Peter only smiled at that. “Here,” he said, handing me a card. “This is the cook, Joel’s, information. I suggest you add it to your contacts and text him yours. He wants to know your preferences, and I believe it would be best if he got it before breakfast tomorrow.”
I took the card. “I can ask for anything I like?” This was some fancy shit, but I was so okay with it. Beauty and the beast was my favorite childhood movie, and if Severin was my beast, then I would gladly eat the food and read all the books. Wait, did he have a library? Now I needed to know.
“Yes. Joel prefers to make you happy with his food.”
“I like him already,” I said, still kind of confused by everything. “I have one last question, though.”
“Ask away.”
“Does Severin have a library?”
He nodded.
“Can I use it?”
“Did he not allow you full access to the castle?” he asked, frowning like he couldn’t believe that.
“Oh, he did,” I quickly answered. “But I still felt it would be best to ask.”
He smiled, showing off a dimple as he did so. “I like you, Felix.”
I was so taken a back that I replied with, “Thank you.”
Peter laughed and left the kitchen, leaving me embarrassed and alone.
I texted Joel my number and then told him not to bother coming in tonight, adding a smiley face since I feared I would sound too harsh without it. I wanted Joel to like me; besides, I had no experience having a cook before. I then added what I enjoyedfor breakfast, casually mentioning it was Peter who had told me to tell him so I didn’t come off as too demanding.
It was hard having a cook.
Deciding a bath would be the perfect way to end the day, I let myself soak in the big tub with my kindle while waiting for Joel’s reply. The tub had one of those table things over one corner, it was made of wood and I could place my phone and kindle, and maybe even a glass of wine on it I would definitely need to try that one day.
I snapped a pic of the tub before getting in. Then I sent it to Claire so she could enjoy this with me. Who was I kidding? I wanted to make her jealous. And it worked.
Claire:How dare you send me that? Our showerhead just broke on me. Like seriously. It’s like you knew
I laughed to myself before replying.
Me:Buy a new one. We needed a better one anyway
It was really only a matter of time before it broke, the head kept getting loose and it was hard fixing it with tape when it got wet all the time.
Her reply was just the middle finger. I grinned, already loving my first day as Severin’s feeder. I had a surprise for Claire that I’d yet to tell her about, so I decided now would be best.
Me:Check my room
Claire:???
Claire:OMG
Claire:Seriously?!
Claire:You’re forgiven
Chuckling, I placed my phone on the small table and rested my eyes for a bit as I got comfortable in the water. After each contract ended, I always baked something for Claire as a thank you. She made sure things were running smoothly at the shop and then took care of Astrea in my absence. I owed so much to her, but we also both knew I couldn’t spend money on anything other than getting Astrea un-cursed. So, she got a cake each year, and this year I made her brownies. My way of showing her I cared.
My phone dinged, and I expected to see Claire’s name again, but was pleased to see Joel had texted me back. It was around eight pm now, and I figured he must have just gotten home.
Joel:Hi, Felix. I look forward to cooking for you. Do you mind answering a few questions while you eat breakfast tomorrow? I just need to know about allergies and such for other meals. I will cook every meal for you each day, and some days I will make some you can heat up yourself. I have Sunday and Mondays off, so on those days I will leave meals ready in the fridge and freezer.
