Refired

by A 'Jeeper' Wade

  “Mr. Anselmo, all due respect, but can you get to the point? We are all interested in the why, but right now we just want to know the what.”

  “Sylas, leave it to you to try to control even me,” their eyes met for the first time. Mr. Anselmo sensed the tension immediately.

  “Ok, here you go. I sold the restaurant this week and I am retiring,” a look of shock came over the staff.

  “The new owner will take over immediately. He wants to close for two weeks to make changes and get to know you all,” looking out at his staff he adored, tears began to well in his eyes.

  Mr. Anselmo didn’t show his emotions often, but he knew this news hurt. He assured them they all would keep their jobs, and he would personally pay them for their time off. Sylas sat quiet, a mix of emotions. He was happy for the old man, but pissed at the idea of getting to know a new menu, a new owner. That is usually the beginning of the end for an executive chef. The one upside to all this was the fact that Sylas could make a clean break. It would be easier for him to walk away, starting his career elsewhere. The staff began to get up and leave. Mr. Anselmo stood by the door personally thanking each one of them. He handed them envelopes that contained their two-week vacation pay. As Sylas approached, Mr. Anselmo stopped him.

  “Sylas, wait I want to talk to you, one on one.”

  “Sure, I apparently have some time off I wasn’t expecting,” Sylas turned to sit down at a nearby table.

  Mr. Anselmo continued his thanking of the staff. When the last one left he approached Sylas, who just stared into space. He reached inside his jacket pulling out a small bottle of bourbon.

  “Let’s have a drink, Sylas,” Mr. Anselmo always kept a flask of his private bourbon stash in his jacket pocket.

  “Sure, I’ll take a drink. I need it after that speech,” it was early, but he needed the drink.

  “Sylas, I’ve been around my friend. I know, like you do, this is a bad thing for you.”

  “Yeah, I figured my days were numbered. To be perfectly honest, sir, I was planning on giving you my notice. I need a fresh start somewhere, so I am happy I don’t need to leave you in a lurch,” Sylas took a drink, figuring this wasn’t his last drink of the day.

  “Sylas, you are very talented and will be successful wherever you decide to go. I knew you weren’t happy anymore. I could see it in your face and to be honest, that helped me make my decision to sell.” He didn’t want to go through the task of training a new chef.

  “Well, Mr. Anselmo, it’s been a great run. Thanks for the opportunity and the confidence you have showed in me,” Sylas was happy knowing he could walk away with a clear conscious. He also knew Mr. Anselmo would be enjoying his retirement.

  “Sylas, anything I can do to help, you know I will,” Mr. Anselmo offered his hand for a handshake. Sylas pushed his hand aside and gave the old man a hug.

  “Enjoy your retirement Mr. Anselmo.” Sylas took his last swallow of bourbon and left.

  As he walked out the door, he looked at his phone. He received a new message from Sarah. Pausing briefly, Sylas called her back and invited her over to gather her bra. To his surprise, she wasn’t that pissed. He was feeling a little tipsy as he walked home. She would be over in a little bit. Sylas was not looking forward to that meeting. He figured this day couldn’t really get any worse.

  Sylas approached his apartment slowly. Sarah stood outside waiting for him. She was wearing a short gray skirt and black boots, a look he loved. As he approached her, all kinds of thoughts ran through Sylas’s head. Maybe she had to work; maybe she wanted to show Sylas just what he threw out the night before. Either way Sylas liked what he saw.

  “Good afternoon, Sarah, how are you today?” Sylas smiled waiting for the verbal bashing he was sure to get after last night.

  Sylas couldn’t help, but notice the way her skirt clung to her ass. He was always attracted to a firm round rear end. He tried not to stare but all he wanted to do was cup her cheeks and squeeze them tight. He looked up catching her eyes locked on his. Sarah caught him looking at her ass. She smiled shifting her stance so Sylas could get a better view.

  “I’m great, Sylas, just feeling a little silly for leaving my bra here last night,” her voice sounded a bit chipper to Sylas.

  “Well, come in, it’s on the table.” Sylas sighed, relieved that this encounter would not be uncomfortable.

