Chapter 01 The Grill Cook

“Two Cheeseburgers to go, please!”

“Matt, two cheeseburgers!”

Matthew was in a corner of the kiosk trying to read an Economics book, but with the order given by his superior, he patiently left the book with the marker on the page where he stopped and got up to go to the hot plate.

Grabbing cheese and hamburger meats, Matthew began the preparation. After cooking so much, Matthew could make snacks with his eyes closed.

While preparing the order, Matthew began to reflect on his life so far.

The customers who eagerly awaited the order were university students, attending the famous and private Sterling University, the most popular and referenced Higher Education institution in the state of Espírito Santo. The two-story university was built with the same appearance and architecture seen in the world’s most famous universities.

For someone to say they would study at Sterling was the same as saying they would study at Harvard or Oxford.

The building was erected by the famous Rocha Constructions, and they captured well the style of a university that evoked tradition, respect, and leadership.

Sterling University was built in a remote area of the city of Blue Cove, not far from the large city of Lagoon City. After the completion of construction and its inauguration in 2010, the area around the university began to be populated. Stores and food options emerged to serve university students, including the Happy Snack kiosk.

The kiosk is located in the huge tree-lined square, at the entrance to the university. Students entering or leaving through the front entrance inevitably would face the kiosk.

And it’s this kiosk that helps Matthew Silva, 25, get a little money to pay his bills and help his mother.

“These cheeseburgers are takeout.” Clayton Saldanha reminded him, the owner of the establishment.

“Yes, sir,” Matthew wraps up the takeout snacks and goes to the front to deliver them to two young ladies who are waiting.

The two university students were dressed elegantly, in fashionable clothes, probably Law students or other higher education courses. Still, they can’t take their eyes off the kiosk assistant.

Matthew’s kind blue eyes along with his gentle and comradely posture, was an attraction in itself at the kiosk.

After they pay, say thank you, and leave, the waitress who works there leans against the counter and comments, “You managed to gain two more loyal customers, Matt.”

“Me?” Matthew chuckles, “They’ll come back because of my snack-making skills, Patricia.”

Patricia shakes her head with a mischievous smile, “It’s not like that. They’ll come back because they think you’re quite a catch.”

Matthew wags his index finger, “If we have customers, it’s thanks to you standing outside serving them.”

Patricia blushes slightly and tries to hide it.

Both Matthew and Patricia have good looks, but unfortunately, no scout from any modeling agency would hire the two of them if he was passing by at the time. Matthew and Patricia, without realizing it, hide their good looks with the caps they put on, the baggy kiosk t-shirt they wear, and the greasy frayed jeans.

Matthew, to add the matter, has a three-day stubble, his clothes are greasier from being the grill cook, and the smoke that always comes out of the grill leaves his skin in bad condition.

Still, some can see beauty in Matthew, which is why he has become a topic of conversation among college students.

Coming down the stairs after a long day of studying, Cindy Cardoso, a stunning blonde the same age as Matthew, sees the kiosk and smiles slightly.

She heads towards the establishment, but going around the back, she calls Matthew with obvious intimacy.

“Matt?”

“Cindy! How are you, my love?”

Matthew was going to hug Cindy, but the apron with signs of the snack he just fried put her on guard.

“Ehr... Be careful, my dear. From here, I’m going straight to LCN!”

“Oh, I got it.” Matthew is a little embarrassed. But then, he looked at the white blouse and black jeans that framed her thighs and realized that he couldn’t get her dirty.

“How are you?” Cindy tries to break the awkward silence.

“Nothing much happened. I continue studying and working here.” Matthew smiles proudly.

Cindy tries to be enthusiastic, but inside, she’s kind of bored by her boyfriend’s ready answer, “OK, I hope something comes along to help you improve your life, Matt. Your mom is counting on you. If I can help in any way... LCN is hiring.”

“I’m not suited to work at a television station, darling.” Matthew laughs.

“Matt, we have one more order!” Clayton interrupts, placing a piece of paper on a counter.

“Sorry, honey, I need to get these snacks ready. I’ll see you later?” Matthew asks fondly.

“No need, I’m going to work late. We’re covering an important story about a corrupt politician. It looks like a colleague of mine found some evidence and we need to prepare a bombshell article, but the deadline is approaching!” Cindy suddenly has her brown eyes shining. Talking about her journalism career is more exciting for her.

“Careful, darling,” Matthew turns serious, “I don’t want them to hunt you down in retaliation. I’d hate to know that—”

Cindy laughs as she walks away. Matthew was going to pet her, but the smell of grease from the grill repels her, “Don’t worry, Matt. I’m just an intern helping. The person who will write the article is an already renowned journalist and expert on this type of subject. And nowadays, retaliating against a journalist who publishes this type of material is a sign of guilt. Politicians are still corrupt, but now they’re smarter.”

Matthew relents, “OK, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodbye!” Cindy waves, already walking away.

Matthew smiles, proud of his girlfriend.

Patricia, however, is somberly serving customers. She seems to notice some signs that Matthew missed...

Other university students approach. One of them, acting as if he were the leader of a pack, stands too close to Patricia, while the others sit at a table, watching with arrogant smiles.

“Hey, waitress! Tell the loser we want four doubles BTL.” Said the one guy who was still standing.

Patricia is uncomfortable with the unwanted approach, “OK, you can wait and sit there with your friends.”

“What’s the problem?” The young man continues to approach when Patricia tries to move away, “While the loser prepares the snacks, we could talk a little, don’t you think?”

“I can’t talk, I’m at work.” Patricia tries to go to the counter, but the young man grabs her right arm.

“I don’t think Mr. Saldanha will mind. He knows me. Almost everyone knows me, except you, as seen. I’m David, and you?”

Patricia lets go of David. She knows who he is. David Rocha, the third son of the great construction baron Josias Rocha. At 31 years old, he was in his final year of Administration and was the most popular among university students.

His resemblance to his father in physical appearance, tall and fit body, draws the attention of women and the admiration of other guys. But what David had in beauty and status, he also had in arrogance.

Patricia smiles wryly, “I don’t need to be introduced to the heir of Rocha Constructions— OOPS! I forgot. The company is already under the big brother’s command, right?”

David’s friends stop laughing as David drops his mocking smile. Patricia had touched on the forbidden topic.

He again grabs her arm, this time violently, “And what do you know about this? The battle is not lost yet! That’s why I’m here, qualifying myself to prove that I can be as good a leader as my older brother, or even better than him!”

Patricia shakes her head and retorts, “Doesn’t it cross your mind that you’ll never be worthy of taking over the most powerful construction company because you were born from a mistress’s womb who tried to pull off a marriage coup?”

“You b*tch!”

David raises his hand to slap Patricia, but another, more ferocious scream echoes through the square, attracting the attention of the others around.

“Let go of her, you coward!”

David’s hand freezes in midair. With furious eyes, he searches until he finds the owner of the voice who dared to challenge him.

“YOU?” David asks in caustic disdain.

Patricia turns back and sees Matthew removing his apron. She is frightened by her friend’s domineering and at the same time protective stance.

“Does your girlfriend know you stick up for other girls, man?” David lets go of Patricia carelessly, causing her to trip and fall to the ground.

“Patricia!” Matthew, more concerned about her friend’s safety, rushes over to check if she’s okay.

But as soon as Matthew leans towards her, David takes advantage of the situation and delivers a heavy kick to his ribs.