From: Gourmet Adventures Contest

To: Maria Tomas

November 19th, 2:45 AM

Subject: Invitation to the final cook-off

Congratulations, Maria!

We and our sponsors love your creative recipes and would love to sample them in-person. On December 15th, we're inviting our three finalists to Montreal for a final cook-off that will be broadcast on our channel. Based on the results, we'll be selecting our winner. We are providing return transportation contestants from any major Canadian city to Montreal in exchange for two posts about their experience on the train.

We understand that you are in Thailand. You would be responsible for transportation to Canada on your own. If you would like to compete in the cook-off and be eligible for the grand-prize trip to Paris, please reply by November 20th.

***

The following Thursday, Maria waited in the courtyard while Mitch and Shawn played a game of one-on-one, making her hands and feet itch. Part of her wanted to sink three-pointers like she used to. The other part wished Mitch would challenge her until he had her pressed up against the wall, hot breath tickling her lips and his firm chest against her. Maria closed her eyes and let the thought escape with her exhalation.

Father Michael would arrive any minute, and she needed to purify her thoughts. Not that he could read minds, but it seemed blasphemous to feel that way around a priest.

The ball stopped bouncing, and Mitch approached. "Is Tom taking you out for dinner?"

Maria cocked her head to the side. She and Tom had fixed any awkwardness from Koh Samet, but Mitch spoke like they were an item. "No, the priest from Assumption Cathedral is coming to bless my apartment."

"No kidding, so I get to meet the hottie?"

Her face flushed. "Stop!"

Mitch sat beside her on the bench. "Are you nervous? You seem more out of it than normal."

She took a deep breath. Keeping her stress hidden for the past two days was exhausting. "I made it to the bonus round of the cooking contest."

After slinging a sweaty arm around her shoulder, Mitch pulled her closer. "Told you! Why so glum?"

"It's in Montreal in three weeks."

His embrace morphed into a back rub, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"That's pretty short notice. Are you going to go?"

She'd contemplated it most of yesterday and arrived at her decision this morning. As amazing as it would be to have her cooking celebrated, she had responsibilities in Bangkok to her students and the school that had taken a chance on her despite her lack of experience. She couldn't afford a one-way ticket, and after Samet's magic, her heart longed to explore more exciting corners of this tropical paradise. Montreal wasn't going anywhere, nor was her social media audience.

"No, it's robbery to pay to return to Canada for winter."

"You'd have to fly yourself there?"

Maria nodded.

"That's bullshit."

She shrugged. "It was a contest open to Canadians, so there's transportation from within the country. I moved away partway through the competition."

"But if you hadn't moved, your cooking wouldn't have half the Thai flavours that helped it win."

That was another advantage of staying, more amazing food and opportunities to grow as a cook. Sitting up, she put more distance between her and Mitch. "Yeah, but maybe I've gotten what I needed from the contest. It started as Adrian's idea to escape our sad situation, then turned into a way to win him back, then something to give me confidence while I struggled through teaching. It brought me closer to Prae, to Emma, to you. But I'm improving my teaching every day, and I've shaken off Adrian and Kelsey. Thailand is where I need to be now, not Canada."

"I'm glad to hear it. Getting used to new neighbours is exhausting. You wouldn't believe what a mess my last one was because of her asshole ex, but she cooked kick-ass food, and she turned out to be a pretty cool person," he teased with a grin.

They shared a laugh until movement at the gates caught her attention. Maria stood and greeted Father Michael.

"I hope you found this place okay," Maria said.

"I'm only given challenges I have the tools to handle," Father Michael said.

Heavy footsteps grew closer. Mitch rested an elbow on Maria's shoulder and smiled at Father Michael. "My goodness, Maria wasn't lying. Her words don't do your looks justice, Father."

After Maria narrowed her eyes at Mitch, Father Michael wore an amused smile.

"I apologize for my friend. His jokes aren't always funny. They were just leaving, right Shawn?"

"We're heading out for dinner. It's nice to meet you." Shawn shook the priest's hand before he dragged Mitch away.

