A handsome man with striking blue eyes stood in front of Miguel with a smirk. His eyebrows carried a hint of arrogance, but there was fondness in his eyes.

However, his expression turned to anger in a blink of an eye.

Miguel sensed danger and stepped back when Nikolai approached. Miguel’s chin was pinched and his head was titled up. Gone were the warm blues that stared at him only to be replaced by a cold gaze with killing intent.

“Who did this to you?” Nikolai growled as he tilted the boy’s head up.

Nikolai’s jaw clenched tight as he reigned his anger. He was pissed off when he saw the nasty bruise that marred this beautiful boy’s face.

Miguel visibly trembled from the man’s angry tone.

Nikolai saw this and backed off. He sat on the massage bed and spoke again in a much gentler tone.

“Моя милая what happened to you while I was away?”

Miguel remained wary. He retreated a couple of steps away and wrapped his arms around himself.

“Why do you call me that?”

“What?” Nikolai was puzzled.

“Moya milaya?”

A twinkle of mischief flashed in Nikolai’s eyes. “Well what should I call you then?”

“Miguel. My name is Miguel. What’s your name Mister?”

“Just call me Kolya.” Nikolai smirked.

Suddenly a ringtone filled the room. Nikolai pulled his mobile phone from his jacket packet.

“Hello!”

Miguel kept a wary eye as Nikolai talked to the phone.

“придурки! Они посмели нас ограбить! Безопасное все. я уже в пути.” Nikolai stood up.

“Sorry about that moya milaya. I’ll see you next time.”

Nikolai walked to the door. Miguel’s question made him halt when he opened the door knob.

“Wait! You forgot to tell me what it meant.”

Nikolai turned around and spoke with a meaningful gaze. “Just know that it is a special name for a special person.”

With that he left.

The manager came into the room a few moments later. She saw Miguel putting the rack of massage oils on the shelf.

“Hey, I told the client that we were closing but he was most insistent. I even offered that we would accommodate him first next time that he comes. He didn’t give you a hard time, did he?” Marcy was anxious.

Miguel was a new employee and only had less than one year of experience living in U country. Migrant workers like him were susceptible to being coerced and taken advantaged off. Marcy did not want anything to happen to Miguel. He was her most responsible and diligent employee at the moment.

“No. He was just in here for a few minutes and then he left just as quickly after he received a call. He seemed to be a busy man.” Miguel

“Yeah, he looked like it. By the way he dressed and carried himself at the lobby, I guess he was rich too.” Marcy nodded.

“Did his handsome face give you the butterflies?” Marcy teased. When Miguel came to her for an interview, she sensed that something was unique about him.

“What? No.” Miguel was quick to refute.

Marcy followed him as he walked to the employee’s room. He retrieved his bag from his locker and checked his phone. One message came from Victor.

Miguel smiled after reading the chat.

He just won a bet. His suggestion worked and Victor was successful with the rats. Now Victor said that he was waiting for him at the villa with the promise to fulfill his end of the bet.

Miguel had no places to go later in the evening plus he was tired after working nonstop for the whole week. He was actually excited to go out for a treat. He messaged Tony to pick him up at the usual spot. During the ride he fell into a nap. He woke up only when the vehicle slowed into a stop.

Miguel entered the villa and saw Victor lying on the sofa with his mobile phone.

“Hey Dimples!” Victor sat properly.

“Hi Doc! So, where are we going?” Miguel inquired.

Victor stood up and placed his arm over Miguel’s shoulders. He pulled Miguel and they walked further into the villa. “We are going here.”

Victor stopped and looked at the room with a proud expression on his face.

Miguel saw the kitchen island that was filled with various vegetables, fruits, meat, chicken, trays of egg, and fish. There were even various bottles of condiments and spices. The amount was more than enough for a week’s supply of food.

“What is this?” Miguel approached cautiously.

“I kept my promise. I’m going to treat you to dinner.” Victor grinned.

Miguel turned to him, puzzled. “Where is the dinner?”

“You are looking at it.” Victor replied proudly. His face betrayed a hearty appetite.

Miguel scratched his head. “You mean you want me to cook?” He exclaimed.

He was totally dumbfounded. He did not expect this at all.

“You said you were going to treat me to a meal?” Miguel groaned.

“Well this is still considered a treat isn’t it? I brought you all these fresh ingredients.” Victor stated as a matter of fact.

Miguel had no choice but to cook. He had a problem though. The only meal he knew to cook were his hometown’s recipes.

“Don’t complain later on if my dishes don’t suit your taste.” Miguel warned.

“Oh. Shush. I’m a good connoisseur of food.” Victor was smug as he tried to look as convincing as possible.

Miguel made Victor wash and cut up the other ingredients so that the doctor would know how much effort it took to cook.

Victor had to back off though when Miguel told him to start sautéing the onions.

“No. No, Dimples. I can’t. I just can’t.” Victor’s hands were up in the air.

