Song: Skipping Stones by Claire De Lune

Once he is out the door, I just sit there and cry. Why am I letting this happen? My father taught me so much better than this. Why do I love him? Wait do I really love him? What is this? I don't know how much longer I can do this with him. This is not the way I saw my life. I never in a million years thought this would be the way I would live my life.

I force myself to get up and go to the bathroom. I look at the young girl in the mirror looking back at me. Who is this girl looking back at me; I hardly even recognize her anymore. Great another bruise. I have to go into work later and I so don't feel like hearing shit from others. Guess I won't go see my dad tomorrow for his birthday, looks like I will just be calling him.

There is no reason why I should upset him over this. I start to cover it up with makeup. I have gotten really good at applying it lately. I walk back to the table in the dining room and try to finish up studying for my exam. In the corner of my eye I see the card and pick it back up.

Raine really pissed me off trying to tell me what I can and cannot do, he is not my father or my husband for that matter. I play with the card, twirling it around in my fingers. I have time before going into work so I get dressed and head out to the address on the card.

When I arrive, the outside of this place looks amazing. I know a girl like me wouldn't be able to afford to eat in a place like this. I walk in and I'm greeted by the hostess. "Good afternoon, may I help you?"

"Uhm...I'm actually looking for...for...Mr. Moretti."

"Do you have an appointment; he just doesn't see anyone?"

"Actually no...he just told me to come by when I had the time."

She laughs,  "Yeah...sure." By the way she says it she thinks I'm lying.

"I'm serious." I hold up the card to show her.

"Honey he gives those out to everyone he sees."

"Is he even here?" I sat annoyed with her. "If not I will come another time."

She picks up the phone and I assume she is calling the back part of the restaurant. She looks back over at me, rolling her eyes. "What is your name?"

"Ana...Katana. Harlow."

She makes an annoyed expression on her face. I'm not sure I want to work here if she is going to be here because honestly she is flat out rude. While she is still on the phone he walks up to me holding out his hand to take mine into his. "Good afternoon, Katana. Please come on back let me show you around."

I glance over at the snobby girl as she sets the phone back down and gives me a go to hell look, so I give her one back.

"So this is my place...well one of my many places. What do you think so far?"

I look around. The place is top notch that's for sure. Anyone that eats here has to be making a killing. I debate on how to answer him. "Besides the snob up front...uhm...I guess it's all right."

He smirks at my comment, and then talks into his mouth piece to someone. "Get rid of Diane, up front. Yes. Correct. Now. Thank you."

I look over at him like he has got to be kidding but he's not I hear a commotion out front and the young girl is pissed off because he fired her. "Wait! Why did you just do that for?"

"You said she was snobby. I can hire anyone for that position. You know how many people would love to do her job."

My eyes go wide. "You just fired her...just like that?"

"Yes, she should have been more respectful."

"But..."

"But nothing, please let me show you the back part of the house." He guides me in front of him as we walk through the door leading to the kitchen. Talk about massive and super spotless. Everyone is well groomed and everything is running so smoothly even thought they have almost a full house up front. He shows me around and introduces me to some of the cooks and then we go back out. He goes to the back table and we sit down.

"What can I get you to drink...eat?"

"Uhmm...this is your place surprise me."

I watch as he orders and I hate to admit his Italian accent kinda turns me on. When he turns back to me he has the cutest smile. "Here is the job descriptions; please look over it." I should not be having these thoughts.

I hold the packet of papers in my hand. I start to read over the highlights.

1. All employees must arrive fifteen minutes prior to their shift to make sure everything is ready to go for a smooth shift. (Well that shouldn't be a problem.)

2. All employees are required to be well clothed, no loose fitting clothes, prefer slim fitting clothes, all ironed, wrinkle free. ( A little perfection are we!)

3. Employees shall not wear jewelry of any kind except for small studs in the ears and only one pair. No nose, eyes, lip or any other piercings allowed. Necklace only under the shirt and no bracelets of any kind. (Well then that me be hard...I look at my bracelets on my arms...I wear them to hide the scars. I guess I could just wear long sleeves.)

4. Employees must keep all hair tamed and up, if longer than shoulders, must be French braided or a regular braid, no messy buns or ponytails etc. (Seriously this guy is crazy...but I guess he doesn't want hair getting into the food...so I guess I can do that.)

