“I don’t know what to do about Alain yet,” Mebel admits. “But I know one thing, and that is we have to clear your name.Doesn’t matter if you decide to be food influencer or work in restaurant, you don’t deserve to have your name blacklisted like that.”
“He’s one of the most powerful chefs in the world,” Gemma says. “I’m sure anyone who crosses him would be blacklisted.”
Mebel harrumphs. She’s had just about enough of powerful men. Powerful men, she is coming to realize, are some of the neediest, most insecure human beings she has ever met. The more power and money they amass, the more fragile their egos become. Maybe she should just hit Alain over the head with a cast-iron skillet and be done with it.
“I take care of it,” Mebel says.
“How?”
“You don’t worry. You let me take care of it.”
Mebel leaves Gemma’s house with her mind racing. The whole drive back to Cowley, Mebel goes over all the events of the past two months. Because despite the bravado she showed to Gemma, the truth is, finding out about Alain’s evilness has shaken her. How could she have been so bloody stupid? This is Henk all over again, isn’t it? Oh, it’s different in the way that Alain was so forthcoming about him being married, and his honesty that they are not exclusive ironically lulled her into a false sense of security. She put more faith in him because she thought she could trust that they were simply two consenting adults enjoying each other’s company, with no strings attached. She was so confident in that, so smug in the knowledge that they come with an expiration date, that she didn’t see this one coming at all. And now, she has failed to keep her friend safe from her predatory lover.
Tears roll down Mebel’s cheeks, and she lets them, cryingsoftly in the back seat of her Uber. Despite everything, she has to admit that she does feel hurt. She does feel betrayed. And above all, she feels utterly foolish. When is she going to fucking learn?
She allows herself to feel sorry for herself for a few more minutes, then she sniffs and wipes her tears away. It is important, she thinks, to let one mourn, even for a bit. And now, on to revenge.
Chapter 19
When Mebel gets back tothe school, the first thing she sees is Agatha’s sour face. She sighs when she spots it. It is so tiresome to see another woman turn cold toward her just because of—
She gasps inwardly.
Just because she started seeing Alain.
Mebel stands at the reception hall for a second, unmoving, staring at Agatha until the other woman starts looking around uncomfortably. Finally, Agatha says, “Everything okay, Mebel? Is there anything I can help you with?”
Mebel narrows her eyes. “There is, actually.”
“Yes?” Agatha looks wary.
“Why you start acting so strange to me?” Mebel demands.
Agatha’s mouth drops open, but no words come out.
“When I first arrive here, you are so nice to me, you evenhelp me bring my luggage in, and my luggage is very heavy. Lots of heritage leather in it.”
Once more, Agatha’s mouth opens and closes, though no words come out.
“And then all of a sudden, poof, you become very weird. Why?”
Agatha finally says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do,” Mebel says. “I think it has to do with Chef Alain.”
From the way that Agatha’s mouth snaps shut into a thin line and the way her cheeks tighten, Mebel knows she’s hit the nail right on the head.
“You don’t like him,” Mebel says.
Agatha’s nostrils flare, but she manages to keep herself from saying anything.
“And you are worried about me, but you can’t say anything because you don’t want to lose your job,” Mebel says, “so you have to continue seeing me go out with him when you know what a dog he is.” Mebel leans forward, her face inches away from Agatha’s. “Yes or no?”
Agatha’s mouth presses into an even thinner line, as though she is barely holding herself back from exploding.
“I know Alain is a bad person now,” Mebel says. “You don’t have to be keeping secret anymore. I want to take him down.”
At this, Agatha leans forward until her nose is practically touching Mebel’s. “He is the most disgusting snake I have ever come across, and he is a blight to this school. There have been many female students here who suddenly left the week after Alain comes for a visit. He needs to be removed from the culinary world.” Having said all this, Agatha retreats, her hand overher mouth and her eyes wide in horror, as though she can’t believe what she just blurted out.
