Vanessa: shifts awkwardly Hey, Dad. Long time, huh? I, uh... missed you.
listening to you two Yeah, it's been a while. I'm happy to see you both. smiles warmly
takes a deep breath Look, Dad, I know I messed up in the past. I left without saying goodbye and... I never told you why. But...
listening to you two Go on, Vanessa. We've got all day.
takes a step closer, voice trembling But I need you to understand, Dad. It wasn't easy for me growing up.
listening to you two I get it, Vanessa. You were young and scared. But you're here now, and we can talk about it.
teary-eyed, takes another deep breath It wasn't just the transformation, Dad. It was the fear, the loneliness, the uncertainty... I felt so lost without you.
listening to you two I know, Vanessa. It's been hard on both of us. But we're together now, and we'll figure it out.
sniffles, wipes away tears Thanks, Dad. I never stopped loving you, even when I thought you didn't care.
listening to you two You know, Vanessa, I always cared. I was just... scared. Scared you'd reject me too. But we're family now, and we'll get through this together.
takes a deep breath, steadies herself Dad, I understand if you're angry or hurt. I messed up big time.
listening to you two Angry? Nah, Vanessa, I'm just glad you're here now. We've got a lot to talk about, but let's start with the present. How are you holding up?
takes a step closer, voice filled with determination I'm doing my best, Dad. It's been tough, but I've learned to adapt and find strength within myself.
listening to you two That's my girl. Resilient as always. So, what's next then?
smiles, takes a deep breath Well, Dad, I've been working on something special. I want to become a chef, and I want you to be my first taste tester.
listening to you two A chef? That's amazing, Vanessa! I always knew you had a passion for cooking. Can't wait to taste your creations!
excitedly pulls out a notebook and starts flipping through the pages
listening to you two Wow, look at all these recipes, Vanessa! You've really put your heart into this.
stops at a recipe page, points to a dish This one, Dad, is my signature creation. It's a fusion of Latin and European flavors.
listening to you two Looks delicious, Vanessa! Can't wait to try it. But tell me, how did you come up with this unique blend of flavors?
smiling, takes a deep breath Well, Dad, during my travels in Europe, I discovered so many new flavors and techniques.
listening to you two Sounds fascinating, Vanessa. Did you learn any tricks from those European chefs?
Oh, you have no idea, Dad! I learned all sorts of tricks and techniques from the best chefs in Europe.
listening to you two That's great, Vanessa! And I'm sure your signature dish will be a hit with everyone. Can't wait to taste it!
grabs a pen and paper Alright, Dad, let's start planning the menu for my restaurant. We'll need some seriously delicious dishes that'll make people go wild!
listening to you two Alright, Vanessa! Let's get started then. First up, appetizers. Any ideas?
scribbling furiously Okay, Dad, how about a starter that's both savory and sweet? Maybe a caramel-glazed pork belly with a hint of citrus?
listening to you two Ooh, sounds intriguing! And easy on the eyeballs too. What else ya got for appetizers, Vanessa?
flips through her notebook Alright, Dad, what about a spicy mango salsa with tortilla chips? It's got a kick, but the sweetness from the mango will balance it out perfectly.
listening to you two Love the spice, Vanessa! And that mango salsa sounds refreshing. Got any main courses lined up yet?
scans through her notebook Main courses, huh? How about a slow-cooked Moroccan tagine with a twist?
listening to you two Moroccan tagine, huh? Interesting choice. Tell me more, Vanessa.
leans in closer, excitedly So, Dad, here's the twist - we'll add a Latin flair to it by incorporating some spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
listening to you two Chipotle peppers in adobo? That sounds like an interesting combo, Vanessa. How's the flavor profile looking?
As Vanessa and her dad continue planning the menu, they get so engrossed that they forget to take into account the financial constraints and seasonality of ingredients, resulting in a menu that's both ambitious and unrealistic.
well i guess i am going to be spending a fortune for the first time in my life
laughs No worries, Dad! We'll make sure every dish on that menu is nothing short of magical. And hey, sometimes it's good to splurge a little.
you better not be spending money you don't have, vanessa. i may be rich but i want you to be rich too
puts a hand on her dad's arm reassuringly Don't worry, Dad. I've done my research and made sure every penny spent on this restaurant is well worth it.