  Her beauty took him as he watched her walk to the door. She definitely knew how to work her ass deliberately as she walked up the steps. Sylas wasn’t a fool; he saw what she was doing. She wanted to tease him, tempt him only to deny him. She wanted pay back for last night; regain her dignity, after he so rudely tossed her aside.

  The two entered Sylas’s apartment. Sarah spotted her bra nicely folded on the dining room table. She walked over to the table, bent over further than necessary and grabbed her bra. When she bent over Sylas noticed her ass sliding out from under her skirt. She held the pose almost inviting him to take her, right there. Sarah turned her head slightly, catching him looking again. A smile graced her face. This was the exact reaction she was hoping for.

  “You like what you see, Sylas?” She practically begged him to fuck her again.

  “Yes, I do. A girl with an ass like that should be careful. You never know what might happen,” Sylas stood confident, almost warning her if she continued to tease him, there would be swift consequences.

  Sarah remained bent over. Sylas took this as his cue. He approached her without hesitation. Sarah obviously wanted an encore performance of last night. Sylas was not in the mood to be teased, or tempted. Sylas immediately put his hand under her skirt. He found her clit and began to rub with a rough force. Sarah responded by opening her legs further. Sylas swiftly undid his jeans with his other hand, releasing his cock, which throbbed in his hand. He slid one finger deep inside her pussy followed by a second. Sarah responded by pushing herself back at him. She moaned in pleasure. Sylas could tell by her moans she liked it rough. He was more than willing to accommodate her. Sylas quickly removed the fingers, stroking his dick with her wetness. He slammed his cock deep inside Sarah’s pussy.

  Sylas stretched the walls of her pussy to fit his cock deep inside her. He fucked her with an aggressiveness which made Sarah scream with pleasure. Sylas pinned her face down over the table, grabbed a handful of hair. He withdrew his cock only to slam it back in with more force.

  “This is what you wanted, Sarah?” There was a controlling tone to his voice.

  “Yes, please, more. I want more. Make me come, Sylas!” Sylas could feel her pussy contracting. He knew she was on the verge of an intense orgasm.

  Sylas withdrew, grabbed her by her hair, flipped her over, and kissed her. Their lips parted and their tongues began to explore each other’s mouths. Sylas picked Sarah up off the table. She responded by wrapping her legs around his waist. He entered her without hesitation. He turned, pinning her against the wall. He paused for a moment then continued his deep, forceful thrusts. Sylas could feel her orgasm building again. Her pussy clamped down on his cock, he knew she was going to come. Sylas picked up the pace he wanted to feel her release.

  “I’m coming, Sylas, don’t stop, please don’t stop!” Moan after moan escaped her lips.

  Hearing those words, Sylas thrust his cock deep inside Sarah. He came with such force that his orgasm rocked him to the core. Sylas wasn’t the vocal type in bed but this time was different. He let out a moan, a feeling of completion washed over him. Sylas held his cock inside of her. A feeling of clarity came over Sylas. Like this was the ending to this part of his life. He was tired of one-night stands. He just lost his job, so nothing tied him to this area any longer.

  Sylas released their embrace. Sarah went to clean up in the bathroom. She came out picked up her bra off the table. Sylas waited for her at the door.

  “You have everything this time?” Sylas just stood smiling at her.

  “Yes, I got everything I wanted. You are amazing, Sylas. I’ve never been taken so f
orcefully before, with such control.”

  “We need to do this again, ok?” Sarah asked.

  Sylas stood silent for a moment, words racing through his head. Contemplating what he was going to do, what he wanted to say.

  “I wish we could, Sarah. Like I said last night, I’m broken. There is something in my life I am missing. I just lost my job today, and I think this very moment I decided I’m moving.”

  With that, Sarah turned, heading out the door. Sylas watched her walk away. He stood confident in his decision. A nervous excitement washed over him as he closed the door. Where was he going? What was he going to do? All he knew for sure was he needed a change and he was going to get it.

