Alysia’s Chosen Love

Chapter 9 - Kris's Change of Luck

Kris

After getting everything taken away a few weeks ago, I tried ignoring Roshni since the only reason I got in trouble was because of her. If her dad and my dad weren't doing business for so long I would've dropped her but of course since she is daddy's little girl I can't. The right thing would be to talk to my dad but if it isn't about the family business he doesn't care. When I tried to ignore Roshni she just took it out on other kids at school and I felt bad so I made up with her letting her know my parents conditions. I didn't think my dad was serious about learning the business and the first weekend I tried to sleep in, he came in and threw ice cold water on me. I made sure I was waiting for him at the front door 15 minutes before we left. I was going to be 17 in a few months and my dad kept wanting me to become fully apart of the company by the time I turned 18 and then fully hand it over when I was 21. I wasn't even sure if the family business was something I wanted. Growing up that's all I ever heard. I wanted to travel the world and live my life before settling down. The family business "ugh" just saying it that way makes it sound like we are doing something illegal. We currently buy new or used lots/buildings and get hired to handle the building of the company. We don't just build any building, most of the jobs come from multi-billionaires across the world who want to start something up and the second part of the business is consulting. We sign on to help them start the business until they can fully handle it. Most importantly we owe a percentage of the company as a silent investor. We were one of the richest companies in the US and my dad originally started in India and made his way here. I am proud of him, I just wish he was a dad more than a business man.

Currently, I am sitting in a meeting in the conference room listening to all the issues on a jobsite. I am partially listening because this is not how I wanna spend my weekends. My mom and sisters flew up to NY because they had to get custom outfits for a wedding coming up and because I am grounded I am stuck here. One of the field superintendents is going on about how we are almost over budget with supplies and not even half way done. So I do something very stupid or very smart. We will find out.

"why don't we contract smaller businesses for the supply and hire locals to help finish this job" I said interrupting whoever was speaking.

"excuse me" the guy I interrupted said. He was mad.

"wait a minute" my dad says and I instantly regret interrupting. Why couldn't I shut up for once but I couldn't help it because it was the most logical answer.

"that is actually a good idea. Kris I want you to take the lead. Go ahead and get pricing for the supplies for the project from a few different small local business and how much it will cost to hire local workers instead of the usual from here and if it looks good we can use our guys on other projects and then present it at next weeks meeting." My dad said smiling standing up signaling the meeting was done.

Great, now on top of school work I am also going to have to do work for the company. My dad actually smiled at me and this may not be a bad thing after all.

"Kris, I want to show you something. Come with me." My dad said signaling for me to follow him.

We walked down the hall from his office, where there was the 2nd biggest office in the corner. Obviously my dad had the biggest office.

"Welcome to your new office" My dad said beaming. "I was waiting to give this to you when you turned 18 but I think your ready now and will be a big part of our success" he said.

I looked inside. There was a big oak desk in the middle with two computer screens. On the left side stood some bookshelves. On the right was a couch with a big table to the side. On the back wall it was covered from floor to ceiling windows like my dads. There was a door to a smaller office to the right where my dad said was extra space if I needed it. There was big TV on the wall for video calls. I went inside and sat down while my dad retreated to his office. This may not be that bad after all. I started working on my presentation and I was going to prove to my dad and these stuck up idiots that I had what it takes to do this. I was going to show them how smart I really was.

After working for 3 hours and 10 phone calls later on a Friday Night, I was able to get a meeting with 2 local businesses. I didn't tell my dad because this was something I wanted to fully do on my own. My dad told me it was time to go and we went home. On the way home, we were going to stop at a diner but it looked pretty crowded and I told my dad we could order something. I really just wanted to go home and do some more research. I messaged Roshni and told her I was busy with my dad this weekend and turned my phone on silent.

