Page 66 of Crimson Oath
Apparently his yelling at Mika wasn’t getting results, so his chief boyar threw a human computer programmer at him, probably guessing that Oleg would be more polite to loyal human staff than he would be to his old friend.
Mika was correct, but this sweaty manwastesting Oleg’s patience.
Oleg frowned. “Are we working you too many hours?”
The man blinked, clearly surprised by the turn of conversation. “Wh-what? No, Mr. Sokolov. Not at all.”
“What did Elene put in place two years ago? Something to do with health?”
The man frowned. “The employee wellness program?”
“Yes, that.” Oleg flicked his fingers. “Do you have need of it? Do you have need of a doctor?”
The young man shook his head. “I don’t think so?” His face grew even paler. “Do I have cancer?”
“Why would I know this?” Oleg asked. “I am not a physician.”
“Did you… did you smell something? Vampires can smell cancer, can’t they?”
“Do I look like a beagle?”
His eyes went wide. “No, sir.”
Did beagles smell cancer? No, they were the dogs that sniffed for food at the airport.
Humans were so strange and limited.
“I did smell something,” Oleg said.
The man’s eyes grew glassy. “I knew it. What will I tell my mother?”
“I smelled your sweat. You smell like fried potatoes and plastic.”
The young man’s face froze. There was a flash of relief and then an abashed expression as his cheeks grew red. “Oh.”
“Of course, you might have cancer, but I’m only smelling the fried potatoes.” Oleg picked up a cup of black coffee that his secretary brought for him. “You should go to the doctor,” he said. “Maybe go for more walks. Get a dog. Leave the house.”
“Yes, Mr. Sokolov,” the man whispered. “I will take better care of my health. I promise.”
“You are capable of being in the sun,” Oleg said. “This is a privilege that only humans have. Do not waste it. What is your name?”
“Grisha… Grigori, Mr. Sokolov.”
“A good, strong name,” Oleg said. “So you should take care of your health, Grigori. Enjoy the outdoors more.”
“Yes, sir.” He pointed at his computer. “Mr. Arakis said you wanted me to explain something to you?”
“Yes, but I want you to remember that I was concerned about your health,” Oleg said. “Because the Sokolov group believes in… human-employee wellness.”
Grisha nodded. “I’ve been thinking about going to the gym.”
“Is the gymnasium indoors?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t go there.” Oleg waved a hand over his face and frowned. “You’re as pale as a vampire. That is not good.”
“This conversation is not going the way that I thought it would,” Grisha muttered.
