Chanel Stanley needed this. A fresh start. To say the last few years of her life had been pure misery was an understatement. She had her secrets and she intended for them to stay that way. No one knew her here. Her parents warned her before she boarded the train to Small Heath. Telling her tales of crimes and gangster wars but she didn't care. 

Chanel was from the town of Upton about an hour from Small Heath. She was inquiring about a recent job listing as an accountants assistant for Shelby Company Limited, which also offered free room and board. To her this was her escape. If not her fate.

The train halted and Chanel picked up her one suitcase, quickly exiting the train. Small Heath was extremely different. It was so smoky from the factories and had this constant gloom it seemed. Chanel walked down a small alley before turning onto the main road.

Children ran across the road kicking a ball. Women stood outside their houses, whispering looking towards Chanel and men looked her up and down with wondering eyes. She approached the door of 2 Watery Lane. Knocking loudly, an older woman answered the door.

"Yes?" The older woman asked, looking at the girl with a smirk. 

"Umm, I am Chanel Stanley. I came to see if the job is still available," Chanel smiled nervously.

"What job?" 

Chanel handed the woman the paper, " It says here you are looking for an accountants assistant?"

The older woman extended her hand, "Elizabeth Gray. But you can call me Polly. Come in now, don't want one of these men to mug ya. Might I suggest dear, if you are going to dress that nice always have one of the boys with you. You'll get robbed quick."

Chanel stepped into the house. She swallowed back nervously as she felt bile rising in her throat. Her nerves were getting the best of her.

"Now I knew nothing of this job," Polly sighed. "Must of been something Thomas or Michael put in the paper. Right this way." Polly opened a set of double doors. Multiple men and even a  woman sat writing into books and counting money. 

They came up to a pregnant girl sitting behind a desk. 

"Well hello love! I am Gwen. Gwen Shelby! Its so nice to meet you," Gwen jumped up quickly shaking Chanel's hand. "Please tell me you are here for the accountants job. It gets bloody fucking boring in here with the men all the time."

"Gwen dear, calm down," Polly rolled her eyes at the girl. "You'll have to excuse Gwen here. 5 kids this one with my nephew John and she doesn't get out much. Is Thomas or Michael in?"

"Yes Aunt Poll. He, John and Michael are inside Tommy's office. Would you like me to take her in?" Gwen asked.

"Yes. And tell Thomas to come to my office when he is done. Chanel....good luck." Polly walked away leaving Chanel with Gwen.

"She left like she was leaving me with a pack of mad dogs," Chanel nervously said. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand.

Gwen smiled, leading Chanel down the hall, " You have nothing to worry about. John is my husband. Hes a big fucking lovey bear since I keep him in line. Thomas, well Thomas, hes the man in charge and it would take a lot for you to get on his bad side. Michael is Polls son and the interview is to be his assistant. I say he is right about your age. How old are you?"

"21," Chanel replied. She was playing with the lace material of the white gloves on her hands. A nervous tick she noticed.

"That is great! Both the same age. Its fate!!!" Gwen laughed. Chanel liked Gwen and felt they would get along great if she got the job. They arrived at the door at the end of the hall, Gwen knocking lightly.

A man answers the door, quickly smiling, " Yes my beautiful wife?" He barely opens the door peaking around looking down at Gwen.

"John, this is Chanel Stanley. She is here for the interview," Gwen smiles.

John swings the door open, " Well why didn't you say so? Chanel, come in! They wont fucking bite ya. At least I wont, got this one here on my fuckin leg enough anyways." Gwen laughed pushing Chanel through to the door grabbing John and pulling him towards her.

"Good luck! I know they will love you!" Gwen yelled,running down the hall, John pinching her ass. Chanel entered the room. Two men sat at a desk drinking whiskey. She quickly approached them confidently. Even though she was nervous she couldn't go back to Upton.

"I am Chanel Stanley. I am here for the accountants assistant. I seen your ad in the paper." Chanel said.

A raven haired man quickly stood. He was well dressed and had the most bluest eyes, " Thomas Shelby. I run Shelby Company Limited. This here is my young cousin Michael Gray, who you'll be working with."

Michael stood, shaking her hand," Its nice to meet you Chanel. Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. What made you want the job?" Michael fucking Gray. He was strikingly handsome. He stood confidently and had toned features. Well groomed and those eyes, those beautiful green eyes.

"Umm well, I always helped where I am from. With paperwork and such. I can write and type fast. Even with my eyes closed," Chanel let out a slight giggle.

"Do not say that, Tommy would hold you to it," Michael smiled at her.

Chanel grinned," I can also help with other things. Like cleaning and I make a good cup of tea. I can live up to my word. I just would really enjoy this job. Its like a fresh start for me."

"A fresh start?" Tommy asked with worried eyes. "You running from the coppers? Have you murdered someone?"

"Oh lord no," Chanel said. " I just want to start over. New place. New people. New me. You know like a change of scenery?" Michael and Thomas looked at Chanel and then at each other. Michael sitting his whiskey down and walking towards the girl.

"I know exactly what you mean." Michael smirked lighting up a smoke. "What do you think Tom?"

"I say Michael, if you think shes qualified....shes got the job."Tommy looked up from his drink smiling at Chanel.

"How does tomorrow sound darling?" Michael asks Chanel. Chanel couldn't hold it in any longer. She squealed hopping and down.

"THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH! I SWEAR TO IT, I will not disappoint. I am not afraid of a hard days work." Chanel offered her hand expecting Michael to shake it. But instead he took her white gloved hand and kissed her hand. 

"I will hold you to it," Michael said looking up at her. She took her hand from his and flattened out her dress.

Thomas approached her, " Welcome to Shelby Company Limited. Our new Accountants assistant." He shook her hand firmly , guiding her to the door.

"Thank you for the opportunity Mr. Shelby. It will be a pleasure working for you." Chanel said heading for the door. Thomas opened it for her and smiled.

"Now you go back down the hall to Gwen there and tell her to tell you about the room and where you can take your things and we will see you at 8 A.M." Thomas told Chanel.

"Thank you, Mr. Shelby. Mr. Gray, thank you I will see you tomorrow. Bright and early." Chanel left the room and Michael sat there speechless.

Chanel Stanley was innocent and beautiful.

And for once in his life, Michael Gray was fucking speechless.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---well there is chapter one!!!! What do you all think of Chanel? What do you think she is running from back home? AND MICHAEL GRAY!!!!!!!! He is gorgeous. I hope you enjoyed, vote and comment. With love! --Jenny

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------