Page 7 of The Chef

The banker sighs and narrows his eyes at me. “I doubt your car can cover even a small fraction of the costs, let alone act as a good enough asset for us to consider giving you this loan.”

Well, he isn’t wrong. The car isn’t exactly a high-performance vehicle.

“Look, I’ve got no assets. I’ve had a tough few years. I’ve only just moved here to New Water as a favor to my brother. I don’t have a house or a brand-spanking-new car,” I say. “But I do have a heart. I do have passion. I have the determination to make this work. I know it will. Just, please, let me. A small loan, that’s all I’m asking for. A few thousand dollars.”

The banker tuts and shakes his head.

No.

It’s like the earth below me is slowly eating away at my legs, it’s like I’m sinking into the ground.

It’s a no.

I see my dreams evaporating in front of my eyes.

“But…”

I begin to protest but someone shouts behind me.

“Clearly he can’t lend you the money so how about you give up?”

It’s a male’s voice.

Superman’s voice.

I spin around to face him.

“What?”

“He’s already said the bank can’t lend you the money, so go.”

This bastard.

“You’re incredibly rude, you know that?” I shout back, losing my composure.

This is a very important moment for me and he’s ruining it.

“And you’re incredibly slow,” Superman responds. “I’m in a rush here, so give up and go home.”

I turn back to the banker, unable to deal with that crazy man. He may look like a gorgeous prince from a fairy tale, but obviously, he is, in fact, a monster.

“Are you sure there’s nothing you can do? No loan you can give me?” I ask the banker in the sweetest tone I can do. I hope I can appeal to his humanity.

Oh wait, I forgot. He’s practically a robot.

He shakes his head. “Nothing I can do for you today, Miss Dover.”

Footsteps approach me from behind, and before I even get the chance to turn around, Superman’s voice booms next to my ear. He’s stormed towards me and is now literally right over my shoulder.

“Hurry up,” he says, making me jump in surprise. “I don’t have all day.”

He’s literally right behind me. He’s walked up right behind me.

Without knowing exactly what I’m doing I spring to action. I reach for the banker’s full glass of water that’s sitting on the counter, grab it in one hand, spin around, and throw its liquid contents over Superman.

I don’t even think, I don’t even comprehend the consequences of my actions before I’ve chucked the entire glass over the man.

And now he is dripping in water.