ZARYA ROGOV
Fixing the ring on my finger, I entered the kitchen that was bustling with servants. I stood near the doorway, contemplating my life.
If I disobey him. If I refuse to do anything he commands me, what would he do?
Kill me? No, he wouldn't do that, not yet.
Was he not afraid that I would poison his food?
What if I just...disobey him?
The idea of going against his command was fearsome, but as a Rogov if I just gave in, that would be such a disappointment.
I scratched the back of my neck. Now that I had finally gotten a little ground of the situation I was in, my mind was working overtime with possibilities.
"Ahem...miss?"
I snapped out of my thoughts and turned my head to the right, only to find Alek standing there. He was dressed in his usual black crisp butler suit.
"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded.
His unfriendly eyes took in my fresh form before he gave me a brief nod and turned towards the servants working in the kitchen.
"Everyone," his voice came out loud and firm, making everyone snap their heads in my direction, and once they saw me, they immediately shared glances.
I wondered what inside gossip was going on in them about me?
"Miss Zarya will be taking the lead in the kitchen from now on. You guys are going to help her around," he said, and a few of them nodded while the others remained quiet.
"Who was the one who took care of all this before me?" I asked Alek.
"My daughter." He gave a dry answer before adding. "They would guide you through everything." I gave him a nod. He looked like he was talking to me at gunpoint. It was clear he didn't like me.
His daughter?
I didn't think much of it and stepped further into the kitchen. I didn't know cooking much but I could cook. A female servant walked over to me. She was the first one who was smiling genuinely at me, even though it was brief.
"Hello, I'm Natasha." She introduced herself, and I gave her a nod along with a little smile.
"Um, so, the Pakhan likes his coffee bitter." Oh, I already got the idea of it last night. The information was given to me in a premium way.
"He doesn't like sugar, nothing sweet, and breakfasts are usually light." I continued to listen to her and ended up just standing there, watching everyone. The chores were already divided and done.
Why was I even here? Looking like a stupid clown.
I sat on the chair near the kitchen slab, feeling extremely hungry myself, but I remained quiet.
The servants went to set the breakfast table and came back to prepare lunch already. I fidgeted with my fingers and continued to look around awkwardly until Natasha came up to me.
"Uh, the Pakhan calls you in the dining hall," she said, and my shoulders immediately tensed up. No, I didn't want to be in his vicinity. Why was he even calling me?
"Please follow me," Natasha's head gestured towards the kitchen doorway, telling me to follow her. With a deep breath, I stood up and followed her to the dining hall where he sat in the middle, right in his master chair, looking like a perfect explain of a Pakhan.
On his right sat his son, and on the left were his mother and sister. My heartbeat accelerated the closer I got to the table. His head turned in my direction, and he immediately halted.
"Come here," his firm command alone made me feel shit. The pull of his authority was undeniable as I walked closer to the table.
He turned his face back in front.
"Serve us."
My eyes slightly widened.
Huh? Serve? I thought he was calling me to join. My heart shattered, and the pain of humiliation had my chest constricting in pain. As a Rogov, this was beyond an insult.
Father would have died from a heart attack after witnessing this.
Only if I hadn't escaped...
I didn't move.
"Zarya..." My name never sounded so cursed.
I clenched my jaw and moved forward.
His family quietly watched me. Both the mother and sister had hatred in their eyes. Guess they now knew who I was.
A Rogov.
The little boy stared at me with curiosity, his eyes filled with pure interest.
I began to serve Sergei some omelet, a toast, and an avocado on the side with his bitter coffee.
When I moved towards his mother, she began to fill her plate on her own. A disdainful expression on her face.
"I don't want her filthy hands touching my food."
I was left speechless and heartbroken by those harsh words laced with such hatred. Would Rogov's have shown them the same hatred? I doubt. Why did the whole family hate us when it was only a business-related issue?
I never felt so humiliated.
My gaze went towards Sergei, and he looked unbothered, just as I thought. My grip tightened on the plate. I was about to put the plate back down when the little one raised his own plate, waiting for me to fill his plate.
I slowly walked over to his side and filled his plate with whatever he wanted. He looked so much like his father. Where his face held innocence, his father's features were hardened and sharp. Ruthless was the right word to define Sergei.
"Tonight, you will make dinner. Alek and Natasha will guide you through, but no one will help you," he commanded, eyes lowered on his plate.
"We won't eat what she makes." His mother objected.
"Then starve." So the nonchalance in his tone wasn't only for me.
The old lady glared at me. The sister just quietly ate as if she were used to his coldness.
I slowly stepped away, fidgeting with my fingers. Not knowing what to do, I turned to leave.
"Who told you to leave?" His firm voice had me halting. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before turning to face them again. Anxiousness was deeply rooted in me by now, and I was just living with it.
I swallowed and looked at him.
"When I don't get up, you don't walk out of here... understood?" he asked. What was I? His servant? Oh yeah, that's exactly what he brought me here for. To reduce me to nothing.
He paused and slightly tilted his head in my direction.
"Understood?" He asked, his voice sounded deeper.
I unconsciously licked my lips and nodded.
"Use your voice." His tone was higher, firmer, as if he was trying to press me down, make me submit.
And what did I do?
"Y-Yes..."
A loser...always running away.