The Assistant(121)

“Thank you so much for coming. I’m sorry to trouble you…” I trailed off, grimacing in guilt.

The chef placed the large bags he was holding onto the counter before waving me off. “It was nothing!” he reassured me with a wink. “I get paid to do this, and I love my job. So it’s a win-win situation. What would you like me to cook?”

I bit my lip in thought. “Uh… I’d really like a cheeseburger and some fries right now. Is that okay, chef…?”

“Just call me Victor.” He grinned, taking out a small bag of potatoes. “And of course I can do that. I can make that with my eyes closed!”

I smiled at his enthusiasm before taking a seat on the opposite side of the table. “Thank you so much.”

“So what’s your name again?” Victor asked as he began peeling the potatoes at lightning speed.

“Emily. Do you… Did you want me to help with anything?” I asked as I watched him throw the peeled potatoes into a steel bowl.

“Nope. I’m good! How long have you been here?”

I sighed before answering. “I’m not sure. I think it’s been about a week now.”

“Wow. The girls he usually keeps here would’ve broke and did what he wanted the night he brought them in. You’re a fighter. Admirable trait.” Victor nodded in approval.

My mind temporarily blanked. “What do you mean ‘other girls’?” I asked in disgust.

“Oh… Please don’t tell me you’re the jealous type.” Victor cringed, looking away from the potato in his hands to give me a look of panic.

I scoffed. “Not for David. I can’t stand the man.”

Victor let out a loud laugh before he finished cutting his last potato. “I knew I remembered your face! You were the one that pretended to be allergic to ravioli and glared at him the entire dinner! I like you.” He grinned while pointing the knife in my direction.

I laughed and blushed at the comment before looking down at the white table. “Would you know if… I mean… do you have a phone I could use?” I whispered, my eyes growing wide with desperation as I met his smiling expression.

Unfortunately, Victor’s grin instantly fell at the mention of the small technological device. “I… I’m sorry, Emily… I’m not allowed to give it to you to use. He… He tracks my calls because I’m the assigned chef for this room. I have to keep my mouth shut and that’s how he makes sure of it,” he explained with a sympathetic expression.

I swallowed in disappointment before nodding in understanding. “It’s okay… Thanks anyway.”

An uncomfortable silence settled between us as began to chop up the vegetables for the cheeseburger, and I decided to speak up again. “So… Are you seeing anyone at the moment?” I asked in an attempt to make conversation.

Victor grinned. “Why, are you interested?”

My cheeks flushed crimson as his reply registered in my mind. “No, I have a boyfriend. I was just asking.”

Victor laughed at my reply. “I know, the infamous Adrian Kingston. I was just trying to be funny. I have a wife and 3 children,” he answered, smiling as he mentioned his family.

“Oh that’s great! What are their names and how old are your children?” I asked with a grin.

“Katherine is my wife, and my children are Kelly, Seth, and James. Kelly is 4, Seth is 2 and James just turned 8 months three days ago.”

I let out a sigh of admiration and grinned in his direction. “They sound lovely.”

“Seth is Satan’s spawn; but I love them. Hey! Maybe you could come and have dinner at my place one day! Katherine would love to meet someone like you. Your burger is served madam,” Victor announced in a badly attempted French accent.

I laughed as he set the plate filled with fries and a fresh cheeseburger in front of me, and I dug into the fries immediately. “Is he starving you up here or something?” Victor laughed as he observed my eagerness to eat.


“She was starving herself, actually.” David’s cool voice sounded from behind me. “Victor, your services are always appreciated. You may leave now.”

I stopped chewing mid-fry as all the hunger in my body deflated and the burger suddenly seemed less appetizing than it was a few seconds ago.

Victor nodded as soon as David finished speaking, and instantly began to pack his things. “If you need anything else to eat, just tell them to give me a call,” Victor told me as he placed the last bowl into his bag.

I nodded stiffly, feeling uncomfortable under David’s cool gaze. “Thanks again,” I murmured quietly.

Victor only managed to give a brief smile before he quickly made his way out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with the man I loathed with every fibre of my being.

“So you’ve finally come out of hibernation,” David commented with an amused smile.

I didn’t bother to respond as I meekly put another fry into my mouth.

“So? Have you finally gotten over your little sulking stage?” David prompted mockingly.

I let out an annoyed groan. “Can you please just… I don’t know… not talk for 5 minutes?”

David chuckled as I took a large bite from the burger. “As you wish, princess. I’ll let you eat in peace, and you can return the favour once you’re done.”