JESSA
I hate the way Penny and Craig are looking at me. The pity on their faces makes me feel about two feet tall. Like I’m the one who did something wrong, as opposed to the self-righteous asshole who just humiliated me in the one safe haven I thought I had left.
“You’re the most talented chef I know,” Penny says, handing me my bag. “Seriously, the only reason you’re not head chef is because of the whole seniority hierarchy. Which is complete bullshit, for the record.”
“Yeah, you’ll get a job in no time.” Craig hesitates before curiosity gets the better of him. “Did Melissa say why?”
The rest of the staff filed downstairs already, so we’re the only three left in the kitchens.
“Guys,” I say, turning to them, “I’m thankful for your support, seriously, but I think I need time to process this.”
They both nod, looking ashamed, and then part to let me through. They’ve been hovering as soon as I told them the news.
As we get ready to clear out, I turn and give The Plaza’s kitchen a final look.
I’d been looking forward to cooking here. But most chefs don’t come back from being unceremoniously fired. There’s very little chance I’ll ever get another opportunity to cook at The Plaza.
And if Anton has his way, there’s no chance I’ll ever get another opportunity to cook again, period.
I’m so mad I could cry. But I hold back. He might not be here to see the tears fall, but I get the feeling that sick bastard has a spidey sense for this kind of thing. And I won’t give him the satisfaction.
We take the second entrance out of the kitchens and go down to a common area. I can see the majestic double doors of The Gilded Room adjacent to where we’re standing.
I’m ready to take the elevator down with Craig and Penny when I spot Yulian exiting The Gilded Room. He doesn’t stop me. He’s too deep in conversation with someone on the phone.
He crosses the open expanse and heads towards the balcony on the other side of the hall. I glance after him a moment, curious. I don’t actually have a good reason to follow him, other than to maybe throw myself at his mercy and see if he can get Anton to change his mind. That’s pathetic, obviously, and I won’t be doing it, but still… There has to be something he can do.
“Jessa?” Craig calls after me. “You coming?”
“Um, actually you guys go ahead. I need to… to make a call.” They hesitate, but I wave them on. “Seriously, go on. I’ll call you guys tomorrow.”
Craig has to physically pull Penny towards the elevators. I wait until their backs are to me before I follow Yulian’s footsteps to the balcony.
The Plaza’s balconies are more like private terraces. They’re large and broken into separate seating areas. Each corner is dedicated to a cluster of upholstered sofas and armchairs with flickering candles on the tables. The space between is filled with lush, dense greenery, a natural kind of privacy screen.
And standing against the railing is Yulian.
“… miss me, do you?” he’s saying into the phone.
I raise my eyebrows. Not the kind of conversation I’d expected to hear from him. I make an added effort not to make noise as I move a little closer.
The wind masks my footsteps pretty well, but he also seems deeply absorbed in the conversation.
“I know. Don’t worry, I’ll come by soon. We can have some alone time, just you and me… Of course, baby. You know I’d do anything for you. You and that magic pussy of yours.”
I wrinkle my nose. The cute conversation has taken a turn toward not-so-cute. I’m regretting my decision to eavesdrop and wondering whether he’ll be able to hear me vomiting into the pot of the nearby bonsai tree.
Thankfully, he ends the call seconds later. “Speak to you soon.”
He realizes I’m there a second after he hangs up. His eyebrows jet up with annoyance, but he doesn’t flinch otherwise.
“How long have you been there?”
“Too long,” I say, turning my disgusted face on him. “Who’s the girl with the magic pussy?”
He smirks. “Not anyone you’d know.”
“Sounded serious between you two.”