it to a pathway toward a bridge to the left wing. Mr. Katra

swimming pool on the second flo

ay as I walk to the metal and glass barriers o

Mr. Katrakis assures m

an use t

es. “No one comes here except f

amaz

part of the mansion during the house tour. Here, I fantasize diving into the

ourself.” Mr. Katrakis perches on the wooden

t would you l

scratches his chin. “How about telling

not sure if there

position in the Palazzo Franchetti.

ght,” I sa

exceptional chef too. But why did you come here? To a mansion, to serve a master you haven’t ev

it didn’t give me enough experience for be

ything I know. Though I have to remind you that I’m very busy elsewhere, so you’re going to have to serve Br

randon Lucien will be the one I’ll ser

He only asked me a few questions, and that was it. I got hired without even having to cook a few dishes. I couldn’t believe i

eassuring

w up in Kans

se before I worked in Venice. I got my degree in cu

e once. Does your fa

“My mom and twelve

n grins again. “Your parents mus

d passed away,” I recal

s; I’m not sure if he’s offen

se in the family li

re all in Greece,” he an

th all my questions. I still feel a bit of awkwardness, but he doesn’t seem uptigh

m just surprised. I rarel

ause no one d

ren’t you? I was born in Greece—Athens, to be precise. But I spent most

he is

ds product

wa

ve you been workin

e sighs, his expression worrie

nswer as no furthe

ry complicated, but Brandon is very picky. He has a particular appetite, so each day

f head chefs, sarcasm intended, when I was in Palazzo Franchetti. There, I was serving hu

re ques

on Lucien once more. “Wil

not usual, but I

what he means, I believe him. “Th

away your first free day here. I’d b

“No worr

again, softly squeezing it before marching away. After a sh

ingredients. I’m thrilled to find rare, very expensive, and special spices from different parts of the world—ones you cannot buy

gling the ingredients. I now have less than fifteen hours for myself.

n at the desk with the glowing MacBook. I hope that this isn’t some sort of test and that I’m actually allowed t

p up. I bite my lip, c

s for five years. A Princeton graduate, double major, and award-winning entrepre

ite and sele

s owned by G&E Enterprises is now one of

less chairman,

he success of

dia site. I type his name in the search bar, and numbers of similar names appe

something. He probably just wants his life to remain private. He wouldn’t be

g, and questions just won