Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Before approaching them, I paused for a brief moment to compose myself. I smoothed the wrinkles from my clothes, took a deep breath, and fixed my slightly messy hair. Carefully, I tucked the loose strands behind my ears, hoping to make myself look as presentable as possible.

"Excuse me, Madame?"

Before the woman could completely step inside the establishment, I quickly gathered my courage and called out to her. My voice was hesitant but clear enough to catch her attention. She immediately paused in her tracks and turned to face me.

"Yes, Miss?"

She walked toward the counter where I was standing, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. My heart pounded inside my chest as she approached, but I forced myself to stay calm.

The moment she stopped in front of me, I greeted her with my warmest smile.

"Madame... I'm sorry for bothering you," I began politely, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice. "But I happened to overhear that... you're looking for a kitchen assistant?"

To my relief, a gentle smile spread across her face.

"Oh, yes," she replied. "I'm actually looking for one. Why? Are you interested?"

Hope immediately lit up inside me.

"Yes, Madame," I answered without hesitation. "I've been searching for a job, preferably during the daytime, because I attend the academy every evening."

"The academy?" she asked with genuine curiosity. "What are you studying there?"

"Culinary Arts, Madame."

The moment those words left my mouth, her eyes widened in pleasant surprise.

"Wow, really?" she said, sounding genuinely impressed. "Well, if that isn't good luck..."

"Here are my certificates... along with the other documents from my school."

I handed her the brown envelope.

She accepted with a polite smile and slowly pulled out the documents one by one. Her eyes carefully scanned each page, taking her time instead of rushing through them. As she continued reading, I noticed the smile on her face growing wider and warmer with every certificate she examined.

I stood in front of her, clasping my hands together to stop them from shaking. My heart was beating so loudly.

After a few moments, she looked up at me, her expression filled with genuine admiration.

"Impressive," she said with a smile. "You've already participated in so many culinary competitions, and your team has won almost every one of them." She flipped through another document before continuing. "Your dishes also received consistently high ratings. That tells me you're very talented."

She let out a soft laugh, and I couldn't stop the relieved smile that spread across my face.

"Thank you so much, Madame," I said sincerely, bowing my head in gratitude.

She closed the envelope and looked at me thoughtfully.

"So, can you start working today?"

For a moment, I thought I had heard her wrong.

My eyes widened, and I could feel my entire face brighten with excitement.

"R-Really, Madame?"

She smiled warmly.

"I'm Lily, the owner of this diner," she introduced herself. "And I have no intention of letting someone like you slip away. You can start right now. We get extremely busy around this time of day, and we could really use an extra pair of hands."

The excitement bubbling inside me became impossible to contain.

"O-Of course, Madame!" I answered enthusiastically.

"Employees are paid every week. Since your work starts today, today's hours will already be included in your payroll. You'll receive your first salary this coming Sunday."

I gave her a respectful nod. Before I could respond, she shifted her attention to the server standing beside me.

"Sofie, please take her upstairs. There should be a spare uniform she can use."

"Yes, Madame," Sofie answered politely.

My eyes naturally drifted toward her. She greeted me with a warm smile before introducing herself, and I quickly did the same.

I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness.

All the effort I had spent searching for work hadn't gone to waste. On my very first day of job hunting, I had already found employment. The salary wasn't exactly impressive, but that didn't matter to me.

What mattered most was that I finally had a steady source of income. At last, I would be able to contribute to our household expenses and help pay the bills

After changing into my uniform, I immediately reported for duty. Since it was my first day on my first ever job, I paid close attention to every instruction given to me. I made sure to complete each task carefully.

The restaurant remained busy throughout the day, but I welcomed every task without complaint. I wanted to prove that I was hardworking and dependable.

Every compliment and every nod of approval motivated me to work even harder.

By the end of my shift, Madame Lily looked pleased with my performance. Even the chefs complimented me for learning quickly and following instructions well. Hearing those words made all the exhaustion worthwhile, and I promised myself that I would continue giving my best every single day.

