Page 56 of Accidentally Joining His Cult

“My company covers the cost of a gym membership of the employees’ choice as a part of our benefits. They can even choose to put that money toward home gym equipment or streaming memberships that offer workouts,” he says casually, like that's not the coolest thing ever.

“Wait, really? That’s amazing.”

“Yeah, it’s better for health insurance purposes too,” he adds.

“I don’t mind paying for ours,” I clarify. “I love the people I get to work with. You know Nick, he’s my best friend here, but he’s also my trainer. I know the cost ends up supporting him.”

Beck gives me an indulgent smile and nods before he finally starts eating.

“So when do I get to meet Nick?”

“Tomorrow!” I blurt out a little too loudly. “He’s leading a hike in the morning that I already signed us up for. I hope that was okay. I was just so excited about you meeting him that I didn’t think to ask first.” I give him a hopeful look, and he smiles, nodding.

“I’ll do whatever you want, Goldie.”

The nickname makes my cheeks heat as I smile, and I can’t stop myself from rambling on about all the people I’m excited for him to meet and all the fun things he’ll get to experience. The thirty minutes fly by, and we barely finish our meals in time with how much we’re talking.

We meet Viktor back in the lobby, and he continues his tour of the campus, explaining the purpose of each building and how it supports the community.

Beck seems interested in everything and asks polite questions throughout the tour. Viktor and Beck speak in a lot of business terms that kind of go over my head, but I love that they’re connecting. As the tour went on, Beck relaxed, asking me more casual questions and even making plans to visit some of the spaces again.

By the time we wrap up the tour, it’s somehow already almost seven. “See you at dinner.” I wave to Viktor before he heads back into his office. He waves, and I grab Beck's hand to lead him toward the Old Mill.

“Do we finally get to eat?” he asks hopefully.

I laugh before answering. “Yes, I promise I won’t let you starve.”

“I don’t know. I think I’m pretty close to my hunger limit, I can’t be held responsible for my actions if I get much hangrier,” he warns solemnly.

“Well, we’d better hurry then,” I say, walking faster as I grin at him.

I love having him here.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Beck

I’m so fucking hungry by the time we get to the restaurant.

Only when we arrive, it becomes abundantly clear that the “Old Mill” is not a cutesy name for a normal restaurant. Instead, it’s a gigantic open-concept building that looks like it can fit at least a thousand people, all seated at long picnic-style tables beneath a large stage. Along one wall, there are windows into what must be the kitchen, with lines of people forming before each one, presumably to pick up food.

This is… not what I was expecting.

The building doesn’t even look old. Despite the spinning mill wheel outside in the river, it’s clearly as new as the rest of the campus. There’s no way this was ever a functioning mill.This is really weird.

But, like I said, starving. So I shove the judgment down and follow Cody into one of the lines. As we wait, I try to keep my tone neutral while asking him about what the fuck this place is.

“So, this is unique?” I say, like it’s a question.

“Yeah, isn’t it cool?” Cody says, excited as ever. “Everyone eats here at least once a week, but because I’m in upper management, Viktor likes me to eat here more often,” he says like it’s a special perk. “He likes to encourage community bonding and allow opportunities for everyone to interact outside of work. He also likes it when management is here to show how we’re just regular people, too. He thinks it helps us remain approachable.

“The stage is where Viktor, senior management, or people with positions in the community make announcements,” he points out. “Viktor also likes to close out the night with a guided meditation, and throughout dinner, he makes his rounds around the room so that even people who don’t work directly with him can still spend time with him.”

“So, everyone is required to eat here?” I clarify, still trying to wrap my head around its logistics.How can they possibly require that? What would happen if they didn’t?

“Yeah, just once a week unless Viktor asks you to come more. There’s a schedule since not everyone can fit at the same time.” He explains matter-of-factly.

I can’t imagine enforcing anything like that at my company.

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