Chapter 9: Osip

*VICKY*

"Well?" she said as I continued to stand in the doorway in utter surprise. "Are you planning on letting me in…or…?"

"How did you get past the gates…?"

No human should be allowed entry onto Kindred grounds; we kept ourselves hidden away so we wouldn't run the risk of accidental drainings or death—another rule that the Predators wanted to abolish.

"Oh, you mean your security guard?" she asked. "Yeah, he was sleeping. Guess you don't get many visitors. So I let myself in."

She was right; we didn't. With our community hidden so far back in the woods, there was no need to be alert consistently unless there were immediate threats. But as far as any Kindred knew, there were no other clans for miles.

Osip wandered past me and into my house, looking around the space as if trying to find fault with my living environment. I wasn't the most organized and decorative person out there. Still, when you've lived for hundreds of years, you come to realize trivial things like 'decor' and 'name brands' don't matter as much as a comfortable and internally satisfying lifestyle.

"Make yourself at home," I say, still in awe of her audacity. She really thought she owned everything and everyone. I barely knew her, and I already despised her.

I grabbed a few clothes off the nearest armchair and gestured at her to sit; however, instead, Osip glanced at it with disdain and made her way to the sofa before realizing that it also wasn't to her taste.

She searched the room for another spot, and when she couldn't find one, she switched her purse to her other hand and sighed.

"Nevermind. I'll just stand."

I wasn't going to oppose. I went to the sofa and sat down, waiting for her to speak. When she didn't, I broke the silence. "So…what can I help you with?"

"I'm here to help you," she began, her eyes still scanning the interior of my hourse. "Make a sort of deal."

I sighed. "Is this about Leon? Because honestly, after today—"

She waved a hand in the air. "It's over with. The argument, I mean. I'm not apologizing, but I'm also not saying I wasn't out of line. Look, I care about Leon, and I care about his future. And I will do anything to save that."

Was she for real? Did she actually think it was ok to barge into my community, knock on my door, and then spew this load of crap? Whatever she was offering, I didn't want it—but it didn't stop me from letting her continue just to see where it would go.

"So I'm here to offer you a position as a personal chef."

Hold on, did I hear her right? I straightened my posture and interlocked my fingers around my knee.

"Didn't you want me fired like…three hours ago?"

"I did," she began. "And I still do. Don't think just because I'm here that I don't think you still have it out for him. But Leon has his…way of doing things…and a way of not listening to anything I say. Then, I also realized…he seems to like your cooking. If he likes your cooking, you must be good, and I'm in need of a last-minute chef for my best friend's birthday. It's a win-win situation."

"A win-win?"

Osip rolled her eyes like I was stupid for not understanding what she meant. "I get the praise of finding a new chef and you away from Leon, while you get a…better status…and recognition. If you think about it, I'm honestly doing you a favor."

She took a step closer and her gaze held mine. "My parents are in high places, Vicky, and you might just get the chance to meet some high-end people. You'd be stupid to turn this down."

Her confidence made me nauseous. Or was that my tranquillizer wearing off? I pity whoever got her as a bond. I wonder what bitch blood would taste like…

"Osip. Can I call you Osip? I feel like you coming to my home and borderline threatening me constitutes me skipping formalities. There are some things I want to clarify with you. First of all, I'm really not interested in your fiancée at all. Secondly, you'll be happy ot know that I've already quit. Today was my last day. Now, if there's nothing else—"

Osip stopped me short by raising a hand to silence me. She began digging around in her bag and fished out a loose 8x10 card before handing it to me.

"What's this?" I asked as I took a hold of it. I flipped it around to see eloquent text on the cover.

It was an invitation to the birthday banquet.

"You should feel grateful, you know. The people who received this invitation are all important figures in Newtons City. With this—you're practically already someone."

The idea was tempting. I had just left possibly one of the best jobs I'd ever have; I'd need a replacement. And a gig as a personal chef for a high-end clientele…well, it sounded too good to be true.

As I said from the beginning, I didn't intend to get myself involved in love again, especially with Leon.

Just like Osip, I was always the innocent one in a relationship. When I fell in love with someone, I would devote myself to him. That was why I couldn't afford to waste my last three years on a man.

This was the final task; then, I could move on with my life and live in blissful hibernation.

"Alright," I stated. "You've got a deal."

Osip smiled—like actually smiled—and clapped her hands together. Like a child getting their favorite flavor of icecream, she giddily made her way to the door.

"Finally! I'll get your coat dropped off. Be there for 7am sharp; we're serving caviar and various other expensive meats. The party is at noon. Oh!" she said as she spun around just in the open doorframe. "Remember: Leon is part of the deal."

I didn't respond, but Osip took it as acknowledgement anyways. She gave one last squeal and then headed out the door, slamming it shut behind her.

As soon as she left, I immediately regretted my decision. What was I doing? I despised people like her: using others to get ahead. Yet here I was, doing the same thing in hopes that I could get far enough ahead that I could build a life without having to build a bond.

I shook my head and set the invitation down on the kitchen counter before returning to my seat. Fuck, my meal was cold.