When four o'clock in the afternoon finally arrived, I clocked out from work. My feet were sore, and my body felt tired from standing for hours, but my heart was lighter than it had been in weeks.

Just as my siblings and I had planned that morning, I headed straight to the city library, where we had agreed to meet after finishing our job hunt.

The moment I saw them waiting for me, I immediately noticed the excitement written all over their faces.

Before I could even ask how everything had gone, they eagerly shared the good news.

All of them had been accepted at a tailor's boutique.

A wide smile spread across my face as relief washed over me.

Although they wouldn't be starting work immediately because they still had to complete a one-week training period, none of us saw that as bad news. The important thing was that they had already secured their jobs.

Today's efforts had been a complete success.

Our parents were overjoyed when we shared the good news with them. It had been a long time since I had seen them smile with such genuine happiness, and at that moment.

As the days turned into weeks, however, I finally experienced the hardship I had expected from the very beginning.

Working wasn't as easy as I had imagined.

Every day was filled with endless responsibilities, and I constantly found myself juggling one task after another.

By the time I got home, my entire body ached from exhaustion. If I managed to get four hours of sleep in a single night, I already considered myself lucky.

Even so, taking a day off never crossed my mind.

Every shift I missed meant losing not only a day's wage but also the generous tips our customers often left behind.

That was more than enough reason for me to keep pushing myself.

Wanting to earn a little more, I even approached Madame Lily with a request.

I asked if I could help serve customers in the dining area whenever there wasn't much to do in the kitchen or during my thirty-minute break.

Instead of sitting around and resting, I wanted to make myself useful.

Fortunately, she admired my dedication and agreed without hesitation.

Since then, my routine has become even busier.

Whenever the kitchen slowed down, I would immediately head into the dining area to assist the servers. I greeted customers with a smile, carried trays of food, refilled glasses, cleared empty plates, wiped down tables, and made sure every guest was comfortable throughout their meal.

It was physically draining...

But every tip placed into my hand reminded me exactly why I was working this hard.

"Sofie, let me wipe these tables," I offered with a smile as I approached her. "I've already finished my thirty-minute break."

She was carefully arranging fresh peonies inside the elegant flower vase placed at the center of one of the tables. The delicate pink blossoms added warmth and beauty to the restaurant, making the entire dining area feel so cozy despite the gloomy weather outside.

She looked at me with grateful eyes before setting the vase down.

"Really? Thanks, Reina," she replied with an exhausted smile. "I'm going to squeeze in a quick power nap. Just look at this weather... It's perfect for sleeping."

She stretched her arms high above her head before letting out a long yawn, making me laugh softly.

Almost instinctively, my eyes drifted toward the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Outside, a drizzle had begun to fall. Tiny raindrops gently slid down the glass while the cool breeze swayed the trees lining the street. The gray clouds blanketing the sky made me feel even colder, creating a peaceful atmosphere that almost tempted me to curl up under a blanket and sleep.

It really was the kind of weather that made staying awake a challenge.

"I'll take care of everything here," I assured her. "Go get some rest. I'll see you again in thirty minutes."

Sofie nodded appreciatively.

Once she was gone, I picked up the stems of the peonies she had been arranging and continued decorating the tables, making sure each flower was positioned neatly inside the vase.

I had barely finished adjusting the last arrangement when the gentle chime of the entrance bell echoed through the restaurant.

I lifted my head and turned toward the front door.

A woman stepped inside, bringing with her a cool gust of air from the drizzling afternoon outside.

"Good afternoon, Madam. Welcome," I greeted warmly, my lips curling into a friendly smile as I walked toward the entrance.

She appeared to be in her early fifties, carrying herself with remarkable grace and confidence. Without a word, she folded her elegant black umbrella before hanging it neatly on the umbrella stand beside the door.

I couldn't help but discreetly admire her appearance.

