Ella Frank - Exquisite

"Floor eight, please." she mumbled closing her eyes as the elevator heaved and started its ascent. Lena started thinking about what she needed to do when she got home. There was laundry, her run and then bed. Wow, when had her life become so stagnant? Running every night, in the park across from her house, was her form of therapy. It punched out all the frustration and anger she held inside and she was usually so tired when she was through that she could crawl into bed and not have time to think of anything but sleep. Her existence was simple. It was structured and it was solitary, just the way she wanted it to be. Finally the elevator hit eight. Lena got out turned left and walked down to the end. Stopping she took a deep breath then pushed the door open. Behind the desk was McKinney's version of Brandy, the difference being no glasses and red hair, she smiled slightly at Lena. "Dr O’Donnell. He's expecting you, just go in."

Nodding Lena pushed the door open and stepped inside. Dr. Roger McKinney, Hospital Administrator. He stood at 5'6, so yes she was taller than him . He was balding and what little hair he did have was graying on the sides. He wore thick glasses that reminded her of coke bottles and had a white moustache. Dr McKinney was the very picture of how she thought the word ‘stuffy’ should be described. However, he was her boss and for that reason she kept her thoughts to herself and respected him. He looked up from what he was signing.

"Lena." he said and sat back in his chair removing his glasses. Lena nodded and he gestured to the chair opposite his desk, "Please sit."

Walking around to the front of the chair she sat crossing her legs, "You wanted to see me?"

He raised his left hand to squeeze the bridge of his nose while bringing his glasses down to his mouth. He bit on the left handle and looked at her thoughtfully. "We had a complaint on you today Lena." he paused.

Sitting straight up in her chair she was about to demand by who, when her mind zeroed right in on a certain delivery man. That asshole .

"I can explain."

"Lena. I don't want an explanation and usually I wouldn't ever call my doctors out on one complaint but this is the third one in four days. That on top of your lack of time management skills and the fact you seem to have lost your ability to tell time at all, leaves me no choice but to ask you. What’s going on? Do you need to take some time off?"

She jammed her clenched fists under her legs and shook her head. "No sir. This week has been rough." she swallowed thinking that was the understatement of the century, the whole last nine years of her life had been rough. She still couldn't believe that giant had reported her. What a giant asshole .

"Well just keep in mind that I have my eye on you and try not to have anymore complaints for let's try, a month?"

Smiling weakly she answered, "Sure. Was that it?"

He put his glasses on the desk and shook is head. "Actually no. I wanted to confirm you’d be at the dinner tonight? For Dr Jones, new Gastro. I expect all the faculty to be there."

Damn it. Just what she didn't want to do tonight . Well at least Shelly would be there. Plastering on a false smile so big it nearly slid off her face, she answered. "Sure, what time is it?"

He stood, told her 9pm then walked her to his office door. "Remember Lena. I'm keeping my eye on you."

She walked out past the receptionist, shooting her an instant death glare, and thought, God I'm screwed.

It was 8pm and Exquisite had opened two hours earlier. The dining room was full and bustling tonight. Mason smiled to himself as he stood at the pass inspecting every dish before it was handed over to his wait staff to be delivered to his hungry customers. Above the chatter and laughter was the music of the greats. Sinatra, Dean and the newer Buble and Jones. This made him happy, he loved his restaurant. It was his second home and had been his dream his whole life. The delicious aromas wafting from his kitchen, the people relaxing and celebrating at their tables. Smiling he looked over to the women and men flirting with his bartenders as they sat and waited for a table or merely sat having a drink and winding down on a Friday night. All to the soundtrack of smooth easy jazz. This was, in his mind, heaven.

"Where’s the New York Strip for table 25?"

Rachel came up sliding it onto the pass for him to garnish with a side of baked baby potatoes in garlic and chives. Mason placed everything carefully then put it up on the lip and rang the service bell.

"One Bourbon Street New York Steak, table 25. Ahh thanks Gail." he said with a wink.

She loaded her tray and smiled turning to go and deliver the meal.

"Oh yeah Mase. It’s happening tonight." Wendy called out as she strolled up smiling.

"Even without two extra cases of Merlot?"

"You're one to talk? You do know I have a very demanding boss right? And he’d be very mad if we ran out of wine to compliment his wonderful menu." she batted her eyelashes at him dramatically as Mason leaned over, wiping his palms on his apron, so he could kiss her cheek.

"You’re such a kiss ass."

"Yeah yeah." she said waving him away. She looked back out to where the waiters were pulling three tables together for the party of 15. "You ready for them?"

Mason grinned at her, his dimples winking. "Bring it on baby."

She laughed and turned to go and check on the setup.

Lena pulled her car around the back of Exquisite, where McKinney had told her they were meeting, and lucked out when a car happened to be leaving. She quickly swung hers into place then sat there for a moment to get herself ready for two hours of forced communication. Looking in the mirror again she wiped the smudge of lipstick from the corner of her mouth.

She’d gone with professional business woman tonight. Ha, who was she kidding? She went with that everyday why would this be different? Her sleek black pencil skirt that stopped just below her knee and midnight blue blouse screamed professional. Her only weakness and concession to anything flashy was her love of shoes. She was wearing black Jimmy Choo stilettos that made her legs look even longer than they were. Glancing at the clock she was about to vacate the car when her phone buzzed. She looked at the text, it was Shelly, I'm in here at the bar, bartender is hot lol . Lena sighed got out and made her way inside.

Mason was standing with Wendy talking to one of their guests when he saw her walk in. It wasn't that she stood out as a knockout beauty, it was the fact that she was so stiff and rigid in such a relaxed atmosphere. He couldn't believe the thing had just walked into his restaurant, what were the odds? He instantly felt his hackles rise as he watched her eyes roam around his place, as though assessing and judging it, and then from her unimpressed expression finding it lacking. Oh hell no sweetheart, this was his pride and joy and he let no one leave without enjoying themselves .

"Isn't that right Mason?"

His attention was brought back to Wendy and the man standing with her, a journalist from Dine Fine . He smiled and nodded, "Yes that's right. I learned alot from my father as well as culinary school. Never give up the opportunity to learn your family’s cooking secrets they’re often the special ingredient." He paused as he watched the thing make her way through the tables and tap a blond at the bar on the shoulder. The blond turned smiled, and low and behold, Queen B managed to crack her face into one as well. Mason chuckled to himself and then said softly.

"Excuse me Wendy I just saw someone I need to speak to." he excused himself and made his way over to the bar.