Bittersweet Obsession

The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the living room. It was a new day, and for Tamara, it began just as it always did early. She stretched beneath the cozy blankets before swinging her legs. over the edge of the makeshift bed.

With a yawn, she rose and shuffled to the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal a serene view of the backyard. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the birds outside were already chirping their lively tune. The promise of a fresh day hung in the air.

After taking a shower, she quickly dressed in a comfortable outfit, a pair of worn jeans and a plain T-shirt. She knew that today, like every day, would be a busy one. Her gaze turned to the clock on the wall. It was still early, and there was much to be done.

Over the next three days, Tamara immersed herself in helping Aunt Rita with her catering service. She knew she couldn't linger; there were chores to attend to before she could leave for the day.

While preparing breakfast for her mother, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the kitchen, a comforting scent that had become a daily ritual in their home. She grabbed a quick breakfast for herself, an egg sandwich with spicy bacon and lettuce, thanks to her aunt's generosity.

With care, she plated a simple, nourishing breakfast for her mother-a bowl of whole-grain cereal, free from added sugar, and a steaming cup of Chamomile tea.

Carrying the tray with breakfast in hand, she made her way to her mother's bedroom. Her mother had always been an early riser, and their morning routine was a cherished time together.

As she entered the room, her mother greeted her with a warm smile. "Good morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning, Mom."

She placed the tray on a small table beside her mother's bed, and they sat down together. In the quiet of the morning, they enjoyed their breakfast, sharing stories and thoughts as the day began to unfold.

"Mom, I have to help Aunt Rita for the next three days. But don't worry, I'll make sure to prepare your meals before I leave." She paused for a moment, her eyes meeting her mother's intently. "And please, don't forget to take your medicine on time."

With a gentle touch, Amber reached out to pat Tamara's hand. "Go and help Aunt Rita. Don't worry about me; I'll be fine."

Tamara nodded.

"And what about your classes, sweetheart? Are you managing them along with helping Aunt Rita?"

"I'm nearly done with my exams for this semester, Mom. I've arranged my schedule so I can assist Aunt Rita during this time," Tamara replied, a hint of exhaustion in her voice, "Don't worry; I won't let my studies suffer." Amber smiled weakly and said, "Alright, sweetheart. Just take care of yourself too, okay?"

"I will, Mom," she whispered softly. "Don't stay up late for me."

She leaned closer and gently kissed her mother on the forehead. She held her mother in a warm embrace for a moment. After she grabbed her beige sling bag, she left the room, ready to face the hectic day ahead.

As Tamara came down the noisy steps, she ran into Aunt Celia, a kind-hearted widow who lived in the house next door. With a warm smile and a friendly wave, she greeted the old lady who was carrying the grocery bag. Celia greeted her with a smile and said, "Good morning, dear. Off to work, I see?"

"Yes, Aunt Celia, I'll be helping Aunt Rita with her catering service for the next three days."

"Oh, that sounds like quite an adventure. Do pass my regards to Rita, won't you?"

"Of course, Aunt Celia. I'll let her know," Tamara assured her. "Please keep an eye on my mom."This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

"Don't worry, dear. I'll check in on your mother and make sure she's doing well. You focus on your work with Aunt Rita."

With a grateful smile, Tamara waved goodbye to the old lady and continued on her way.

They didn't realize that in the bedroom, Amber was really struggling with a bad cough. It was getting worse, and she hoped it wouldn't get even more serious while Tamara was out.

This time, when she coughed, she quickly covered her mouth with a white linen cloth. She was alarmed to see small spots of blood on the cloth. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

When Tamara arrived at the grand mansion where Aunt Rita lived, she couldn't help but be amazed by the impressive building. It showed that Rita Louise Sinclair, the younger sister of her late father, had become rich and well-known through her marriage to the wealthy Colin Patterson. Rita had two children from her marriage, making the mansion feel even more like a bustling family hub.

As she stepped into the bustling large kitchen, she could smell the aroma of freshly baked bread, simmering spices, and sauces. Rita, who was full of energy, greeted her with a warm hug.

"Tamara, darling, I'm so glad you're here!"

"How are you, Aunt Rita?"

"I'm doing well, my dear. Just a bit busy with all these upcoming events. We've got quite the day ahead. Your help is a great blessing." "Well, I'm here to lend a hand wherever you need me."

"That's the spirit, dear. Let's get this day rolling, shall we?" Aunt Rita said with a cheerful tone as they both prepared to start the day.

Tamara nodded with a warm smile. "Sure, Aunt Rita. What can I help you with right now?"

Rita smiled warmly at her and replied, "I knew I could count on you, dear. Let's start by preparing the ingredients for today's lunch. I'll show you the ropes, and you'll be my sous chef for the day."

Tamara was eager to get started, so they embarked on their cooking adventure together. It was like a busy beehive in the kitchen, with cooks and helpers buzzing around doing their cooking tasks.

She rushed to the pantry, where she ran into Chef Marco, a seasoned expert known for his exquisite dishes. He was a culinary maestro with a commanding presence in the kitchen. His tall, sturdy frame and meticulously groomed beard gave him an air of authority.

"Dear, grab those fresh herbs from the pantry, please. We'll need them for the garnish," he commanded.

Tamara turned her attention to his request, her eyes scanning the well-organized pantry shelves. She quickly spotted bundles of fragrant herbs neatly arranged and ready for use.

"Got them, Chef Marco!" She called out cheerfully as she went to get the fresh herbs. She held them up and gave them to the chef. "Here you go. Fresh basil and parsley." "Excellent. You've got a good eye for quality. Keep it up!"

She beamed with pride as she returned to her station, where Aunt Rita was busy chopping vegetables.

"Tamara, could you help me with these carrots? We want them to be just right, exactly the same precision," she said.

Tamara gave her an enthusiastic nod and a warm smile. She appreciated the chance to contribute and learn more about the art of cooking.

"Sure, Aunt Rita. I'll make sure they're all uniform in size and thickness," she replied, and she began meticulously selecting and cutting the carrots, striving for precision to meet the exacting standards.

In the midst of the bustling kitchen, Tamara found her groove. She sliced, diced, and prepped ingredients with skill and enthusiasm. With the waves of laughter, the rhythmic chopping of knives, and the clattering of cooking utensils, the kitchen buzzed with energy. It was a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere where everyone worked in harmony to craft delicious dishes.

"Tamara, have you ever tried making our signature tomato bisque? I can show you the ropes," Assistant Cook Maria offered with a friendly tone.

She was a petite woman who always had a friendly grin on her face. She was a powerhouse in the kitchen, with quick fingers and a strong commitment to her work. Even though she didn't talk much, she had an incredible talent for making ordinary ingredients taste extraordinary. She was like a kitchen magician, adding her special touch to every dish and always ready to help out with a warm smile.

Tamara smiled and replied, "I'd love to learn how to make it, Maria. Show me the way!"

As Maria demonstrated the process, they engaged in a lively conversation about their favorite recipes and culinary ventures.

The day continued with a flurry of activity, and by the end of it, Tamara felt like she was part of Aunt Rita's catering crew. She was amazed at how this lively kitchen transformed simple ingredients into mouthwatering dishes that would soon satisfy the cravings of hungry customers.

Aunt Rita approached her with a smile. "Tamara, you did wonderfully today. Tomorrow, we'll move on to event setup. There's still much to do, but I have every confidence in you. Get ready for more excitement!"

Tamara couldn't help but smile as she realized that her journey into the world of catering had only just begun.