Chapter 54
Paula
“And this is the staff cafeteria,” Jessie says as we enter the large room. The aroma of gourmet coffee and just–baked pastries wafis through the air,
“It’s…beautiful and very luxurious.
There are no other words to describe this place. The chairs are cushioned and ergonomically designed for comfort, and the tables are made of polished mahogany. I have no idea what all of this cost, but I bet one of those chairs cost more than my entire apartment.
“Yes,” Jessie smiles. “Mr. Winter ensures that we have quality food options for our employees. They are given fresh meals daily.”
“Wow,” I breathe out, my gaze traveling to the open kitchen where professional chefs are preparing plates of mouth- watering dishes. It’s like a five–star restaurant in here.
“Impressed?”
“Yeah….how can you afford all of this?”
“Most of our guests are supernaturals. And as a human, you might not be aware of this, but the supernaturals are usually very rich, and our customers are all very generous.”
I stare at her. “Don’t tell me you’re a supernatural creature as well?”
“I am,” Jessie glances down at me. “In fact, you will be the only human working at the hotel, but Mr. Winter told me that shouldn’t be a problem for you. He said you didn’t seem too surprised to see him in his dragon form yesterday.”
Henrik told her I had no problem seeing him in his dragon form?
That’s…new.
Or maybe Henrik is clueless as to how terrified I actually was of him? His dragon form was larger than the hotel itself, and for a moment, I was afraid he would eat me. It doesn’t matter that he called himself my mate, I was still scared shitless.
But I’m not interested in admitting that to Jessie.
“What can I say? I read a lot of paranormal romance books, and I guess that’s why I took it all in stride,” I respond nonchalantly.
Jessie grins, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “That’s the spirit, Ms. Ellis. Being brave is how to survive here.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely, but never mind that. It’s already time for lunch and I wanted to let you try one of the signature dishes Chef Julian has prepared. Would you like that?”
Suddenly, my stomach growls. “That would be lovely.”
She laughs. “Hungry?”
“Very,” I smile. “What signature dish would you recommend?”
“Oh, I’m a vampire, so I don’t eat human food. But everyone else seems to love Chef julian’s Fanged Delight. The dish has
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Chapter 54
been on the menu ever since this place first opened, and it’s a favorite among both the staff and our guests.”
“Fanged Delight?” I echo, my appetite momentarily swiped away by the dish’s ominous name,
Jessie chuckles. “You can relax. All of our food has funny names since we are supernaturals running this place, and everyone thinks it’s funny whenever we get human guests, and they read the names on the menu.”
A man with the face of a squid turns around and laughs. “Oh, the names are hilarious! Do you rememeber that couple that ordered the “squid sushi death” last week? It was hilarious when I served it to their table. They both screamed when they saw my face! Such a classic!”
Jessie laughs with him, and more people join in. Since I’m a human and not used to monsters pranking humans, I just smile and listen to everyone’s funny story. The weird part is that I’m not freaking out. Maybe my brain hasn’t fully processed the fact that supernatural creatures are real and that I’m about to work with them.
Or perhaps I’m more hardcore than 1 thought?
The day continues with Jessie showing me around. She is a helpful mentor and even sits down beside me when I’m about to do my first real assistant work.
Since I’m a quick learner, Jessie feels comfortable enough to leave me alone in my new office. However, it’s really just a small space located near the doors that lead to Henrik’s office.
Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him today. Is he taking a day off, or does he usually lock himself up in his office?
Suddenly there’s a loud crash coming from his office, followed by a low growl that vibrates through the floor. I jump up from my desk, eyes wide.
“Mr. Winter?” I call out tentatively. But there’s no response from Henrik.
Worry slashes through me, and without thinking twice about it, I shoot up from my chair. What could that crash have been? Geez. The idiot better not be hurt!
“Mr. Winter?” I call out again as I open the doors to his office and see Henrik lying on his back on the floor. There’s a bathroom door open, and he looks newly showered–did he slip on his way out or something?
“Are you…okay?” I ask.
Henrik turns his face and grimaces when he sees me. “My b*dy is fine, but my pride is officially shattered.”
I snort. “Why?”
“Because my mate isn’t supposed to know I’m a klutz.”
My eyes narrow. “Are you ever going to stop calling me your
mate?”
“And lie to you?” he asks with a raised eyebrow. I find it amusing how he still hasn’t left his place on the floor.
“Or call me by my name, Mr. Winter?”
He chuckles at that, his laugh, for some irritating reason, giving me butterflies. “I could, but where’s the fun in that? Plus, you are my mate, after all.”
A sigh escapes my lips. “Doesn’t it sound a bit possessive?” I question, crossing my arms over my chest.
He props himself up on his elbows, his telltale smirk never leaving his face. “And is that a bad thing, Ms. Ellis?”
