LukaZoe 18+

Overwhelmed

On the way they met Andre the sweethearts ice-cream maker and he gave Luka the same ice-cream he had given him for months now. Luka looked at the ice-cream and at Zoe and back at the ice-cream and back at Zoe with his mouth open.
'What's wrong?' Zoe giggled. 'You look like one of those clowns at the fair games that you put the balls in their mouth!'
'I think I just figured it out' Luka replied. 'This ice-cream has been pointing me to you all along! Blue bubblegum for your amazing blue eyes and berry sorbet for the pink streak in your hair! Why didn't I see this before? That Andre is a magician!'
Zoe and Luka giggled and smiled and shared the ice-cream together as they walked.

After they said their goodbyes and Luka went back to the Liberty, Zoe started looking up job advertisements on her phone. She found one waiting tables at a nearby restaurant and knew that Chloe would never find out because she would never be caught dead going to any restaurant that wasn't 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. She got an interview at 4:30pm that day and they were so desperate for people that they asked if she could start tomorrow. The shift was for the dinner shift, 4-10pm 7 days a week. She said that was fine and they gave her an apron.

'This is great' she thought as she hid the apron in her bag as she walked home. 'I can still do rehearsals in the morning with Luka, and do my job in the evening earning money to rent my own place to move into and not have to go back to school in New York! And Luka and I can still be together.' She took the guitar pick out of her bag and held it close to her heart and smiled. 'Luckily I applied for a working Visa just in case, and Mayor Bourgeois pulled some strings to get one without work already set up. Otherwise I'd really be stuck.' Zoe thought.

The next morning Zoe went back to the Liberty and Luka had found the music and lyrics to My Heart Will Go On and they practiced it several times.

'Wow, you sing that song so well too! It's like Celine herself is here giving me a private concert! You're amazing, you know that?' Luka smiled.
Zoe blushed and giggled.
'Thanks Luka!'
'Anyway, I think we've done enough practice for today. Lunchtime I think!'
'I brought some things from home this time I can use!' Zoe said excitedly as she ran to the kitchen. Luka giggled. He loved how excited Zoe got about food and making things.
Luka set the table and waited to see what lovely culinary creation Zoe was going to surprise him with today.
'It sure smells amazing, I can't wait to taste it! Luka called out.
'Be ready in a minute!' Zoe called out.
Zoe came out with sheet pan steak strips and roasted veggies.
'Oh yum, I love steak!' Luka said.
'As usual, more leftovers in the fridge for dinner!' Zoe replied.
'Oh that reminds me! My mom told me to tell you that she and Juleka loved the chicken enchiladas yesterday! Mom said, and I quote, 'That Zoe is a keeper laddie!'
Zoe laughed. 'That does sound like something your mom would say!'
'You should come over for dinner sometime, spend some time with my mom and my sister' Luka smiled.
But Zoe remembered her new job.
'Oh, uh I'd like to but dinner time is family time at home. I could do a lunch one day maybe if they will be home? I should probably try to practice singing around a couple of people to build up my confidence anyway.'
'That's fair enough, the more time you are able to spend around Chloe trying to be a better influence on her the better. And that's a good point. I will see if my mom and Jules are free for lunch one day and we can practice for them.' Luka replied with a smile.

Zoe and Luka left the Liberty around 2pm and Zoe got home and had plenty of time to get ready for the first shift of her new job. She enjoyed the work, it was busy and she was run off her feet but happy to get home and call it a night. She was so exhausted she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

As the next week or so went on Zoe was doing really well trying to balance rehearsals with Luka and work. Sometimes at work the customers would bring back something that didn't taste right. Zoe would ask the chef out the back if she could taste it. 'Be my guest' he said as she grabbed a clean spoon. 'Hmm, what if you tried this?' Zoe would suggest. She added a few different herbs and spices and the chef tasted it and was impressed with her initiative. As were the customers with the improvements in the food.

Because word was getting around that the food was really good at the restaurant Zoe worked at the head chef promoted Zoe from waiting tables to becoming a chef in the kitchen. Zoe was excited. The pay was better and she was doing something she was passionate about doing.

It was a week to go until the talent show and the amount of work was starting to get to Zoe. But she reminded herself that this was all so she could stay in Paris and so she could still remain with Luka.

When it was a few days to go until the talent show Zoe turned up for rehearsal with Luka again. She was really enjoying being able to see him every day of the holidays but was a bit worried about when school started back how she would be able to keep up with school, work and homework as well as a social life. All the work and pressure was starting to get to her. She was starting to feel exhausted.

'No practice today' Luka smiled when Zoe arrived. 'Meditation session again'
Zoe was kinda grateful for the break.
'Oh and Juleka and Mom will be home tomorrow so you can perform for them before lunch if you like' Luka added.
'Sounds good!' Zoe replied.
They started meditation and Zoe was so exhausted that she fell asleep. Next thing she remembers is Luka waking her up by kissing her forehead.
'Rise and shine sleeping beauty!' he giggled. 'Boy, you really relaxed in that meditation session.' He smiled warmly at her.
Zoe yawned. 'How long was I asleep? What time is it?'
'It's almost 3. You've been making amazing lunches every day so I thought you deserved a break. I was hungry but I didn't want to wake you. I made you a sandwich.'
'Thanks...wait, did you say almost 3? Yikes, I'd better get going! Can I take the sandwich to go?'
'Sure, but, what's the rush?' Luka asked.
'Oh. Uh, I promised Marinette I'd help her babysit Manon this afternoon.'
'Oh ok...did you want me to walk you to the bakery?'
'Oh, no thanks, I'll be fine by myself. Thanks for the sandwich, bye!' Zoe called as she left the Liberty.
'Bye, see you...tomorrow' Luka said sadly.

'Ugh' Zoe thought to herself as she hurried off. 'I hated lying to my sweet Luka like that,but I don't know how else to handle this. Trouble is, I don't know how long I can keep up this lifestyle. It's wearing me out.' She took a deep breath. 'It's okay Zoe, in a few months you'll be an adult and you can rent your own place and stay in Paris. You're doing this for Luka and your new friends and so you don't have to go back to that horrible boarding school. You can always apply for another working Visa when this one is close to expiring and everything will be fine.'

On top of this she was stressing about the talent show as well. I mean she knew it would most likely be okay but it felt like it was extra icing on top of an already stressful cake.

Her phone beeped and Marinette had sent Zoe a message.

Marinette: Hey, I was texting with Luka and he just texted me: 'Have fun with Zoe and Manon this afternoon' What's that about?

Zoe gasped and texted back.

Zoe: Oh, sorry, can you cover for me? It's a surprise! I told him I was helping you babysit!
Marinette: Uh, okay? Good surprise I hope!
Zoe: Yeah, yeah, all good, don't worry!
Marinette: Ok then, no problem. Chat soon!

Zoe sighed. 'Ugh, this is getting so complicated. Why can't life just be simple?' She hurried off to work.