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“John, could you please escort Ms. Landers toward the kitchen? She’s scheduled to meet with the other chefs today.”
“Of course, sir,” John says gracefully. “Let’s go, Ms. Landers.”
Xander holds up his hand to stop him. “I’ll wait for you. Just let me know when you’re done.”
My eyes meet John who’s staring at us intently and I blush. Dammit, Xander’s making things so much harder for me.
I know he’s not doing it intentionally. He’s either oblivious or he doesn’t care, but I really don’t need this. John is definitely getting the wrong idea.
“That’s fine. I can head home myself,” I tell him.
He frowns. “You’re still sick.”
“Xander,” I whisper. “It’s been three days. I promise I’m fine. Plus, I was going to head over to Lisabell’s after I’m done. I need to help her pack.”
“Then I’ll take you there. You didn’t drive.”
I open my mouth to protest but he stops me.
“No more arguments. I’ve got some things to do here as well. Just send me a text when you’re done.”
It’s awkward having this conversation with onlookers. John’s staring at us without saying a word and so is Declan. When I look up at the British billionaire, there’s a bright smile on his face. I inwardly sigh.
“Fine.”
We wait for both men to leave before I follow John into the elevator and up to the fourth floor. We stop just outside a door labelled kitchen area.
“Good luck in there,” he says with a sneer. “Most of them didn’t get to their position by fucking the boss.”
I almost choke on my spit.
“Excuse me! I am not fucking the boss,” I hiss out. “And even if I was, that would be none of your fucking business.”
“Good luck in there,” John repeats with a smile before promptly leaving.
Throwing me to the wolves all on my own.
Yeah, the guy’s a dick.
Unfortunately, my meeting with the cooking staff goes more or less the same way. The only difference is they’re not as bold as Joh. None of them say it to my face but it’s clear they don’t think I deserve to be here. There are no welcoming smiles or directions on what to do. I was expecting that, though. It’s usually the same when a new person is introduced to the rest of the chefs. The world of culinary can be a little cut-throat.
I leave the kitchen 30 minutes after I’ve been told what my job will entail. Less cooking, more washing dishes. They’re so predictable. It’s a good thing I actually enjoy washing dishes. And I’m also glad Xander didn’t go along with his initial plan of making me head chef. They would have eaten me alive. At least now I have a chance to prove myself.
Instead of texting him and informing him that I’m done, I decide to wander around the hotel for a while. I’ve been given a card that gains me access to most of the building and some ID so I’m not expecting any questions.
It really is a glamorous place. Somehow, I find myself on the third floor where the ballroom is located. I’m just about to enter when I notice two people talking in the corner. One of those people is Xander, and the other person is a woman I’ve never seen before in my life.
I watch closely as she places a hand on his arm and rubs it affectionately. They seem pretty close. Just when I think it’s not a good idea to be staring at them like a creep, Xander looks up. He frowns and walks up to me. Unfortunately, the woman follows.
“Hey, are you done?” he asks.
I nod once. “Yeah, I was just looking around the hotel and I found myself here.”
“Lex, who’s this?” the woman asks. I cringe at her high pitched, nasally voice.
She seems young, extremely young, and really beautiful as well. She’s a blonde with long, luscious hair stopping at her waist, although a part of me thinks she’s wearing extensions. And that her blonde hair might be fake, considering the brown roots peeking out. She has piercing green eyes that seem not to miss much. I paste on a polite smile as I face her.
“Hi, I’m Juliette Landers.”
