The Billion Dollar Deal

Chapter 1:

I smoothed down my red apron and quickly tied up my long auburn hair into a ponytail, ready for my shift. As I stood behind the counter waiting for Mr. Richardson, my boss to flip that small red sign which indicated when we were open for business, I stared at the large clock above me waiting for the hands to read 8:00.

"Mornin' Teresa! You are here early." Mr.Richardson greeted me as he emerged from the diner's backdoor.

"Morning. You know I have nothing better to do Mr. R." I grinned as he ruffled my ponytail as he passed by me.

I absolutely loved the diner, Magnifique Diner. The name sucked, I have to admit, but I was pretty sure that's what attracted customers. So, if Mr. R's plan was to give his diner a weird name to get business rolling, it worked. It was decorated with an 80s vibe with red barstools, tables with sofa seats, and a retro jukebox. We mostly got teenagers and the elderly in, apparently the middle aged weren't too keen on our diner.

I had many friends at the diner, mainly old folk. My favourite customer was Mrs. Delano--

"Speak of the devil...", Just as the doors opened for business Mrs. Delano came striding in with her nude heels and pale pink dress, smiling at me as she made her way to the counter.

" Good Morning Mrs. Delano"

"Morning, hon. I have told you many times. Not Mrs.Delano, it's either Laura or Mom, understand?" She replied, playfully shaking her finger at me.

"Okay. Laura" I said with a smirk on my lips.

Laura was a kind lady, who looked far too young for her age; 50. She treated me as I was one of her own and came to the diner everyday since her husband's death. She was a wise soul who had taken me under her wings and came me happiness and hope when my own parents died in a car crash.

"What will be Laura? Are we going to shake it up a bit, or the usual?" I hope for the latter because the chef was not here yet and for the 4 years that I have worked here, I have never once entered the kitchen.

"The usual, sweetheart" she replied with a smirk, knowing my internal worries.

I quickly went to get the danish and the tea onto a tray so she could sit while I brought it for her.

However, when I was about to walk back to the counter to await more guests, Laura asked me to sit down to have a chat. It was not unusual, of course. But, she always asked this of me when my shift was over.

"Yes? Is there something wrong?" I said as I sat down.

"Well, yes. It's my son, Eli. Do you remember him?"

Of course I did. He came storming in once demanding to know where his mother was when she first began her tradition of coming to the diner. He was what they would call tall, dark, and mysterious with just a hint-make that a bucketful of anger. With piercing green eyes, a contrast to his mother's soft ones and dark brown-almost black hair he was hard to forget.

Finally, I replied," Yes...I do. Why? Will he be making an appearance anytime soon?"

"No, I hope not. The problem is, my elder son is moving to Greece to live with his wife and the company now belongs to him" she said referring to her late husband's multi-billion dollar empire; Delano Empire.

"And..." I said unsure of where she was heading with this.

" Well, the contract he needs to sign says he needs a woman by his side, a wife to take over. This was not an issue with Damon as he was already married when my husband died. But, dear Teresa. He is a playboy, beds woman like dripping water."

"Ah, so you are worried for him." I said finally understanding.

"No. I am not not" she said grinning now. "You will marry him!"

"Huh? But Lau-" my speech was cut off when I heard the bell ringing on the door. I quickly returned to my cash register, glancing to make sure the chef was there, my mind racing through thoughts. I quickly helped the customer and rushed back to where Laura was seated.

"I can't. I'm only eighteen, Laura. And your son is an a-hole" I swiftly told her.

"I know hon. You can work your way into his heart, I will pay you 2 million if you can. You have one month, then I will just force him to marry you and you will get paid 1 million. But, I don't think that it will come to that. You are beautiful."

I gaped at her unbelievingly, too shocked to say anything.

"Ah yes, I have gotten your apartment cleared out and you will stay with me for the time being before Eli whisks you away" she said wiggling her eyebrows.

"Laura, you are going to be the death of me. You evil, scheming woman who has far too much free time", I groaned as I covered my face with my hands knowing I could not argue with the woman. 1-2 million and getting married to a playboy billionaire? Not much to think about except for my sanity.

She laughed whole heartedly, my words being humorous to her. "Well, come on. The car is waiting. John (her boss) is informed so let's go!"

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A/N:

Hey! New story. I kinda gave up on the last one. Let's see how this one goes. :) I am going to make the chapters longer I just wanted this to be more of an Intro... So yeaaah. :))) I will try to make Teresa more witty and sarcastic I just didnt want her to come across as rude because Laura plays a motherly role. :) :)