LukaZoe 18+

The Truth Comes To Light/Engagement

Marinette said, 'Well there's no trophy per se but I think congratulations are in order for all of the acts today!'
Everyone cheered and gave a big round of applause.
'And as a reward for everyone and all their hard work rehearsing and preparing over the last two weeks we are all going to go out for dinner at Ellsworth Restaurant!'
Everyone cheered.
Zoe gasped. That was the restaurant she worked at. She began to sob.
'Zoe...' Luka said softly as he held her. 'What's wrong?'
Everyone looked concerned as she sobbed into Luka's chest.
'Whatever it is, you can tell me anything' Luka said gently. 'I'll always understand, remember? I'm here for you.'
Zoe went over and took her phone out of her bag and opened the message from Chloe two weeks ago. 'It's because of this' Zoe said between sobs.
Luka took her phone and quietly read Chloe's message out to the others. Everyone looked deeply saddened.
Luka hugged her. 'Oh, Zoe. Why didn't you say anything?'
'I didn't want to worry anyone' Zoe replied. 'I love it here and I don't ever want to go back to that horrible boarding school. I thought if I can get a job at Ellsworth restaurant and save some money before my 18th birthday I can afford to rent out my own place to live in so they can't force me to go back. And I can be with you forever.'
'Oh Zoe, is that why you had to hurry off after rehearsals sometimes and made yourself exhausted some days?' Luka asked.
'And had me cover for you that day pretending you were babysitting with me?' Marinette added.
Zoe nodded sadly.
'How were you planning on handling a job when school goes back next week?' Luka asked.
'I was worrying about that.' Zoe replied. 'I'm so sorry Luka, I'm so sorry everyone. I should have come clean and told you about Chloe's message from the beginning.'
'It's okay Zoe, we can help you now!' Alya said.
'Yeah!' Mylen added.
'We're all here for you!' Alix said.
'Absolutely!' Adrien said.
'Friends forever!' Marinette added.
'I'm always here for you no matter what' Luka smiled.
'Yeah!' everyone else cried out in agreement.
Zoe was touched.
'You guys are the best friends anyone could ever have!' she cried happy tears and really felt free, like the weight that was on her shoulders was finally cut free.
'Do you enjoy your job at the restaurant?' Rose asked her.
'I do, I started off waiting tables but in a few short days because I would help them improve the food when customers weren't happy with the taste, they promoted me to a chef position because they liked my initiative'
Zoe replied.
'I can vouch for her cooking, Mom, Juleka and I have been enjoying her culinary delights for the past two weeks!' Luka smiled.
'Aye, that we have laddie!' Arnaka added.
'So delish...' Juleka added softly.
'If you enjoy your job that much Zoe, why not just leave school and focus on your job full time?' Alya asked her.
'That's a great idea Zoe!' Luka smiled. 'I left school after year 10 and do a part time job delivering meals on my bike. That way I can earn extra money and still have time to focus on my dream of making stringed instruments and teaching others to play them.'
'I never considered that' Zoe said. 'That makes a lot of sense! Thanks guys! You're all the best!'
'Group hug!' Marinette cried out.
Everyone gave her a group hug.
'Tonight is an important night at the restaurant. We have a food critic coming to evaluate the improvements in the food and if it goes well it will mean that the restaurant will go from a 3.5 to a 4 star restaurant! So please come anyway. You'll get to try my amazing recipes and knowing my friends are there might be the lucky charm I need to pull this off!' Zoe asked them.
'Wouldn't miss it for the world Zoe!' Marinette replied.
'For sure!' everyone else added.
'Anything for my beautiful girl' Luka smiled warmly.
'Great! I'll see you all tonight then!' Zoe replied.

Zoe's shift went really well, and having her friends there for part of it really helped. The food critic was very impressed and happily told the head chef they were now a 🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 star restaurant. He went out to the kitchen and told the staff and they were all ecstatic, especially Zoe. The head chef promoted Zoe to co-head chef with better pay and benefits and even Monday and Tuesday off. He even gave her a new apron and said he just bought a washing machine so she didn't have to launder it herself anymore. Zoe was speechless. Now she would have more time with friends and family and with no more school she could focus more on her cooking career. Best of all she was able to give the aprons she'd borrowed from the hotel back.