5. All employees must be well shaven, no facial hair at any time. (I smile...no problem there.)

6. Employees are not allowed to wear makeup, due to heat and sweat. (damn...really...then everyone will see the bruises...not so sure about this one.)

7. Employees must contain themselves to be respectful to others no fussing, arguing, cussing of any kind. (No problem.)

8. Employees may not have relations with other employees in any way. (Wasn't planning on it.)

9. Employees must keep personal life at home and business life at work to avoid issues. (Sure if Raine will stay home at all times...not sure I can keep him away.)

10. If any employee has an issue of any kind they must schedule an appointment with me to so we can work out the issue. All days must be scheduled off in advance if sick must notify first thing when they wake up...do not call right before shift starts. (This guy is pretty demanding...I look up at him and back down to the document.)

The waitress brings over the food and it all looks divine.

"So...what do you think?" He slightly smiles back at me.

"About what?" I take a bite of the steak.

"The position, will you take it. I really think you will like working here."

"I...I...don't know. I mean it seems like a great opportunity it really does but..."

"But what?" He reaches over the table to move my hair out of my face. Where I have been trying to hide the swelling from the argument. "If you work for me...I will also protect you from whatever is going on here."

I move my hair back. There is a tinglingsensationrunning down my body. I feel more ashamedthan embarrassed about letting the bruise happen. "Nothing is going on."

"Really..." He takes a drink of wine and sets the glass back down. "So your excuse is that you walked into the door, fell down the steps, tripped. Katana you deserve so much better than that."

"You don't know what I deserve." I set the fork down debating on leaving. He reaches out for my hand.

"I know no girl deserves to be touched like that." I feel the tears come but I blink them away to ward them off.

He hands me one of the wet towels on the table. "Here wipe off all that makeup; you are too pretty to be covering up that face."

I contemplate if I should just get up and walk away but there is something about his tone of voice that keeps me there. I pick up the warm cloth and wipe my face down. Of course I leave my hair in the way. He gets up from his side and comes over to my side, nudging me over to make room for him. He pulls the strand of hair lightly and places it behind my ear, then takes the cloth and wipes all the makeup off. His hand softly touches my cheek.

"Turn around." He says calmly as he helps me turn away from him and he starts to braid my hair. He leans into my neck and whispers in my ear. "If you were mine, this would never happen." My body goes still and shivers of the very thought. He turns me back around to get a good look at me. His hand touches my check again. "What a shame, so beautiful."

I didn't realize that I was shaking and holding my breath in until his lips form a simple smile. "You can breathe now."

And I let out my lungs. I stare past him trying figure out what is really ghb going on here.

"How about we finish this conversation in my office. You can sign all the documents and start work immediately."

"Your office, actually we can do whatever we need to right here. I mean if that is ok with you?" There in no way in hell that I am going to an enclosed room with him. I learned my lesson a long time ago not to trust anyone.

"Sure...if that is what you want."

"It's, It is what I want," I barely get out.

"So...you think you can meet all the requirements on the document?"

"Yes. I think I can. I just don't know why you want me. I mean there are so many people out there more qualified to cook. I am just learning my way; why do you want me?"

"I think you have the potential to be great. You just need that little extra push and because I think I can help you succeed."

"I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"Who says you will."

"I...don't know what to do." I can't help but not think about Raine. He so doesn't want me to work here and I know it's not the restaurant but it is the owner he doesn't like.

"Just sign the papers. I promise you, you will love this place and you could use the money."

"You are really going to pay me like thirty dollars an hour, really. Don't you think that is a little much?"

"No I don't." He looks straight at me. "Is it too much? I mean we could do something else. What if you worked here. You learn how to cook under my main Chef. I will pay you twenty dollars an hour and all your school fees. That way you don't have to worry about school funding. I will cover it."

"You got to be crazy. What is the catch?" I look up at him and try to figure him out.

"Nothing. You just work for me. Your hours will be five to ten six days a week. You should still have time to go to school and have time to study."

"I don't know. I mean what about Harold; he will be upset that I'm leaving."

"Harold will be fine. Come on Katana, what do you have to lose?"

When I get home, of course Raine is there. He doesn't look too happy. "Where have you been?"

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Author's note: Ok...I promised two chapters today...both are a little long. However I hope you enjoyed reading...I would love it you voted on it if you liked it and please share with others if you loved it. Thanks guys for reading...you guys are amazing.