My eyes were clearly messing with me. They quickly glanced down at my navigating phone, then back up to where it had taken me. I checked the address multiple times, and it was clearly the one Ms. Sanchez gave me.

The house that my small bug now sat in front of was, for lack of better terms, fucking huge. I glanced around the small shrubs and trees nervously, checking the address again. My phone then vibrated in my hand, and I noticed it was Ms. Sanchez texting me.

'Sorry I can't be there today. Had other business with another client. Tom should be home, so he'll let you in! The code is 0405 just in case he's busy.' The thought of him being here only made my anxiety climb, but I seemed to muster up enough courage to climb out of my tiny car. I grabbed my small backpack from the passenger seat, and locked my car. I strolled up to the large gate, and noticed the small keypad on the side. My finger touched the small red button, which made an obnoxious buzzing sound. Letting my hand drop, I began to wonder if he's changed his mind about hiring me. Well, it would be a little late to decide that.

After a few moments, I pressed it again, but still no answer. I unwillingly punched in the code and walked through the brass gate. Hating that I let myself in, I rang the doorbell once I reached the mansion.

After two more attempts, I knocked with the back of my knuckles. Nothing. Silence.

I pulled my phone out, contemplating calling her, but I didn't want to bother her.

After some researching, I realized that Tom Hardy was some huge actor. Id even recognized him from some movies I've watched. Ms. Sanchez also worked with other big actors such as Ewan McGregor, which baffled me.

Doing the stupid movie move, I tried the handle. It didn't budge, so I let out a huff and paced back some. I glanced up at the windows for any sign of life, but I was left with nothing. Deciding to round the large house, I noticed the pool in the back, and the large patio.

The sun was surprisingly bright today, which didn't help with my search. I began to feel sweat begin to form on my upper lip, and I searched for my phone.

Quickly making my way to Ms. Sanchezs phone number, I held the phone up to my ear. It rang once before heading straight to voicemail. I waited for the beep, before starting to explain.

"Sorry to bother you, but there's no one here. I guess I can wait. Sorry again. " I hung up and gripped my phone harder in my fist. Glancing out at the crystal-clear pool, it rippled as leaves began to fall onto its surface. The wind began to pick up, which was a relief. Stepping closer, the tip of my boot hung off the edge of the pool. I could see some leaves that sunk to the bottom, which caused me to wonder when the last time it was cleaned.

"Can I help you?" The voice caused my heart to jump, and I turned quickly. My foot slipped off the side, and I could feel my arms shoot out to balance on anything. I could feel my balance slipping and I was tumbling towards the pool.

Large hands gripped my arm and my body was suddenly lurched forward into something hard. During the fall, I must've closed my eyes, and so I opened them. They were met with a navy-blue shirt, then with even bluer eyes. I could see the pools reflection in them, which caused them to almost glow. I took in the rest of his facial features, and I noticed his full lips were slightly parted.

With a shake of my head, I stepped back. It was then that I realized how broad his shoulders were. He had a looming appearance, which caused me to shrink down.

"Oh shit. Um, Im so sorry. I really didn't want that to happen." My mouth cut itself off, and I avoided looking him in the eye.

"Who are you?" His eyes narrowed and his lips turned into a slight pout. This time my mouth decided to cooperate with my mind.

"I'm the new chef?" It came out more like a question, and I mentally facepalmed. I watched as he rolled his eyes and turned around.

"I already told her I didn't need a fuckin chef! And what does she do? Go and hire a goddamn chef! Then you come in all on your own? Typical American." His words were sharp, and caused me to wince. He turned towards me, and motioned towards the front of the house with his thumb.

"You can leave, I don't need you." He turned away, dismissing me with a simple motion. I let out a scoff and turned away from him as well. Tension blanketed over the situation thickly, and I reached for my phone to call Ms. Sanchez. Panic flooded through me as I felt an empty pocket. It wasn't in either hand, so I began to search the ground. That's when I noticed something shiny catch the sun from the bottom of the pool.

"Oh fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I rounded the pool, and my fingers threaded through my hair. Tears began to sting at my eyes, but I quickly willed them away. This caused him to turn around and look in my direction. He must've noticed the phone, because he calmly walked over and grabbed the net sitting on the small black fence. I watched as he fished the device out and handed it to me.

He walked away with a huff and immediately began talking on the phone in a hushed voice. Knowing my phone was already completely fried, I tossed it in my bag and began to walk out. My feet crossed the green lawn, and down the long driveway. I could hear the crunch of leaves and gravel beneath me, when I heard a shout come from behind me.

"Wait!" Dread flooded through me, and I turned slowly. The guy was jogging up to me, with the phone outstretched in my direction. My brows squeezed together in confusion, and I carefully grabbed the phone.

