Adele
Somehow Alexis and I make it safely to Deluca’s. She pulls into the alley and parks behind a black BMW. I look over at her wondering if she is really going to block this car in and she puts her SVU into park and looks over at me with a smile.
“Are you going to really park behind this car? What if they need to leave?” I ask and Alexis looks back towards the car.
“That is actually Frank’s car. I should be okay to park here, I won’t be here long anyway.” She advises as she opens her door and hops out. I sit for a minute wondering if I should even get out. I obviously got the job because Alexis took pity on me. I am a charity case and nothing more. On one hand, I have my pride and on the other hand, I don’t really have the option of having pride. I notice that Alexis has a frown and is walking over to the passenger side, so I open my door to get out.
“Are you okay, Adele?” Alexis asks.
“I will be. I guess I am a little nervous about working here. What exactly did you tell your brothers about me?” I watch Alexis for any signs that I should bolt.
I know I am just being paranoid because there is no way that she could have told her brothers much about me. I haven’t known Alexis very long and I don’t share anything about myself with anyone. I have visited her soap shop a few times to get free samples, which the store always happily hands out. I have gone there once a week for the past two months. After the first few weeks, it seemed I always got a few extra samples and we would start to talk about how it’s made and the ingredients.
Eventually, I would visit the store and we were on the first name basis. I even started to chit chat with her sister-in-law, who also worked at the store. They both have always been so nice to me, but I should admit I was suspicious of both at the beginning. No one is nice without wanting something. At least, that is what Garth taught me. Everyone has an angle and no one gives without wanting to take something in exchange.
Garth is the master at this sort of manipulation. He gave me love and attention and he took my soul. He broke me down to the point where I have walls that no one will ever be able to tear down. As much as I want to believe that Alexis is doing this to be nice, I just wonder if she wants something from me. I am not sure what she could want. I have nothing that she would want. I am living in my car that won’t even start and my only belongings can fit into a backpack. I feel my eyes water from thinking about the mess that is my life and I glance up to find Alexis staring at me.
“Are you okay, Adele?” she asks again.
I take a deep breath to fight back the tears and shake my head.
“I am fine. I guess I am just a little scared.”
“There is nothing to be afraid of. I am not sure If I mentioned this, but Frank used to be a cop. You couldn’t be in better hands. And to answer your question, I only told them that I have a friend that needs a job. I wish I could have hired you at the store, but we just don’t need anyone right now.”
I am startled when she says that she only told them that I am a friend who needs a job. What else could she have mentioned to them? Am I wrong about Alexis? Does she know more than she’s letting on? I am about to ask when the back door opens and a big, intense-looking guy walks out. He is wearing black slacks and a blue button-down shirt that has the top buttons open. He looks over at Alexis and looks back to me and I notice he has the most intense blue eyes I have ever seen. He has dark hair that looks longer in the middle and the sides look like they were shaved.
“Alexis? Why are you just standing out here?” he asks as he eyes me and I start to feel nervous.
“Hi, Thomas! I was just giving Adele a pep talk. This is your new waitress. She’ll be starting tonight.” Alexis is practically giddy as this guy turns to look at me again and I am starting to think he already doesn’t like me.
“I didn’t think we needed another waitress,” he advises and Alexis squints her eyes at him as she turns to look back at me.
“Well, it’s a good thing that you’re not in charge of hiring the staff. I guess everyone would be overworked and there would be only one waitress. Frank hired her and there is a need,” Alexis says and I can tell there is a little attitude in her voice.
“Does Alex know about this new waitress?” Thomas asks Alexis, but his eyes are narrowed on me.
“Of course, he does, and we had better get inside or she’ll be late.” Alexis walks past Thomas to open the door and holds it open for me. He doesn’t even budge as I turn sideways to get past him. I hope to work here doesn’t cause me a lot of grief. I already have one angry man after me, the last thing I need is to have another one on my case.
As we walk into the club, I am startled as the door slams shut behind me. I jump and bump into Alexis and she turns to look at me.
“Are you sure you’re okay Adele?” she asks and I am tempted to tell her that I’m not. As I am about to spill all the beans and tell her this won’t work out and this isn’t for me I hear a voice coming from behind her.
“Alexis, I see your friend decided to show up for work today. It must be nice to be friends with the bosses’ sister and feel you can show up whenever the hell you want to.”
Alexis turns around and when she does I see him. He must be at least 6 feet 2 and is wearing a black t-shirt with black slacks. He has dark hair that is cut short and has chocolate brown eyes. He has a scowl on his face, and he has the sexiest scruff on his jawline. He has his arms crossed and I can’t help but noticed they are both covered with tattoos. He obviously works out, because he looks built. I don’t think working here will be a good idea. I can look at him and tell there will be a problem. He is already being a jerk and judging from previous relationships, I easily fall for jerks.
I hear two voices in the background, but I can’t make out the words. It sounds like they may be arguing and I should walk out and let them be. I really consider it, but I realize that I don’t have my car and that angry guy, Thomas, is still outside.
“What the hell is wrong with her? Did you talk Frank into hiring a deaf mute?” Alex asks as I snap out of my trance and look over to see Alexis and Alex both standing in front of me.