Seasoned With Love
Season 3 – Episode 11: "When the Past Goes Public"
Amara's POV
The morning started quiet.
Too quiet.
And in the restaurant business, quiet mornings usually mean something is about to go wrong.
I was reviewing supply orders at the counter when Rose walked in holding her phone like it was a piece of bad news.
Which, with Rose, meant it definitely was.
"Amara," she said slowly.
I looked up.
"What happened?"
She turned the screen toward me.
An article headline filled the screen.
"Wealthy Investor Who Walked Away From Million-Dollar Deal Now Running Local Restaurant."
My stomach dropped.
Marcus looked over from the kitchen.
"What?"
Rose said it out loud.
"Luke's past is all over the media this morning."
Marcus immediately stepped out of the kitchen.
"Are you serious?"
I kept reading.
The article mentioned the deal Luke walked away from.
The investors.
The money.
The controversy.
And at the end—
A quote.
From Evan.
Rose shook her head.
"He did this on purpose."
Marcus muttered,
"Yeah, that guy's messy."
Just then the door opened.
Luke walked in.
He stopped almost instantly.
He could tell something was wrong.
"What happened?"
I held up the phone.
He read the headline.
And for the first time since I met him…
I saw real frustration cross his face.
Marcus said it first.
"That Evan guy went to the media."
Luke exhaled slowly.
"Yes. I figured he might."
Rose raised an eyebrow.
"You figured this might happen and didn't warn us?"
Luke answered calmly.
"I didn't want to cause panic if it didn't."
Marcus pointed at the article.
"Well… mission failed."
I looked at Luke.
"Are they attacking you?"
Luke shook his head slightly.
"Not yet."
Rose said,
"They're testing the waters."
Marcus frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Luke explained.
"They want to see how the public reacts to my name being back in headlines."
I crossed my arms.
"And dragging the restaurant into it."
Luke nodded.
"Yes."
Marcus leaned on the counter.
"So what do we do?"
Before Luke could answer—
The restaurant door opened again.
Three people walked in.
Business suits.
Expensive ones.
Rose whispered quietly,
"Speak of the devil."
The woman in front introduced herself.
"Good morning. I'm Claire Donnelly."
Luke's expression changed slightly.
Recognition.
"I thought it might be you."
Marcus looked confused.
"You know her too?"
Luke nodded.
"Yes."
Claire smiled politely.
"We're here to talk business."
I stepped forward.
"This is a restaurant."
Claire looked at me calmly.
"Yes. A very promising one."
Luke spoke firmly.
"Say what you came to say."
Claire placed a folder on the table.
"Several investors believe this establishment has… growth potential."
Marcus whispered to Rose,
"I don't like where this is going."
Rose nodded.
"Same."
Claire continued.
"We'd like to invest."
Luke didn't even open the folder.
"No."
Claire blinked once.
"You didn't hear the offer."
"I don't need to."
She folded her hands.
"You're turning down a significant amount of money."
Luke replied calmly.
"I've done that before."
Marcus muttered under his breath.
"That part's true."
Claire leaned slightly closer.
"You could expand this restaurant into a chain."
I felt my shoulders tighten.
Luke answered simply.
"This place isn't for sale."
Claire smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Everything has a price."
That was the wrong thing to say.
Marcus stepped forward.
"Not this place."
Rose added,
"And definitely not today."
Claire looked between us, amused.
"Interesting team."
Luke's voice got quieter.
"Leave."
For a moment, the room went completely still.
Then Claire picked up the folder.
"This isn't over, Luke."
"I know."
She walked toward the door.
But before leaving, she said one more thing.
"The media cycle is just getting started."
Then they left.
Marcus immediately turned to Luke.
"Okay now I'm officially concerned."
Rose crossed her arms.
"They're applying pressure."
I asked the question that mattered most.
"Is this about money… or control?"
Luke answered honestly.
"Both."
Marcus sighed.
"Great."
Just then my phone started buzzing.
Rose's did too.
Marcus checked his.
More notifications.
More articles.
More attention.
I looked at Luke.
"The whole city is going to be talking about this."
Luke nodded.
"Yes."
Marcus said,
"You realize people are going to start coming in here just to see you."
Rose added,
"Or to judge you."
I studied Luke carefully.
"Are you okay?"
He looked at me.
"I will be."
But I knew him well enough now.
This wasn't just business pressure.
This was personal history coming back.
Rose suddenly said something that made the room pause.
"Evan isn't doing this just for investors."
Marcus frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Rose looked at Luke.
"He's trying to force you to make a choice again."
Luke didn't answer.
Which was an answer.
I squeezed his hand.
"You already made your choice."
Luke looked at me.
"Yes."
But outside the restaurant window…
I noticed something new.
A camera crew setting up across the street.
Marcus followed my gaze.
"Oh no."
Rose sighed.
"It begins."
Luke looked out the window.
And for the first time since this all started…
I could see it clearly.
The storm was here.
And it wasn't going away anytime soon.
End of Episode: 11