Father Michael turned to Maria. "Guest are welcome at the blessing."

"My guests are digital. I can show you the apartment."

As they conversed about life in Bangkok on to her place, her phone vibrated, and a message appeared.

Mitch: Didn't mean to intrude on your date! I understand why you were so defensive. Don't forget to use protection ; P

Frowning, she shoved the phone away and let Father Michael into her tidied home. "I'll video call my mom and sister if you don't mind."

"Please, take your time. Have you felt negative energy in this space?"

Maria opened a few programs on her laptop. "Mostly my own. my last apartment blessed, and I'd rather not relive those events. Call me superstitious, but—"

"The Lord's protection and presence are more than superstition."

"Yes, Father."

"Do you have conflicts to resolve before the prayers?"

Maria sighed. She'd released Adrian's hold over her. In a brief message, she'd explained herself to Kelsey and apologized for her recent actions to be the bigger person. She continued to ask about her father and tried to gain his forgiveness, but he refused to speak to her. Today, she'd found peace with her choice to abstain from the final round of the competition. Thailand and her friends here were more important to her than winning a trip to Paris.

"As ready as I will be."

"Perfect, we will release anger, negative feelings and resentment now."

Maria inhaled, and her muscles relaxed as she thought of her life in Edmonton floating away. Adrian's new apologies joined as did hopes of a future together. She breathed out her irritation at Mitch and the critical views she had about her teaching.

Camilla and Tina's smiling faces filling her laptop screen as they answered the call.

"Hi, Maria, Father Michael, we are grateful for the service you're performing for our daughter."

'Our daughter' seemed like an odd phrase since it was only Camilla and Tina.

"It's my pleasure. Everyone deserves our Lord and Saviour in their home."

"How was the beach last weekend?" Tina asked.

"Tina!" Camilla nudged her and muttered something in Tagalog.

"What, I can't catch up with my big sis while we wait for the show to begin?"

"Be respectful," a deep voice grumbled.

Maria's spirit lifted at her father's words. While he wasn't on screen, he was a part of her day. Her eyes watered, and her smile grew.

"Dad, I-I miss you." Her mother smiled back at her. "All of you."

Tina shifted the camera so Rodrigo was visible. He wrinkled his brow, and his lips were straight and pursed. Just how she'd left him. "At least you have the sense to bless this apartment."

Maria nodded and turned to Father Michael.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," he said.

Maria and her family, her father included, made the sign of the cross and replied, "Amen."

"Peace be with this house and with all who live here."

"And with your spirit," the Tomas family chorused.

"Peace doesn't come easily. We must endure hardships, loss, and heartbreak all without surrendering our courage to continue. Peace teaches us to carry these burdens. Through this, we gain our strength," Father Michael continued.

Maria's financial struggles had proven her determination. Losing her relationship had taught her to seek validation from elsewhere, at first from others, then from within. As long as she valued herself and her contributions to the world, it didn't matter what others believed.

Father Michael took out his Holy water and recited Biblical passages. Her bare feet stuck to the floor as she followed him with the laptop, and they responded. Tina was quiet for one of the longest times Maria could remember.

"Now that you have the Lord's blessing and you've experienced the joys of Thailand, continue to take risks and to bring that feeling to yourself and others. You will grow closer to God."

Her risks so far had paid off, the risk of starting a new life abroad, of standing up to Adrian, and of defending her heart by telling Mitch she wasn't ready. Staying in Bangkok was another. There was no guarantee she succeed as a teacher for an entire year or that she wouldn't fall into a new emotional hole. There was zero chance she'd win the trip to Paris, but she wasn't sure she needed to. Her adventures here were exhilarating, and she loved sharing them with Emma, Prae, Mitch, Tom, and Shawn. She could only strive to bring joy to their lives and her students' as they'd done for her.

"Thank you, Father. Can I offer you anything to eat or drink? I have a fried banana and coconut dessert I can heat up to spread the joy."

Father Michael grinned then glanced at his watch. "I must leave soon, but I don't think I can resist your offer."