Alysia

The week passed by so fast. It was already Friday and My mom didn't want to leave but I pushed her out the door. It is currently a little past 8pm and Jason called and told me he would in soon. Until then I am waiting tables, making sure I relieved Jesse since she was here all day. Once he comes in I will have to restock and make sure we have everything. I think this is the busiest it has been in months. My mom came in earlier and set up the stage. Tonight was Karaoke and I was closing at 2 am. I would have one bartender then clean up. Right as I am finishing cleaning up a table, Jason walks in. He grabs his apron and walks toward the back with me. I let him know that I have three orders waiting, four people finishing up, and two tables that need to be cleaned. We haven't spoke about the other night but that will have to wait since I have to focus on making sure everything runs smoothly. Usually Mr. K comes in today but if it is too busy he will probably come another day. I haven't seen him that last week. As Jason goes to handle another 3 tables, I go and clean up the tables and take the dishes to the back.

At around 11 PM I collect the money from the register because usually my mom collects the money and puts it in the safe and carries a fanny pack with enough cash for change for the customers. Any of the employees will then let her know if they need change. Most of the time people will pay with a card this late. All the employees have a ear piece and that way we can communicate and not to have delay orders. My mom wears one too when she is out of the office and when she is in the office, they can just buzz her from the phone.

I take the money in the office and deposit a majority of it in the safe and fill out the log. I decide to go through her list of things that need to be ordered so when I do inventory this weekend I can order everything at one time. Since there a few different supplies, I start to make a list of each. I can hear the Karaoke going on and know a bunch of kids usually come out but you can tell that now its mostly adults. At around 11:45 someone knocks on the office door.

"Come in" I yelled without looking up

Someone drops a plate of food, so I look up and its Jason.

"You need to eat something. Rumor is you haven't eaten since you had school lunch" he said with a look on his face and his eyebrow c****d up smiling.

"and luck you, I am finally taking my break and I will join you for dinner" He said as he sat down.

I couldn't help but laugh because that was pretty sweet of him. I stopped what I was doing and said thank you. We started eating and he was telling me about the farm and how one of the horses wouldn't go in the barn so he had to run around in circles after her.

I was laughing so hard I snorted and then he laughed.

After we were done, he grabbed the plates. I finalized the paperwork and made my way back out. It was about 1 am and was dying down. Two of the employees cleaned up the stage. The bartender called out last call and by the time 2 am rolled around there was only 2 people.

It was just Jason and I cleaning up. I was exhausted. We just had to clean off the tables, flip the chairs, and sweep and mop. While he did that, I went back in the kitchen and made sure everything was cleaned and then restocked everything throughout the restaurant for the morning shift. I had to be back at 10 am to open but I still wanted to get that out the way. I collected the money from the registers and put the totals on my moms log, put it in the safe, and locked up the office. I then went and refilled all the drinks behind the bar. By the time we finally locked up it was 3:30 am. We walked home and I think I stumbled at one point and Jason had to steady me from falling. Once we got home, I went upstairs and showered and came back down to grab a snack and sat at the table. I must've dozed off because the next thing I knew as Jason was shaking me awake.

"you need to go lay down and get some rest" Jason said.

I could barely open my eyes but when I did, I swore I was dreaming because he was shirtless and his hair was wet and oh god this must be what heaven is like.

"Come on, let me help you get upstairs" Jason said. So I pushed myself up and slowly walked. Jason put his arm around me and put my arm around his neck and helped me walk up the stairs. I had to hold the wall as we climbed up. He had never been in my room but he opened the door and helped lay me down. He tucked the blanket in and said he would stay until I fell asleep. I vaguely remember him pushing my hair out the way before I fell asleep and the next thing I know is my phone ringing.

Jason

Today was a crazy day. We got home and I decided to jump in the shower. I saw a light on out the door so I checked to make sure Alysia didn't forget to turn it off because she looked like death. If she could sleep walk home I am pretty sure she would. When I walked out the room she was passed out. I shook her awake and I swore I saw her eyes widen when she saw me as she starting dozing off again and I realized I came out shirtless let alone I didn't even dry my hair. I shook her awake and helped her up. I grabbed her waist and put her arm around my neck as I took her upstairs. Her skin was so soft and she smelled so good like vanilla. I opened her door and I realized I have never been in her room or up here. I laid her down and tucker her in. She mumbled something and I told her I would stay until she fell asleep. Her hair was in her eyes so I moved it out the way noticing the sparks as I touched her. I looked around when she dozed off. She had a king size bed in the middle with a dresser across it. She had a door to her closet assumed and a vanity near the door. But my favorite part was the window seat. The window was huge and you could easily look at the moon from here. I noticed she had school stuff there. Oh and she also had a desk. I sat down on a chair that had a blanket. I watched her sleep for a few minutes and before I walked out I took a deep breath in so I could remember how amazing it smells in here. I made my way downstairs making sure everything was locked up and turning the lights off. I did the few remaining dishes before I threw myself on my bed. trying to remember the smell of her for as long as I could before I dozed off.

