402 Chapter 402: Closure-1
Mina was busy making sure to coat each piece of shredded chicken in the seasoned broth she made. She was cooking something she had thought up, and she was careful to make sure it was at least flavorful. When the person who had entered the kitchen stood beside her, she flinched realizing it was Brayden from Hansen. She quickly stepped to the side, making sure her eyes did not land on his for a second time while they were alone.
"Are you cooking for Cy?" He asked. His voice was near a whisper, because he was trying to be seductive, but Mina mistook it for him not wanting to cause trouble for her, knowing that Cylus had a girlfriend. Understanding what the man's question really meant, Mina clarified the relationship, wanting to spare herself another foe.
"Cylus is like a brother to me. Vanya is his girlfriend," she replied confidently. The corners of Brayden's mouth curled up.
"People think otherwise," he said, taking a step closer, and Mina, who had begun plating the meal with strips of red and green peppers, took a step away. "Are you afraid of me?" He asked. Having never been rejected by a woman in his life, Mina's actions were nothing short of a tease. He had not had to play cat and mouse in a long time.
"No sir, I just don't like to be stared at and you are making me feel uncomfortable." Brayden took large steps backward.
"Better?" He asked with a tilted head, and Mina nodded feeling as though she could breathe again. She dared not look up at the man who made her heart thump every time she did. "Who did you cook for then?" Brayden continued.
"For anyone who wants to eat. I will repurpose any leftovers." Brayden stared at Mina, who did not look like the type of woman who knew how to cook, but as far as he had seen, no outside help had been in the cabin.
Done with plating, Mina pulled out her phone and texted Willow who showed up faster than she expected. She looked at Brayden and back at Mina, noticing that her friend's body language was stiff. Knowing what Mina had gone through, Willow thought she could tell what was throwing her friend off. Brayden had similar features to President Lee, and if someone told her they were relatives, she would believe it without question, although Brayden was not as handsome.
Seconds later, Olivia arrived with Cylus, Oric and Connor. Cylus paused to take in the scene before him. He had already warned Brayden, but his words seemed to have gone on deaf ears because the man was gazing at Mina as if she were a meal herself.
"Did you cook all of this?" Oric asked excitedly. He walked up to Mina, who offered him a wide grin. He noticed the lust in Brayden's eyes as well, and he knew that Mina did not like to be looked at in that way; no woman did.
"Yup, want some?" Mina held a plate out in front of her, and Oric returned her smile with a nod. Brayden was put off by Mina's reaction to Oric, which was strikingly different from her reaction toward him, but he did not give up.
"Can I have a plate as well?" He asked, only to see Mina blush before shyly pushing a plate in his direction. Cylus was livid.
"I didn't invite Mina here to serve anyone," Cylus said loudly, snapping Mina's attention toward him. She could tell he was angry, but she was wrong about why. She answered in defense of Oric and Brayden, which was a mistake.
"No one asked me to cook. I was hungry and I didn't want to be selfish by cooking for myself." Cylus glared at Mina while she spoke, and a buried memory of her father surfaced in her mind. Cylus' eyes were telling her to know her place, and the tone was anything but friendly. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again." Mina left the kitchen heading back to her room, desperately trying not to cry.
"What the hell was that for?" Willow asked. "She was just trying to be nice."
"Mina is a woman who is contracted to Rouge Entertainment. She needs to learn the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior." Olivia punched Cylus'. She wanted to say something significant, but she too had no idea what was wrong with her cousin, who had used his standing to justify his actions.
"It's not your job to teach her those things. Mina already has a father." Willow did not know how badly her words stung, but before Cylus could reply with a scathing remark, Connor butted in, reminding everyone that it was his birthday weekend.
"Let's not let Mina's hard work go to waste," Connor said, choosing to ignore what had occurred, and Willow left the kitchen hoping to find and reassure her friend.
One by one people made their way into the kitchen; that included Vanya and Bastien, who Olivia had not known was coming. She glared at Connor who shrugged nonchalantly. As far as he was concerned, Bastien and Olivia were at odds about something, but he had no other details.
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Willow looked everywhere for Mina, but she could not find her. She was not in their room or any of the entertainment areas, and in her attempt to find the woman; Willow saw way too many people she had long forgotten. She kept smiling at the familiar faces, but inside she wanted to break everyone's noses. Those same people were the ones that made her feel dirty, when in reality, she was just naïve.
It felt like hours had passed, but still there was no sign of Mina inside of the large cabin. Willow found herself cursing the builder of the unintentional maze, wondering who in their right mind thought it would be a clever idea to build a log cabin the size of a small hotel and rent it out to people.
Willow grabbed her coat and made her way outside. It was frigid out, and she wanted to believe her friend was smart enough not to wander into the cold, but she could not be sure. She kept walking until she reached a point where the light of the accommodations could no longer be seen, and she knew Mina would not have gone that far alone.
"Haven't found her yet?" Oric asked, startling Willow who did not know she had been followed. He had been hoping to get her alone since he had seen her, and although Mina was missing, he wanted to take the opportunity to talk to her without interruption.
"Not yet," Willow said. She started to shout Mina's name aloud but the only response she received was silence.
"I will help you look." Oric started to move deeper into the wooded area, and Willow followed behind him.
"So, you like Mina?" Willow asked. She had heard all about the flowers Oric was sending, and she wondered what the man's plans were. "She isn't like me you know. She deserves better." Oric turned to face Willow holding her by the shoulders and lowering his eyes to meet hers.
"This is the last time I am going to tell you. I did not tell anyone what happened between us. We were sloppy and we left evidence in my room. Connor was the one who opened his mouth." Willow pushed Oric's hands off her shoulders.
"What evidence? We didn't use protection." Willow started to shout Mina's name again, wanting to focus on finding her friend but Oric continued to pester her, wanting the closure that Connor spoke about.