With a bounce in her step, Maria pulled the coconut milk from the fridge and boiled it on the stove with pandan leaves, sugar, and salt. She and her family chatted with Father Michael about his missions helping abroad while she stirred the mixture. There was so much suffering in the world, and Maria vowed to recognize it and help. She had received generous support through her own.

Since he had another appointment, the priest didn't stay long. Maria's mother and sister left Maria with her father. "Thank you for staying for the blessing."

"You were a bright girl, and I'm glad to see some sense is returning."

Maria lay on her bed and waited for the rest of the speech.

"Your mother says you spent the weekend at the beach. How are you saving money out there? Have they paid you?"

Her hands bunched up the sheets. "Yes, Dad, they pay us at the end of each month. I haven't saved much yet, but a friend is arranging a tutoring job that could help."

"You should start soon and forget these excursions."

"I was adjusting to my new position before I accept another."

"Are you being treated well?" her father asked.

Maria shrugged. "Mostly."

"Can I talk to my sister now?" Tina pressed. "Mom needs a ride to work."

"And what about school?"

"They cancelled biology classes all week, so I go in at 11."

"Cancelled classes, I wasn't born yesterday. Get dressed for school."

Tina placed her hands on her baggy, black cargo pants. "This is what I'm wearing."

"I see everything is as it was," her mother said with a smile. "Now, you two, pack your lunches, and we'll leave shortly." A stern look from Camilla sent them both away. Once they were out of earshot, she leaned closer. "Have you used my gifts?"

Maria furrowed her brow.

"You know, the package of—"

"Mom!" Maria shielded her eyes. "No, I haven't. I've hardly been here over a month."

"Keep them with you, just in case." Camilla's voice dropped to a whisper. "Your father's forgiveness won't withstand a situation like Sunshine's this soon."

"A relationship is the last thing I want. Adrian just stopped bothering me."

Her mother couldn't hide her smile. "Don't close your eyes completely. It's nice to know your options when you're ready."

As attracted as she was to Mitch, she'd made the right call in Samet. Hooking up with him would lead to feelings he couldn't reciprocate, and even though she was over Adrian, she needed more time to heal. She'd continue to enjoy her life in Thailand, on her terms.

"Thanks for pushing me to come out here, Mom. I wasn't the most cooperative or logical daughter then, but, the distance from my relationship drama helped, so did having this whole new country as a distraction."

"A mother knows best. I only hope your friends are as supportive as Sunshine claims."

"They're great. Sorry, that my trip caused tension between you and Dad."

"Your father and I will always disagree, and he's come around to the right mindset."

Her father strode back onto the screen. "You would have had more financial success at home, but your mother might have been right. You could be wasting it to support the terrible music boy."

"He's out of my life, for good."

"Thank God!" Tina called out. When both her parents scolded her, she added. "Don't act like you weren't praying for it."

Maria held in her laugh.

As Camilla's eyes flickered away, her posture slumped slightly. "Sorry, iha, we'll be late to work if we stay longer."

"I love you guys," Maria said with a grin. "Thanks for taking me in when during the Adrian drama."

"That's what families do." Camilla elbowed her husband in the side.

He scratched at his balding head. "While I don't think you made the correct choice, I should have respected your right to choose."

Maria swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thanks, Dad."

As they waved goodbye and blew kisses, Maria's chest warmed. She was fortunate to have two families: her biological one, who were all on good terms with her now, and her Thailand peers who saw her strength when she couldn't and pushed her out of her comfort zone.

***

Rialoves2cook: Hey friends, although you won't be seeing me move on to the final surprise competition in Montreal next month, I hope you'll follow my adventures in Thailand, a country that has truly captured my heart. There are plenty more delicious foods and shenanigans on the horizon. I have the honour of teaming up with two of our amazing contest sponsors to keep my bringing my cooking to you after the contest. I can't wait to share more with all you incredible folks.

Much love, Maria.

#thisisnttheend #stuckwithmelikeabadheadcold #excitingsurprises #loveyouguys

Posted: November 22nd, 10:00 PM

END OF BOOK 1