456 Oil and Water

(Cass)

It's fine. Really.

I mean, they're paying me double the normal chef rate to do this, and honestly, after everything I've been through, I am lucky to be here.

But as I dump another stack into the industrial washer and catch my reflection in the steel, I can't help but feel I'm clutching at straws.

A letter doesn't mean instant success, I have a long road to get there.

By the time the shift ends, my arms ache, and my stomach growls so loudly it's probably scaring the mice away.

The head chef mutters something about "grit" and "paying dues" when he finally waves me off for the night. They are all butt-hurt over me getting paid more than half of them.

Whatever. I've always been good at keeping my head down and proving people wrong.

The night air hits me like a slap as I step out of the estate's main building. The path to the cottage is dark, and my legs feel like lead with every step. All I want is to collapse on the couch, shove some food in my face, and sleep for a year. But then I hear them.

The deliberate footsteps.

"What, are you waiting to see if I trip on a rock or something?" I snap.

Viktor doesn't reply, just keeps walking at a steady pace.

"Seriously," I say, stopping in my tracks and turning to face him. "Do you have to follow me everywhere? It's not like I'm running off to start a drug cartel in the woods."

pisses me off, always hovering, always

cats, black and white outlook on

stalker? What's the matter, bored of

face is stoic, his eyes like ice. "It's my

managed to elevate yourself to the esteemed position of following me a broke, washed-up ex-junkie-through the woods. Bet your parents would be so proud." At this point I just want to

tightens, but he doesn't bite. Of course, he doesn't. He's probably incapable of being human

he asks, his voice calm,

you're better than me, don't you? With your suits and your rules and your perfect little world. But let me guess-your big 'job' consists of kissing Jayden's ass and glaring at people who

of my concern," he says finally, his voice clipped. "Until they become a risk to Jayden

forbid I 'risk' your precious boss's life with my

know enough," he says, his tone

sound sharp and bitter. "No, you don't. You know what you think you see.

but his eyes remain steady on mine.

slap, but I refuse to let it show. Instead, I let the anger bubble up, hotter

have

you're talking

hungry, have you?

if you'd have

de

head or food in your stomach. You've probably had everything handed to you, living in your perfect little world of rules and discipline. Newsflash, Viktor-some of us didn't

but there's a flicker in his eyes. Is it

go on, stepping closer, practically in his face now.

he asks again, his voice steady, calm, like

get to judge me. You don't know what I've been through. I'm a survivor. I'm

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