"Thank you," Deepa murmured, helping herself to the bacon.
"So, how long have you and Axel been dating?" Nastya asked while daintily chewing on a piece of apple.
"We're not dating," Deepa huffed. "And I don't even know him that well."
"Is that so? Please tell me more.”
"There's nothing to tell." Deepa slowly chewed, fighting the urge to gorge herself.
"Don't be shy.” Ryan took a sip from a glass of orange juice. "We're all family here."
"We met at a bar," Deepa said in between bites. "He bit me, ruined my life, and now he can't keep his dick in his pants."
"So, you're not here on your own free will?" Nastya gasped.
Deepa shook her head. "Not really."
Ryan looked at Axel, his expression turning sour.
"Don't look at me like that," Axel muttered, glancing down at the table. "She showed up here on her own."
Nastya curiously raised an eyebrow while taking a sip of her coffee.
"I'm sorry," said Ryan. "My brother has always been terrible at controlling himself. He gets so excited about causing havoc, that he never stops to think about the consequences."
Axel's grip tightened around his fork.
"He's always been like this," Nastya sighed. "Always rushing in, acting without thinking, and expecting everyone else to clean up his mess."
"Cut it out," Axel hissed.
Nastya rolled her eyes, returning to her food.
"Anyway," Ryan said. "Please don't let my poor misguided older brother ruin your fun. You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like."
Deepa looked to Axel. He shook his head, mouthing the wordno.
"Thanks." Deepa smiled up at Ryan. "That would be lovely."
“You can have my old room,” said Nastya. “It has a wonderful view of the garden.”
Axel slammed his fork on the table. "No fucking way."
"Oh, relax," said Nastya. "If Deepa wants to stay, she can stay."
"She can't," Axel hissed.
"Why not?"
Axel's eyes darted between his brother and sister.
"She doesn't belong here," Axel said coldly. "She’s just a crazy quick fuck that I picked up for fun. She'll stink the whole place out with her vile human scent."
"Excuse me?" Deepa spat, her hands clenching.
"And we'll have to listen to her crying and groaning all night. She'll annoy everyone with her shitty attitude and sob stories about her dead boyfriend."
Deepa jumped to her feet, knocking over a jug of orange juice that spilled across the table. "Fuck you, arsehole!"
