#jade luz

[legendofsim]

"Jade!"

"Hiya!" She waved excitedly to the interviewer. "How are you doing?"

"Pretty great. How are you doing?" Jade gave a thumbs up. "Awesome, I have a few questions for you about your cast mates."

"Uh-oh. Okay, shoot." Jade smiled.

"I don't see Tom on the red carpet. People are whispering about him and Faye Ferrari, do you know anything about that?"

Jade shrugged. "That's none of my business. Next question?"

"You and Dorsey...?"

"Are good friends," She completed. "I'm happy for how far he's come. I'll always care about him. He's a good man."

[legendofsim]

"Jade." Sonny's smile made her heart leap. She tried to ignore Dorsey's grimace. "Great news."

"What could be so great?" She asked, consciously taking her time to turn to him. She was afraid that if she seemed too eager, he'd think she was being childish for her crush on him.

"Caleb Gray, Brian Van Winkle, Gene Bennett and Faye's mom, Carly Rain are here. Carly is talking to Gino about having you on the show for another challenge. So you get to stay for another day."

"That's great," Dorsey said.

Sonny nodded. "It is, isn't it? Tom will get to stay as well. You guys can see this through to the end with your friends."

"Thank you," Jade suddenly said. "For caring so much about us and our journey as chefs. You could have been like Gino, but you've been so supportive."

"I know people like Gino," Sonny said. "And I promised myself that I would never become like that. There is enough room for all of us in this industry."

[legendofsim]

"Stop that," Jade said to the male seated across from her.

"Stop what?" Dorsey frowned.

"Looking at me like that. I'm leaving, not going away forever." She dropped her fork, her appetite gone.

"What if I don't see you again?" He asked.

"You will," Jade replied. "I'm just a phone call away. We have things like video chat now. I'm more worried about you. You're such a nice guy, I don't want this show to tear you apart. You've made it so far. "

"It won't," He replied. This was sensationalized television. He signed up for a cooking show, not a reality show. But he saw how hard Faye, Violet and Sonny had been fighting to set things right. He'd stick through it.

[legendofsim]

When Sonny closed the door, Dorsey let out a sigh. “You like him, right?”

“Of course I do,” Jade responded.

“Romantically?”

She shrugged. “Maybe. But I don’t think it’ll go anywhere.” She combed her hair behind her ear. “Listen, Dorsey, I know that you like me. Maybe romantically?” When he didn’t answer her she shifted her weight. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Really, I do. You’re a great friend and I hope that we keep in touch, but I don’t think you need me distracting you.”

“You’re not a distraction,” He told her.

“You almost gave up the competition for me,” She replied. “You tried to save my ass out there and I appreciate it. But I was not letting you take the fall for my burnt dish. Now it’s your turn to win. I’m rooting for you. Okay? Win this thing.” She gave him a hug, that sent shivers down Dorsey’s spine.

“When I have my restaurant, you’ll have a job.”

She laughed. “Thanks, Dorsey.”

[legendofsim]

“But that left me and Dorsey,” Jade replied. “And Gino told us that one of us would be going home right then and there. No elimination challenge as usual.”

“He’s pissed,” Sonny said. “Faye, your words got to him. He’s taking it out on everyone.”

“He just sent one of you home?” She asked. “Who?”

“Me!” Jade exclaimed. “Because my dish was burnt. And I guess that’s justifiable, but I just thought there’d be an elimination challenge.”

“It’s not fair,” Dorsey added. His heart hurt, because he hadn’t ever wanted it to be him against Jade. Because he didn’t want to take something away from her, but he also didn’t want to lose. But also now, he would be losing her.

“You can do something about that right?” Violet asked.

Faye shook her head. “The schedule allows for one double elimination. The only rule was the contestant had to be voted off because of their cooking ability and if my dad sent Jade home because she burnt food then that’s reason enough. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay I guess,” Jade mumbled. “I did want to win this thing, but after today this whole competition seems ten times more sucky. It’s not even something I even want to be a part of anymore. This isn’t anything like Ramsey’s show on the cooking network.”

[legendofsim]

Faye let out a bitter laugh. The floorboards creaked, as more people shuffled into the house. The challenge was over. “But good things always come to an end.”

“Not all good things.” He gave her a smile.

The door opened, revealing a group of rattled contestants and mentors. Faye looked up at them. She counted. Shen, Davii, Jade, Dorsey, Bella…they were all here. So what then? “You all look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“After what just happened, with you and Tom, then the elimination challenge…” Davii let out a breath. “Man this was intense.”

“What happened exactly?” Tom asked.

“It wasn’t even a challenge at all!” Dorsey cried angrily. “It was an unfair mockery.”

“Your team won the challenge Faye,” Violet began. “Shen had the dish the judges liked the best so he got to choose who to save on the spot.”

“I chose Bella,” Shen replied, not choosing to explain why. Faye was just shocked that they had won. Not because of their skill. She was confident that they would win, but not after the stunt she just pulled.

[legendofsim]

Jade and Dorsey were already cooking. Violet was pretty sure she lucked out with these two. They worked so effortlessly together. Though, she noticed when Dorsey would look up at Jade, he'd become a bit nervous. She hoped it didn't interfere with the challenge. While Violet was a good chef, she wasn't Faye or Sonny's level. Her cooking alone wouldn't be enough to pull the team out of a loss.

"Talk to me guys," Violet said. "How are we doing?"

"Pretty good," Jade said. "This country chicken is going to be a hit. It smells delicious already and I only put on the seasoning."

"Be consistent, okay?" Violet responded. "We want the dishes to look and taste the same. Think of a restaurant. We have to be able to replicate a dish made by someone else, multiple times."

"Not a problem, ma'am," Dorsey told her. "Cookin' for groups is what I do."

"We got this, Dorsey," Jade answered confidently. "We haven't lost a challenge yet, let's keep this streak going."

"Yes." He nodded, as he coated the chicken in bread crumbs. He didn't want to let her down.

[legendofsim]

Gino stood alongside two famous faces in the culinary world that Faye had met a few times in her career. Dustin Golden and Weslyn Romero.While Dustin was more laid back, he was harsher on the physical qualities of the food, like texture and presentation. Weslyn was one to focus on the taste, owning her own restaurant. Her dad was more concerned with technique and how things were made. If they played to each person's tastes, they'd be fine. Gino gave his spiel and introductions to each chef, but Faye had tuned him out. Until he revealed the challenge. "Each team will create a three course meal. You'll have one dish per meal, but three plates of it made. Mentors are not allowed to touch their charges' dishes in any way." He looked at his watch. "Alright, you'll have 60 minutes for each course. Starting now."

Everyone ran to their stations. Faye walked leisurely. She was in no rush. She was sure that she and Shen were on the same page from the night before. It was just a matter of getting Davii caught up. Violet, Jade and Dorsey took an interesting approach. Violet laid out various  ingredients on the counter and was letting Jade and Dorsey dictate the course of the meal. It was then that she remembered Violet was prolific in the culinary education field. She would have no problem communicating with her team in a way that'd help them improve and recognize their mistakes.

Sonny, Bella and Tom were doing something a little different. They were just talking. No ingredients in sight. Sonny had an affinity for elevated food, which would no doubt win the judges over. Tom looked up and gave her a warm smile that caused her heart to jump. She felt bad, having to crush him, but it was her livelihood on the line. He could recover, she didn't know if she could. She gave him a solemn nod in return.