Page 20 of Mariah

Chapter 9

Mariah

“I don’t understand. Why isn’t dinner being delivered up here? It usually is on the weekends.” Margo spoke loudly, as if not having their dinner delivered to the penthouse was a source of major conspiracy.

“I don’t know.” Luna shrugged. “Baze just said we had to go downstairs to eat. It’s not that big of a deal, Margo. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.”

“What’s for dinner, anyway?” Jilly asked as she ran a brush through her hair to get presentable to go downstairs. “Mariah, you worked today. Do you know?”

Mariah blushed. She had indeed worked today and every minute of the day was permanently burned into her brain, from having her bottom plugged, to the humiliating spanking she’d been subjected to, to the conversation they’d had afterward and how amazing she’d felt when he’d hugged her, and the shame of having him remove the plug from her bottom at the end of her shift. But dinner? She knew they’d talked about it. “Ummm maybe like stew or chicken?” They’d talked about both but she couldn’t remember if they’d decided on either.

Margo wrinkled her nose, seemingly unimpressed. “I don’t see why we have to eat downstairs for chicken or stew.”

“Who knows.” Jade rolled her eyes. “It’s really not as big a deal as you’re making it though. Mister Daddy wants us to, so that’s what we are gonna do. Okay?”

“Okay. Jeez. Where is Mister Daddy anyway?”

“I think he’s downstairs waiting for us,” Luna answered, pulling on her shoes. “Are we all ready?”

“I am!” Mariah answered eagerly. She couldn’t help herself. She was excited at the prospect of seeing Chef Graham again even though she’d seen him only a few hours before and she’d see him again in the morning.

“I’m ready!” Ellie answered, lining up at the door and waiting for the others. Mariah joined her and Tessa and Jilly lined up behind them. Jade joined them a minute later, and finally Luna and Margo brought up the rear.

“Finally,” Mariah muttered under her breath.

They rode the elevator down to the casino floor and walked to the dining room where they’d had the near catastrophic event the night before. The tables had all been taken down except for two large ones that had been pushed together. They were covered with a fancy linen tablecloth. There was a large centerpiece of daisies and sunflowers, Mariah’s favorites, flocked by two elegant crystal candlesticks holding long tapered candles with flickering flames. Two uniformed servers stood nearby. She recognized them as Casey and Angelica from the night before.

Chef Graham stood at the head of the table, standing beside a rolling serving tray covered with domed dishes. When she reached him, he leaned forward and handed her a flower. He didn’t give anyone else a flower. Mariah gasped. “What… what is this?”

“It’s a special dinner for you, Mariah, to celebrate your promotion to sous chef.” Baze said, stepping out of the shadows.

“My… what?” Mariah cried, tears of joy prickling the corners of her eyes. She vaguely recalled Chef Graham referring to her as a sous chef instead of a kitchen assistant, but she’d figured he’d just misspoke.

“You are an exemplary employee. You’re diligent and knowledgeable, hardworking, and you have good instincts. I’d be honored to have you as my sous chef.”

Behind her, her friends all gasped in surprise. Given the events of the night before, they’d been honestly shocked she hadn’t gotten fired.

“I… what… what about my… probation?” Mariah whispered.

Chef Graham winked at her. “We can talk about that later. In private. For now, let’s eat, and celebrate.”

“What did you end up making?” Mariah asked.

“A small house salad to start, honey-glazed carrots or corn casserole for sides, and for our main course….” Chef Graham lifted one of the domes with a flourish. “The ultimate comfort food. My homemade macaroni and cheese. With a five-cheese sauce and a breadcrumb topping.”

Mariah suddenly had a hard time breathing. Her eyes filled with tears that flowed down her face before she could stop them. Baze did nice things for them all the time, but this was the first time in ages somebody had done something special just for her, and it wasn’t even for her birthday or anything. “You… you made my favorite?” she whispered.

Chef Graham winked. “It seemed like a good day for comfort food. And you deserved it.”

“No, I really didn’t,” Mariah argued.

Chef Graham shook his head. “None of that now. The truth is, we both could have lost our jobs last night, but if I’m going to be here still, I want you by my side. So what do you say? Will you accept my offer? Will you be my sous chef?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Mariah cried. Then she stopped short and looked at Baze. “I mean, that’s if it’s okay with you, Mister Daddy.”

“I wouldn’t have helped Chef Graham set this up if it wasn’t,” Baze said. “I’m very proud of you, Mariah.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” Mariah cried. She couldn’t contain her enthusiasm any longer. Launching herself at them both at the same time she hugged them, with one arm around Baze and one around Chef Graham. “Thank you for letting me keep my job and promoting me and thank you for my special dinner.”