Chapter 31: Alex Is Missing
The savory aromas wafting through the newly renovated kitchen of Lavish Lifestyles' restaurant set my mouth watering in anticipation. Emily busies herself at the stove, focused intently on the various sauces and dishes she's preparing for us to sample.
Beside me, Zayn gives my hand an excited squeeze as Candy and Ricardo, our head chef, take their seats at the tasting counter. There's a buzz of optimism and new beginnings in the air that has us all reinvigorated.
"This is such an important step."
I murmur to Zayn, loud enough for the others to hear.
"Bringing in fresh talents and perspectives after...well, everything."
He gives me an understanding nod and smile. Lavish Lifestyles is still overcoming the trauma and trust issues from the saboteur's wicked attack. But events like this tasting represent our tempo phoenix rise from the ashes.
Emily turns from the stove then, lifting two steaming plates of what looks like pan-seared fish over a bed of vibrant veggies.
"Who's ready to have their taste buds amazed?" she grins proudly.
As we all eagerly take our first bites, an incredulous hum of delight ripples through the group. The perfectly seared exterior gave way to a meltingly tender, flaky interior - all without reliance on heavy breading or sauce. The accompanying vegetable medley is crisp yet complementary with its light, herb-accented dressing.
"Emily...this is outstanding!"
Candy gushes through her stuffed mouth.
"Such pure, straightforward cooking that lets the ingredients speak for themselves."
Ricardo gives an emphatic nod of agreement.
"Yes, yes! This demonstrates an innate understanding of how to coax maximum flavor from simplicity."
Pride shines from Emily's beaming face as she accepts the high compliments. Moving to the island counter, she preps another tasting - sticky-sweet chili glazed shrimp skewers with a creamy coconut-lime dipping sauce.
One bite and my eyes roll back in blissful pleasure. The depth of layered flavors, the textural contrast between the caramelized glaze and plump, juicy shrimp...it's like a symphony being conducted on my taste buds.
"You'd never know these recipes are deceptively simple based on how insanely delicious they taste."
Zayn remarks, grabbing another skewer.
"That's true culinary talent on display."
As we work our way through each new offering, from scratch-made mushroom ravioli in garlic-herb butter to a show stopping tres leches cake, one fact becomes undeniable - Emily was born to be a celebrated chef.
When we finally lean back from the flawlessly curated tasting menu, grinning like sticky-fingered children, I can feel the sparks of Lavish Lifestyles's revitalization pulsing hotter.
"Well?"
I ask Emily, fighting a content smile. "What do you say...are you ready to breathe some new life into the restaurant as our new additional chef?"
The grateful tears shining in her eyes say it all before she even responds with a vigorous nod and lung-crushing hug.
Yes, Lavish Lifestyles has been indelibly tempered like a piece of fine steel - stabbed by searing flames only to emerge resilient, carrying forth in its pristine restoration. As the laughter and chatter of the reunited family fills my ears, I make a silent vow.
We will only continue to grow stronger, brighter, and better from here on out. The saboteur was a mere rain-shower drizzle vainly attempting to douse this fiery comeback. Let the grand renaissance begin.
Things had been a whirlwind ever since reopening the reimagined and reinforced Lavish Lifestyles, but an energizing whirlwind that reaffirmed we were truly moving forward. Emily's appointment as the new chef inspired an overall revamp of the restaurant's menu, bringing in fresh, elevated flavors that captivated diners. She is getting assisted by the head chef and she's getting the hang of things.
At the salon, I implemented a full rebrand with sleek, modern styling and incorporated new treatment technologies that delivered superior results. And the boutique unveiled an exclusive clothing line designed in partnership with Zayn's sister, an up-and-coming fashion designer.
But as exciting as the new ventures were, nothing compared to the morale boost of having my best friend and co-owner, Candy, back at my side again after her traumatic ordeal.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the unstoppable phoenix herself."
Her familiar raspy voice rings out as she sweeps into my office one morning.
"Burning bright and kicking all kinds of ass, as usual."
I hop up from my desk, laughing as she pulls me into one of her trademark bear hugs.
"It's so amazing to have you home, Candy. You have no idea how much I've missed my ride-or-die' business partner in crime."
She holds me at arm's length, giving me an appraising once-over.
"Are you kidding? Look at you - you survived a literal war zone of sabotage and are somehow still glowing like a badass warrior queen. If anyone is unstoppable, it's you, babe."
I feel a lump forming in my throat at her words, so proud of the immense inner-strength she found to overcome her trauma and return to entrepreneurial action. Looping my arm through hers, I lead us over to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the revitalized Lavish Lifestyles facilities.
