Chapter 4 — Late-Night Inspiration

Lucas Rivera

The Culinary Studio was unusually quiet for this time of night. The faint hum of the ship's engines underscored the stillness, occasionally punctuated by the gentle lapping of waves against the hull. Outside the glass walls, the Mediterranean stretched endlessly, a dark canvas flecked with stars. The soft amber glow of Edison bulbs illuminated the sleek countertops and state-of-the-art appliances, glinting off polished steel and glass. Lucas Rivera adjusted his chef’s whites, the crisp fabric a familiar comfort. Normally, he relished these solitary moments, when the distractions of the day ebbed away, leaving only him and his craft. Tonight, however, he wasn’t alone.