"Hello?" All I heard was an exasperated sigh.

"Ms. Beckel, I am so sorry. Ignore whatever he said. He doesn't normally act like this. Please don't leave, you are literally my last chance. I will buy you a new phone, I promise. Just, please stay." Her voice had gone up a few octaves, and I turned away from the man.

"Look, I didn't sign up to be verbally abused. If he doesn't want me here, then I might as well leave." I heard her suck in air, and I shrugged.

"Please don't! I need you to stay! Quinn, please. " I could practically see her apple green eyes pleading with me. I turned back to the angry man, seeing him glaring at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead ten times over. I needed the money. Rian couldn't pay my half of rent any longer.

"Okay. Sure." I listened as she released a breath and chuckled.

"Thank you! Thank you so much. I will have your phone to you by tomorrow." I shook my head while smiling.

"Don't worry about the phone, it was my fault anyway. Have a good day." I handed the phone back to him, who snatched it from my grasp and began to angrily whisper into it.

After a few minutes, he simply walked off in the direction of the house. I picked up my bag, and slowly followed after him. He punched in the code and walked through the front door, leaving it wide open. My jaw dropped at the view, seeing how big the house looked from inside.

He hurried down the hall, leaving me on my own. I closed the large door and silently made my way around the house. It definitely had a woman's touch at some point, but not in a while according to the trash starting to accumulate. Glasses littered the tables that sat about, and I quickly began to search for the kitchen.

After a few minutes, I came across the large kitchen. An island sat in the middle, facing the gas stove and two ovens. Excitement flooded my chest, and I laid my bag on the cluttered island. My feet carried me over to the stainless-steel fridge, where I found little food.

Course

Seeing the glasses everywhere, I padded over to my bag. Pulling my headphones, and thankfully my IPod. Music flooded through the small buds, and into my ears.

After collecting many the glasses, I threw them into the dishwasher, starting it up and heading out to the store.

---

"What a bloody asswipe! You don't deserve to be treated that way! Not to mention, you don't have a phone cause of him." Rian was holding a goblet of red wine, and was carefully sipping it. I was totally exhausted, lying back on the couch and keeping my heavy eyelids closed.

She was busy grading papers once I arrived home, and demanded why I hadn't answered her all day. Once I told her what happened, her eyes started to glow with fire.

"I know." It was barely audible, being too much work for my tired lips.

"Seriously Quinn, don't put up with that for long. You are a good person and you cook." Her voice carried off as sleep started to consume me.

"C'mon, let's get you to bed." Rian rubbed my shoulder, as she pulled me up and guided me up the stairs.

She helped me into bed, but my mind lulled off, not remembering much.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm next to my face. I remember waking up sometime last night and setting my old-fashioned alarm clock. I have to get up every day at seven oclock, so I can be at the Hardy residence to cook breakfast.

I fell out of bed, and took a glance in the mirror. God only knows what happened to the rats nest that sat upon my head, and my makeup from yesterday was smeared down my face. Hurrying to the shower, I got in and out quickly, still having forty-five minutes to go. After blow drying my hair, I applied some eyeliner and red lipstick.

I decided to leave my hair naturally curly, and go ahead and head out. As I made my way downstairs, I could hear the rain pelting against the rooftop. Snatching an apple and my umbrella, I made my way out.

Second to forgo the niceties, I simply let myself in and got to work. I wondered if he was up yet or not, due to the silence that I was met with once I entered the house. Shrugging it off, I went ahead and got to work. I threw my curls up into a mop on my head. I stuffed my headphones in and let my hands do the magic.

As I was beating the eggs for the omelette I was making, I felt a tap on my shoulder. My mind reeled as I almost dropped the glass bowl, but I noticed it was Tom as I pulled my headphones out. He held an annoyed face, and I wanted to scoff. He shoved something hard into my chest, and I recognized it as a phone box. My breath was knocked from me, and I had to catch it before it landed in the eggs.

He strutted away without another word, and slammed a door.

Fucking douchebag. So, this is how they must all act. Like spoiled brats. They get whatever they could ever possibly need, and treat anyone they think is under them like shit.

Not to mention, why would you treat someone cooking your food like that. Hasn't he ever heard of poison?

Chuckling at my inner rant, I put the phone on the island and got back to work.

The omelettes were easy enough, and per request of Ms. Sanchez, I made a protein drink. She informed me that he had to gain some weight for his upcoming role, so she left me a recipe.

Setting it all on a platter, I let my hair fall back down. My unruly curls framed my face, and I went in search for him.

As I made my way down the hall, I could hear his voice talking roughly. Seeing as he was on the phone, I planned to walk in and out without him noticing. The door was slightly cracked, and I walked up to it silently.

