Chapter 116: Familiar Rhythm

Aiden and his Pops entered through the backdoor of the familiar restaurant.

No sooner had the veteran chefs, kitchen porter and aboyeur seen them--the youth especially, they immediately took to exchanging the warmest of pleasantries with them.

They also didn’t shy away from commenting on his glow up, though they promptly had to return to their jobs a minute after as they were still on the clock and the orders never stopped coming in.

’This place hasn’t changed in the least bit.’ Aiden remarked to himself, a nostalgic smile on his lips as he and his Pops made their way over to David’s office.

Granted he was rather excited to go greet his former co-workers, his meeting with the manager to precedence.

Upon arriving before the man’s door, knocking and informing him of their arrival, David promptly allowed them in.

"Aiden! It’s been a minute, kid. How’ve you been?" the man welcomed him with a genuine grin as he comfortably reclined into his chair.

"I’ve doing great, David, and I trust you have too."

"That I have," the manager replied, slightly swaying his chair from side to side as he commented with a slightly arched brow, his tone impressed;

"You look like you’ve been taking very good care of yourself."

"What can I say? I’ve got to stay as fit as a fiddle if I intend to reach my goals." Aiden grinned in response.

"It’s great to hear that," David replied, then added as he looked over to the middle-aged man whom was chilling in his seat next to his son with a light smile on his lips;

"Heard all about your milestones from Richard. He’s a very proud father."

"And I intend to make him prouder going forward," Aiden briefly glanced over to his Pops whose smile had widened into a prouder grin.

’Look at that smile...’ David inwardly remarked, briefly glancing over to his friend as well before returning his attention to Aiden who followed up with a question;

"How’s the restaurant been?"

"Same old, same old," David replied, then quietly said as he leaned forwards slightly whilst gesturing with a pointed finger;

"Between you and me though, we could really use someone like you again, kid."

"All these new part-timers we’ve been employing?" David briefly tapped his desk with said finger, his nail clicking twice.

"They all tap out within their first couple weeks of hustling here." he leaned back into his chair with a resigned sigh and disappointed shake of his head.

Aiden laughed at that, remembering his first month at the establishment.

It hadn’t been easy for him as well he wouldn’t lie... but he’d had so many factors ranging from his quests, to his need to make some capital to begin securing a better life for his Pops and his future, it had been pretty easy to keep himself motivated.

"I’m sure someone worthwhile will come around in due time." Aiden finally said in assurance, to which David remarked;

"I sure hope so,"

"That recent firm up the street your father and the company he works for built a couple months back has brought a new influx of customers," he added for context.

"Wouldn’t even mind having them as a full-time if they’re up for it." he thoughtfully concluded.

Then he promptly switched gears, his gaze flitting over to the little cooler Aiden had carried in;

"But enough about Haute Cuisine. That’s not why you’re here today, anyway."

Gesturing to it with his head, he then asked;

"I’m guessing what you wanted to show me is in the cooler?"

"Yep," Aiden leaned over and retrieved three bottles, placing each of them on the desk afterwards;

"As I’d already informed you, I created a beverage brand. One I intend on ensuring becomes a successful venture."

In the same motion, his Pops retrieved some documents from his messenger bag that showed that the beverage was indeed vetted by a nutritionist and had been approved for production.

Placing it on the table, he followed up with his son’s words;

"Here’s proof that it’s legit too."

Naturally, Aiden picked things up from there as he added with a gesture of his palm, his demeanor, confident, and his smile, honest;

"I could really use your restaurant’s help in marketing it."

Though the youth and his father had a good relationship with Haute Cuisine, its employees and even the manager himself, they were sparing no effort to go about as per standard protocols.

Eyeing the rather interesting name on the bottles though, their designs simple to say the least, David couldn’t help but want to satiate his curiosity with a question every other person Aiden had marketed the product to today had asked as well;

"That’s not alcohol, is it?"

"No, it is not." Aiden simply replied and gestured for him to try them, his smile assuring.

This time, David leaned over and grabbed one of the bottles--which happened to be the pineapple-mint flavor.

Taking a sip out of it, the man’s eyes widened... evidently in pleased surprise as he looked between the contents of the bottle and the duo seated before him a couple times.

