text: (WP) An Angel, a Demon, and Gordon Ramsay “Darling, are you quite sure about this?” My mother asks, hovering outside of my bedroom, floating off of the ground, wings fully spread. “I know that this is your dream, but you have to admit that the man is a little...” “Rude? Terrifying? Ornery?” I supply, smirking. “Trust me, after you and Dad, I can handle a picky head chef.” “We’ve seen Hell’s Kitchen, you know!” My father adds, appearing next to my mother, both of them blocking the door. We’ve had this conversation a million times, and I won’t change my mind. I want to be one of the greatest chefs of all time, and Gordon Ramsay is a living legend. “Won’t it be better if I’m out of your way?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. It has been their dream to rule the universe, and though I know they love me, I’ve never been their first priority. My mother is the strongest angel to ever come from Heaven, and my father is one of the most feared demons to ever climb out of Hell. I don’t begrudge them their dreams; that’s why it’s so surprising that they’re trying to talk me out of this. Maybe it’s crazy, but I’ve already accepted the job. I’m scared, but excited, too. I’ve never been outside of our little town, and now I’m headed to London. I’ve only seen it in pictures. “I’m just worried,” My mother replies, brow wrinkling with concern. “Promise me if you have trouble, you’ll call us.” My father watches me, head tilted. “I do believe her mind’s made up, my love.” “It is, Dad.” They make such a strange pair; when I was young, they would often tell me the story of how they’d met, and against the odds, fell for each other. It had become something of a bedtime story for me. But I wasn’t scared of Gordon Ramsay; what was a mortal chef businessman combo in comparison to literally having an angel and demon for parents? “Your plane leaves tomorrow at four, and of course, we can drive you to the airport. Make sure you pack plenty of books to read, okay? A flight of 15 plus hours is bound to get tedious,” Mom says, and she crosses the room, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “Make sure to check in whenever you land, please,” My father adds, and I nod. I wonder if I’ll even be able to sleep. This time tomorrow, I will leave this place, and wake up in a completely different part of the world. I look through the thick sheaf of papers that came with my acceptance letter. My plane ticket is within, as well as directions to the restaurant. Thankfully, Mom and Dad have friends and residences all over the globe, and one of them was kind enough to let me stay with her while I work for Ramsay. \*\* The next morning dawns bright and sunny, though we’re awake before it even rises. Mom and Dad insist on stopping for coffee and breakfast on the way, and I eat a few bites of my food. But I’m too excited to eat; my insides feel like they’re dancing within my body, a tango I have nothing to do with. I kiss my mother and father goodbye, hugging them tightly. I hang out in a gift shop for a little while, sipping my coffee and reading a novel. The time seems to fly; I board the plane, thinking about how I’ll meet my boss in several hours. Compared to my parents, what’s Gordon Ramsay? But I know this opportunity is golden, and I won’t waste it. This is just the first step on the path to success.