She was dressed in a stunning vintage black lace dress that fit her perfectly, giving her an air of timeless sophistication. Every detail of her outfit looked carefully chosen, from the delicate lace patterns to the antique-style accessories adorning her wrists and neck.

Her makeup was even more captivating.

She wore dark, smoky eye makeup that beautifully accentuated her sharp eyes, giving her an alluring yet mysterious aura.

But what caught my attention the most was her bold black lipstick.

Surprisingly, instead of looking overwhelming, it complemented her entire appearance flawlessly, making her look elegant.

She carried herself with such confidence that it was impossible not to notice her.

"I'd like the blackberry pancakes, generously smothered with blackberry jam," she said in a composed but firm voice. "And when I say smothered, I don't mean just an extra serving. I want them completely covered in blackberry jam. I'll also have a glass of blackberry juice... no ice."

I nodded quickly as I carefully memorized every detail of her order.

"Certainly, Madam," I replied with the same pleasant smile. "I'll make sure your pancakes are prepared exactly the way you requested."

After she had chosen where she wanted to sit, I headed straight to the kitchen to prepare her order.

The chefs were still on their scheduled break, and since she was the only customer in the restaurant at the moment,

I decided to cook everything myself. Thankfully, after working here for weeks, I had become familiar with the menu and had learned how to prepare most of the dishes without needing anyone's supervision.

I washed my hands, tied my apron securely around my waist, and immediately got to work.

I arranged everything neatly on a serving tray. I checked the presentation one last time before carefully lifting the tray with both hands.

It was surprisingly heavy.

Balancing it carefully, I made my way out of the kitchen and into the dining area.

As I approached the woman's table, I noticed that she hadn't looked up once.

Her entire attention was fixed on a book bound in a plain black cover. She seemed completely absorbed in its pages.

I placed each item from the tray onto the table one by one, careful not to make too much noise.

Only after I had finished setting everything down did she finally close the book.

She folded it neatly and rested one hand on top of it.

"Enjoy your meal, Madam," I said with a bright smile.

She simply stared at me.

Her eyes remained fixed on my face, carefully studying me in complete silence.

Unable to figure out what was going through her mind, I simply offered another polite smile before excusing myself and leaving her to enjoy her meal.

Since there were no other customers to attend to, I returned to my previous task.

I continued arranging the peonies on the nearby tables, adjusting each bouquet until every flower looked perfectly placed. After finishing one table, I moved on to the next.

"Excuse me." The woman's voice suddenly called out, breaking my concentration.

I immediately turned toward her.

She had already finished her meal, her plate completely empty.

Without hesitation, I walked over to her table and stopped respectfully in front of her, waiting patiently to hear what she needed next.

I offered her a polite smile despite the way she continued to look directly into my eyes.

"How may I help you, Madam?" I asked respectfully, doing my best not to let my nervousness show.

To be honest, she had an incredibly intimidating presence.

Silently, I prayed that there wasn't anything wrong with her order.

I hoped she wasn't about to complain.

After what felt like several long seconds of silence, she finally spoke.

"I really enjoyed the pancakes. I've eaten here many times before, but this is the first time I've truly liked them. They were wonderfully fluffy, and the blackberry jam wasn't overly sweet. The balance of flavors suited my taste perfectly."

The tension in my chest disappeared almost instantly.

Instead, relief washed over me, and I found myself smiling even wider than before.

"R-Really, Madam?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

She gave a slow nod.

"Yes. And you're also the first server I've encountered here who smiled at me."

Her unexpected remark caught me off guard.

I blinked in surprise.

"I've noticed that most of the staff avoid looking at me for too long," she continued. "They take my order, serve my food, and leave as quickly as possible."

She paused for a brief moment before meeting my eyes again.

"You don't seem afraid of me."

A small laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.

"Why would I be afraid of you, Madam?" I asked politely.

She held my gaze.

"Because of the way I look," she replied.

"To be honest... I think your dress and makeup are absolutely gorgeous."

A faint smile curved on her lips.

"Sit down first," she said.