  Chapter 3

  Sylas sat quietly thinking about his future. He knew wherever he went needed to be able to use a chef of his caliber. He needed to find a city that has grown in popularity with plenty of tourism. Sylas was not the big city type; this town he lived in now was too big. He started thinking of places to go, where the right place going to be. As he sat in silence, darkness settled in outside. The light glow of the kitchen light lit his apartment. Sylas flipped on the television, and poured himself a drink. As the bourbon hit his glass, it hit him. He would move west, somewhere where there were mountains and lakes. Peace and serenity. Sylas took his drink, settling back on the couch.

  Sylas quietly sat paging through a copy of Culinary weekly, a trade magazine he received in the mail. He turned to a feature on Great Falls. It seemed like the perfect place for him. The article stated that tourism boomed over the last year. They were opening several restaurants a month. As he read he slowly drifted off to sleep on the couch as usual.

  The next morning, Sylas contacted a realtor in the city of Great Falls. His severance from Mr. Anselmo would hold him over for a while. At least long enough to get him settled. It would give him enough time to find the right job. He wasn’t picky with jobs. He just wanted to find something that gave him some creative freedom. He knew in order to start with that, he needed to find a new restaurant or one that was failing. Either way he didn’t care, he was up to either task. Building a kitchen or rebuilding one. While talking to the realtor, he noticed a restaurant posted a help wanted ad in the back of the magazine. La Joie, a French bistro, in need of a chef.

  Within a few hours he found an apartment and set up movers. He decided to contact La Joie to inquire about the current opening. Sylas was not one to wait, not one to sit back. He was aggressive, direct. He found a restaurant that looked like a good fit. The owner was an older man by the name of Mr. Chatur. It received decent reviews early in its opening, but lately things have slid down a little. Sylas decided to call to introduce himself. He wanted to provide him with Mr. Anselmo’s phone number for a reference. Sylas was a master at cold calls like this. He knew his background would impress them. What was the worst that could happen? Sylas picked up the phone, dialed the number. After two rings a woman’s voice answered.

  “Thank you for calling La Joie, this is Veronica, how can I help you?” Sylas noticed the voice on the other end of the phone sounded sultry, yet very professional.

  “Hello, Veronica, my name is Sylas Hanson. I am moving into your area and I am looking for work. I noticed your ad in Culinary weekly and I was wondering if I could talk to the owner,” Sylas’s voice exuded confidence.

  “Well, Mr. Hanson, when you move to the area and settle yourself, come in and bring your resume. We don’t conduct phone interviews,” Veronica was blunt and to the point.

  “Well, Veronica, perhaps Mr. Chatur might think differently. I’m an Executive Chef in my home town and I have excellent references and I can help your current situation,” he spoke sternly, trying to control the conversation.

  “Hold on, let me get the owner. You certainly are full of yourself,” Veronica stated with an irritation in her voice. As she walked to get her father on the phone she hesitated, wondering what about the voice on the other end of the phone made her give in. She couldn’t put her finger on it.

  After a short wait Sylas heard the voice of an older gentleman on the other end of the phone. “This Mr. Chatur, I understand you are a chef who has the answer to our problems.”

  “Let me introduce myself, my name in Sylas Hanson. I am the executive chef at La Bonheur. I am relocating to Great Falls and I saw you're now hiring ad in Culinary Weekly.”

  “Well, you are a persistent one. Give me your reference and I will call you back if they think you are as good as you think you are.”

  Sylas gave him Mr. Anselmo’s phone number, knowing it would be a good reference. He hung up the phone, happy he made the call. Sylas feeling better about his life and the direction he was taking. He decided to go out to celebrate. What a weird twist of events, yesterday he was lost, confused, and angry. Today his mind filled with hope, direction and purpose. He showered, got dressed and headed down to see Tony to tell him the news.

  Sylas got to the bar in a good mood. He walked in, saw Tony and pulled up a bar stool. The place was busier than he assumed it would be for Monday. Then again, he was usually working at this time. He recalled walking passed La Bonheur. It looked odd all closed up. It made him sad, but he looked forward to the new adventure he would be starting soon.

  “Hey, Tony, you’re slipping. I’ll have the usual when you get a chance.”

