The two maids walked around the table and offered water and wine for Steve, Loretta and Roxanne. Sami stood at the end of the table in the process of cutting the roast.
"What if he poisoned the food?" Roxanne asked.
"Quiet, child!" Steve growled. "You're catching on to Loretta's bad behavior. I will not tolerate it."
"I will happily taste it first to make you feel safe," Sami offered.
"I trust you," Steve said. "She's just being a brat."
Sami smiled and nodded, then plated meat on the three plates. He served a plate to Steve first, and then put the second plate down in front of Loretta.
"If you ever plan on hurting or killing anyone in this family, you should kill yourself right after," Loretta said.
"Thank you for that advice," Sami said dumbfounded.
"Jesus fucking christ!" Steve said. "I've had it with the two of you. You either be quiet or you don't get to eat."
Sami picked up the third plate and carried it over to Roxanne.
"Thank you," Roxanne said.
"Enjoy your meal," Sami said.
"Doesn't he get to eat?" Loretta asked.
"He'll eat in the kitchen like the old chef did," Steve said.
"I'm sorry. I thought you actually liked the new one," Loretta said. "Off to the kitchen you go, Sami. Enjoy your food."
Sami moved out of the dining room again and left the family to eat in peace. No one spoke a word during dinner. Loretta was done first and left before Steve was done. Roxanne was done a few minutes later and went to her room. She picked up her book and spent hours reading until someone knocked quietly on her door. She raised her head and saw Loretta slip inside her room.
"What time is it?" Roxanne asked.
"Almost midnight. Steve went to bed half an hour ago," Loretta said.
Roxanne pulled her legs up and hugged her knees. Loretta sat down on the bed and pulled Roxanne in for a sideways hug.
"I don't know how much longer I can take it," Roxanne said.
"Don't worry, it won't be long now. I made you a promise and I'm keeping it," Loretta said.
"I don't like not knowing your full plan," Roxanne said.
"That's because I didn't know it myself. I had to roll the dice and see where it might land," Loretta said.
"And now?" Roxanne asked.
"Now I need your help," Loretta said.
"I'll do anything," Roxanne said. "I trust you, Loretta. You're the only one keeping me safe and sane in this place."
Roxanne placed her arms around Loretta for a hug. She meant that 100%. Loretta was the only person she trusted, and she knew her older cousin would get them both through this nightmare.
"I need you to go and make good friends with Sami. He's still awake and out in the kitchen working on a list of meals he wants to make for us," Loretta said.
"How good friends?" Roxanne asked.
"Make him believe he's getting laid tonight," Loretta said. "I'll be down there to save you. I just need some evidence so go stick your tongue inside his mouth."
Roxanne snorted back a laugh and nodded.
"That's gonna be easy. I noticed him checking me out. Just another old fucker desperate for some young meet," Roxanne said.
"Don't tell him your age. If he asks, skip around it," Loretta said.
"Got it," Roxanne said.
"I got your back, Roxy," Loretta said. "We'll soon be free."
They silently walked down to the kitchen. Roxanne stepped inside while Loretta stayed out in the dark hallway and listened. Roxanne was coming on strong and Sami swallowed every word like a desperate man. When they fell silent, Loretta started recorded a video. She walked out in the kitchen and recorded Sami and Roxanne in a heated kiss.
"Why are you assaulting my cousin?" Loretta asked.
Sami broke the kiss and took a step back while looking confused.
"I wasn't," Sami said.
"She's underage so it's automatically an assault," Loretta said.
Sami looked over at Roxanne who put on her most innocent look. He thought she was at least 20 but suddenly she didn't look much older than 17. He knew he had fucked up.
"Please, don't tell your father," Sami pleaded.
"If I tell him, you'll lose your head," Loretta smirked. "You don't wanna try your luck outside of these walls. You know other people are looking for you. Everyone already knows Roman fired you so they see you as a way to get inside his home. And Steve will also hunt you down out of fear what you might tell people about him. You need to stay here."
"Please," Sami whispered.
"I don't like my father. I'm sure you understand why after what you witnessed earlier today," Loretta said.
Sami nodded. He knew he had only seen a small fragment of how scary Steve could be. He couldn't begin to imagine what she might have experienced in her 38 years of living.
"Stay on my good side as my new best friend, and this video will never be shown to anyone," Loretta said.
"I will," Sami said.
"I am keeping it just in case," Loretta said. "I'm sure you understand."
"I do," Sami said.
"Good," Loretta broke out in a wide smile. "How about soup tomorrow? Yes, fish soup. That's a rare treat. Can you make that?" Loretta asked.
"No problem," Sami said.
"Ew, fish!" Roxanne wrinkled her nose.
"Roxy, go to bed," Loretta said. "You too, Sami. Sleep is important. And don't worry. Your little secret is safe with me. Goodnight, Sami."
Roxanne left the kitchen first with Loretta right behind her. They walked back to Roxanne's room. Loretta closed the door and grinned at her younger cousin.
"I'm not underage," Roxanne said.
"He doesn't need to know that," Loretta said.
"And you hate fish soup as much as I do," Roxanne said.
"Which is why we won't eat it," Loretta said.
Roxanne tilted her head to the side and studied her older cousin.
"What are you saying, Loretta?" Roxanne said.
"I'm saying, don't touch the soup," Loretta said. "Hopefully this will all be over soon and we'll finally get a taste of freedom."