"We did it."
I murmur in an awed tone, surveying the lively bustle of staff and clientele moving between the thrumming sectors.
"We actually rose from the ashes and came out stronger on the other side of the inferno."
Candy gives a low whistle, shaking her head in wonder.
"Takes a hell of a lot more than some coward's mind games to put out the wildfire that is Kattie and Candy's empire."
She squeezes me tightly, and I lean my head against her shoulder, feeling a bone-deep sense of peace and triumph settle over me. The security cameras dotting every corner are satisfying reminders that we're untouchable now - an impenetrable fortress.
"So what do you say, partner?"
Candy grins mischievously.
"Should we put the fear of God into any remaining saboteur-wannabes by doing some impromptu girl rapping about our vicious phoenix rebirth?"
I throw my head back with a loud cackle at the thought. After months of darkness and upheaval, these unshakable moments of levity with my sister-in-arms mean everything. Regaining this - our unbreakable sisterhood bond at the heart of Lavish Lifestyles - is the brightest spark fueling our majestic rise.
"You're on."
I grin back at her, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin proudly.
"Let's go remind everyone that this business, and everything we pour our life's blood into...is ours. And if you come at us again, your ashes are what will be left smoldering in our wake."
We're all gathered around one of the sleek new dining tables, it's lunchtime and I miss my kids. I feel like things have been too busy, I just need to make time for them.
The comfortable banter and buzzing energy surrounding us have become invigorating white noise, a triumphant melodic hum reassuring me that we've truly exorcized the ghosts of the sabotage. I bask in the warmth of having my loved ones together again, our dream rising from the ashes stronger than ever.
That is, until Candy's phone starts ringing, shattering the joyous atmosphere like a Record scratch.
I watch her brow furrow slightly as she checks the caller ID, then gets up from the table.
"Sorry, I need to take this private call real quick."
She murmurs, squeezing my shoulder reassuringly on her way out of the dining room.
An uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach, but I force myself to remain engaged with the others, discussing potential influencer packaging concepts. Still, I can't help sneaking glances towards the hallway every few moments, Candy's absence glaringly obvious.
When she finally re-enters, her expression is carefully neutral but her skin has paled a few shades. My heart drops.
"Everything okay?"
I ask urgently once she retakes her seat beside me.
Candy gives a tight-lipped nod, but I can read the stormy conflict roiling behind her eyes as clear as day.
"Yeah, fine. It was just...Alex's sister calling."
My chest clenches protectively at the mention of that monster's name. The memory of discovering the depth of Candy's torment, the vicious abuse she endured, remains an open wound for both of us.
"What did she want?"
I ask lowly, realizing the others have gone politely quiet around us.
Candy shakes her head, seeming dazed.
"She said...Alex has gone missing recently. And the police aren't taking her concerns seriously about foul play potentially being involved."
A chill prickles across my skin as her words fully register. Part of me wants to spit out how he deserves any darkness that befell him. But the larger part is immediately even more concerned for Candy's mental and emotional well-being.
"Did she...ask you for any information or something?"
I hedge carefully.
"She wanted to know if I might have any leads or insights, based on...our history."
Candy replies hollowly.
"As if I would ever let that vile piece of garbage anywhere near my headspace again."
The anguish laced through her tone pierces my heart. I reach under the table and grasp her hand fiercely.
"You have nothing to feel conflicted over."
I state firmly, shooting warning looks at the others to give us privacy.
"That abuser forfeited any right to your compassion or attention the moment he laid a hand on you. He's out of our lives for good this time."
Candy squeezes my hand hard, seeming to draw strength from the pointed reminder. Slowly, her eyes regain their determined steel.
"You're right. I've worked too damn hard to overcome that darkness, to let even a whisper of it try leeching back in again."
She states resolutely.
"Alex made his soulless bed a long time ago. I refuse to lose another night's sleep over that soon-to-be corpse."
The way she spits out the last few words, dripping with finality, is utterly chilling. For a beat, I simply hold her fiery gaze, a silent communication of unconditional support pulsing between us.
Because I know that tone. It's the same hardened, merciless tenor I used when vowing no saboteur would ever break Lavish Lifestyles again. Candy has cloaked herself in that same impervious, vengeful armor.
The ghosts of our past striking again will be met with all the ruthless, unshakable ferocity of our rebirth as phoenix warriors. Let them try and turn our ashes to dust at their own peril.
I give Candy's hand one final, bolstering squeeze before releasing. Without a word, we turn back to the table, fire renewed in our bellies, and Lavish Lifestyles' brilliant ascent from here.
No shadow from yesterday will dim our radiant rise towards forever horizons.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone