Begin Again: Chapter 23

“Seb, where’s Alison?” Portia asks Sebastian who’s giving some instructions to one of the staffs in the kitchen. 

Seb straightens his back and looks around, then he asks one of the interns who’s learning to decorate a cake, “Mitch, wasn’t she with you?” 

“She went to the front a few minutes ago,” Mitch says. “She said there’s something she needed to talk about to Kali.” 

Seb turns to Portia. “I’ll get her, Boss.” 

Portia shakes her head. “No, that’s alright. I’ll go see her.” 

This is Alison’s first day as an intern at A Piece of Cake since this is also the first day that Ben officially works at the Ramses. Portia often hires teenagers she finds at Sunny Day so they can have some more experience before looking for other jobs out there. But, it seems like Alison is the type of person who doesn’t like to work in silence, who’s more excited to work with people, and doesn’t have a very long span of attention. Perhaps Portia should just place her with Kali to deal with customers. 

Portia sees Alison talking to Kali behind the cashier desk in a whispering manner. 

“Alison, why did you leave your work?” Portia asks. 

Alison jolts and turns around, she quickly hides something behind her back. 

Portia raises her eyebrows. “What’s up?” she asks. She stares at Kali who’s looking a little weird, and back to Alison who seems like she doesn’t know what to do. “What were you guys talking about?” 

Alison bites her lip and glances at Kali. After a moment of hesitation, Kali finally says, “Just show her, Alison. I think it’s her right to know.” 

Portia is getting more confused. “What? What is it?” 

Alison sighs, then she hands her phone to Portia. “Here,” she says to her. “Read it.” 

Portia receives the phone from Alison’s hand with a frown. “What is…?” But before she gets to continue her words, her eyes catch the title of an online article that’s shown on the screen. 

AUDREY HILL’S ROMANTIC HOLIDAY WITH (soon-to-be) FIANCÉE

Portia’s eyes quickly move to the 3 pictures under the main title. Those pictures must’ve been taken secretly, but due to the high quality, Portia can easily recognize Ellen in those pictures. 

The first picture shows Audrey and Ellen in a restaurant. Audrey leaning over the table, smiling, while Ellen is sitting back relaxedly. 

The second picture shows both of them walking together. Audrey, as always, almost glues herself to Ellen’s side. Portia can’t clearly see whether Audrey is holding Ellen’s hand, but seems like the writer of the article thinks so. 

The third picture is what makes Portia almost chokes. She squeezes Alison’s phone in her hand. After staring at that picture for a couple of seconds, she reads the following short article quickly. 

…..Supermodel Audrey Hill was caught having a romantic getaway in Chicago with New York’s Ramses’ executive chef, Ellen DeGeneres. Our reliable source (who wants to stay anonymous) told us that the adorable couple has been together for a few months and they’re sure that DeGeneres is going to propose to Hill really soon. The lovebirds spent their New Year’s Eve on DeGeneres’ high school reunion and did the traditional New Year’s Eve kiss right when the clock struck twelve... 

“I’m sure that this is just a huge misunderstanding.” Kali breaks the silence. Her voice wavers. 

“But what about that picture?” Alison insists. “They’re clearly kissing!” 

“Alison.” 

Portia gives another look at that third picture, blinks several times, exhales slowly, then gives the phone back to Alison. “Go back to work, Alison,” she says flatly. 

“Are you okay, Portia?” Alison looks concerned. 

“Sure,” Portia answers briefly. 

Then her own phone rings, making Portia jumps. She shuts her eyes and sighs tiredly before fishing the phone out from her apron’s pocket. She looks at the name on her screen, then presses the red button. She lifts her face and looks at Alison again. “Back to work,” she repeats. 

Alison glances at Kali once more before obediently walks back towards the kitchen. 

When Portia’s phone rings again, she rejects the call in a flash and turns her phone off for good. 

************

Ellen is staring at her phone with a confused frown when Andy appears in the doorway. 

“Happy New Year!” He greets his boss cheerfully and steps inside. “How’s your holiday with your family?” 

Ellen taps her phone’s screen again and brings it to her ear. “Just like the previous years. Nothing new,” she answers. A moment later she stares at her phone again and mumbles, “Where’s she?” 