As I settled into the chair, my eyes followed her every movement. She reached for a long leather wallet resting neatly on top of a thick book beside her. With practiced elegance, she opened it and slipped out a crisp paper bill.

She gently pushed it across the table until it stopped right in front of me.

"Take this. This is the first time I've ever given someone a tip this big."

Confused, I lowered my gaze to the bill.

The instant I saw the denomination, and the number of zeros printed on it, my heart nearly stopped.

My eyes widened so much they almost popped out of their sockets.

"A... a thousand dollars, M-Madame?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

She met my stunned gaze without the slightest hint of hesitation.

"Yeah," she answered simply. "It's yours."

I froze.

For several long seconds, I could only stare at the bill lying on the table.

That was more money than I had ever imagined receiving as a tip. My hands remained motionless on my lap, almost afraid to touch it.

"This is too much, Madame..." I murmured. "This... this is more than generous. It will help me so much."

I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my emotions in check.

She looked at me with certainty before speaking again.

"You deserve it."

I carefully picked up the one-thousand-dollar bill, as I held it in my hands

As I stared at it, my mind wandered to all the things this money could do for my family. I could finally buy enough groceries. We could pay a portion of our overdue bills.

"It looks like you are struggling, young lady."

The woman's gentle voice pulled me away from my thoughts.

I immediately looked up at her, suddenly realizing that I had been staring at the money for several seconds.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I cleared my throat before answering.

"Y-Yes, Madame," I said softly. "This means so much to me. It's a huge help because my family is going through a really difficult time right now. Things haven't been easy for us."

She studied me.

"I see, you're having financial problems," she said.

I lowered my gaze and gave a small nod.

"Yes, Madame."

She slowly looked me over from head to toe.

"How old are you?" she asked in a serious tone.

I straightened my posture before answering politely.

"I'm twenty-two years old, Madame," I replied.

"Hmm..." she hummed thoughtfully, her eyes never leaving me as she continued to study every inch of my appearance.

I shifted uncomfortably under her unwavering gaze.

"You have long, golden-blonde hair... The shape of your eyes is beautiful, and your nose and lips are well-defined."

She paused for a moment before a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"I used to have a figure like yours when I was young," she added. "And you have a captivating smile... one that could easily leave a lasting impression."

I blinked in surprise, unsure how to respond to such unexpected compliments.

"Actually, I know someone who's looking for a servant to work in a mansion."

My brows drew together in confusion.

"They need someone willing to live there, take care of the household, and handle all the chores. Maybe... cleaning, cooking, organizing... everything that needs to be done around the house."

"...A servant?" I repeated softly.

She nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, and I think you'll be very pleased to hear... That the salary is more than five thousand dollars... and that's for just one month of work."

My eyes widened.

Five...

Five thousand dollars?

For a moment, I wondered if I had heard her correctly.

That amount was far beyond anything I had ever imagined earning in a single month.

My heart pounded against my chest as countless thoughts rushed through my mind.

The offer sounded almost too good to be true.

"T-They're hiring?" I blurted out, unable to contain the excitement rising in my voice. "Where is the mansion located? Could you tell me more about it? I'd like to know all the details, if that's okay..."

The questions poured out of my mouth one after another before I even had the chance to think.

I couldn't help myself.

The woman watched my eager reaction with a small, knowing smile.

"Of course," she said gently. "But you should calm down first. There's a chance you'll change your mind once you hear the most important detail."

The smile on her lips slowly faded.

Her voice grew unsettling.

Just then, a fierce gust of wind crashed against the entrance door.

The thick glass door shook violently.

The sudden change in atmosphere sent an uneasy chill creeping down my spine.

I swallowed hard as I noticed her eyes lowered. The warmth in her expression had vanished, replaced by a seriousness that made my heart beat a little faster.

"W-What... what is that important detail?" I asked cautiously

"The people you'll be serving are vampires. They are the Volgoth Family, a powerful family of vampires who live in a secluded mansion on Bloodsucker's Mountain."​