Raison D'être

Catch Up

Anastasia 

The little bell above the door rings as I walk inside, to which Carla swivels her head in my direction. Seeing Carla, after being gone for a day, after my attempt, a look of relief washes over her face. As she rushes over and embraces me in a bear hug, I glance over to look at David, whose face was also washed in relief, and give him a small smile. As Carla takes a step back, she gives me a look over. "You look," her eyebrows scrunch looking for the right word, "better." A word I wasn't expecting.

"Thanks?"

She laughs, "no I mean like you look healthier." Whether she meant mentally or physically I would never know, but accepting the compliment I smiled back at her.

"Where were you?! I was worried sick, we were worried sick!"

Trying to come up with something, "I-I just needed the day off."

Carla tsks seeing me lie as I so terribly tried to hide, "Anastasia, I went to your other job and they said you just ran out. What's going on?"

"I- I just thought about Aurora too much and I couldn't work anymore," as soon as I say her name my voice becomes low.

She hugs me again, "well next time call me." David makes his way over after tending to the other customers, "Hey kiddo. We missed you yesterday. Even Luka asked about you."

"I just walked around, I couldn't be home and I was tired of working yesterday."

"I see, take it easy today okay," his look is filled with concern as he walks away. Realizing that I need to tell him about my other job, I call his name.

"David, I actually need to speak with you."

"Yea what's up?" as he swivels around. 

"I feel like I should let you guys know that I got a steady job," a little nervous at what their reaction would be I start to tear my lip again.

Carla spoke up, "really?! What do you do?"

"I work as a maid."

"A maid? Those don't pay well," as she eyes me with a questioning look.

"Well, this job pays pretty well, a little too well," as I recount the salary that Mr. Amoretto so generously gives.

"How'd you get the job?"

"I uhm- well I got the job through Lorenzo Amoretto," hoping that name provided is enough. Both of them were wide-eyed, as I was a little confused by their reaction. Was Mr. Amoretto a big celebrity that I knew nothing about?

"Lorenzo Amoretto?! No freaking way, he is like a gazillionaire!" well I figured that much after being inside his home, remembering him wearing his all-black three-piece suit, even his driver.

David looks at me with pride that I got a job with someone who holds such a title, " yea he is one of the leading investors in some of the biggest stocks on the market! How did you score that?"

Trying to think of something good, "Uh-Uhm I was working at the restaurant and he saw me and he offered me the job."

Thankfully he doesn't ask any more questions, David laughs and pats me on the shoulder, "well congrats kiddo."

Carla is quick to grab my arm and haul me to the back for interrogation while I take the opportunity to get changed, "he digs you huh? Did you sleep with him?"

Carla and her crude thoughts, "Jeez. What makes you say that?!"

She rolls her eyes as if my question was the dumbest one in the world, "oh I don't know maybe because your drop-dead gorgeous and he digs that!"

Shaking my head I can't help but smile at such an outrageous thought, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well I know that you are literally the luckiest girl in the world cus that man is hot. Hot as fuck."

I laugh, "yea he's cute I guess" as I slip on my pants.

"Cute?! Girl that's for boys, that is a whole ass man you got there. He is hot. He was literally sculpted by the gods," as she motions her hands all over the place.

Carla being a drama queen is plenty of entertainment alone, "Carla, yes he is hot, but I'm not going into a relationship with my boss."

"Damn, you and your good-girl ways." At that, I can't help but laugh. Carla views me as what she likes to call a good girl. Whatever the heck that means in her eyes, I just see myself as normal. As I walk out, Carla yells, "you know you want to!"

As the day moves on and approaches a late afternoon, I glance up at the window to see a familiar car pulled up on the curb. Brent walks inside, waving a hello. "Hey Brent, I'll be done in just a moment. Would you like anything?"

"Don't worry about it. Take your time."

"Oh ok." Saying goodbye to everyone, I walk out with Brent as we make our way inside the car.

The ride home wasn't staring out the window the entire time, but rather learning of Brent. He told me about his wife and daughter, till we eventually got to the topic of Mr. Amoretto. "How long have you been working for him?"

"I've been working for his father for years, and I just stuck with Lorenzo."

"Oh wow. It seems like his employees are stuck with him for life," I joke, but worrisome if I face the same fate as well.

"It seems so, but don't worry Lorenzo takes very good care of his employees. Besides, he takes a special liking to you."

A special liking? "What do you mean?"

Brent's eyes revert in an 'are you serious look' through the rearview mirror, before he says "what do you mean what do I mean?" A question answered with a question, the perfect way to dodge a question. 

Laughing at his demeanor, "I'm serious what are you talking about? He doesn't have a liking for me... I'm just his employee." I've only known the man for a day. 

Brent smirks before his eyes divert back towards the road, "you'll see Anastasia."

At that I scoff, "Brent I think you need to get back to your classical music to regain your senses."

Brent smiles, "Anastasia if you just wanted to hear Behtoveen's 7th symphony, just ask." Rolling my eyes playfully, I look out the window for the rest of the ride as Brent puts on my favorite piece.

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