Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Raising my head, I appraise Caden. ”Oh.” The only word I could let out of my mouth. I really thought he was going to say he kills them. I know I should be more in shock or a state of disgust at this revelation, but I can’t bring myself to be. ”I thought you…” I swallow the lump in my throat. ”I’m going to be honest, I expected something worse.” Tugging on my ear, I try to think of how to react to this. ”I know I should probably be disgusted with you, especially as someone who sees more than their fair share of psychiatric patients come through the hospital, but… I can tell you take good care of your own just from the past couple of days. I think if someone was going to endanger me or my family’s livelihood… I think it’s an impossible choice to make and you’ve found a… humane way to take care of it.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Stunned, I nearly choke. ”You’ve been alive for three hundred years?” I mean I know ‘immortal god’ would mean he could live awhile, but I did not expect that. Shaking my head as if to tell myself no, I say, ”Sorry, not the important part.” I rub the back of my neck and shoulder, staring off on a very specific part of the tablecloth rather than look into either of their eyes. ”Were they given a fair chance?” I ask in a smaller voice.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I nod along before I stopping myself. What had Caden just say about the staff? ”Wait, if anyone else would’ve killed me for uncovering the truth… What happened to those you’ve dismissed?” Did I want to know? No. Did my insatiable curiosity need to, though? Probably not, but here we are. ”Or should I not ask…” I trail off, glancing between Caden and Cass.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nodding, I pick up my water and finish it. Every action I have seen from Caden so far has supported that he wants to protect his community more than anything else. ”So, how long have you been in Chicago?” I ask him. ”If that’s okay to ask.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The answer surprises me. ”And do they all know… everything then?” I ask in a follow-up question. My fingers twitch to start collecting plates, but I’m not sure how that will be received, so I politely fold them in my lap to placate myself.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Finishing the last bites of my food, I gently push my plate away from me. ”Actually, that reminds me of a question I had. How much of your staff is human?” Maybe I can help them with first aid kits or something, even if Cass insists that she’s the first aid kit, but she can’t possibly be everywhere at once.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I put my hands up in surrender. ”Roger that.” I say, going back to eating before I end up teasing her again. ”Oh, speaking of Henry, Caden, do you have any staff openings for a nurse?” I jokingly ask after a few bites. It’s not like I would actually leave my current job, but my boss doesn’t let me take the rest of the night off to go swimming. With only a few bites left of everything on my plate, I was starting to feel full.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I choke on my food, almost snorting in laughter. Pounding on my chest a couple of times, I swallow and take a drink of my water. ”I was literally thinking she looked like a cat earlier during sushi.” I tell Caden before turning to Cass. ”Don’t worry, I’m not going to call you a cat… out loud at least.” With a cheeky wink, I grin.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I loaded up my plate, feeling hungrier after the sushi somehow. ”He and my mom owned a corner store and lived above it. I think he’ll probably start working again after a little time’s passed.” I tell Caden. Taking my first bite of the tempura almost makes me moan, it’s that good. I take a bite of everything, amazed that the food is this delicious. ”You weren’t kidding about his chef, Cass.” I tell her after I’ve swallowed everything. ”Oh, I noticed Caden calls you Cassi - do you have a preference what I call you?” It wasn’t a habit of mine to shorten people’s names or give them nicknames unless they told me they preferred it.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Is Cassi drunk? I laugh along with Caden at her reaction to all of this before I grin at Caden. “As long as they washed the rice, I don’t mind at all. Thank you for having me over for dinner, I appreciate it.” I tell him, the smell of the dishes releasing into the air and creating a pleasant aroma. ”If you couldn’t tell, my father is very grateful to you and Cassi. I’m sure he would’ve offered the same marriage invitation to you if you were there too.” I throw a wink at Caden.