Dating a Star

Chapter Three

The rest of the day went surprisingly well. Showering with your wound proved to be a little difficult but you muscled through. Noticing a few blood splatters you soaked Chris' shorts to remove the marks, you would have to try to get them back to him. Pulling on a pair of black jeans and plain black top you grab your jacket and bag then left your apartment to begin your errands.

Stepping through the glass doors to the publishing house you would soon be working in you were greeted by a tall guy with gorgeous green eyes and blonde hair. He was kitted out with a baby pink shirt and grey trousers.

"Oh you must be Nell it's amazing to meet you. I already feel like were going to be the best of friends." Obviously he was gay so you may fight over the same guys but you were not one to turn down any friendship advances.

"Hi, I am Nell nice to meet you." You lean over the desk to shake his hand but he bats it away and moves around the desk to embrace you in a full hug.

Not used to the physical contact you gently pat him on the back and grin widely when he finally lets you go.

"Sorry I'm Brad. God I'm all in a tizz." He moves back around the desk and pulls out a large manilla envelope and hands it over to you. "So everything you need to get in the building is right here in the pack. I believe they have left you with a manuscript or two to have a read through before you start on Monday. I can show you to your office now and introduce you to a few of the guys here or it can wait until Monday?"

"I honestly don't mean to be rude but I have a few other errands to run today I don't suppose we can wait until Monday for introductions and tours?" You ask hoping that you didn't sound like a complete bitch in the process.

"No god of course not. I will see you on Monday nine sharp. Have a lovely weekend, make sure you accept my friend request." He winks at you and gives you a little wave.

Leaving your new work with a positive smile on your face made you look forward to Monday rolling around. Brad would be a nice guy to be friends with you could imagine he was roughly the same age as you and knew all the best places around town to go. He seemed the life and soul of the party.

Running around the town stopping in at the bank, gym and grocery store seemed to make the day go much quicker. Scanning the food, you brought a few things that would see you through to the weekend. Tonight you would go home and plan your food for next week and write a shopping list for the weekend. Something you had always done even with Nathan in New York. Organisation ran through your blood. Your parents had always been organised it was how they ran the best restaurant in town.

That evening you popped around the corner to see your parents at the restaurant. The first couple of days after moving here were spent in self pity listening to sad music, drinking bottles of rose and attempting to make the furniture that you'd order for the apartment. Leaving New York in a hurry didn't leave you with much. Lucky your parents had kept a lot of your old things. Gradually you were making the little two bed apartment your own.

"Hey Ma, hey Pa." You walk into the restaurant to be greeted with a big hug from each of them.

"Nell bell's it's good your here. Do you want something to eat?" Your Pa held your arms in his hands and looked deep into your eyes.

"No pa I'm fine just thought I would pop and see you." You reply knowing full well you would be getting a dinner whether you were hungry or not.

"Well me and your Ma are about to eat you can eat with us. Just let the kitchen know what you want." Your Pa ushered you towards the kitchen and then started chatting to the customers.

Heading towards the kitchen you bowled in through the door looking around for Pete, the chef who had been in the kitchen and in your life since you started walking.

"Nellie my sweet, how are you? Want some dinner sweetie? What can I cook you?" Pete strolls towards you with arms wide ready to pull you into a hug.

"Hey Pete, I'm good. But I'm guessing Ma and Pa told you what happened."

"They did, you let me know and I will be straight there to beat the shit of him. No one hurts my Nellie." Pete said heading back to the food he had cooking on the grill. "So sweets what do you fancy?"

"Thanks Pete I may take you up on that offer. I'm not too hungry but Ma and Pa won't let me leave without eating something. Surprise me? No fries though please. Trying to get back in shape." You say.

"You look fine sweets. But I will cook you up something super healthy. See you in a minute."

You leave the kitchen and head towards the dining area. Stopping at the bar to grab a drink, your Ma is serving customers and chatting to the staff. The atmosphere in the restaurant had always been warm and friendly. The staff had always been like family and knew that they had a friend in your parents but would never get on the wrong side of them.

"So sweetie how was your day?" Your Ma asked sitting down with you while arranging cutlery and sauces on the table in front of you.

"It was good. I mean I stacked it on my run this morning, it was Maples fault she found a friend in the park. I popped into the office to grab some bits and went to the grocery store. Other than my tumble it's been a productive day." You explain.

"Jesus, how did you fall? Was there anyone around to help you?" Your Ma asked full of concern and giving you a once over.

"Maple found a friend when I was on my run, she tugged the lead, I didn't have my footing right and I bit the dust. The person who's dog she made friends with helped me out though so it was fine. Just a nice cut on my knee and a few other scrapes. I also bit my lip does it look fat?" You asked leaning across the table.

"A little, god your so clumsy, you always have been. But someone looked after you that's good. I hope you thanked them. People are so kind." Your Ma continued to speak to you but was checking around the restaurant and keeping an eye on everything.

This was how it had always been. She was so kind and caring but other than you this place was her baby. When you left to go to NYU this was all she had. Someday this would become your legacy but for now you enjoyed watching your parents move round the restaurant and interacting with the public that adored them. Just as your food came to the table you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket.

Unknown number.
Hey, I hope your ok and managed to get all of your errands done today. Maybe we could meet for a stroll in the park with the dogs soon. Let me know Chris

Looking down at the phone in disbelief you read the message again a few more times before your Pa groaned at you to eat before the food got cold. Putting the phone back in your pocket you promised yourself you would respond when you got home later.