Page 40 of The Chef

“I knew he was a little sick, but this is so sudden.”

“It is.”

“I can’t believe it.”

Why’s she crying? Someone’s passed away?

“It’s always hard when a parent passes away,” Cliff says.

“I mean, I wasn’t even close to dad, but it’s still so upsetting.”

Oh, her dad.

Dominika’s dad passed away.

I sigh and lean against the wall. That’s really sad. I like Dominika, a lot, so hearing her cry is distressing. I don’t know what to do, either burst through the door like an oaf and offer my sympathies, or just leave now?

What would be the right thing to do?

But before I get the chance to think about it, Cliff starts talking again.

“Obviously, you’re going to have to fly home as soon as possible.”

Dominika sniffs. “I can’t leave you here alone to manage the restaurant, the whole place will fall apart within days.”

Cliff laughs. “That might be true, but I think I’ll manage alright. I’m a big boy.”

“It’s okay. I’ll stay. You need me.”

“You can’t stay here, Dominika. You have to be with your family back home.”

“But this is my home.”

It’s sweet how Cliff’s pushing her to go home over the needs of the restaurant. It’s a tender side of him I don’t see, the way he consoles Dominika. A side of him I didn’t see until today when he saved me from that customer and is now putting Dominika’s family above his business.

There is definitely more to him than meets the eye.

“You need to head home and look after your mother, Dominika. Look, I’ll book you the next flight out tomorrow.”

“You can barely cook, Cliff. How can you manage this restaurant without me?”

“I’ll try.”

“Have you checked the financial records lately? We are absolutely fucked if customers don’t pick up, you can’t do this on your own.”

“I have checked the financial records. I was at the bank the other day trying to sort out some kind of loan.”

Ah, so that’s why Cliff was at the bank when I first met him.

“The bank?”

“Yeah.”

“Seriously, Cliff?”

“I know what you’re saying, but I won’t use my family’s money. Not now, not ever.”

That’s why he was aggressive and impatient at the bank. He was trying to fix his failing restaurant without the help of his rich family.