The Next Day

Alysia

I woke up to my phone ringing. I ignored it but it kept ringing. "UGH, HELLO" I yelled into the phone as I answered. "Alysia, are you ok? You never text me that you got home last night", my mom said on the other line. I was barely awake but I turned over and looked at my clock on the wall and it said 7 am. "Mom, it is 7 am. We didn't get home till 4 am. and I don't have to open until 10, you could've texted me" I said groggily. "I am sorry Alysia but I did text you like 10 times. But I was calling to tell you that my car keys are on my dresser and I know you don't turn 16 for a few weeks but go ahead and use my car to go to work. I am trusting you to be responsible. Now Go back to sleep and check in with me later. Love you" She said as she hung up. 3 hours of sleep felt like none. I tossed and turned before deciding to get up. I know I showered last night but my hair was tangled because I didn't brush it and then I remembered Jason helping carry me up and tucking me in. I took a quick shower, blow dried my hair, and got dressed. I put on some black yoga pants and a shirt that went right above my butt and had sleeves to my elbows. I grabbed my phone and wallet, went to my moms room grabbed her car keys, and went downstairs. As I walked in the kitchen, I noticed a plate on the counter with eggs, toast, and sausage with a cup of coffee and a note.

Got up at 6 am to start on the farm so I can come over to the restaurant and help out faster. Made breakfast and coffee. I know your tired and I hope you slept well. See you later.

-Jason-

I couldn't help but smile. I scarfed down my food and put the coffee in a to go cup and made my way outside grabbing some cold juice for Jason. When I walked outside I never in a million years expected to see what I saw. Jason was cleaning out the barn and he was soaked in sweat and thats not the only thing that was soaked. I shook my head and made my way over.

"Morning" I said handing Jason the juice

"your up early, I didn't expect to see you up so early" Jason said as he gulped down that juice

"My mom called me and told me that I can use her car to get to and from the restaurant and I couldn't fall back asleep. Thank you for the breakfast and coffee. I needed that. and sorry about last night I was so tired." I said

"No need to say sorry. Friends don't apologize. I figured you were hungry, I should be there around 4 today." Jason said staring at me.

"I am gonna clean up and then head to the restaurant in the next hour so I can get situated before opening." I said smiling at him. It was like there was something unspoken, something changed between us. I grabbed a set of hay and threw it at him trying to run back in the house.

He saw what I was going to do and ran after me with the hose and grabbed me by the waist before I could reach the stairs to the front door. He started spraying me with water and I pushed myself off of him and grabbed some chicken feed throwing it at him. He was trying to catch me and was chasing me until he pulled my hand and I wasn't expecting that and shifted the wrong way and we went tumbling down with him on top of me with the hose. I was soaked from head to toe. He held my arms above me so I was stuck

"Truce or I am not getting up" He said

"Hmm let me think about it. Truce" I said

We stared at each other with our noses almost touching. Then his phone went off. He got up and helped me up before saying it was Alex. As he walked away I grabbed a bucket of water and threw it at him before running inside. He got off the phone and said "I am gonna get you back, I promise" He said laughing.

I had to change my clothes and I straightened up the house and At around 8:45 I took the car and drove to the restaurant and set up. All the employees showed up and I even had to have 2 more come in. It was pretty busy even busier than yesterday. I kept looking at the door every time it opened expecting it to be Jason. I don't know why my heart keeps beating fast. But I busied myself with waiting tables to pass the time.