It is Sunday the next day, and I can probably rest longer in my room. I stretch my arms and legs and step out of the bed.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I suddenly remember the steamy kiss I shared with Brandon. I touch my lips and smile. I want to see and kiss him again. Last night was perfect. Well, he was perfect.
My thoughts are abruptly interrupted when I hear my phone beep. I sigh and lazily pick it up from the bedside table.
I scowl at the screen. I have four missed calls and three messages from an unknown number.
I check the time logs, and the last call was thirty minutes ago. I don’t usually answer unsaved phone numbers, but given the fact the caller bombarded my phone, it must be urgent. Or maybe it was from home.
I try to call back the number.
“Hello?” someone answers right away. It’s a man’s voice.
“Hello, may I know who’s calling?”
“Alayna,” I hear him clear his throat. “It’s me.”
“Who’s ‘me’”—I pause; the voice sounds quite familiar. “Cassius?”“Yep,” he answers and chuckles. “You left without saying goodbye. How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I answer simply. “What’s up?”
“Good. I just wanted to know if you’re okay.”
“How did you get my number?”
“Hmm,” he hums. “I asked Ollie. He had to babysit me because I was already getting furious.”
“Furious, why?”
God, what am I doing right now?“Because I’m attracted to someone who’s already taken,” he confesses and forces a laugh.
I remain silent, unsure of what to say.
“Anyway, I heard it worked,” he continues. “Brandon came out of the house officially after a decade. But I’m sorry I ruined it last night. I didn’t mean to get in the picture.”
What worked? Get in the picture? “Hold on. Don’t make me solve a riddle here.”
“I’m not supposed to tell you a patient’s condition.”
“But it’s Brandon. I know what is going on with him now, so what is holding you back?”
“I wasn’t supposed to tell you that before either, but I had to know what went on the last time he had an episode. Anyway, I’m finding a way that could help his condition... help him get better, especially now that we have seen hope. You are his hope.”
I shake my head. “I don’t like being called such a thing, Cassius.”
“But you are. I knew that when Brandon found out you were with me, he’d have no choice but to come out and get you. Fortunately, he responded positively.”
“Wait,” I interrupt him. “Are you saying you plotted all that?”
“Is that bad?”
“No, I just...” I pause. “Cassius, Brandon came out because of you,He pauses a little. “Uh, yes. Brandon didn’t want to see me, so I had to ask Ollie.” There’s melancholy in his voice.
“But even if you do this, Brandon will still—”
“Hate me?” he presses. “I don’t mind. I have a debt to pay.”
Debt? What kind of debt? I want to ask him, but I keep the thought in my mind.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“So you won’t misunderstand me. I want to clear my intentions. I am a very honest person, Alayna, but I just really wanted to help Oliver. He’s in a tight situation right now. You know what I mean.”
Instantly, I thought of Ollie being engaged. On the other hand, I still didn’t understand why Brandon doubted him. There must be something more to it. Something he hasn’t told me. Brandon wouldn’t hate or distrust his cousin for no reason. He clearly said that he doesn’t trust him, but Cassius is obviously doing everything he can to make it up to him.
“The next few weeks are going to be tough for Brandon,” he goes on. “He might not be able to see you for a while.”
“I know.” I sigh. “He just told me, but he said it’s not going to take another month.”
“Brandon didn’t know that it was going to be difficult this time. It’s going to be very painful.”
“Does he know now?”
“How could we possibly tell him that? This could be his second death.” He pauses. “I mean, not literally, but he needs to be strong to make it work this time. He’s not completely healed.”
The mask.“When are you going to tell him, then? He’ll eventually find out.”
“Brandon needs time. You’ve seen the scar on his chest, but you haven’t seen his face, and you will never wish to see it. It’s his biggest insecurity. I want to help him make it go away, but he’s just too afraid of my hands.”
“What is it like?” I snap. “His face... What is he hiding under the mask? Is it anything like the scar on his chest?”
“Look, I can’t disclose something private, but at this moment, you are the only person he listens to—more than Oliver. Have patience with him, Alayna. I have a feeling he will open up to you soon.”
My heart rises. “I hope for that too. Thanks, Cassius.”
“Anytime. Oh, I have to go. I’m flying to Athens tonight, but I’ll be back next week. I’ll keep in touch.”
“Sure.”“Alayna.” He hangs up.
Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like if I didn’t know any of them. I imagine myself in a restaurant cooking to my heart’s content. But how empty it would be if I never got to know Brandon. Right now, even if the path I’ve chosen is hard, I can’t see my future without him in it.
