Deviant Fixation

by Valencia Carmelita

  My eyes widen as a yelp of fright escapes my lips. I whip around in lightening speed, accidentally knocking off by elbow one of the eggs to the floor in the process.

  With my heart jumped to my throat, I glance down and find a black cat with green eyes peering tranquilly up at me.

  The cracked egg lay splattered on the floor inches away, some yolk drops covered my sandalled feet.

  I let out a sigh of relief and briefly close my eyes as I clasp my palm against my chest to still my rapid heartbeat.

  Reopening my eyes I adjust my gaze on the cat again and smile while slouching slightly in its direction.

  "Hi cat...you scared me there for a sec!" I half whisper. "You must be hungry too huh?" It licks at the cracked egg droplets.

  Then, it only blinks up at me in continuous serenity, and I proceed playfully. "Well nice to meet you too, my name is Sanam. What's yours ?"

  It yawns, earning a chuckle from me as I'm tempted to stroke it's glossy raven fur but instead I point towards the egg remnants on the floor. "Look at the mess you made me make, cat!"

  "Who dares trespass into my kitchen!?" A dramatically stern woman's voice pierces the air.

  Completely startled yet again, I whirl around in its direction only to come across a lady with her hands set on her hips standing a feet away. She appears to be in her late 50's. "And my cats name is Haruki, it's a male." She states.

  Even from my vantage I could clearly distinguish the merriment dancing in her blue-grey eyes as her lips carve into a warm smile. Her head full of long thick and silvery hair is plaited in a side braid.

  She's garbed in an old-fashioned ankle length simple collared blue dress with mini white buttons vertically trailing in the middle.

  "Uh.." My voice tinges with uncertainty. "I-I'm sorry..I didn't know, I mean I wasn't aware I had to ask before entering. Well I did ask Anya and she-"

  The lady's gentle laughter ceases my apologetic rambling as she starts walking closer. "That's alright, cara mia! I was only joking."

  When she arrives to a halt infront of me, she guesses. "You must be the famous miss Kashani I've been hearing about from Katherine and Beverly."

  I stare at her blankly for a few seconds and her words brought to mind of Anya's special treatment of me.

  Famous? Hardly...I did nothing of the sort to garner fame...

  "Um.." I began with a nervous chuckle. "I don't know about famous..but yes I am Sanam Kashani..and you are ?"

  I proffer out my hand towards her for a handshake.

  Her smile brightens ever more as she takes ahold of my hand firmly in her soft and warm one. "Signora Donna Agnelli, but you may refer to me simply as Mrs.Agnelli. I'm the lead cook of this manor."

  I blurt "Oh so you're the famous Mrs.Agnelli I've heard Rachael mentioning!"

  "Really?" A hearty laugh emerges from her mouth. "What has she to say?"

  "Yes!" I nod emphatically in agreement. "Rachael praised your cooking! Recommended me to taste actually! But I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to at the time."

  "And now you're here, cara mia." She acknowledges as she looks at me with distinct fondness. "You can sample everything I cook and bake. I'll just have another fan of my food to add in my fandom list!"

  "Right!" I let out a chuckle. I was liking her already. "I very much look forward to it."

  "Then I will started preparing!A hearty breakfast for a lovely guest!" She announces while clasping her hands together.

  Her eyes survey in wonderment at the content I had already set out on the middle kitchen island.

  "Was there something special you were about to cook? Do you have preferences ?" She queries.

  In embarrassment, I peer down at the splattered egg on the floor and her gaze follows.

  Great, I just made a mess in her kitchen..what a lousy first impression of mine.

  She grabs a few paper towels and slouches while wiping away the egg from the floor and then discards the soiled paper into a nearby trash bin.

  "Uh sorry about the mess, your cat startled me.." I explain. "..but yeah, I was just about to cook some eggs and eat them in tortilla.."

  She mouths a silent 'oh' as she places her left palm flat on the island surface. Her eyes flit about in a thinking gesture before settling on me again. "Is that all you prefer to have in breakfast today?"

  "Um..I guess.." I motion with my hand towards one of the fridges. "I can only eat Halal or if that's not available then Kosher, but all the stuff in there is labeled in foreign languages except for the eggs and the tortilla wraps."

  "Ah" Her lips began to tug in a smile. "So you're Jewish."

  I shake my head in denial and point to my hijab. "Muslim..."

