Evan sat in a luxurious airplane. So luxurious that he felt overwhelmed by the luxury.
The cabin resembled nothing of the rows of seats he knew from ordinary airplanes. The interior looked more like a luxurious salon lined with mahogany and light upholstery with brass fittings.
On the floor was a carpet with geometric patterns. He himself sat in an exceptionally soft luxury armchair opposite Mateo. Beside him was Rufus. Some time after takeoff he had fallen asleep. Both held glasses of wine. Evan knew this wine.
"Tempranillo? You treated me to this when you caught me."
"You remember?" The jaguar smiled. "Back then you were zigzagging from the yellow zone to the red one, and in the hall you were outright delighted by the menu and by being a trophy."
Evan sighed often.
"You're right. Erosion almost drove me onto the plate."
"And yet you started running. Straight into the red zone. That was quite a chase. For a moment I thought you would escape me, but suddenly you slowed down. Why?"
"Erosion." Evan sighed heavily. Suddenly he began to wonder why he had actually run. Now it seemed absurd to him… well, almost.
"How is it… now?"
"It's better. I no longer push myself onto the plate, but the voice in the back remains."
"You know, I still have that plaque."
"You can hang my photo on it."
Both began to laugh.
Emilio poured them more wine.
Evan noticed that something was wrong.
"Is everything all right?"
"Of course, young master Smith."
Evan looked at the butler again. His hand was trembling, a cuff button was undone, and the tie was poorly arranged. Emilio noticed it.
"It's a matter of the Velasco family. Please do not concern yourself with it."
Evan did not know what to think of it, but he did not press further. Instead he looked at Rufus, who was sleeping very deeply. He looked as if the power had suddenly been cut.
"Let him sleep, he needs to rest. Let's talk about you."
Evan turned to Mateo.
"I won't hide it. My father Alejandro Serrano has considerable plans for you. He wants to make a small attraction of the resort out of you."
"I guessed as much. Just being a human already makes me an attraction. Besides, I'm going there to learn."
He looked out the window. Until now he had worked from the kitchen side and had not appeared directly before clients. Now, since he was to be an attraction, that was going to change.
"I apologize in advance." Mateo spoke up.
"For what?"
"Some of our clients can be difficult."
"Meaning they'll try to order me?"
"Possible, but it will be met with a polite refusal." Mateo replied.
"As long as they don't try to kidnap me, it'll be fine."
"Please do not worry about that, young master Smith. The island is strictly defended. No one will enter or leave without Serrano permission." Evan involuntarily clenched his fist.
"Especially persistent journalists."
They clinked glasses and returned to conversation. After a few moments Emilio brought a laptop.
"I apologize, young masters, but Don Alejandro Serrano requests a conversation."
He opened the laptop and held it. On the screen appeared…
"Mateo, my son. Emilio, he has told me everything. I am glad that you managed to sign the contract. How is… the other party feeling?"
"He is resting, father."
Emilio turned the laptop so that Serrano had a good view of the sleeping Rufus.
"That's good. Let him gather strength. He will need it."
"Mr. Smith, I have already spoken with Director Flambe about you. I would like to present the terms to you."
Evan focused on the jaguar's words.
"First I would like to inform you that information about you has spread. This concerns both the Saffron Tigress and working for us."
Evan slightly furrowed his brows.
"News travels quickly…"
"Unfortunately, that is a fact. As for your stay on our island, you will have free time during which you will be able to freely use the attractions provided by our resort."
Evan nodded.
"As for your work. You will be an assistant in our restaurant. We count on you learning a great deal there, but that will not be your main work."
"I don't understand."
"Your main task will be being a private chef for individual guests."
"A private chef?!"
"As I already said, word that you will be our temporary employee has already spread. I have already received inquiries about your services."
"Meaning everyone wants to try food that I specifically prepare?"
"That's correct. Octavian Porcelli's review carries a lot of weight in this matter."
Evan nodded. He had cooked for that culinary critic only once. He had easily broken his dish down into its components. He had praised what was to be praised, but he had not failed to point out even the smallest errors. In the end he had received a good rating. Although when he thought about it now, that critic's reputation was terrifying. That critic could create or destroy someone with a single review.
"Our restaurant specializes in Mexican cuisine, but you will have full culinary freedom when serving individual guests. Since they paid extra specifically for you, they may receive a certain freedom in their orders."
Evan nodded.
"I spoke about this with Arslan, but as your employer I must still ask this question. Have you already performed… slaughter?"
At that moment Rufus suddenly woke up.
"I'm sorry I woke you, Mr. Lapin." Rufus turned toward the laptop. "I assure you that until the time of my son's hunt, you will be under the protection of the Serrano House and no one will hunt you."
Rufus looked at the screen with trembling eyes.
"I understand that what happened to you was awful. That… parody of a hunt should not have taken place. On Serrano territory we do not tolerate such things."
Rufus sank into the armchair.
"We start after landing?" He said it as if it were a certainty.
"No." Mateo and Alejandro answered simultaneously.
Rufus quickly turned his head from one to the other.
"The Serrano family values honor. Hunting tired prey does not bring honor, which is why after landing you will receive time for rest and recovery."
Rufus sank into the armchair and said calmly.
"I intend to win."
"So do I." Mateo replied.
"According to the rules?"
"Of course."
Both looked at each other for a moment, and after a moment Rufus relaxed in the armchair.
"Returning," the jaguar on the monitor cleared his throat, "Have you already performed slaughter, Mr. Smith?"
"Yes. I also cooked meat from that slaughter."
"That pleases me. There is a chance, not a certainty, but a chance, that our individual clients will bring their own meat… live."
Evan pointed at himself with his finger. Pure disbelief was on his face.
"Yes. There may also be the possibility that you will cook live meat whole. I know you have not done that yet. You will also receive every help we can provide in that regard."
Evan swallowed. He had already gotten to know the culinary environment quite well. He already knew the taste of meat. He had performed slaughter. He had not yet cooked live meat, though he himself had been cooked more than once.
"I'm sorry, Don Serrano, but…"
The jaguar stopped him with a gesture.
"Please do not be afraid. We will not allow any meat that is not legal near you. As for the clients," here he fell silent for a moment, "they vary. I cannot promise that they will always behave impeccably, or that they will not try to order you. I do give my word, however, that all such behaviors will meet with appropriate consequences."
Evan nodded.
"In addition, for your work you will receive appropriate remuneration."
Evan slightly jumped in the armchair. He had not expected a salary. He had thought he was flying for an unpaid internship combined with hiding.
"Mr. Smith, the Serrano house did not rise so high thanks to stinginess. You will receive remuneration for your work."
"Thank you, Don Serrano." Evan bowed in the armchair.
The jaguar smiled.
"I won't disturb you. Enjoy the journey."
He disconnected, and the passengers returned to their conversations.