

“Well I could get used to preparing me meals like this daily young man!” praised Mr Williams.

“Anyone could get used to his terrific cooking! Mmmm this is delicious! Good job Gaston sweetie.” announced Mrs Williams praising Gaston highly.

“Good job Gaston, let’s hope for the best now for Culinary Land.” praised Marissa.

“Yes let’s.” said Gaston in a low voice as determined as ever to perform to the best of his powers in that competition.

Katherine Smith could see the look of fiery determination in Gaston’s eyes. It was something that was never present before but had now emerged. She welcomed it since now it meant that Gaston was pushing himself to be the best that he could possibly be. She welcomed this change in Gaston.

The same thing happened that evening as well, Gaston continued to work himself and push himself further by his constant experimentations in the kitchen until the early morning hours.

The next day after breakfast, Marissa asked Gaston if he would like to take a dip with her in one of the three pools at her residence.

He felt guilty for refusing to spend time with her and so finally agreed to spend only half an hour and then he would go back to his culinary duties in the kitchen.

Marissa was overjoyed to hear him finally saying yes.

Gaston spent exactly half an hour with her in the pool before proceeding towards the kitchen again much to Marissa’s dismay. She was however grateful that he managed to take out time and spend it with her.

Gaston however, managed to spend most of his time in the kitchen though constantly experimenting and developing innovations to his work.

The next day Marissa asked him to go to the park and see the sunset. He agreed, but again only for half an hour.

When the two while holding hands saw the sunset under the Eiffel Tower, Marissa informed him that since this park was so huge and could accommodate thousands of people, Culinary Land would be held in this very park and they would have to make their way here again on the fateful day of the competition.

“Wow, so this park is going to be symbolic for so many reasons in the near future!” Gaston remarked.

“You bet. Here we had our first kiss together, here we saw the sunset and held hands together for the first time and here you’ll be coming for the biggest day of your life when you’ll have to perform for your life in that competition.” remarked Marissa.

Gaston looked to the ground and said softly “Yeah, I just hope everything goes alright.”

“By the way Gaston, how much do you sleep within a time span of twenty four hours? Like how much have you been sleeping ever since you arrived here in Paris?” asked Marissa.

Gaston answered “Oh not much, just three hours out of twenty four hours daily.”

“Three hours!” said Marissa who couldn’t quite believe what her ears were hearing.

“Yes well, you have to sacrifice in order to reach new heights and make it big, sacrifice, determination and constant grinding can produce results that can set you up for life and can provide one with freedom of all sorts, that’s why I feel it’s very important to give it my all and reach heights I never imagined possible for myself before.” replied Gaston sounding very mature at this point.

“That’s nice to hear, now let’s kiss already! Sunset’s almost over with!” said Marissa impatiently getting a move on as she proceeded to lock lips with Gaston and make use of their time spent together.

Gaston conformed to Marissa’s demands, however his mind was more focused towards performing well in that competition.

This sort of behavior from Gaston would continue indefinitely until the day of the competition had finally arrived.

At last, the fateful day had arrived.