  Something akin to concern glints in her eyes before they return to merriment again and she flashes me a lively smile. "Oh, I see. Yes ofcourse the headscarf well excuse my ignorance. I wasn't aware that Muslims are allowed to eat Kosher. What was that you said you eat?"

  Did she not know I'm Muslim the second she saw me ?

  "Halal meat." I reiterate uncomfortably.

  I hope she doesn't hate me for being a Muslim like the demonic owner of the manor does.

  "It's similar to Kosher. But if there is anything else besides meat then I can eat that too.." I add nervously.

  "Well..I doubt we carry any halal or kosher meats.." Again she slips into her thinking gesture before completing her answer.

  "But I can cook you some Russian Blini and meat-free Italian breakfast casserole!"

  "You don't have to go through all of that for me" I insist. "I'll just make some eggs-"

  "Cara mia! I have to cook a lot more than that which is nothing so don't worry!" She interjects earnestly. "These would be two dishes out of multiples I will serve the family for this morning! So you might as well dine along."

  "Oh, alright.." I trail off uneasily as my thoughts shift to her last two words..dine along.

  I had no desire to dine in the presence of that violent monster.

  "Well now!" Mrs.Agnelli clasps her hands together again. "I'll begin cooking as soon as my second help gets here, which is in the next ten minutes. But kitchen utensils I will have out before her arrival."

  My stomach grumbles in hunger but low enough for only me to hear, so I ask. "May I help in the meantime?"

  "Sure !" She chortles while placing a hand against her chest. "I had never thought a day would come wherein a guest or even the members of this family would ask to help out in the kitchen!"

  Well that's sad...I can't help but think.

  "I don't mind, I actually enjoy cooking." I explain with a grin.

  "Ah well.." She sighs with a smile. "Most wealthy people hire cooks for a reason, and I get paid very well so I shouldn't complain."

  She pivots around, strolls towards the cupboard and cabinets while continuing. "Cara mia, do you see the pantry door?"

  I glance at the pantry door next to the freezer door and affirm. "Yes."

  "Can you go in there and see if you can fetch me five large potatoes, you can use the straw baskets piled inside to carry them out." She instructs as she pulls open a cabinet.

  "Sure, no problem." I reply while walking upto the pantry door. Opening it, I reach for the light switch next to the entrance and flick on the lights.

  Let's just say, was no ordinary pantry! Way bigger than my bedroom+closet combined back in America.

  But I shouldn't be surprised anymore, what did I expect out of such an immense and luxurious manor?

  That it would contain a diminutive pantry...HECK NO!

  It had to be as stylish and opulent as the rest of the residence, heck even the packaged food in here is seemingly worth more than the clothes I'm wearing right now.

  I walk with gradual steps, while my eyes scan over the rows of back to back shelves filled with varying stocks of food and goods.

  Spotting the straw baskets piled neatly in one corner, I go over and reach for one. Slinging it in my left arm, I proceed to search for the potatoes and my
eyes settle on a row of long floor length cabinets lining the wall on my right.

  Curiously, I stroll towards the one nearing the half open doorway I had entered from. I pull it apart.

  I let out a gasp of amazement as my eyes are greeted by shelves upon shelves lined with boxes of tea from top to bottom. Boxes with varying pretty shades of colours and paintings, teas of all sorts and types.

  I love tea!!!

  An instinctual smile tugs at my lips. I extend my hand and pluck out a box of tea with a vivid painting of a ball room and nobility from the regency era.

  The labeling states Royal British Earl Grey.

  Oooh Interesting! I'd like to try this sometime.

  Placing it back, my eyes drift to a box with a painting of a silver dragon soaring over an emerald European countryside.

  A determined looking medieval knight clad in armour sits atop the dragons neck. The Knights dark blue surcoat whipping in the wind behind him, a blue Christian Cross in the middle of his doublet.

  Sword raised in one hand while in the other a shield covered with the same Cross. Tufts of his blonde hair escape through his open helmet.

  Ready to head for battle...I read the labelling, Nielsen's Royal Danish Tea.

  Oh wow, they even have their own tea company!

  I can't help but wonder the knight resembles Vladimir or perhaps my eyes are playing tricks upon me.

  Ha! What a vain jerk! Has his paintings on tea boxes!

  I scoff outwardly.

  I bet he stares at himself a lot in the mirror, I mean how can anyone manage to look that good without putting so much effort into it?

  I shake my head thinking, there is only so much one can do to an extent with grooming but he was born with very attractive physical aesthetics.