Then he asked of Aiden in particular, clearly still in awe;

"You made this?!"

"I did, though the co-packing company I’m working with did a good job of bringing it to new heights." Aiden nodded in response.

"That’s... wow..." David remarked, then promptly tried the other two.

Yet again, he couldn’t help but find himself utterly impressed.

Sure, the naming sense as a bit... concerning, to say the least, never could he have anticipated that it was sparkling water. A fantastic sparkling water at that.

Immediately, David leaned forwards, palms interlocked as he said;

"Alright then. I’ll have it added to the menu."

"We might need fifty to a hundred bottles per day, though. Would you be able to provide that much?" the manager followed up with an inquiry.

"Considering I intend to have 25,000 bottles in inventory? I don’t think it’ll be a problem, though it’ll only be the pineapple-mint flavor for now." Aiden grinned in response.

"I would also like to give Haute Cuisine specifically, a 20% discount on their first order of a thousand bottles." the coal-haired youth added, and David raised a brow in genuine surprise.

"Think of it as a form of goodwill for taking a chance on my product," he continued, his palms interlocked as well as a light grin settled on his features.

"Also, I’d like to make a request, if you don’t mind." Aiden immediately followed up, and David leaned back into his chair with a smile, the manager gesturing with a palm as he said;

"Go on."

"I’ll give Haute Cuisine, two hundred bottles, free of charge," Aiden raised two fingers up, then pointed at the bottles on the desk;

"In return, kindly distribute them to the first hundred customers that come in the day the product launches, free of charge as well."

"Like a promo?" David rhetorically connoted, realizing the baiting tactic the youth intended to use.

"Yes," Aiden bobbed his head once and then continued;

"As for the remaining hundred, please kindly hand them off to the employees of Haute Cuisine,"

"It would mean a lot to me if you could." the youth added with a cordial smile.

To that, David simply extended an arm over the table and said with a cordial smile;

"You, Mr. North, have yourself a deal."

"Thank you, Mr. Haute. It’s a pleasure doing business with you." Aiden reciprocated, he and the man shaking firmly on it.

No sooner had they done that, they ironed out a few more details. Through it all, Richard simply watched his son interact with David, his heart swelling with pride through the entirety of it all.

A few minutes later, Aiden excused himself to go greet his former co-workers.

As the door closed behind him, David turned his attention to Richard and said;

"You my friend, are a very rich man. I haven’t seen half as much drive from adults double his age in a minute,"

"I guess he really wasn’t kidding when he made that statement to retire you before fifty." he added, clearly impressed.

"Yeah," Richard simply replied, then glanced to the door behind him briefly as he declared with unwavering belief;

"And he’s gonna go so far in life. I just know it."

Meanwhile, Aiden had arrived back at the kitchen, the chefs on ground gesturing to him with a familiar warmth.

Just before he stepped out into the dining area though, much to the curiosity of Cody, Jermaine and Mrs. Bao whom had been wondering what the cause for all the ruckus behind the scenes was for the past couple minutes, Aiden casually branched the changing room.

Swiping one of the spare uniforms, the youth tied it around his waist and headed out.

Then, upon arrival at the dining area, much to the stunned surprise of all three individuals and a few loyal customers, Aiden casually said;

"So, which one of you would like to delegate your tables to me?"

No sooner had they heard that, all three, despite not having seen Aiden in a long time, immediately raised their hands...

...only for them to look to one another and share a genuinely hearty laugh afterwards.

Still, as they were in the middle of rush hour, they couldn’t exactly greet Aiden as they wanted and he understood.

After sharing quick hugs with each of them, the youth then took over his usual tables alongside snagging one from each of them.

Before long, the efficiency in the room practically went up by 50% and it was honestly like he had never left as he began attending to customers and they all settled into a familiar rhythm.

It also didn’t take long before David and Richard walked out of the room, only to be met with the youth seamlessly darting about the dining area.

At the same time, he happened to be drawing a whole lot of eyes to himself, one that had David asking his friend;

"What the hell are you feeding him that’s gotten him looking like a poster boy for a fashion magazine?"

"Honestly, I haven’t the faintest idea." Richard replied with an amused chuckle.

"They’d best keep their eyes to themselves though. He’s already a taken man." the man added, arms folded across his chest in pride.