“Who’re you trying to call?” Andy asks. 

“Portia,” Ellen says and dials the number of Portia’s shop. 

“A Piece of Cake,” Kali’s friendly voice greets her. “How can I help you?” 

“Hi, Kali,” Ellen greets back. “This is Ellen DeGeneres speaking. Happy New Year.” 

“Oh.” Kali’s voice suddenly changes. “Happy New Year.” 

Ellen decides to ignore the change of the tone. Maybe it’s just her. “Is Portia there? I’ve been trying to call her but she didn’t pick up.” 

“Mm. Perhaps she’s busy.” 

Vague answer. Ellen tries again, “But is Portia there?” 

Silence. Then, “I think she’s not in the mood to receive some phone calls.” 

“What? Why?” 

“You know why,” Kali says curtly. “What about you try again tomorrow? Or in another couple of days.” 

After Kali hangs up, Ellen can only stare at her phone in utter confusion. “What the hell does that even mean?” 

“What’s going on?” Andy asks. 

“Portia refuses to talk to me,” Ellen says slowly. She lifts her face and stares at Andy. “Why?” 

Andy shrugs. “How should I know? Did you do something that might make her angry?” 

“I just got back from Chicago. I’ haven't even had the chance to see or talk to her again,” Ellen says. She stops for a while, pondering things, then mumbles, “I’ll go see her and find out what’s going on.” 

“Wait,” Andy holds his friend. “If she doesn’t want to talk to you on the phone, what makes you think she’d want to see you in person? Why don’t you find out through someone else?” 

“Who?” 

Andy indicates the kitchen with his thumb. “Haven’t we got a new guy who knows your girl quite well?” 

***************

5 minutes later…

Benjamin Font, Portia’s ex-staff who’s now working at the Ramses, stands in the middle of Ellen’s office nervously. He stares at Ellen and Andy alternately. “You… want to see me, M’am?” he asks hesitantly. 

Ellen smiles. “Hello, Ben. How’s work been? Have you been enjoying it?” 

“Uh… Yes, M’am.” He sounds unsure. “I’ve still got much to learn, though.” 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you’re gonna do well here,” Ellen says again warmly. “Anyway, right now I really need your help, Ben.” 

Ben slightly tilts his head. “My help?” 

*************

Another 5 minutes later…. 

Ben is listening to Kali’s story on the phone without much talking. From time to time he steals a glance at Ellen DeGeneres who’s sitting on the edge of her working desk with a crossed hands. If what Kali’s saying is true, no wonder Boss doesn’t want to talk to Ellen. 

“I’ll send you the link,” Kali says at the end of the conversation. 

Ben hangs up and turns to Ellen hesitantly. 

“So?” Ellen asks. “What did she say?” 

Ben clears his throat and says, “Boss has just left. She’s not at the shop at the moment.” 

“Where did she go?” 

“Kali doesn’t know.” 

“What else did she say?” Ellen pushes. “Why won’t Portia answer my calls?” 

As if on cue, Ben’s phone beeps. He clicks the link that Kali just sent to him which leads to an online article. His eyes widen in blatant surprise. Then he lifts his head and stares at Ellen for a second before showing what’s on his phone in front of his new boss’ face. “Kali said it’s because of this, M’am,” he mutters. 

Ellen stares at Ben’s phone, frowning, and in another second she snatches the phone from the owner’s hand.

“What the fuck is this?” she exclaims furiously. 

“What? What is it?” Andy immediately stands up from his seat and peeks from behind Ellen’s shoulder. “Ellen, why did you kiss Audrey?” 

“I did not kiss her,” Ellen snarly sharply. 

Andy stares at his boss. “You mean this picture is photoshopped?” 

Ellen doesn’t answer, her grip on Ben’s phone is getting tighter and tighter as she scowls angrily while reading the short article. 

Afraid that his phone would be crushed on his new boss' hands, Ben tries to think of a way to ask for his phone back. “I’m sorry, M’am,” he mumbles, “my phone…” 

But the look that Ellen throws his way makes Ben stops midway and gulps. For a moment Ben’s almost sure that his boss would throw the phone to his face, but finally Ellen only hands the thing back to him. 

Without another word, Ellen grabs her coat from her chair and bolts out of the room in wide strides.