Vasil was playing with the leftovers on his plate when Lance asked, "So, Vasil, got any plans for the summer?"
Vasil looked at Lance and replied, "Probably going to school every day."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "I thought your classes were over!"
Vasil shrugged. "They are. I'm just going there for my violin lessons with Ms. Harmon. Sure, I managed to pull off the performance, but I've still got a long way to go!"
"Oh, I see! When I was a kid, I loved wasting the whole summer with my friends. It's kind of amazing that you're this committed to your goals at your age!"
Vasil responded, "Well, Stefan will probably be out of town most of the summer, so I don't have many other options. Besides, I really enjoy playing the violin."
"Well, that's all that matters, right? Summer's supposed to be fun!"
Irina smiled and said, "Seems like you're more excited for summer than Vasil is. Tell us, what are your plans?"
Lance sighed. "I wish I had something exciting planned, but the restaurant's been super busy lately, and I've been swamped. With Mia leaving too, it's only going to get harder. I think I'll have no choice but to hire someone new."
Lance let out a deep sigh. "I really hate interviewing people."
Vasil remembered the tan woman who was almost ten years younger than his mother. "Mia's leaving?"
Irina answered instead of Lance, "Her daughter's due next week. She's decided to stay home after the birth."
Vasil had been to Lance's restaurant so often that he practically knew the entire staff, which is why the news caught him off guard. "I didn't know she was pregnant!"
Irina raised an eyebrow. "You seriously didn't notice her belly?"
Vasil shook his head. "I just thought she gained a little weight!"
Irina asked, "Not even a little suspicion?"
Vasil admitted, "Anyone who works at a good place like Lance's restaurant is bound to gain a few pounds!"
Lance burst out laughing, and Irina frowned. "Well, I didn't!"
Still laughing, Lance wiped his tears. "Then I guess I should hire you, Vasil! You're all skin and bones!"
Vasil stared at Lance for a moment, then said, "Actually… that's not a bad idea."
Lance, suddenly serious, said, "Don't take it the wrong way, buddy. I was just joking!"
Vasil shook his head. "I'm not upset, and I meant it. I don't have anything else going on, and you need help. I'd be happy to pitch in—if you don't mind, of course."
Lance lit up. "I'd love that, but…"
He glanced at Irina. "We'll have to see what your mom thinks."
Vasil shifted his gaze to Irina. She gave him a thoughtful look and said, "You know you don't have to work, Vasil. I earn enough to support the two of us. That's always been the case."
Vasil nodded. "I know, Mom. But I don't think it's a bad idea to learn how to earn my own money. And I know Lance would be a good boss—he'd never trick me."
Lance smiled ear to ear. It was clear Vasil's words touched him deeply—so much so that Vasil didn't bother adding what he also knew: that Lance couldn't trick anyone, even if he tried.
Irina still looked hesitant. With a serious tone, she said, "You're still too young to be thinking about things like this."
Vasil shrugged and replied, "Anyway, I've got nothing to do all summer. When you're not around, I get bored, and violin only takes up two or three hours a day. Got anything better for me to do?"
Irina stared at him for a moment, then finally sighed. "I don't think I can change your mind, so do whatever you want."
Vasil gave her a victorious grin and looked at Lance. With a sparkle in his eye, Lance held out his hand and said, "Congratulations! You're hired!"
---
Three weeks had passed since Vasil had started working at Lance's restaurant. During that time, he'd put his whole heart into the job. He didn't want anyone thinking he'd gone from dishwasher to assistant chef—like he had last week when a new boy was hired—because of the relationship between Lance and Irina.
Despite the title, his new position wasn't anything grand. Over the past few days, Lance had only taught him to make five sauces, two soups, and one salad. But he'd promised that once Vasil mastered those, he'd teach him more.
Before this, Vasil hadn't realized how fun cooking could be. And now that he knew, he couldn't wait to start learning real dishes.
Lance was genuinely a good guy. But lately, seeing him so often made Vasil feel… strange. There were mornings when he'd wake up to find Lance making breakfast in their kitchen.
The first time had shocked him, especially since he'd gone to his room early the night before, assuming Lance had left shortly after.
No one had ever stayed the night at their home—except for one long-forgotten exception that hadn't ended well.
And clearly, Irina hadn't forgotten it either. Her sister's tragedy wouldn't let her fully trust Lance. Sometimes Vasil caught her subtly analyzing Lance's gestures and expressions. She might be getting closer to him, but not too close.
And Vasil understood. After all, he was the result of the last time someone in that house had trusted a stranger.
Lance was a good man, but he had a long road ahead before he could fully earn the trust of this mother and son. He felt the invisible wall between them too—but he had decided to be patient and wait for them to choose when to bring it down.
Lance understood that walls are built for a reason.
---
Vasil was fully focused on the white sauce in front of him—it still wasn't thick enough. So when his phone rang, it made him jump.
He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. For a moment, he just stared at the number, then picked up. "Didn't think the day would come when *you* called me!"
Stefan ignored the comment and cut straight to the point. "Did you see it?"
Vasil raised an eyebrow, though Stefan couldn't see it. "See what?"
"The test results! They just got uploaded to the school site!"
Vasil fell silent.
Stefan waited a moment, then asked, "You still there?"
Vasil snapped out of it. "I thought they were supposed to be posted next week!"
"Well, they're up now! Go check and call me back!"
"Alrigh—"
Before Vasil could finish, Stefan hung up. The fact that he didn't sound happy was not a good sign.
Vasil looked at the sauce—it was starting to thicken too much—and quickly turned off the burner.
Lance, who had been watching him, walked over. "Everything okay?"
Vasil looked away from the sauce. "I think my test results just came out."
"Really? What's the result?"
"I haven't checked yet."
"You should go check right now," Lance said, concerned.
"But I'm in the middle of work…"
"Don't worry about it!" Lance waved it off and gestured to the new boy who had just finished washing dishes. "Eddie can cover for you a bit."
He gently nudged Vasil toward the kitchen exit. "Go on! I'll let your mom know."
Vasil stumbled a little as he was ushered out. The door opened to the alley behind the restaurant, where staff usually took smoke breaks.
He looked around. No one was there.
He pulled out his phone and stared at the blank screen for a few moments, trying to gather the courage.
Then he unlocked it, logged into the school website, and entered the username and code he'd received on test day. He stared at the screen.
Irina burst through the door and ran toward him. "Lance told me that—"
She saw the stunned look on his face and asked, worried, "What is it? What does it say?"
Vasil finally looked up at her, like he'd just come back to reality. "I got it."
Irina, still in shock, repeated, "You got it?"
A wide smile spread across Vasil's face. His gray eyes sparkled. "I got the scholarship!!!"