  “You got it, Sylas. You sound happy for someone whose life just got flipped upside down,” Tony slid Sylas’s drink down the bar.

  Sylas slowly sipped his drink. Looking around the bar Sylas noticed some of his former coworkers milling around. Sylas’s phone rang; he didn’t recognize the number so he let it go to voicemail. After about five minutes of buzzing in his pocket, Sylas checked the message; it was Mr. Chatur offering him a job. Sylas could not wrap his head around these last two days. Yesterday, his life was up in the air, uncertain. Now today he was moving to a new town, a new apartment and now a new job.

  “Hey, Tony, buy the bar a round, I’m celebrating!” Tony stood with a shocked look on his face. The bar erupted in claps.

  “Are you sure, cheapskate?” Tony got that gleam in his eye, seeing dollar signs dancing in his head.

  Sylas laughed. “I just got a job offer! And since when do you question sales in this dive.”

  “Hey, everyone, drinks on the big shot at the bar!” Tony started serving drinks, top shelf of course.

  Sylas just looked at him and shook his head. Sylas sat back relaxed, contemplating what he wanted to do the next two weeks. He got a place to live in Great Falls. He found a new job to get excited about. He hadn’t been on a vacation in a long time. He decided he was due some rest and relaxation, so a vacation was in order.

  Tony finished pouring the last round. He totaled the bill, handing it to Sylas laughing the whole time. Tony took full advantage, but Sylas didn’t mind. He got his fair share of free drinks from Tony over the years.

  “Hey, Tony, you sly barkeep, here’s your money. Thanks for everything, buddy; I’m going to miss your crooked little smile,” Sylas just laughed.

  “Good luck, Sylas, and don’t forget the little people when you become all rich and famous,” Tony knew the town of Chambersburg just lost quite a talent.

  Sylas got up and began to make his way around the bar talking to old coworkers. He said his goodbyes to some of the local bar crowd he grew to consider family. Many of his old friends got to keep their old positions La Bonheur. He was glad to hear they were able to keep most of the staff intact. He also found out the new chef was fresh out of school; he was in for quite a surprise. Sylas left feeling happy in his decisions. He didn’t believe in fate, but something made all these pieces fall into place.

  As he walked down the street, he day dreamed about where he wanted to go on vacation. Moving day would be here before he knew it. It would take him a day or two to settle in the new place so he couldn’t go far. He figured he would head south. Check out Nashville, or better yet go tour the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, or do both. He w
as happy for the first time in a long time. He looked forward to a new challenge. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but there would be fewer distractions moving to a new city. He could focus on his cooking, finding the passion he had been missing.

  Sylas entered his apartment feeling content for the first time in a long time. He needed to pack; the movers were coming in a few days. He decided he would go on vacation then settle in at his new apartment. First stop, Tennessee, then Great Falls to start his new life. Sylas figured he should return Mr. Chatur’s call to accept the job.

  “Mr. Chatur, this is Sylas Hanson returning your call. I would be honored to take your offer,” Sylas smiled, happy in his decision, “Yes, sir, two weeks and I will be ready to start.”

  Chapter 4

  Mr. Chatur hung up the phone and looked at his half empty restaurant. He hoped this hot shot Sylas would help fix the issues they were experiencing. Mr. Anselmo spoke highly of him. He also liked his persistence in dealing with his daughter, Veronica, on the phone. Mr. Chatur needed to break the news to her that he hired a new chef sight unseen. She would not be happy with him.

  Veronica was a tough one. She always insisted in being involved in the hiring process. Mr. Chatur left the hostess area. He walked back into the kitchen to look for Veronica. As he entered the kitchen he overheard her talking to their lead server.

  “So, this chef called inquiring about the job,” Veronica recounted her conversation to Carla.

  “Was he qualified? Will he help us fill this restaurant? I need to make money and this clown we have cooking now does nothing for business.” Carla sounded excited with the idea of a new chef.

  “I don’t really care if he is the best chef in the world; he’s got this smartass tone to his voice. Persistence I didn’t care for, like he was talking down to me. He is going to be trouble,” Veronica put on the tough woman act she perfected over the years.