Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Chapter 0233

Abby

“And the contestants moving on to the final round are... Abby, Bryan, and Daniel.”

The announcer’s voice sparks an explosion of cheers.

“Abby, you’ve done it!” Karl’s voice carries over to me through the noise, and I turn to face him, my

smile so wide it almost hurts.

“I know,” I breathe out, the words barely a whisper. I’ve made it to the next round. I can’t believe it,

especially after Logan’s negative comments about my food.

The assistant holds up a sign indicating a fifteen-minute break, which is sorely needed after spending

the past hour under the hot stage lights. Karl nudges me forward, steering us through the maze of

equipment and fellow competitors, past the spot where Frederick’s station now lies abandoned.

“Don’t let Logan get into your head. You’re in the top three for a reason,” Karl murmurs into my ear as

we push through the double doors into the breakroom, a cool breeze from the AC blowing into our

sweaty faces.

Karl walks over to the water cooler, grabbing a cup. He fills it and hands it to me, his gaze holding

mine.

“Thanks,” I say, chugging the cool liquid in three swift gulps.

“Abby, you’ve done great so far,” he says, taking the cup from me and filling it again. “Despite Logan’s

comments. I could tell Vanessa really loved your dish, too.”

“I know,” I say with a nod, taking the cup from him again. Our fingers brush, and there’s a slight static

shock that fills me with a combination of confidence and bashfulness. “She really did love it. Logan, on

the other hand…”

Karl shrugs. “He’s just one judge,” he says gently. “Just keep trying your best. Remember, there may

be fewer contestants with each round, but there will always be three judges. His opinion only holds one

third of the weight.”

I take another sip, my mind whirring with possibilities. “Yeah, but one third is still a lot,” I murmur.

Karl pushes off the counter, his own plastic cup crunching in his hand. “Sure. But you’ve handled a lot

more than that.”

A glance at the clock tells me there’s still time before we have to head back to stage. I need a moment

to myself, a moment to breathe. Excusing myself to the restroom, I step inside and let out a soft sigh of

relief.

The cool sensation of the marble counter under my fingertips is grounding as I stand in front of the

mirror and breathe deeply. My face feels hot, partially from the stage lights and partially from the

physical and metaphorical heat of the kitchen, but I feel invigorated.

Although, if it weren’t for this awful mask of makeup on my face, I’d like to splash some cold water on

myself. But I can’t. Makeup artist’s orders.

I take one more glance in the mirror, my determination resurfacing. Karl is right; Logan’s comments

couldn’t possibly be the deciding factor of the entire competition. If anything, it should serve as

motivation to make an even better dish in the next round.

As I step out of the bathroom a few moments later, Karl is waiting for me, still leaning against “Almost

time to head back,” he says, glancing at his watch.

“Almost time to win the next round,” I correct him.

“Win?” an all-too familiar voice calls out.

Just then, the door swings open and Daniel steps into the room. There’s a sneer on his face. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Looks like Abby is the people’s favorite out there,” he drawls. “But popularity isn’t a skill, is it?”

I freeze, every fiber of my being tightening. For a moment, it feels as though the room’s temperature

drops a few degrees, and a chill runs down my spine.

Karl’s beside me in an instant. “Not that it matters,” Daniel continues, inspecting his nails. “Once they

see past the sweet facade, they’ll realize you’re just a girly girl playing chef. We all know how you got

your certification, don’t wE?”

“What are you implying?” I hiss, taking a step forward.

“Oh, as if you don’t know,” Daniel says with that signature smirk of his. “I’ve known girls like you before.

You probably slept your way through culinary school, didn’t you? How many of your professors did you

have to blow to pass your classes, hm?”

The implication hits me like a punch to the gut. My mind races to Vanessa’s words from yesterday, how

women—even ones like her—face discrimination in this male-dominated field. I want to repeat her

words, to make Daniel see the error of his views, but my tongue fails me, and I’m left silent.

“Cat got your tongue, Abby?” Daniel taunts, stepping closer. “Or is it too hard for your little female brain

to comprehend what I’m saying?”

I want to lash out, to defend not just my honor but that of every woman who’s been reduced to such

baseless, spiteful stereotypes. I want to shout about the hours I’ve poured into perfecting my craft, the

sacrifices, the relentless pursuit of a passion that knows no gender.

But this isn’t the time or place. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

Instead, I meet his gaze, and in my silence, I feel somehow stronger. I think of Vanessa, of her iron will,

of her resilience. I channel it now, my stance firm, my eyes unyielding.

Just then, Karl steps in, his voice a low growl. “That’s enough, Daniel.”

Karl’s hand grips my shoulder. “Ignore him, Abby. He’s just trying to get in your head.”

Suddenly, the PA system crackles to life.

“Contestants, this is your two-minute warning,” the assistant’s voice says. “Please finish up and return

to the stage.”

I let out a small, inaudible sigh of relief. Daniel’s moment has been cut short, and he knows it. With one

last sneering glance, he strides out, allowing the palpable tension in the room to dissipate like a cold

breeze just passed through. Coոtent of Drąмąոovеls.cоm

“Don’t worry about him, Abby,” Karl says gently, turning me to face him. His brown eyes are full of

worry. “He’s just trying to throw you off your game.”

“I know,” I said, pulling my shoulders back in indignation, my nostrils flaring ever so slightly. “Let’s go

show him how a ‘girly girl’ gets shit done.”

Karl nods, his eyes crinkling in that signature grin of his. “Good. I knew you wouldn’t let some little rat

like Daniel get under your skin.”

And yet, there’s something about today—Daniel’s words, Logan’s negative comments about my food—

that makes me wonder…