“Paula,” I correct him.
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His grin broadens. “I thought we were doing surnames?”
I roll my eyes. “Only because you keep insisting on it. It’s Paola. So either call me that, or I’ll start referring to you as ‘klutz‘ Instead of Mr. Winter,”
He laughs again, causing an unexpected flutter in my stomach. “Alright, Paula,” he says, his voice dipping low as he says my
name. “It’s a deal”
With that he pushes himself up off the floor and stands towering over me. For a moment, I forget to breathe as I’m reminded again of how intimidatingly large Henrik Winter is in both his forms.
“Well, Ms…Paula,” he starts, leaning on his desk and crossing his arms over his ch*st matching my defensive posture. “Besides witnessing my moment of clumsiness, what brings you into my office?”
“I heard a crash,” I admit sheepishly. “I was worried you might have been hurt.”
He gasps, and I immediately regret telling him the truth when he looks at me with heart–shaped eyes. “You were worried about me! Really?”
I’m thrown off guard by the look he is giving me. Having a huge, buff guy looking at me like I’m their master and they are my faithful golden retriever isn’t something I’m used to. My heart speeds up again,
“Y–yeah,” 1 grunt. “What about it?”
His smirk returns, a playful glint in his eyes. “Just admiring how sweet my mate is for worrying about me. It’s really…endearing.”
“Don’t start again.” I retort, trying to ignore the way my stomach flips at his words. But he just chuckles, shaking his head as if he knows something I don’t.
“I’ve got some paperwork to do,” I say and back out of the door, trying to avoid the growing tension between us.
He grins wider and steps aside. “By all means, Paula.”
As I return to my desk, I can feel Henrik’s eyes on me. He is standing in the doorframe, still dressed in his white bathrobe.. It’s slightly unnerving having him watch me. Doesn’t he have something better to do?
“Stop staring.” I finally snap, unable to concentrate on the task at hand.
His laughter fills the room. “You’re intriguing when you work.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “And you’re distracting when you stand there doing nothing but watching me.”
“Is that so?” He fluffs up his blue hair with his hand, and irritation bubbles up in the pit of my stomach.
My eyes narrow. “You’re distracting me because you’re my boss, not because you’re hot.”
His voice turns smug. “But you think I’m hot?”
My face flushes at his confident grin. “That’s not what I meant. I’m trying to work, Mr. Winter.”
“All right, Paula.” He chuckles deeply, losing none of the amused glint in his eyes. “I’ll leave you to your paperwork.”
Finally, he backs into his office and closes the door behind him, leaving me in peace.
Letting out a deep sigh of relief, I turn my attention back to the paperwork spread out on my desk – various contracts and agreements involving the management of our team’s vast resources.
Chapter 54
There’s something oddly comforting about diving headfirst into these tedious tasks. It’s a welcome distraction from Mr. Winter‘ teasing and the whirlwind of emotions that he stirs up inside me.
As I work, time seems to fly by. It’s already dark, and I glance up from my work when I hear the office door creak open again – it’s Henrik, this time fully dressed in a sharp black suit that contrasts his vibrant blue hair.
“You’re working late,” he notes.
“I could say the same about you,” I retort without looking up from my papers.
His footsteps echo across the room until he’s standing right next to my desk. “Do you need help?”
“No,” I reply briskly, keeping my focus on the contract in front of me. The last thing I need is my boss hovering over me
while I work..
“Alright then.” There’s a hint of humor in his voice that makes me glance up, only to find him watching me with a grin on his face. “I will grab a snack from the cafeteria and wait for you to finish your work.”
Did I hear him correctly? “Why would you wait for me to finish my work?”
“Because I’m driving you home.”
I blink up at him, taken aback by his words. “You’re… driving me home?”
“Yes.” His eyes meet mine – determined and impenetrable. “It’s late. And besides.” He trails off, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “I would hate to think of my mate risking her life by using public transport at night.”
A groan slips past my lips. “Don’t start with the ‘mate‘ thing again..”
His grin widens, and he chuckles under his breath. “Alright, Paula.”
The way he says my name, with that softening around the edges of his eyes and a hint of tenderness in his voice, sends a shiver down my spine that I struggle to suppress.
“Fine,” I give in reluctantly.
The thought of getting into a car alone with him seems risky but not as dangerous as wandering the streets late at night. Yesterday, I was attacked by ghouls–what if I stumble into more supernatural creatures tonight?
“That’s settled then.” He nods approvingly before leaving the room.
As soon as he’s gone, I let out a long sigh. Being around Mr. Winter was exhausting and exhilarating all at once–like standing too close to a bonfire. He makes me feel things, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing. Falling for him isn’t wise, ast it would surely lead to a broken heart.
