Count on Me

Chapter Seventeen: Returning to Work

Taking a deep breath as she stared up at the restaurant that her family owed, Katrina couldn't help but wonder what her first day back would be like; she was more than a little nervous about coming back. 

It had been a strange couple of months not working and Katrina knew it had been for the best, everyone had wanted to know about her and they would have harassed her. 

Shaking her head, Katrina took a deep breath before she moved towards the restaurant; there was no turning back now and she didn't want to let her family down. 

Things were going so well right now and Katrina didn't want to cause any trouble, she was so happy that things were also going so well for her and Mesut; even with the move back into her own apartment. 

Katrina smiled thinking about what had happened the night before, she still couldn't believe that had happened and she didn't regret it. 

Stepping into the restaurant, Katrina tried to act like she normally did when she came into work; she kept her head low in case any of the breakfast crowd recognised her as Mesut's girlfriend. 

Placing her bag behind the counter, Katrina moved to pull on her apron and offered Nick a smile; she was glad to see it was her brother that was working that morning. 

"Nice to see you Kat," Nick teased wiping his hands, he had been worried that she had completely lost her job and he was sure their mother would have strangled their father if he fired her. 

Things were finally returning to normal and while Kostas was still sulking about Mesut dating Katrina, everyone else had gotten over the fact that Katrina was dating a non-Greek.

***

Stepping into the restaurant, Maria took a deep breath as her eyes eagerly swept around the room before they landed on Katrina; she hadn't seen her youngest daughter in weeks and had missed her. 

"Ma," Nick warned spotting her, he didn't want any trouble and he knew that while Maria did mean well she would only make Katrina nervous. 

The morning had been quiet enough for the two siblings who had enjoyed working with one another again, the last thing that any of them wanted was a fight breaking out now. 

Maria dismissed Nick before she slowly walked over to Katrina, she hated that she had fallen out with her and she just wanted to make things right; she didn't want to miss out on anything that happened anymore. 

It had been hard watching Nick being included in Katrina's life, Maria had wanted to apologise and be a part of her new life but she had been worried that Katrina would turn her away. 

"Katrina?" Maria murmured stopping in behind her daughter, she peeked at her worried that she would demand to be left alone. 

Maria knew that she hadn't reacted well to the reveal that Mesut wasn't Greek, she should have seen it coming after what had happened with Toula but she had been so angry with what the other family members had been saying and suggesting. 

There was nothing wrong with any of her children and Maria was tired of their family suggesting there was because Toula and Katrina had both ended up with non-Greek soul-mates. 

"Ma what are you doing here?" Katrina asked turning to face her mother, she peeked about a little worried that her father would be here as well; she wasn't sure if she was ready to see him again yet. 

It wasn't something that Katrina was really looking forward to, she knew how he could be and she didn't want to fight with him; she just wanted to focus on her work and trying to balance her time with Mesut when she had chance to see him.

"I wanted to see you," Maria revealed softly, she had been so proud of her daughter when she had seen her in the magazines; she had looked so beautiful and so comfortable with Mesut on her arm. 

It was clear that Katrina had been meant for this and Maria was just hopeful that the press wouldn't rip down her daughter; the last thing she wanted was to see Katrina break. 

"I am so sorry for what happened," Maria apologised watching Katrina, she had never wanted this to happen and she could only hope that they could put all of this behind them. 

Katrina was happy and that was all that really mattered to her and Kostas, they just wanted to protect her; their family had always been a close one and they didn't know what to expect anymore. 

Staring at her mother, Katrina chewed on her lip not knowing what to say especially after how everything had played out recently; she was a little nervous about this and she didn't know what to expect anymore. 

The two were silent for a moment, it was going to be strange for a while but it was relieving to know that one day things would go back to normal; it was just going to take some time. 

"Listen. We'd like to invite Mesut to dinner next week," Maria explained knowing that she had to make things right, it would be a good start and it would all her and Kostas to get to know Mesut. 

They wouldn't do what they had done when Toula had invited Ian's parents to dinner, it was just going to be a quiet dinner and Maria was making sure of that herself.

***

Unlocking the door with his spare key, Mesut allowed Balboa and Capone to rush into the apartment ahead of him; he carried the pizza that he had brought with him, sure that Katrina wouldn't want to cook. 

Mesut closed the door behind him, he had missed his girlfriend since he had left the night before; he was hoping to maybe stay overnight and that was why he had brought the dogs with them. 

"How was work?" Mesut asked setting the pizza down, he could hear Katrina changing out of her work clothes and he was glad that he had arrived in time. 

The two of them had been texting all day and Mesut hadn't been able to resist coming to see Katrina; his stomach grumbled while he moved to get some plates. 

"It was fine," Katrina replied stepping out of the bedroom, she ducked down to greet the two pugs with a smile; she was just happy to be home and she was sure that it would get easier when she was used to being back at work. 

It had been strange not seeing Mesut all day but it had helped that he had texted her when he could; she honestly couldn't imagine what she would have done without those messages. 

Nodding his head, Mesut sat down on the couch and toed off his trainers before leaning back, he raised an eyebrow at Katrina knowing that something must have happened; she seemed quiet and it worried him. 

The last thing that Mesut wanted was for people to upset her, he knew that everyone would wish to speak with her but he was sure that it would have quietened down by now. 

"My Ma invited us around for dinner next week?" Katrina murmured moving to sit down next to Mesut, she had said yes and she knew that it was going to be strange. 

It would be the first time since she had moved out that Mesut had even seen her parents and she doubted that he would have fond memories of them. 

Mesut nodded his head, he had known this was coming and he could only hope that the dinner would go well; he wanted her family to like him.