Chapter 2 First Impression

I inhaled sharply under his cold, scrutinizing gaze.

"You're definitely not who I was expecting," he said at last, voice cool as marble.

I straightened my shoulders. "No, I'm not. You were supposed to meet my mom, Mrs. Davis. I'm her daughter, Emily. I'm filling in while she recovers."

There was a flicker, just a hint of disbelief behind his blank expression.

"This," he gestured vaguely at me with a flick of his wrist, "is the best replacement she could find?"

His tone oozed disapproval. Then came the kicker.

"Can you even hold a knife properly?"

That did it.

First, he insulted my mom. Basically implying her judgment was trash. And then he had the nerve to question my skills after barely a minute in the same room?

My blood boiled.

I stepped forward, eyes narrowing, heat crawling up my neck.

"With all due respect, Mr. Black," I said, keeping my voice steady, "I'd appreciate it if you spoke to me with basic decency."

I wasn't done.

"If you don't want me working here, that's fine. But I won't stand here and be insulted or underestimated. I don't tolerate disrespect."

For a second, something flickered in his eyes. Surprise? It was gone just as fast, replaced with something darker, unreadable.

"Oh, feisty," Jason murmured from behind me, clearly enjoying the show.

Liam shot him a glare but stayed silent. The air thickened with tension. You haven't known tension until you've stood in a kitchen charged like a live wire.

"What's your name?" Liam asked, clipped and curt.

"Emily."

He pulled out his phone, typed out a quick response, then paused.

"Why should I let you cook in my kitchen?" he asked, tone sharp, arrogant.

I bit the inside of my cheek. Was this an interview or an interrogation?

"Because I'm capable," I replied, meeting his cold tone with calmness.

His brow lifted, unimpressed. "That's it?"

I gave a small shrug. "You've already made up your mind about me. I'm not here to charm you. I know what I can do. If you don't believe that, that's your call."

There was a long, charged silence.

Then, finally, he spoke. "I assume you've read the instructions. The rules. There are no second chances here. One mistake, and you're gone."

"Crystal clear," I said, without flinching.

He held my gaze a moment longer, then turned and walked out of the kitchen.

The second he was out of sight, Jason exhaled like he'd been holding his breath.

"That was intense."

"Intense?" I scoffed. "I'm sorry he's your brother. He's a jerk."

Jason laughed. "You're not wrong. Don't worry. I've heard worse. Liam can be... uncouth sometimes."

"Uncouth is generous. Who insults someone five minutes into meeting them?"

He chuckled again. "You'll get used to him. Or not. Either way, you held your ground and that's more than most people manage on their first day."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, I'm not most people."

"That's becoming obvious," he grinned.

I turned back to the kitchen, opening cabinets and checking the pantry. "I need to take inventory, see what I'm working with."

"Need company?" he asked.

"You're still here?"

"Yep. I came to annoy Liam. But I ended up meeting you instead."

I gave him a sideways glance. "Lucky me."

He smirked. "So, how often are you working here?"

"Mondays and Fridays. Why?"

He drummed his fingers against the counter. "I'm shooting a music video soon. I think I just found my vixen."

I paused, raising an eyebrow. "You've got to be kidding."

"Nope. Dead serious."

"Jason, I cook. I don't do 'vixen.'"

"Ouch," he said dramatically, clutching his chest. "The first favor I ask my new friend, and she turns me down."

He gave me a wounded puppy look, complete with a pout.

I laughed. "Wow. You're not playing fair."

"Never have."

I sighed. "Fine. I'll think about it. Funny. I thought I'd be the one using you."

He leaned in, eyes twinkling. "You're still welcome to."

"You're insufferable."

"You have no idea."

He stood, phone in hand. "I need to call my manager. Be right back."

As he left the kitchen, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. What had I just agreed to?

I finished checking the inventory, noting ingredients and jotting a quick list of things I'd need. Jason returned a few minutes later, still grinning.

He handed me his phone. "Type in your number."

I hesitated, then took the phone and did exactly that. I called my phone from his so I'd have his number too, then handed it back.

"All set."

"Perfect," he said, slipping it into his pocket.

I turned my attention back to the stove, chopping onions and prepping for dinner. Jason sat quietly, watching me work.

"You don't have anything better to do?" I asked, glancing his way.

"Nope. Today's for bothering Liam and watching you cook."

I smirked. "Well, mission accomplished."

He leaned back in his chair. "How old are you, by the way?"

"Twenty-two. You?"

"Twenty-six."

He paused. "So, Em...can I call you that?"

"Sure."

"Call me Jay."

I nodded. "Okay."

He tilted his head. "What do you do when you're not filling in for your mom?"

"I'm in college. Culinary arts major."

"Nice. You know, I studied engineering. Crazy, right?"

I blinked. "Wait, seriously? You did?"

"Yup. Graduated with honors."

"That's actually really impressive. Famous and smart?"

He shrugged. "People are more layered than they seem."

"You're not wrong."

He kept me company until I was done for the day. As I packed up, I checked the time.

"Well, Jay, this was... unexpected."

"In a good way, I hope?"

I smiled. "Yeah. Surprisingly, yes."

His eyes followed me to the door.

"Goodnight, Em," he said, voice soft but playful. "Get ready. Your summer's about to get lit."

I laughed. "We'll see about that."

As I stepped out of the Black mansion, the warm breeze brushed against my skin. Something fluttered in my chest.

Nerves. Curiosity. Maybe a little excitement.

Whatever it was, I had a feeling this summer was about to change everything.