Page 71 of Made for You

I take a deep breath before stepping out of the car and taking the elevator ride up with my lone backpack.

When the elevator opens, Mom is there to greet me. Thankfully, Larry isn’t by her side.

“Welcome home, we’ve been waiting for you. Dinner is ready and we’re in the dining room, you can go to freshen up—” she looks at my rumpled travel clothes, “—upstairs. Maybe change into something a bit nicer.”

She gives me a quick, stiff hug before hurrying into the dining room.

I groan, choosing to go to the bathroom down the hall to splash some water on my face, and change my shirt. I’m wearing Liam’s hoodie and I don’t know who Larry has in the dining room for company.

A sweater off the top of my backpack should suffice.

I give my cheeks a pinch to get the pink in them, a trick I learned to be mostly makeup free in this fake world my parents live in.

“You can do this, it’s 24 hours, then you can leave.” I give myself a pep talk in the mirror before going to the dining room.

Mom looks at my leggings upon my entrance and glances disapprovingly. I know full well she wanted me to change into the dress that is inevitably laid out on my old bed.

I hold my head high and take my seat at the table across from Larry. Surprisingly, there is only one other guest, seated across from Mom.

As soon as I’m seated the housekeeper delivers a meal for me, and a glass of red wine.

“Violet, this is Christoff from The Blue Manor. I wanted to introduce you two. He has an opening at his Michelin star restaurant for a sous chef. And he’s agreed to give you a trial run.” Larry nods to Christoff. There’s no introduction, no greeting. Just a job.

He shifts uncomfortably under Larry’s gaze, “Yes, we would be happy to see if you are a good fit in our kitchen. As you know, typically a chef would work their way up through the kitchen, but Larry is a good friend, and customer. So we’d love to host you next week.” He smiles, fakely, before looking at Larry, who gives him a nod of approval.

A slight drop of his shoulders tells me that there is something shady going on and this poor man is being forced intogiving me an interview. Probably something money related since Larry likes to toss money out then expects favors in return.

I turn toward Christoff. “While I appreciate that you’re willing to extend a very undeserved interview to me, for a position that I’m sure your staff would hold against me, I am no longer living in New York. I have a job that I love very much, I’m simply here for the gala.”

His shoulders drop more, and a genuine smile spreads across his lips for the briefest of moments. The tension has eased from his body until Larry clears his throat.

“You mean to tell me that after the education we gave you—” he glazes over the fact that I dropped out and never wanted the education, “—that you are going to turn down this gift of a job at a prestigious restaurant in New York City? The job is yours as long as you show up.” He eyes Christoff.

Before he can answer Larry’s tirade, I speak up. “As I’ve said, I no longer live in New York, and I’m happy with the job I have.”

“Honey, you probably have just had a long travel day, why don’t you sleep on this, and we’ll let Christoff know your decision tomorrow?” she offers sweetly.

“You’re right Mom. I have had a very long day, and sleep would be best.” I get up and face Christoff, extending my hand, “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

He reaches up to shake my hand but I bend down near his ear, “but you can hire whomever you like. I will not be interviewing, or accepting any job.”

He freezes at my parting words, and I can sense Larry’s anger bubbling to the surface as I walk up the stairs to my room.

I only feel a little bad that I left Christoff to deal with Larry on his own, it was his decision to get into bed with him in the first place.

Cooper, Emma, and I barge into the kitchen to find Violet. Only, I’m met with Margaret instead.

No singing. No dancing. No trace of Violet here.

“Hi kids, what can I get for you?” Margaret asks.

“Where is Violet?” I ask out of breath from the running Emma made us do.

“Oh I’m so sorry dears, she left since I got here early and she decided to do more prep than was needed.” She chuckles.

“Did she leave with Alexander?” Emma asks.

“Oh no. Of course not. She doesn’t trust that man.” She waves at us like we’re completely stupid for thinkingthat of Violet.

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