***
I feel a bit refreshed after a cold bath, but my head is still throbbing. It’s my rest day, but I want to check my supplies. Ms. Lennie is in charge of Brandon’s meals on the weekend. I find her at my station with a new girl.
She looks so young and charming. She has wavy, dark brown hair, pouty red lips, and curvy hips. She is wearing a similar uniform as a cook, only simpler. I can’t help but wonder: Did they hire new kitchen staff? If so, why is she at my station?
“Good morning, Ms. Lennie,” I greet her. “I’m just going to check the supplies so I can ask the grocer for refills.” My attention wanders to the brunette beauty next to her. She’s slicing the salmon into thin strips.
“Good morning, Alayna. No need, dear. I already asked someone to fill up the supplies,” she says. “And Alayna?”
“Yes?”
“I’d like you to meet Casey. She’s going to be your assistant, and she’s only in charge of cooking on the weekends. Oliver decided to leave the kitchen to you, and Casey will deliver the food to our master.”
Wait. What? If I heard her right, she clearly said this Casey will deliver food to Brandon.
Who is she exactly? Jealousy strikes me. I’m afraid Brandon allowed someone else other than me to enter his room.
I lean toward Ms. Lennie’s ear and whisper, making sure my voice is almost inaudible. “I need a further explanation. Did Brandon hire someone else? I thought I was his private chef now, and—”
“Casey will be delivering the food to his study.” She interrupts me with a faint smile. “She is also Oliver and Cassius’s sister. She’s the youngest.”
Sister! “Oh, Casey? Come here, dear,” Ms. Lennie calls her.
When she raises her face, it’s the most beautiful I’ve seen in my life, but there’s no hint of the Katrakis brothers’ genes on her. I’m instantly star-struck by her dark hair, small nose, and plump pink lips. And her mesmerizing gray eyes; they’re just like... Brandon’s.
“Lennie.” She smiles sweetly.
“Casey, this is Alayna. She’s the Master’s private chef. She’s going to help you with everything that you want to know. You’ve probably heard of her from your brothers.”
She waves her hand. “Hi, Alayna.”
“Casey is a new culinary transferee at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Manhattan. She’s only a sophomore, so she still needs your supervision. She’s going to be staying here with her brother until she graduates. Also, she’s your age.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Casey.” I smile as I reach out a hand; she takes it with a light squeeze.
“You too, Alayna.”
“Well then, I still have chores to do. I’ll leave you two for a moment.” Ms. Lennie excuses herself and leaves.
Casey continues slicing the salmon into bite-sized pieces. It’s probably best if I don’t disturb her. I still don’t know how I’m going to approach her. She also seems different from her brothers, and the atmosphere suddenly feels awkward.
“Um, I’ll probably see you tomorrow. It’s my–uh–rest day today,” I announce.
“You are beautiful,” she says unexpectedly without bothering to glance at me.
I flush. “Oh, thank you.”
“No wonder my brothers were so smitten with you.” Now Casey stops and looks up at me. “I wondered what you looked like. Now that I’ve seen you, I finally understand what’s going on.”
“What do you mean?”
“My brothersI blink, confused. “Well, I don’t think Oliver likes me since he’s engaged.”
“No, he likes you. He’s engaged to Betty, but it doesn’t mean he can’t like you. He’s just too gentlemanly to say it. On the other hand, Cassius might’ve made the first move already?” she says meaningfully, as if certain.
“I... I have nothing to say to that.”
Her eyes gleam. “But Brandon is the one you like?”
I frown. “How did you know about all of that?”
“My brothers talk about you and Brandon. I happen to know everything, and when I say I know everything, I mean it.”
“I don’t know how to put this, but I certainly don’t want them speaking about me.”
She blinks her long eyelashes. “Okay, how about we talk later? I’d really, really like to get to know you, Alayna.”
I laugh softly. Honestly, there is something pleasant about her. I don’t know if it’s her smile or her sweet soothing voice. It would be nice to speak with someone else in the house other than Oliver.
“There’s nothing I could tell you.”
“I’m sure there’s probably a lot to know.” She speaks even more very softly. “But I don’t mean to intimidate you. It’s okay if you’re busy. I don’t want to take your free time.”
This might be quite burdensome, but I’d like to know more about the family as well—or probably know more about Brandon.
“No, no. It’s okay. I’d love to talk a bit later.”
She smiles again. “Really? Honestly, I know that you are curious about a lot of things, and I’m quite inquisitive. I want to know what’s going on in this house.”
I smile. “I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll come by your room. See you, Alayna.”