Phony for money

chapter 1

A/N" you skipped the copyright chapter didn't you? O_0? 

***

"Scrub harder!" Ravi hissed giving me a slight nudge as her father watched from the corner of the restaurant counter analysing my friend's cruelty skills, then feeling satisfied with the tyranny she was inflicting on me disappeared into the kitchen.

I whipped my head back giving her a tight scowl, nevertheless retuned to scrubbing the, now closed restaurant's tiles.

"I'm sorry," she whispered squatting in front of me.

"You know I have to show Papa I'm capable of handling the restaurant when he retires,"

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered inconspicuously glancing at the clock, it was nearing eleven and aunt Diane was going to kick my ass.

I stood up, straightening my back and gave Ravi a pleading look.

"Don't worry I'll cover for you,"

I grinned and pried off the rubber gloves dashing for the doors.

"Wait Adrienne! take this with you," she handed me the bag of leftovers from the kitchen and I sheepishly accepted them.

"Thanks Rav,"

"Stop thanking me and go home before that aunt of yours releases her temper on poor Bree!"

I turned but stopped in my tracks watching a dark car stop right in front of the restaurant. I looked at Ravi who shook her head and shrugged. From behind the kitchen doors Ranjeev rushed out yelling at his daughter in hindi. Ravi sprinted to the door just as the SUV doors opened revealing an old man and a younger guy who I recognised instantly– Julien something.

"Welcome welcome," Ranjeev hollered ushering them to a table then looked at me with fiery eyes signalling me to come over. I did so without hesitating and inwardly groaned– I was going to be late tonight again.

I didn't hide my annoyance as I took the customers order. How could they just barge in at closing time? I looked over at Julien who gave me a long questioning stare, eyeing me up and down then ordered the same as the old man with him.

I scowled at him and walked back placing their order at the counter. 

"OMG how does he smell?" Ravi squealed.

"What?" The long day had taken a toll on me and all I could think of was going home to Bree and snuggling my four year old cousin.

"Julien. What does he smell like?"

"What in the world is wrong with you? Go sniff him yourself, I have a family to get to,"

"Ugh! My dad won't let me near him. Everytime they come here– which is almost never! he says I can't go near young boys and I'll just embarrass him and blah blah blah,"

I didn't stay to hear the rest of the strict family rules she was buried under and instead took fast long strides to the door.

"Adrienne!" Ranjeev called and I swore under my breath.

"oh shit–take mushrooms," maybe if I continue walking and pretend I didn't hear him, he'll let me off the hook.

He called again and I spun so fast I got a headache. I walked towards the table he was standing at and watched the old man and Julien get up and head for the car.

I watched wide-eyed in shock, staring at their food which looked like it'd only had a bite taken from it. So much food wasted while so many people worked their asses off for a meal, like scrubbing restaurant tiles till eleven!

I glared at Ranjeev waiting for him to speak but he just pointed behind me. I turned and came face-to-face with Julien– the old man was nowhere in sight.

"What?!" I snarled menacingly.

He didn't seem taken aback.

"I'm Julien," he eyed me once again and I held back the need to smack him–in the face– with a grand piano– which I could probably never afford...or carry.

"Very much aware," 

For a moment I watched his green orbs ignite with annoyance, but he did't show any other signs.He sighed.

"How would you like to earn sixty grand?"

I choked on my saliva but kept my composure.

"I'm not going to sleep with you," I blurted.

This time his eyebrows knitted together and his lips curled up.

"No I need your help with something,"

"My grades are pretty low so I'm not really a good tutor," I stated, wishing I was actually smart so I could earn that sixty grand and quit at least one of my jobs.

"No! Can you please– for goodness sake– I, never mind," he huffed.

With that he walked away, along with my dream of sixty grand. I was tempted to stop him, but then again whatever he was going to ask me to do probably required being pretty, smart or rich, none of which was me.

***

The lights were already out by the time I entered the apartment. I tried to enter as quietly as possible but that didn't stop Aunt Diane from emerging from her room, face-mask intact, yelling at me for choosing to work at restaurants instead of earning good money by being a stripper. 

"You got the body for it, damn it if I was younger I'd be getting  quite the name on the streets!" she yelled simutaneously waking Bree up who cried as I cooed her to sleep.

Yep definitely should have shut my mouth and listened to Julien's offer.