  I snort. Probably spends half the night grooming himself before heading out on his killing spree.

  Doesn't change his interior which is as ugly as the most ugliest things that could ever exist! I huff in sudden anger.

  Rachael and Katie are nothing like him.

  Tilting my head, I think he's probably possessed by some demonic jinn..that could be the only reason he's such a cruel dastard and takes pleasure in killing people!

  "Are you alright in there dear ?" Mrs.Agnelli queries from the kitchen. "The potatoes are right near the doorway, under the first shelf."

  I shake my head out of my irksome thoughts.

  "Oh yes I'm fine, I'll be out!" I assure her as my eyes adjust over the sacks of potatoes.

  I gather up five in my basket and ready to exit the pantry when I hear a distinct clicking sound against the floor nearing closer to our vicinity.

  Instinctually, I conceal myself behind the corner of the door hinges and pull at the door inwards so it's left slightly askew but not completely closed.

  This was my tactful way of spying right now, AstaghfirAllah! I had to be on guard, I was in no mood to run into more surprises.

  And certainly an unpleasant surprise it would have been when I spot exactly who appears from the right entrance of the kitchen.

  Ah speaking of the devil himself !

  Why the heck is he here so early? Is this habitual of him? Then I'm doomed.

  There he is, in all his dark and deadly glory. Dressed to quaint perfection, top hat, cane, dark vest, dark over coat.

  Chiselled facial features perfectly balanced with an unreadable expression. Right at this moment those crystalline piercing blue eyes trained on Mrs.Agnelli ahead.

  He's Completely unaware of my hidden presence and I'm ever so thankful for that.

  I gulp down the lump forming in my throat as my stomach unsettles queasily. I can't help but notice his overbearing presence seems to darken the kitchens atmosphere. All he needed were a set of ebony wings and he would look the part of a dark angel.

  Presently, I had the advantage of observing him in more detail now that I was hidden.

  That's it! He's most likely under a jinn possession! I sense an evil aura about him!

  I find it very unnerving that part of me won't quit slinking into amazement over his physical appearance.

  It's not like I haven't seen good looking guys before, but they were normal guys.

  And he's far from normal. He's so attractive, its downright scary.

  *click* *click* *click*

  His cane hits the ground softly as he strides with calculated precision. Even his gait is powerfully appealing. Everything about him defines deadly masculinity.

  He could very well have been transported from the 19th century, dressed as he was. A character out of 19th century Gothic novel.

  I didn't understand how I had manage to muster the courage enough to back talk him the first time we met. At the time the fear of being chased by some knife wielding hooded maniac had partly clouded my mind.

  But even then I was at lost for words the very second I laid eyes on this sinister yet compelling force of a man.

  And now ? I would be outright lying if I said I wasn't afraid of him. The more i find out about him, the more he frightens me. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid for my life right now.

  Remembering his atrocious words for me last night, I sensed he would spare no chance in harming me. An involuntary shudder runs throughout my body over the thought.

  Mrs.Agnelli pauses to look up from organizing her kitchen utensils. "Vladimir !" She beams her smile. "Good morning!"

  He comes to a solid halt three steps infront of her, gracefully reaches up and tips his tophat in that familiar quaint greeting manner.

  "And a pleasant morning to you." He begins, voice cooling and velvety as ever. He scans briefly the items placed out by Mrs.Agnelli and remarks. "Cancel your meal preparations of this morning."

  "Oh, alright." Mrs.Agnelli immediately obliges, yet her brows knit in confusion.

  Wow he sure does get whatever he wants done without much of an objection!

  Except for Rachael, she seemed not to oblige easily to him, perhaps for the reason she's his older sister.

  He notices Mrs.Agnelli's down-cast questioning face as she replaces every utensil back in the cupboards.

  He elaborates. "Since Rachael and the children have returned, there will be quite a sumptuous breakfast feast for them this morning."

  Mrs.Agnelli grows ever more confused as she directs her gaze on him. "But you don't want me cooking? I was planning on throwing them a feast."

  "No, I shall not have you cook.." He affirms. "..for I have made an arrangement of fine hot meal delivery and they shall be arriving shortly starting today for the extension of the week."

  Mrs.Agnelli begins. "Surely I can cook some-"

  "No" Vladimir's voice raises a notch, ceasing her words. His eyes sharpen and Mrs.Agnelli averts her vision to her shoes. He rephrases sternly. "You shall not cook, a paid week off from any chef duties is what you shall receive."