A Warden's Chubby Obsession

CHAPTER 15

CHE'S POV

The penitentiary’s atmosphere is thick and heavy, a constant reminder of the weight this place holds. It’s my first day, and already, I feel as though I’m walking on thin ice, trying to absorb everything Orion showed me on the tour. Every corridor seems to hold a secret, every wall a story.

I’m still reeling when I hear the sharp clacking of heels behind me. Turning, I see a striking woman with bold red lipstick and an air of confidence that borders on intimidating. She’s a bit taller than me, with a pointed stare and a swagger that says she owns every inch of space she occupies.

"Che, right?" she asks, getting up close, way too close, peering into my face like she’s examining a rare specimen. “I’m Victoria.  You can call me vic or torie,what ever makes you feel comfy. I'm Orion's secretary and most importantly, Datum’s wife.” She smiles, leaning in as if she’s sharing a secret, but loud enough for anyone in a ten-foot radius to hear. “Just wanted to extend a warm welcome. Welcome to Northgate penitentiary..." she make unenthusiastic jazz hands "...you’re basically family now.”

I blink, taken aback. "Oh, uh, it's nice to meet you to, torie."

“‘Nice to meet you?’ Oh, honey, we’re way past that formality nonsense.” She waves her hand dismissively, then hooks her arm through mine, pulling me along down the hall like we’re best friends heading to brunch. “So, you’re the jem the two brothers have been bickering about, huh?” She smirks, nudging me conspiratorially. “Oh, I’ve been dying to meet you the ONE. Orion has never been this worked up over someone.”

I feel my cheeks heat up. "He… he talks about me?"

“Talks about you?” She scoffs, throwing her head back with a laugh. “Sweetheart, you’re all he ever talks about. ‘Che this, Che that,’ like you’re some goddess who descended from the heavens to save his tortured soul. Honestly, it’s disgusting.” She gives me a sly look. “And adorable. But mostly disgusting.”

I laugh, though I’m still processing the idea of Orion actually talking about me.Yet am to shy to press but I will be finding out. She doesn’t give me much time to think, though, because she’s already pulling me around a corner, narrating the whole way about the ins and out and how the break room has the best coffee cause the forced Orion to but those fancy Italian coffee machines.

“Now, listen. This place isn’t a picnic. You gotta watch out for some of the guys here. Not everyone knows there limits yet in here. And some of them…” She rolls her eyes, her grip on my arm tightening. “They think they can get a little too fresh.”

As if on cue, a burly inmate with a leering grin saunters up to us mop dragging behind him, his eyes roaming over me with blatant interest. “Well, lookie here,” he drawls, his grin widening as he takes a step closer. “They’re bringing in some new entertainment, huh? Miss Vic please tell me she's the new shrink, I've got a lot of the childhood troma that needs to be delt with” he winks at me his lower lip between his teeth.

Before I can even react, Victoria is already in front of me, hands on her hips, chin tilted in defiance. “Excuse you mario your way past asking for help you brain has no more functional cells, but I'm sure you do have a death wish?” she barks, her voice echoing down the hall. “Because touching her would be the worst decision of your sad little life. You think the warden would take kindly to you sizing up his staff?"  She scoffs, then leans in, her voice dropping to a chillingly sweet tone. “Honey, he’d turn you inside out just for looking at her too long, you know this.”

The inmate hesitates, clearly thrown off by her audacity, before muttering something under his breath and backing away. "Sorry Vic didn't think she was the big mans newest toy" he gives a smug smile before turning on his heels. Victoria watches him retreat, before turning back to me with a grin.

“See? Be careful” she says, “Stick with me, sweetheart, and I’ll teach you how to handle this place.”

I can’t help but laugh, feeling a mixture of awe and relief. “Thank you, torie,  That was… impressive.”

“Impressive?” She raises an eyebrow, looking genuinely offended. “Oh honey, that was nothing. You should’ve seen me when some idiot tried to steal my lunch last week. Let’s just say he’s eating soup through a straw now.”

She winks at me, clearly enjoying the shock on my face. “And just so we’re clear, Orion may be the boss or whatever, but I’m the queen around here. You need anything, you come to me first. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, grinning.

She lets out a laugh, giving my arm a squeeze. “Oh, I like you. You’re going to survive just fine around here. Now, come on, let’s get you settled in your office. Can’t have you getting lost and wandering into the wrong crowd.”

As she leads me to my office, I catch a glimpse of Orion down the hall, watching us with that same intense gaze. The way he looked at me this morning, like I’m the only person in the world, it sends a thrill down my spine. But knowing that Victoria has my back only makes me feel safer in this place and even more eager to discover what lies beneath the surface of these penitentiary walls.

Whatever lies ahead, I know I won’t face it alone.