My Lady Chef
Chapter 86: Linda's Day Out - Part 1

Linda's POV:

Two weeks later...

Main Mansion, Aisenburg Estate

I woke up early in the morning to do the chores Lady Alaina assigned to me since she departed for Guthrie to volunteer food donations for the duke's war campaign.

During the mornings, I shop with Chef Jorge Raime to restock certain food or green needed for the staff meals.

Ever since my lady took over the household, She instilled the value of shopping for items sold fresh at markets like certain green vegetables since she was adamant that the entire household eat 3 balanced meals a day.

And after that, I spend my afternoons doing things around the culinary house like helping the girls water the herb garden or feed the livestock, check the inventory for spices, dry herbs, teas, and coffee grounds.

But it seems like today is going to be different. Milford came to me and told me to run an errand for him along with another maid.

"Is this a letter for..." I looked at the missive and struggled not to frown.

"Yes. His Grace has decided to cut his ties with the Lorax family business. Take this letter to the Lorax family's man of finance. His office is at...."

After Milford gave me the address, I hastened the younger maid along into one of the many carriages the duke has and we were off to the Hanover Square, the district where many business and legislative offices are located.

"Miss Linda." The young girl looked at me with adoration. She knows I am the duchess' personal maid and the one managing the Culinary House so she must think it was impressive. "Is it true that the Lady Lorax still chases after our lord even after he married the duchess? Is that not scandalous?"

"Nina. The duke's personal affairs should be kept private. We shall do our duty and head back to the mansion. Nothing more, nothing less. Understood?"

The girl looked disappointed that I was not one for gossip and just stayed quiet.

Lady Alaina has commented that I should try to make friends amongst the human staff.

Should I...at least loosen up?

Maybe...I could try?

"Ahem...so how are you adjusting so far? Is being the lower floor maid hard work?"

Nina brightened and I listened to her stories of how everyone at the household was nice to her and soon she softened up towards me.

When the carriage stopped. Nina and I came down and headed for the third floor of the grey brick building where the Lorax family's lawyer was.

We gave the letter to the lawyer's secretary who received it and we were on our way to leave when the office door opened and hit Nina, who was closest to the door.

"Oh! Watch where you are going. I almost ran into you." A female hissed haughtily at us while I was helping the young girl who was massaging her shoulder.

I looked up and saw that it was Lady Lorax all decked in her finest white day dress. Her fiery beauty and fresh creamy complexion were like an angel's...

"I beg your pardon, milady," I murmured and tried to sneak Nina past her when she tapped her fan on my back.

When a noble touches a servant. It meant one thing.

That we should stop.

When I remained root in place. I felt her eyes on me.

"That uniform...Are you from the Aisenburg Household? What are you doing here in my man of finance's office? Well? Answer me!"

I felt her hit my head with her metal fan and I turned to bow to her while Nina stayed behind me and also did the same.

"Have you gone deaf or stupid? Tell me why a lowly commoner came here!" Lady Lorax's voice rose an octave as she whacked my head yet again.

I really wanted to throw a "fox fire" at her pretty face but I must maintain my cover...

"Greetings milady. The head butler, Mr. Milford has asked me to deliver a missive to your lawyer." I answered her before she can hit me again in the head.

"A letter? You!" She looked at the secretary and demanded the letter. "Stay where you are! While I read with this letter."

Nina and I exchanged glances. This does not look good.

Whatever was in that letter caused the lady's gloves hands to tremble as she slammed the letter down the table and glared at me.

"He dares to do this to me?!"

Somehow that was when all chaos started. The family lawyer came in and saw the letter before pushing both of us out as if he knew that Lady Lorax would start throwing things in the office and screaming. And that was what we heard as the door slammed shut in our faces and a few things shattering.

Nina was visibly shocked as I steered her back out the building and into the carriage.

"....I cannot believe that Lady Lorax was such a mean one. Society ladies are really different when you see them with their peers." she shivered and rubbed her bruised shoulder. "Aw...."

"Let's get that shoulder looked at. I am supposed to check the cafe, we have a first aid box there so let's stop over and get you patched up." I asked the driver to take a detour by opening a small window slit and giving him a change of directions.

"But...what about you? The lady hit you multiple times with her silver-plated fan. I have been beaten by one once and it hurt like hell."

"I'll also get myself treated. Don't worry, the head wound is not an issue...."

That settled the subject as our carriage ambled towards Cafe Terra, the most popular cafe in the city.

"Is this okay?"

"Yes."

"How is your head?"

"The numbing salve worked. I don't feel a thing."

"Oh great. That is a relief."

The man who was treating us was Chef Neo Carmine, head chef of Cafe Terra. We just happen to catch him on his break and when he saw us; his compassion made him lead us to the back porch where he treated both of us.

My injury took more of his time since I was struck in the head. Thankfully I only got a few swollen bumps from the heavy-handed hits of that lady bitch.

But the salve he placed on my head felt better. In fact, he was really competent and skilled with his hands. If he wanted to be a doctor, he could have gone for it.

Nina left us the moment Chef Neo told her she can have some cake. The girl was all too eager to eat the cafe's yummy cakes.

As a result, it was just the two of us...

Now that we were alone, I noticed that without his chef's hat and apron. Chef Neo looks really handsome and in shape. He is also cheerful and polite to his customers.

I just found out how good he is at taking care of others. It was an endearing trait.

"The cafe seems to be running well as usual. I'll include this in my report to Her Grace when she gets back. Thank you for treating my head, Chef Neo." I straightened up and dusted my skirts. He also straightened up and smiled gently.

"You are welcome, Miss Linda. Uhm..." He hesitated as he escorted me inside the cafe. "Do you want to stay awhile?"

"For what? Nina seems to be done eating her cake. Is there another reason?" I looked at him, confused when he looked nervous all of a sudden.

"I need a taste tester for this new seasonal menu Lady Aisenburg left for me to create. Do you think I...I can ask you to taste it for me?" He looked a bit flushed as he looked at me.

My stomach did a slight flip-flop at how adorable cute he was being.

"Now?" I could not help but tease him.

"No..not now. Tomorrow. If you are not too busy?" He looked so hopeful, his emotions so obvious that I could not help it. He was being too cute.

So I agreed.

It was only a few minutes later when Nina and I were back inside the carriage did I realize the signs Chef Neo was giving out.

Was he trying to flirt with me?