"ANASTASIA, IT'S FOR YOU!" I hear my dad say from the living room.

"I'm coming, daddy."

I heard the home phone ring, but I didn't bother to check it, as my dad and daisy were in the living room. But, now I guess the call was for me, I wonder who it is.

"Hello?"

"Anastasia, it's me Mr Joyner. I'm so sorry to call you, but I was wondering if you could take the evening shift today, the person who was to take that shift, just called in sick."

"Uh, okay... I'll be on my way."

"Oh, thank you. If you can't make it to your shift tomorrow, I could call someone to take it."

"Oh no, I'll take both, today and tomorrow's shift."

I hear him let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you! It'll be added to your pay. Thank you, and see you later."

He hangs up.

I walk to the living room and take a sit beside my sister.

"Who was it?" Daisy asks.

I glance at my dad, who is reading his paper quietly.

"Work. They want me to come in today."

I see my dad look up, from my peripheral and I choose to ignore him.

"But I thought you had just two shifts a week? The next shift is supposed to be tomorrow."

"True. But, the person supposed to handle today's shift called in sick, so..."

"Oh."

My dad clears his throat and we look at him.

"Daisy, please be a dear and get me a glass of water."

"Okay, daddy."

She walks out of the living room, to the kitchen.

"Ana, don't you think you're overworking yourself? I mean, you have school, and now work - you're just 16, I don't want you breaking down from all the pressure." he has a worried expression on his face.

"Dad, I'm fine... Really."

"I'll take extra shifts, maybe get a second job. I don't feel good about you working."

I sigh.

"Dad, I'll love that too. But, due to present circumstances, we both know we need all the help and extra funds we can get, to pay off mum's debt to that awful man. I'll love to go to the movies, the beach and do all the fun things teenagers my age do. But, I can't mount all that pressure on you alone."

"I can get a job too." Daisy says, with the glass of water in hand, as she walks towards him.

"Hell no!" My dad and I say at the same time.

"But why? It doesn't have to be something big you know... I just want to help." she says lowly.

I go over to her and pull her into a tight hug.

"As long as dad and I are here, you don't need to work Dai."

"But, I want to help too." she pouts.

"How about, when you're old enough?"

I look at my dad for help, and he widens his eyes,

"Uh, yeah... Ana is right, when you're old enough, then and only then, will you be allowed to work."

She squeals, then hugs my dad.

"Okay guys, I'm off to get ready for work... See you soon."

I need a shower.

I ROLL MY CLEANING supplies, over to the last office I have to clean. I hope he's there, I can't wait to see him again.

Out of courtesy, I knock and when I hear a voice say 'come in', my heart literally flips and a wide grin spreads on my face. I take in a deep breath and compose myself, before pushing the door open and rolling the cleaning cart in.

"Anastasia." he beams.

I like how my name rolls off his French tongue, sounds like Anastasiya.

"Hello, Mr Claude." I wave, and a small smile plays on my lips.

Inside, my organs are having a party. Plus, I pronounced his name correctly - a gold star for that, well done Ana!

"Mr Claude?... I was hoping, we were on the first name basis chérie, no?"

I blush.

"I'm sorry sir..."

"Sir?... Anastasia, you can call me by my first name."

I hesitate.

"Go on." he pushes,

"Thomas?"

He claps.

I laugh

"There! You see... That didn't hurt."

I nod.

"I shouldn't keep you then, you can go on with your work."

I nod again.

While I'm cleaning, I hear music coming from the stereo and I look up. Thomas is smirking at me, he's playing if you had my love.

"You just had to, didn't you?"

He has a smug smile on his face.

"Well, in my defense... It's a nice song. I quite enjoy it, thank you for hooking me up - or how do you Americans say it?"

I giggle.

"I'm glad you like it."

He nods.

I go on with my work, sneaking glances his way, while he continues with his work.

"Do you work overnight every day?"

"Not exactly. Just on days when I have a lot of work to do."

"So, when do you rest?"

"I don't."

"Well, you should... Working round the clock is unhealthy."

