The Employer

Chapter 14

Marc Nassar

"How did everything go with your cook? Is she getting fired?" Vivian whispers from across the table during our brief lull in conversation, but still loud enough for the twins and Celeste to hear. I hear a faint noise that almost sounds like a quiet snort coming from Celeste's direction. 

God, this is so uncomfortable. The reason why I brought Vivian here tonight has disappeared from my brain, somewhere in the fog.

But I've made my bed. And now I have to lie in it.

"Everything's fine," I respond swiftly and grab another chip that's smothered in cheese and guac. 

Who am I kidding though? Things aren't fine. I'm currently lying in this metaphorically made bed, my mind getting foggier than a case with tampered evidence, and my body still heating with the memory of what just happened. And then there's also the thoughtfulness Celeste put into the meal tonight, which creates a different kind of warmth that's like a river of energy straight into my heart.

Every time Celeste passes by our table, the willpower to not look at her, to not study every inch of her body, is akin to Nina and Laila turning off the TV.

In other words, impossible without force.

I turn my attention to Laila who is now poking my shoulder, begging to tell me a story. Thankfully, she and Nina don't seem to understand what Vivian just asked. "Dad! We went swimming today and we saw a huge bee come by the pool! It looked like he was scared of the water and then he flew away. It was so cute!" Laila says animatedly.

"He was a big bee. And I don't think he could swim, that's why he was scared," Nina adds.

"Which pool did you girls go to?" Vivian asks the girls as Celeste places a bowl of what looks like iceberg lettuce on the table. There are no fixings on it or any dressing. Just plain, crunchy-looking iceberg lettuce. But Vivian doesn't even look at the bowl. She just keeps her eyes fixed on my daughters.

I try to hold back my smirk. Celeste is young and is making her sentiments toward Vivian clear. I shouldn't find it cute, but here we are.

I thank her for the extra "meal" and she gives me a deviously amused look with eyes slightly squinted. It causes a range of activity in my body. God, I want more of her. Even though we said we would leave things where they were, my willpower is shrinking. When we were outside I told her something I've never shared with anyone before, and she didn't immediately spit in my face. She genuinely looked at me like she understood exactly what I was saying. I want to say and do more things to her—more things that are categorically irresponsible and that I have no business saying or doing. 

"Our pool. We have one," Nina responds to Vivian.

"Oh, how lovely," Vivian says. "Marc, you've been hiding this home from the community all this time! From what I've seen so far it's so beautiful! You should host an event here."

"Yeah," I respond absentmindedly, still trying to reconcile how to move forward with Celeste. I'm already in deep waters as it is. But what is she thinking? She could easily squeeze money out of me with a sexual harassment charge if she wanted to. Is that what she wants? To sleep with me for my money? It wouldn't be the first time someone has tried.

But then again, women who try to seduce me don't typically yell at me for how I am as a dad before doing so.

"Yeah? Oh, that's wonderful! I can help plan it," Vivian says.

"Plan what?" I ask.

"We could do a party next weekend! I'll take care of everything." Her eyes shine and I gulp. What did I just agree to?