5. Curious

Theodore's Pov

I was fucking exhausted. My blood boiled thinking I was still not the sole owner of the company I had invested my blood and sweat in. Just thinking that it would take three more fucking months was enough to send me over the edge all over again. I took deep breaths after firing a few orders to the gate staff. I really need to calm myself down before I kill someone.

"Mr. Maxwell," one of the guards bowed down before me as I slumped on the couch in the living room. "I just wanted to inform you that Mr. Roosevelt visited earlier." What the fucking was that lousy rat doing here? Did I not make it clear that I didn't want his presence in my place? Was it not enough that I already had one of his offspring strolling in my house like she is the fucking queen here?

"Why?" My mood was already sour, I didn't need that fucker to make it worse. But curious is what my mind is. And the urge to keep my eyes open and know everything happening in my vicinity was hard to ignore.

"He came to visit Miss Alina," ah! So the father and daughter are up to something. I wonder what. I smirked knowing how much fun I will have destroying them both.

"You can go," he nodded before leaving. They actually thought I would not get to know about their little meetup? My guards are fucking loyal, that's one thing I made sure before assigning them their duties.

I went to my room to hit a quick shower before coming back down for dinner. I was starving. The workload today was on another level. And I didn't have time to eat anything the whole day, apart from the little breakfast I had in the morning before leaving.

I made my way to the dining hall, which was quiet, like every other day. I prefer having my meal alone. Having people around is a big nuisance. Martha came in quietly, before placing everything on the table, and leaving after a bow.

Tarragon steak and fries? How lovely, I scoffed. I don't hate steaks, but I'm not fond of it either. I was more on the Italian side of cuisine. Do my chefs not know? I rolled my eyes before cutting through the meat anyway. I was too hungry to complain anyway. I had the first bite, and for some weird reason, it felt oddly nice. Did we hire a new chef? Well, whoever that was, he or she had a great sense of flavor to make me like a steak.

Maybe it was the hunger or the delightful taste of the sauce, but I finished the plate in seconds. This was the best steak I've had so far.

Martha came in after a few minutes to check up if I needed anything, only to be left shocked, witnessing the empty plate before me. She eyed me curiously before moving to clean up the table.

I sat there observing her moves, drinking from my wine glass at intervals. "Who's the new chef?" My curiosity got the better of me. She looked up to meet my eyes, confusion marking her face.

"Huh?"

"Who made dinner?" I asked, clearing her confusion.

"Oh," she pondered over something. "Did you not like it, Mr. Maxwell? Would you like me to ask the chefs to prepare something else for you?"

"Why can't you guys just answer a simple question? Did I say I didn't like it?" She immediately nodded her head negatively. I just want to know if Anders has hired new staff. Because I have to do a background check myself to see if those people are trustworthy. For all I know, the chef could be working for my enemies and poison my food.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Maxwell. Actually, Miss Alina made dinner today. She wanted to eat steak today and insisted on making it herself. I can ask her not to, from next time if you don't like it." Alina? Why does she like to be in the kitchen all the time? Honestly, who cares? As long as she stays far from me, and doesn't give me any trouble.

"No, you don't need to do that. It's fine." I couldn't deny, she was good with her flavors. So who am I to say no to some good food for whatever time she is here for. Gotta make most of it, right? Martha nodded, before leaving quietly.

I sat there for a while, enjoying my wine, my mind listing up all the tasks I have to get completed before midnight. I was finally done and started heading to my office, when some giggling and chattering caught my attention. Chattering in this house? That too, coming from the kitchen? Just what exactly was going on?

I took light steps towards the kitchen, making sure of not being heard. Upon reaching my destination, I stood outside, observing the scene before me. Martha, two of my chef's, one of my guards and Alina were sitting comfortably on the table, enjoying dinner over some conversation that had them laughing. I observed as all of my staff looked carefree with Alina, a sight that I have never seen before, or even imagined to see. What the hell is this girl? Sitting with my staff? Seriously? Doesn't she have friends? What a loser. I sighed in annoyance, shaking my head. This girl really is weird.

I decided to leave them alone but stopped in my tracks when something reached my ears.

A melodic giggle.

I whipped my head to see it belonged to none other than Alina. She had her mouth covered as she tried to control the laugh that was threatening to bubble out of her, and eventually couldn't, when controlled giggles escaped her lips on something Martha said. I saw one of the chefs glaring at Martha, maybe for letting out an embarrassing secret of his. In that moment, she looked carefree. Like an innocent child who was told the best joke of her life. I stared at her curiously. She went on commenting about something in reply to what Martha said, but my ears didn't catch onto it. It was because my eyes were fixed on observing her movements.

I shook my head, snapping out of the spell casted by that bewitching she-devil. She is wrapping her claws around all of my people slowly. She has something planned. She definitely does! She wants to get to me, I know it. This facade of kindness she is putting up will not trap me! I will beat her and that sick excuse of her father I'm their own game.