"You can't blame me, I have a business to run, ma chérie."

I blush.

Wait, why am I blushing? I shake my head in an attempt to focus.

"Have you even eaten today?"

"Uh... Not really. I had crêpes, this morning."

"So, what are you having for dinner?"

"Why don't you come with me and find out."

"Excuse me?"

He chuckles.

"Join me for dinner."

"I - I can't."

"It's just dinner Anastasia."

"I - I - I..." I stammer.

I don't know if I should go to dinner, with the man of my - not so innocent dreams.

"As friends. We're friends, no?"

"Of course we are... Uhm, I'll just round up here and get changed. Meet you back here in five?"

"Okay."

HIS DRIVER COMES TO A stop, in front of an expensive looking restaurant and I become nervous. I've never been to any classy restaurant before,

"Is something wrong?"

"Uhm... Do you really want to eat here? Cos, I know a place."

He smiles.

I tap the driver and give him the address.

"What do you think?"

He takes another bite and chews slowly, in an attempt to savour it.

But, I can't help but stare at his lips and wonder how they will feel against mine.

"Greasy... But, good."

"I knew you will like it!"

"So, tell me how you knew about this place."

My face falls.

"Uh... My mum used to bring us here."

He raises a brow.

"Why did she stop? I mean it's a great place, the food is unhealthy - but great still."

I laugh.

"Well, she stopped." that's all I say.

He nods.

"So, what's the plan after high school?"

"Maybe College."

His brows crease in confusion,

"But, you're 18... you should be done with college."

"No, college comes after high school." I say in a duh tone.

He thinks for a moment, before bursting into laughter.

He has such a beautiful laugh. Perfect dentition,

"What's wrong?"

He calms himself, then takes a sip of his water.

"You see, I forgot about how different the school system in America is from France. Comment on dit, eh... You see, middle school is called College in France, hence the confusion... So, I guess you meant after high school, you go to université?"

(comment on dit = how do we say.
Université = University.)

I nod.

"University, yes."

"So, what uh... Do you want to study?"

"I don't know yet. I'm not even sure I want to go to college - I mean university."

"Why not? You're a smart girl."

I chuckle hesitantly.

"I'm not smart, or book smart."

I shrug.

"I don't think so."

"Well Thomas, I know so... Trust me."

"Don't downplay yourself, okay?"

"It's not that. I've just never been a bright student, just dancing on the borderline between average and complete failure. My sister Daisy, she's the smart one, a genius. The kid is going to be great someday."

"Hmm."

"So, tell me about yourself."

"There's nothing much to tell. I moved here a few years ago, to expand the family business..."

I roll my eyes,

"Not work, I mean yourself. Your likes, your hobbies, and stuff about yourself."

He shakes his head, then chuckles.

"Okay... I'm 28 years old, I'm a very private person. I like honest, hard-working and trustworthy people. I have one hobby - making money..."

My eyes widen, and he throws his head back, laughing.

"I was just joking... I enjoy fencing and sports car racing."

"Fancy."

"Enough about me. Tell me about yourself."

I gulp. Oh no!

"I uh, there's nothing to know about me. I'm a janitor at your company and I live with my dad and my younger sister."

"That can't be all."

"That's all. I told you, there's nothing to know about me."

"You mentioned your mum earlier, why don't you live with her?"

"Uh, erm..."

"I see you like to be mysterious, but I'm a patient man, I'll wait till you're ready."

I chuckle.

"Look at the time, I better get going."

"Let me drop you off at your home."

"No!... I mean no, you don't have to. I don't stay far from here."

"I insist. At least as a thank you, for having dinner with me."

"You go home and have some rest, we'll see tomorrow... I really live nearby, but I'm sure you live a distance away, so..."

He sighs

"Okay, then. Au revoir, est bonne nuit, chérie."
(Au revoir = goodbye. Bonne nuit =goodnight. Chérie =sweetheart.)

I have no idea what he just said, so I smile and wave, before walking away.

That was an interesting dinner, I'm in love!

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