Page 23 of Beautiful Deception

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s fine, I guess,” she says. “If you see her as a sister.”

Viktor is silent for a moment. I wish I knew what his face looked like. “I don’t see her as my sister. Inessa is my maid. My employee. And that’s all there is to it.”

“Nothing else? No dalliance with the maid?”

“No.” His voice is stern. “I respect my staff. You don’t need to worry. You’re the woman I’m pursuing.”

“The woman you’re going to marry one day,” she says.

Viktor doesn’t respond to that.

“Inessa,” Mrs. Green hisses. “Come help me with these.”

I hurry over to the sink and start work on the dishes. She cleans them while I put them in the dishwasher.

“You don’t have to handwash them,” I say, nodding at the dishwasher.

“I’m old school. This is the way to do it.”

I don’t argue with her. Arguing with Mrs. Green never gets me anywhere.

My father’s face flashes in my mind. Arguing with him never got me anywhere either. It’s been a week since I’ve seen him and I miss him so much, my heart feels like it’s going to explode from the pain.

But I can’t have him stealing more of my money just to lose it all. I have to think about myself.

“I’m done here,” Mrs. Green says. “You can finish cleaning up the meal when they’re done.”

“Where are you going?”

“To bed. I’m tired, child.” She shakes her head like I’m stupid for even asking that question to begin with.

I sit at the kitchen table, waiting for Natasha and Viktor to be done. I can hear the low murmuring of their voices but I don’t eavesdrop anymore. It’s wrong and I’m trying to keep my job – not get in trouble.

The kitchen door opens and Natasha waltzes in.

I scramble to my feet. “Did you need something?”

“Just getting some tea. I love some after dinner. Could you make me some?”

“Of course.” I quickly fill the kettle with water and turn the stove on. Natasha and I stand next to each other as the water boils.

“You can go wait in the dining room,” I suggest gently. “If you want to. I can handle this.”

“I like my tea perfect so I’ll make it myself. No one else can get it right.”

We stand there in silence for a long moment before Natasha speaks again. “How long have you worked for Viktor?”

“Just a week.”

“Oh. So you’re new. A baby.”

A blush forms on my face. “I guess so.”

“Mmm.” She eyes me up and down in a way that makes me feel naked. “You’re a pretty girl. Maybe too pretty.”

“I’m… sorry?”

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