In the city of love. (DirkJake.)

Chapter 2

8:30 a.m is when you start your day. Your name is Jake English and you live in the city of sex, romance, murder, and mystery. Also known as Paris, you're getting ready to go to your job, as a maid...it's sorta embarrassing for you. While all your other friends have a great start, you're scrounging for money. It was awful, your sister Jade said you shouldn't be so hard on yourself which was easy for her to say, it was pretty normal for a sixteen year old to work at a cafe. But an eighteen year old? As a maid? Isn't that just lovely! Jade walked past you, she had a smile on her face. She liked her job, she was always eager because everyday she'd see a Lalonde, her name is Rose. Jade always made small talk, but she had a huge crush on Rose, it was always cute to see her while she spoke to Rose, she would turn just as pink as Roxy's winter scarf. You just found her adorable and you bet Rose did too. After getting ready you walk Jade to the coffee shop, Rose is already there and as the door opens she perks up a bit and looks up from the book.

"There's my favorite serving girl," Rose said warmly. At the comment Jade blushed and smiled

"And there's my favorite customer!" She smiled and giggled a bit, she then tied her hair up into a neat ponytail and walked behind the counter, "Have a nice day Jade." You say, she waves and smiles at you but is forced to take her attention away after a customer demands service. You make your way out and onto the busy streets of Paris, it was officially the morning rush and you knew you had to hurry or else you'd be late.

When you make it to the hotel room you see two unfamiliar faces, they look like younger versions of the hotel owners, they look around your age. The first one you notice is male, he had spikey hair and stood at 6'4. He had muscular arms and a rather angled jaw, he wore a black suit and had an orange tie to top the whole thing off, the other, looked as if he could be his twin, except for the slight difference in height and his hair style. You look at them, stunned, you've never seen these two men before. "You're the maid, right?" The shorter one asks coldly. You nod shakily and at this moment, you're fearful.

"Well do your job. Clean." He spits, the taller one stays silent and you don't want to see the way he's staring at you behind those shades, he was probably giving you the most hating of all the squints. You nod. "Yes sir, please excuse my mistake.." you slowly begin to clean and you now hate your job more than ever. But right now, but its not all bad, you can sneak quick glances at his elder brother, and blush as you clean. While you put away dishes you can feel his eyes, its both romantic and startling...it's almost like a novel your friend Meulin wrote a tale of forbidden love. That was seemingly common in your family, your Nanna fell in love with a rich man, Jade fell in love with a Lalonde, and you...in love with a Strider...wasn't that just amazing? If anything it was tragic...

Suddenly it feels like something is pulling you down, you're closing in on the floor and you're afraid, all the dishes that you have in your hand are now in the air and with a loud smack, you land on their tile floor, soon after, the dishes shatter and your face is hot, both of the brothers rush in and you hurry to clean it. "Aw, dude.." says the shorter one, he's more calm than he was earlier. "You alright?" He extends a hand, you take it and he pulls you up. But even when you stare at him, you can feel the other staring at you. "Thank you." You say and shake his hands, he gives a nod and tips his shades a bit, though, you still can't quite make out his eye color.

"Do you have a name?" He asked

"J-Jake, Jake English."

"You sound nervous." The other cut in, his voice was deep and smooth. You could hear his southern twang a bit more than you could hear the shorter ones.

"I'm Dirk. Dirk Strider, and that shortie is Dave." It took a moment for the insult to register and when Dave caught on he gave his brother a look, "Hey!!" He said. Dirk chuckled, "It's true. You didn't get blessed with height." Jake chuckled at this and it felt like he'd lost a thousands pounds, he felt a bit more relaxed, he felt comfortable.

"I-I guess I should clean this.." You mutter, you then kneal to pick up the glass but Dirk stops you, "Take a break for a bit, you've worked hard enough." He takes a small pause, "Someone as beautiful as you shouldn't have to lift a finger," he takes your hand and pulls you off the floor, in the process he kisses your hand and you're already bright red but at this point you feel like you're about to burst into flames or turn into a liquid.

Dave rolls his eyes, "You shouldn't feel too special, he flirts with everyone." Dirk slapped the back of his head, you're absolutely speechless. They are nothing like you imagined. They seem..relaxed, kind..it's really odd. When it's twelve o'clock you begin to pack your things, the older Strider watches you without your knowing. You look at your phone and see a message from Jade,
GG-jake!! come quick!! this is really important!! like really really important!!
GG-jake?!?! well...just respond when you DO see this, its very important!! its about nanna!!!

Your heart drops and quickly, you gather your things so you can abscond the hell out of there, you aren't even paying attention to the outside world, just your thoughts. That's the only thing that matters right now...

"Oof-"

"Why in such a rush, English?" He says, his words glide perfectly against his tongue and you are just about mesmerized.

"N-No reason Strider..." You can't bring yourself to look at him, he didn't do anything wrong, its just you're tearing up and you don't want to look weak..not in front of him. You push past him and quickly run through the streets completely ignoring the fact that he called after you..but you couldn't help but feel guilty.