However, I was met with something totally different. He was pacing back and forth with a thick pile of papers in his large hand. His face was scrunched as he read, and quickly took another hand to highlight something. He started to talk again, except he didn't seem like the guy I've had to deal with recently. He was a total different person.

My arms began to shake with the weight of the platter resting on them, and I brought my other hand up to rap on the door. His eyes shot to me, and they changed back to the dull blue. He threw the papers down, and marched over to me with that looming walk.

He doesnt need to gain any more muscle.

He looked down at the food and with a grunt, ripped it away, and slammed the door.

What the fuck?!

With an angry breath, I made my way back to the kitchen. I quickly cleaned up and started to play with my new phone. I sent a text to Rian to tell her that I got a new one. It took my mind off him, and the anger that his face brought.

Seeing as I didn't need to stay all day, I decided to leave to get some fresh air. I left my car there, and just decided to walk. The rain had let up some, and a light drizzle was left. It was soothing. He didn't live far from a little shopping center. So, I took to shopping through each little shop, and through the fresh produce market they had.

My phone began to ring in my pocket, and I saw that it was Rian. My hands were full, and I had to set a few bags down to answer it.

"Yo?" I kept a tight grip on my umbrella, and my eyes darted back and forth between the variety of fruits and vegetables in front of me.

"Hey! How's it going?" My groan was answer enough, so she continued angrily.

"Quinn, don't put up with this. You are awesome at what you do, and anyone would hire you." Pinning my phone between my head and shoulder, I grabbed all my bags and started walking.

"I know, but I want to provide for myself. I don't want you to pay the entire rent anymore. Plus, this isn't the first time I've had to deal with a douchebag for a boss. Remember Dylan? Yeah, Tom is sunshine and rainbows compared to some of the episodes he used to have." My eyes caught familiar blue orbs, except these were kind. Not harsh like Toms.

"Hey Rian? Let me call you back." Letting the phone drop into my used hand, I glanced back to find him closer than before.

"Cristian, what a surprise." I smiled and he nodded.

"That it is Quinn. So, tell me, what brings you this way?" His black umbrella rubbed against mine, and I motioned back towards Toms house.

"Work. You?" He nodded with a bright smile and motioned in the same way.

"Eh, just making my way around London. Seeing as the weather is perfect for a walk." He motioned to the ever-growing rain, and I nodded.

"Oh yeah, sure. This is great weather." At the moment, the heavens parted and the rain began to fall with force.

We both took off and found refuge under a tent, and we watched as other people did the same. I checked the time, and realized I had to get back to cook lunch in less than twenty minutes. I turned towards him and smiled.

"I must be going! I should get back to work, but it was nice to see you. Do you think- " Suddenly, my phone was plucked from my grasp, and I met Cristians mischievous smile. He tapped away, and then I saw his phone light up.

"You read my mind." With a wink, I took off, and jogged back to Toms. I left my soaking umbrella on the front steps, and walked into the kitchen.

I tied my now damp hair up, and searched through the fridge to find something to cook. Since Tom is on a strict diet, I wasn't allowed to get creative while cooking anything.

I simply make him a grilled chicken sandwich, and strutted down the hall again.

"I don't care Charlotte! Don't do this, let me see him soon." Pause. "I don't think you want to go there." My conscious started to eat away at me for listening to his conversation. It had to have been his wife.

I decided to wait until he was finished to knock, so I stood outside trying to ignore him talking.

"Whatever Charlotte, be fuckin difficult about it." The phone slammed onto the desk, and I waited a few seconds to knock. My fingers tapped on the heavy wooden door, and I heard him huff.

"What?!" He wrenched the door open and stared at me with annoyance. I simply stared at him and held the food out to him. As his eyes traveled down to the food, it looked as if they softened. Then they clouded over again, and ripped it away once again. Before he could slam the door in my face again, I walked away.

---

It was almost completely dark by the time I got home, and I saw Rians car out front. Along with another nice SUV that sat in my parking space. Groaning with annoyance, I realized someone couldn't find a parking spot, so took mine. Parking my car on the curb, I slammed my car door and made my way inside.

"Rian? Do you know which prick parked in my spot? - " As I rounded the corner, I saw two figures on the couch. Once they spotted me, Rian flew from the couch and off his lap.

"Oh, my god! Quinn, don't scare me like that!" Rian's voice was high pitched, but I kept my eyes on the man. He slyly pulled a throw pillow from the end of the couch, and rested it on his lap.

"Well, don't make out on the couch, in the living room! Sorry! Get back to business!" I laughed as I said it, and walked back out the front door. My phone dinged from my pocket, and I saw the precut opportunity.

'Wanna get a drink?' I looked at the contact name, and chuckled.

The Bartender.