Page 22 of Brutal King
“On the contrary,” Mr. Singh said. “As a smaller, yet very trendy spot, I can only send two students from this class. And you are the two that I’ve chosen. No argument.”
“But Mr. Singh. She’s sure to get special treatment. They’ll say that everything she does is great. They’ll give her an ‘A’ just for being a Lee. And what are they going to say about me?”
“You have nothing to worry about. The Lee family is more than fair... with everyone.”
With a frustrated huff, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
Oh, my, I thought suddenly as the realization hit me. Kobe and I were to work at one of my family’s most recent endeavors. Oh, my. Oh, my, my, my.
“And,” Mr. Singh went on, addressing the entire class, “I think you should all know that the majority of your grade in this class will be based on this project. This is not a game. This is not pretend. These restaurants are real, and they are counting on you... all of you.”
Some students giggled with anticipation while others groaned about the hardships to come.
“That is all, class.”
The moment the class began to disperse, I stood up, only to find Kobe at my side, grasping my elbow.
“What are you doing?” I said.
“I want to make one thing abundantly clear,” he growled. “I fully expect you to put your heart into this. I will not accept you slacking off. I will not accept you taking it easy just because this is your family’s restaurant. No coddling. No easy way out. Nothing but hard work.”
I glared at him. “Seriously, Kobe? Do you really think that I would slack off at my family’s restaurant? If anything, I will be working harder than anyone else here.” I poked my finger into his muscular chest. “And I will certainly be working harder than you, Daddy’s boy.”
He sniffed the air with disdain as I turned to leave the class.
“As a matter of fact,” I said, turning back to him. “It is you, King junior, who should take a careful look at your work ethics. In my family’s restaurants nothing but hard work is acceptable.”
Again, I turned to leave.
“I have nothing to worry about,” he said. “But you... don’t you get any funny ideas just because we’ll be working together.”
“Sure thing,” I shot over my shoulder.
“I mean... don’t expect us to become friends during this.”
Wow. Since seeing him again at the Academy, he had never acknowledged being friends with me at camp, let alone knowing me. It was as if camp and our friendship, even our crush, never happened. Well, two can play that game.
I turned to him and narrowed my eyes. “Friends? In my book, I would never have been friends with you. If I ever did, it was only in your dreams.”
And I walked out.
Chapter 8
Thank God the first week of school was over and it was now Saturday. I had a lazy day planned. After a few stress-filled days, I desperately wanted to sleep in. Then I had a bit of laundry to do. For the past few days, I’d planned on cleaning up the place a bit and I’d been putting it off. Today was the day. And if I had time, I’d wash my hair. I dragged myself out of bed, pulled on some comfy Armani yoga shorts and threw on a Ralph Lauren tank top, not yet bothering with the discomfort of a bra.
As I tried to get my hair into a loose and messy bun, a knock sounded at the door.
“Just a second,” I called out as I headed to the door, my hands still busily trying to tie my hair back.
I reached the door and abandoned my hair to open it.
“Yes... um... ah.” Words choked me as I faced Kobe, all dressed up and ready to take on the world.
Wide awake and alert despite the early hour, he wore a nice casual grey suit and his hair was properly combed. Strangely, however, his gaze went from stern to suddenly befuddled. The hard and sharp look in his eyes quickly changed to one of uncomfortable interest as his gaze dipped down to my braless breasts behind the nearly sheer fabric of my tank top.
“Um... I wasn’t expecting...it’s so early... um...” I stammered.
“Uh...yeah...um...” He dropped his gaze to my furry slippers. “Nice cat slippers. Nice.”