Chapter 2 DROWING IN FIRE

LEONARDO'S POV

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I had arrived at the restaurant for an interview and stood in the doorway with my demon beast right below the skin's surface. It was usually calm but made its presence known when it caught the scent of the handsome little Chef. It became an electric current across my skin, stealing my breath and raising the hairs across my arms.

When I stood staring at the Chef, my senses opened, taking everything in. When our eyes met, I felt like I had been sucker punched even though my body remained still. In a thousand years, no human had managed to render me speechless, still my body and mind. My demon sensor was on high alert as I prepared the food in the kitchen. This little Chef human lusted after me, and I could not resist the emotions, and after being congratulated I followed him into the office.

I fucking reigned it in until the last minute and left the Siiri Michelin Restaurant in a rush. Driving the back roads into the city to the rental condo with nothing but the thoughts of Levi Xander in my mind. My body was on autopilot as I drove because I was sure I didn't see the road in front of him.

I had committed his scent to memory. Levi Xander was shorter than me and the entire time I stood next to him, I was in battle with my body not to take him in his arms. He had tasted his food and moaned without a care in the world.

I honestly couldn't remember what made this little town stand out more than the rest but suddenly I was glad that it had. I knew the rules, but my mind had other ideas. The marriage between my Demon father and my human Mother was forbidden. But they had been stubborn and gained many enemies over the centuries. Hence I kept away from the demon monarch and its rules.

Grandmother taught me everything he knew about cooking and love, and it was all thanks to her that I had managed to ace the interview. Simple meals turned out to be Michelin Cuisine. I got home and opened the door of the three-bedroom condo. Throwing keys on the kitchen table, I walked to the bedroom and took a shower. Hours later, I opened the living room doors that led to the balcony and stood staring at the night sky.

I scrolled through his phone, catching up on emails and messages. An email from the butler popped up and my eyes turned red as he read through the unpleasant message. My brother had the villa in his harem. The turn of events would force me not to report to the restaurant tomorrow. I picked up his phone and dialed Chef Levi's restaurant number, hoping he was still at work.

"Siri" s Michelin Restaurant, Chef Levi Speaking."

"Levi Xander, This is Leonardo Besian"I stated

"Is there something wrong, Mr. Besian?" He sounded sexy and hot behind the phone.

"No, nothing is wrong," I said. I had forgotten why he had called him in a panic. There was silence on the phone as I listened to his breathing. It was obscene in the best possible way, and I closed my eyes. Today turned out to be the best day of my life.

"If there's nothing wrong, what can I do for you, Mr. Besian," Chef Levi asked and he sounded irritated.

"Can I come to the restaurant now?" I finally managed to say my thoughts.

"No," he answered and I felt him take a deep breath. "You are to report to work tomorrow. Don't forget I am your CEO."

After a minute of silence, I asked "Are you always this difficult, Levi?"

"I expect you to be a professional," his answer remained firm.

"But some things are just meant to be Levi," I started

"What things, Mr. Besian?" Chef Levi asked.

"Will you not call me Leonardo?" I pressed on.

"Why would I?." It came out as a whisper.

"Because it's my name," I said

"Don't tell me you want to get fired before you start working, Mr. Bean? "It sounded like a threat but to me, it came out with sexiness and lust.

"I think I like this game," I responded with deep and throaty, sounding bedroom sexy for him. "I will follow the rules set by our Boss-employee agreement but know this, Levi Xander, I mean to win."

And with that, I disconnected the call. The phone call sounded more like foreplay rather than a normal conversation. The demon monarch could certainly wait. Right? I could deal with my unruly sibling much later on once I settled in the restaurant. Sending a text message to my butler with a promise to come home soon, the press of my beast was so close to the surface all because of Levi Xander. My skin felt tight and hot, and I stood at the balcony's edge to feel the breeze. I hadn't lost control since childhood when my beast matured, but something about this little Chef had my beast's attention. Unbuttoning my shirt as soon as I closed the balcony doors, I crossed to the bedroom, threw the shirt on the bed, and processed to fully undress. My body was burning as I lay in bed and surrendered to a night of deep sleep.

Early in the morning, I jolted awake and was alert when I felt someone intrude into his mind. I immediately traveled through the shadows into the underworld. I was a special kind of demon, powerful enough to ensure no one controlled him. I had powers beyond imagination and excelled in using shadow magic, demon magic, and hellfire magic. My muscles grew stronger each year for an average half-demon; my most significant power was the power of manipulation. The icing on the cake was my secret pair of dragon wings that could fly faster than anything and change shape. I could morph his wings, and they could take the form of my clothes and shoes. It was a family secret. Only my father, the demon Lord, my mother, and his grandmother knew about this. My father ensured that anyone who discovered this secret was instantly killed.

I entered the underground demon world and followed the spirits, passing through the city, each house was dark, and the street lights were illuminated with gold hellfire. Getting close to my father's castle which stood at the edge with the halls lit up by the golden flames and the windows covered in red curtains. I stood at the gate, hesitant and waiting.

Papa's voice traveled from the Castle and boomed in my ears "Are you going to stand there all day?

"Papa, I don't like your games," I said and walked into the castle halls, finding him pretending to be busy arranging the flower pots.

" Son, do you think running away from your responsibilities makes you a bigger person? Your unruly brother is destroying everything your mother built in the human realm, and you are busy traveling?"

I smiled inwardly knowing that Papa could not trace my whereabouts hence he resorted to using the family mind line to draw me out.

" Pa, we have been through this before. And in any case, you know Ma agrees with me. "

The only defense I ever had was Ma and grandmother. I knew it; Pa knew it too.

"Think about the future. You are being too stubborn. "He pressed on.

"Hahaha, I wonder whose trait I got this from?" I jested.

"Tsk,"

" Papa, Drystian is your son. Why do I have to deal with him?" I asked

" And he is not your brother? You are the eldest son of Besian. It's your responsibility to take care of your brother. " He drew in humor.

" I did. I left, and Drystan was elected to be the chairman. He had always wanted this, and I gave it up" I affirmed.

" You know that your mother and I never wanted this. His demon side is unruly and dangerous." Papa sounded disappointed and sad.

" He can change. Just give him time, and don't let him bend the rules. " I advised.

Papa was silent as he looked lost in deep thought. He turned around and demanded, " When was the last time you fed? "

This was a topic I never discussed with anyone. I had abstained from feeding to maintain my human side. " I have to leave. I have something urgent waiting for me. " I turned around and escaped.

I could not be late for my first day at work. Time had lapsed by the time I got back to the condo. I showered in a hurry and got dressed up. I wanted to get to the restaurant two hours before the sun came up. It was an excellent time for flying.

I morphed my wings as I pushed from the building and was into flight mode within seconds. It took me ten minutes to get to the restaurant. I wanted to surprise my boss by making pancakes for him. I noticed that Chef Levi enjoyed the dessert the most. He had a sweet tooth and I was going to ensure he would be pleased.

I landed at the back of the restaurant and smiled to myself. I morphed the wings into my clothes and then turned to walk in. My steps were halted by the fact that Chef Levi was standing by the door, holding a mop, his eyes wide open. I closed my eyes in a grimace and remembered the Besian family rule " If anyone discovered your wings, you would have to wipe out his memory and, if not, kill them.

I opened my eyes and asked him " What did you see ?" I condescendingly moved towards him.

Chef Levi took a step back, dropped the mop, and whispered, " What the hell are you, Leonardo Besian?"