Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Chapter 0234

Abby

The director holds up three fingers, his mouth moving silently as he counts down to live. Three… two…

one.

“And… we’re back!” The announcer's voice booms across the studio, and the audience erupts into Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

cheers and applause as an assistant holds up cue cards out of the camera’s view. “What a whirlwind

first round, folks! Let’s give a round of applause to our winners so far: Abby, Bryan, and Daniel!”

The announcer’s voice then turns our attention toward the contestant who lost last round. “It was a

tough loss for Frederick, but that’s the nature of the game!” he says.

The judges then come into the spotlight, and Logan’s words slice through the warmth of the stage

lights.

“The first round was child’s play,” he says. “Now, we begin to separate the good eggs…” His eyes

skewer me from across the room, and I resist the urge to look away. “From the bad.”

Karl’s eyes flit over to me, but I ignore them. I keep my smile plastered on my face, urging myself to

ignore the ghost of Logan and Daniel’s words, to place my entire focus on the real reason why I’m

here: to win.

Vanessa’s tone, by contrast, is a comfort. “I expect the best from all of our lovely contestants,” she

says, her smile sweeping the stage. “And most of all, let’s appreciate why we’re here today: to

celebrate cuisine in all of its forms.”

As the judges return to their stand, the announcer draws in a deep breath.

“Contestants,” he starts, the studio falling eerily silent. “We’re about to sweeten the pot! Forget the

entrees; we’re diving into desserts this round! A limoncello and pistachio tiramisu is your challenge!”

A murmur ripples through the crowd, and a knot of anxiety begins to twist in my gut.

“Dessert?” I repeat softly, my mind racing through the preparations that I wasn’t expecting to make until

the third round.

Karl leans in, his whisper barely audible over the buzz of the audience. “Didn’t see that coming, did

we? You’ve got any dessert tricks up your sleeve?” he asks.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Maybe one or two, but tiramisu is a whole different

beast,” I answer. “Luckily for us, I’ve practiced this recipe. So I think we should be okay.”

Karl grins, the tension leaving his eyes for the first time since the announcement. “And that’s why you’ll

win; because you’re always prepared.”

“Yeah, well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I murmur.

I take in the array of ingredients that I didn’t have a chance to properly familiarize myself with this

morning: the standing mixer, the fragrant spices, the proofing rack. I begin making a list in my head of

what I’ll need, which spices will best suit the flavor, what I could incorporate for an extra kick that will

make my dish stand out.

Just then, the director gives us the cue. We’re just moments away from the signal to start, the final

seconds ticking away.

“Contestants,” the announcer says, “take your positions. We begin in three... two... one… Cook!”

The buzzer sounds and the kitchen descends into chaos again. Coոtent beloոgs to Draмąnоvеls.cоm