Post by StoryGirl83 on Apr 21, 2011 12:13:50 GMT -5
Chapter Twelve – Complications
and unnamed "man"
A white Mercedes Benz pulled up into the parking lot of The Manor. The doors opened and two young women climbed out. The older one was in her late teens, maybe her early twenties. The younger one was probably only in her mid teens. Both had immaculate blonde hair.
“I am not sure why I had to come along,” the younger girl commented.
“For moral support, Ari,” the older girl replied. “And afterward I will treat you to dinner.”
Arielle Rooks considered this and shook her head. “Addy, you have never needed moral support for anything you have ever done.”
Addison Rooks smiled, ignoring her sister as she headed toward the door of the restaurant. “Come on, Ari.”
Arielle laughed and followed her sister.
“Excuse me,” a voice called out, behind them.
Addison and Arielle stopped and looked at the man coming up behind them. “Are you talking to us?” Addison asked.
The man nodded. “Please, if you would.”
Addison checked her watch. “I have a few minutes. How may I help you?”
“A word if you would,” the man asked. He glanced at Arielle. “Alone, if you please.”
Addison looked at Arielle. “Will you wait inside for me?”
“And what if he is trouble?” Arielle returned in a whisper.
“He will learn better, shortly,” Addison replied.
“Be careful,” Arielle warned.
“Am I not always?” Addison returned as she headed toward the man.
Arielle sighed, shaking her head. With one glance at her sister, she headed into the restaurant.
Addison reached the man and smiled. “So, how may I help you?”
“Addison Rooks?”
She nodded surprised. “You have me at a disadvantage. Who are you?”
“Ian King told me that you might be up for a bit of, shall we say, fun,” the man suggested.
Addison smirked. “Depends on the fun. What do you have in mind?”
The man held up a small vial. “This contains a special surprise that we are hoping you would be willing to help get to the right person.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed, tentatively. “What is in it for me? And what would I have to do?”
“You are applying to work here, correct.”
She nodded. “So?”
“If you get the job, you will be working with her son.”
She shrugged.
“He has angered the underworld.”
Addison rolled her eyes. “Please. Even I have heard of this family. Of course he has angered the underworld. What do I care about your war?”
“It is such a simple thing,” the man pushed.
“And what is this simple thing?”
“Just get him to ingest the liquid in this vial.”
“Just like that,” she mocked. “Do I look like I have a death wish? He will know it was me.”
“Then, make sure he doesn’t.”
“And what does this special surprise do?”
“It strips his powers.”
She gasped. “Oh, my.”
He pushed the vial into her hands. “Think about it.”
She pushed it back at him. “I do not want to be part of your war.”
He smiled. “And does little sister hold the same views as you?”
Addison gulped.
“Think about it.” He shimmered out of sight.
Addison looked down at the potion in her hand. She scowled as she stuffed it into her pocket. “Stupid demon.” She headed into the restaurant. Inside she found Arielle talking to Drinka.
“This is the sister I was telling you about,” Arielle announced to Drinka. “Addison is applying for a waitressing job.”
“Can you cook?” Drinka asked, directing the question at Addison.
“Mais oui,” Addison replied. “I learned how to cook in Paris.”
Drinka looked at Arielle with raised eye brows. “What is she doing applying for a job as a waitress?”
“She is bored,” Arielle returned with a laugh. “But do not worry. She can and will do the job if hired.”
“I’m not the one you have to convince,” Drinka informed her with a smile. “Good luck, Miss Rooks.”
Addison smiled back. “Thanks. I do not plan to need luck though. Come on, Ari, let us meet my new boss.”
Arielle laughed. “Did I mention she is extremely confident?”
Drinka shook her head and smiled as she watched the two sisters enter into the main room.
As they walked the entry Arielle turned to her sister. “Who was that out there?”
“No one,” Addison informed. “He just wanted to sell me something.”
Arielle shook her hear. “Let me guess. You bought it.”
“And why not?”
Arielle sighed. “Oh, Addy.”
Emily Colson spotted them entering the room and walked over to them. “Hello, I’m Emily. Did you need to be seated?”
“I have an appointment,” Addison informed her. “I am here to see Mrs. Halliwell.”
Assuming it’s not really Wyatt. Emily bit her lip to keep from laughing. She had no reason to believe her interview was anything other than unique. “Do you know what you will be preparing for her?”
“I was not aware that I would be preparing anything for her,” Addison admitted, surprised.
“Neither was I,” Emily admitted. “I think she needs to check her want ads.”
“I did not find out about a job from a want ad,” Addison informed her. “I was given a tip by a nice young man.”
Oh brother. Emily smiled at her. “I’ll go get Mrs. Halliwell. Who should I tell her is waiting?”
“How many interviews does she have tonight?” Addison asked.
“I’m sure I wouldn’t know,” Emily replied. “I’ll go find her.” Emily walked away from her, shaking her head. She didn’t think she wanted to work with this gal.
Addison turned to Arielle. “Have you ever eaten here before, Ari?”
Arielle gave her a disapproving look. “Did you have to be rude to her, Addy?”
“I was not being rude, Ari.”
“Yes, you were,” her sister insisted. “And if you get this job, she will be one of your co-workers. You have to be more polite than that.”
Emily returned into the room with Piper behind her. She pointed in the direction of the two sisters and headed back into the kitchen.
Piper approached them. “You must be my interview, Addison . . . Rooks, is it?”
“That is me,” Addison agreed. “And this is my sister, Arielle.”
“Does she want an interview, too?” Piper asked, examining Arielle.
Addison grinned at that. She turned to her sister. “What about it, Ari?”
“Who me?” Arielle asked in surprise. “No, I have got too much homework to worry about.” She offered a smile at Piper as well as her hand. “It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Halliwell. My father speaks quite highly of you.”
“Your father?” Piper asked surprised. “I don’t think I know any Rooks.”
Arielle smiled. “No, I do not believe you do. Or at least not from our family. It is merely your reputation which he has heard.”
“As a chef?”
Arielle shrugged. “Among other things, yes.” She bowed her head slightly before looking around the room. It was busy, but a few tables remained empty. “If you do not mind, I would like to be shown to a table. I am eager to try some of your famous fare.”
Piper smiled. She waved Chelsea Michaels over. “Chelsea, this young lady would like a table for two. Her sister will be joining her after I interview her.”
Chelsea nodded. “Of course, Mrs. Halliwell.” She led Arielle away.
Piper turned to Addison. “Have a seat, Miss Rooks. Your sister is quite charming, but it is you that must convince me to hire you. Why don’t we start with you telling me why I should hire you?”