“Why not?” Miguel was puzzled at the tone of Victor’s voice. He seemed scared?

“Henry will kill me if I touch the stove.”

“Why?”

“Because!” Victor huffed then sealed his mouth shut.

“I won’t start cooking until you spill. I can wait here all you want.” Miguel tapped his foot on the floor and folded his arms over his chest.

“Because he is banned from using this kitchen,” came the answer from another voice.

Miguel turned around and saw Mr. Kingsley standing at the door. He looked different without his three-piece-suit. There was a certain charm surrounding him with his white dress shirt rolled up to his elbows and his top two buttons undone.

“The kitchen exploded because of him, twice, and on different occasions. The first one he was trying to mimic this chef who made a flare up on the pan. The second one he burned the oven with his ultimate turkey recipe. From then on Ystelle banned him from using this kitchen.” Henry told the truth.

Miguel could not help but guffaw at the story. “You did what?! Oh my gosh.”

Miguel wiped the tears that came out because of his laughter.

Henry stood still as he watched the expression on Miguel’s face. It was his first time seeing the boy so happy and carefree.

“It was an accident. I was just following the procedures okay?” Victor defended himself.

“The first one may have been an accident. I don’t know. I’m not a professional chef but the second one didn’t seem right. How could you sacrifice a turkey that way?” Miguel smiled. The dimples appeared deep in his cheeks.

He wiped his hands and he plugged the rice cooker.

“Alright. Alright. Move aside. We don’t want a third kitchen fire.” Miguel was finally convinced. He decided to do the cooking.

Victor moved to the kitchen bar and sat on one of the chairs.

Henry approached Miguel who was busy mixing the meat. “How can I help?”

Miguel was startled by the voice above his head. Mr. Kingsley stood close. Less than two feet separated them.

This was the first time that Mr. Kingsley approached him and for such a domestic task at that. Miguel was wary and a bit hesitant. It didn’t seem right to let Mr. Kingsley do the work. But he realized that he had no right to deprive the owner the use of his own kitchen.

Miguel looked around. “Umh, maybe cut those green chilli. But…uumh, you don’t have to if you do not like spicy food. Haha!”

“Oh, he likes spicy, alright!” Victor chimed in from his spot at the kitchen bar.

“Shut up!” Henry threw Victor a head of broccoli.

Victor docked quick. When the coast was clear, he sat up right again. “Meanie!”

Miguel was amused at their exchange. Throughout the cooking process he was filled with smiles and laughter.

Henry noticed this. He found that Miguel looked better that way, bright and happy.

After one hour, Miguel cooked three meat dishes and a vegetable dish.

Victor was quick to volunteer to serve the food on the dining table. He drooled once everything was set up. He could not wait to sample all the exotic looking dishes. Sure, it did not look fancy like those small portions served in fine dining restaurants but it smelled appetizing. The different aromas blended in a nice way that complemented each other. He sat down on the table. He was excited to start eating. His spoon hovered over the large platter.

Miguel called it a family-style dining where the food was served on a large platter. It was meant for sharing unlike the individual plates.

Victor who was used to tiny portions in fancy restaurants thought that the concept was cool. This meant shortening the distance when getting seconds from the pot in the kitchen. How convenient!

At the end of dinner, Henry ordered Victor to clean up and do the dishes.

Victor was too satiated with the food to object. He thought of staying the night but refrained from doing so. He said his goodbyes and rushed to get out of the villa.

Miguel told him to take care when he drove home. He continued to put the remaining ingredients that were not cooked into the double door refrigerator.

“If you need more fresh produce you can ask Ystelle or you can go straight to Ricardo. He manages the greenhouse and the farm in the estate.” Henry explained from his perch on the kitchen counter. He was enjoying a cup of Earl Grey.

“Eh?” Miguel closed the door of the large refrigerator and turned around to see Mr. Kingsley.

“There’s more where those came from.” Perhaps seeing the puzzled look in Miguel’s face, Henry decided to explain further. “The ingredients that you used came from the estate. I’m sure Ystelle toured you before. Also, the condiments and spices were made by my company. All the supplies used here in the villa is produced within the estate or from farms held by my company. Also, I would appreciate it if you use the produce from the estate. For security reasons, refrain from bringing in the stuff you buy from the groceries. Other security protocol will be explained to you by Kasumi.”

Miguel did not know which information was more shocking, the fact that Victor cheated him on his supposed treat or the fact that he did not know how rich Mr. Kingsley was.

The day was filled with lots of surprises. Before Miguel slept that night, he realized that he basically knew nothing about Mr. Kingsley.

-End-

Translation

придурки! = pridurki = “assholes!”

Они посмели нас ограбить = “Oni smeyut nas grabit'!” = “They dare rob us!”

Безопасное все = “Bezopasnoye vse” = “Secure everything.”

я уже в пути = “Ya uzhe v puti” = “I’m on my way.”