Hello(: Some people felt nothing 'romantic' happened in the first chapter - but seriously? I don't think a story should rush into romance at the very first chapter. I feel first chapters should set up the story and should work at a nice pace, setting up the conflict before jumping in. So, I'm sorry that the first chapter didn't have enough of a 'romantic' feel for you guys. But anyways, here's Chapter Two. Enjoy!
For Someone So Quiet, You Sure Are Nosey:
I sat at the round table in ‘the lounge’ with Bianca, Alicia, and my friend Candice. I ate a ceaser salad that I got from the pizza shop down the street, Bianca had a meatball sub, Candice ate yellow cheese as always, and as a treat, Bianca and I bought Alicia a slice of New York’s best pizza.
“Thank you for the slice.” Alicia quietly appreciated the treat, taking a bite of it. Melted, stringy cheese traveled from her pizza to her mouth and Alicia’s eyes grew wide and hoped in her seat as the hot cheese burned her lips. Candice, Bianca, and I laughed at this image. Alicia’s cheeks became pink and she set her pizza down, swallowing her food.
“Don’t worry, last week Bianca fell out of her chair when Nathanael walked in.” I informed. Alicia’s flushing pink disappeared and all that remained was curiosity.
“Who’s Nathanael?” She asked, taking another bite of her pizza. Bianca looked out the window, Candice hung her head and I set my fork down.
“Nathanael is Bianca’s ex. He’s really sweet and a photographer here at the post. They were keeping their relationship a secret since we aren’t supposed to get involved with others here at work, but then Nathanael was trying to get a picture to prove this actress was cheating on her husband… and well you should know what happened next.” I trailed off, looking at Bianca. She gave me a smile to tell me it was alright that I informed Alicia with such detail.
“He took a picture of her naked?” Alicia asked, lost.
“He had sex with her.” Bianca snapped. I sighed and felt terrible for bringing the subject up.
“…Do you still like him?” Alicia poked more at the subject, pushing her half eaten pizza away from her. Bianca glared at Alicia who shut her gaped mouth.
“Wow, for someone so quiet, you sure are nosey.” Candice defended Bianca.
“Well, that’s why she’s here, isn’t it? Journalists are nosey. What about you Candice, why don’t you tell Alicia why you’re here.” I jabbed at Candice. Candice smirked at me, her green eyes twinkling. Candice ruffled her spiked pink hair and leaned forward.
“Want to know why I’m here, princess?” She asked Alicia, using a pet name that made Alicia snarl. “I wanted to know if my college professor was banging someone behind my back. I did time for snooping files and he accused me of bribing him for a better grade when the real story is that he just wanted to get away from that tight ass wife of his.” Candice winked. Alicia’s jaw hung open in disbelief and Bianca and I smiled, knowing the story already. “I wanted revenge when I was released eight months later, so I came to Sir. He liked my determination and snoopiness, he wanted me as a journalist stat. I posted the article and professor was left with out a job and wife.” I always laughed at that part and Bianca came up with her line she always said after the story.
“Yeah, and we all know she still sees him from time to time.” Candice rolled her eyes and leaned back.
“Yeah - most journalists here have a background story that defines who they are and why they wanted to be a journalist.” I stated, taking a bite of my salad.
“Yeah, I’m here because I’m an army brat and I knew just about everything about what’s going on over in Iraq. I‘ve lost all contact from my family for that one.” Bianca smiled.
“That’s another thing - in doing so, we always have to sacrifice something. For Candice, it was her reputation. For Bianca, it was her family.”
“What did you sacrifice?” Alicia looked at me. I looked down at my plate and didn’t respond.
“Avril, here, is a little angel. She’s sacrificed nothing and we don’t think she ever will. She’s just good at what she does.” Candice answered for me, patting my arm. I laughed and took the last bite of my food.
“So what did you sacrifice, Alicia?” Bianca asked, teasing her. No one really comes out with what they had to do, they take their time. I smirked and Candice waited patiently. Alicia rolled her eyes and huffed.
“You guys are so… nosey! Can’t you mind your own business?” Alicia’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Wow. You sound like the lawyer I interviewed last week - that ended with a kiss, kiss, bang, bang.”
Candice winked. Bianca and I laughed and Alicia got up to walk away from the table. We all laughed and then dismissed as lunch was coming to an end.
“Sorry about earlier, Candice is a bit straight forward.” I walked out of the office with Alicia. She was starting to get a hang of things around the Post, she even flirted today in the narrow hallways with one of the editors, Shane.
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t have been so nosey.” She quietly stated as we walked into the elevator and hit L for lobby.
“Nah, you’re a journalist now! You’re supposed to be nosey.” I laughed, walking out into the streets where smoke fog sprayed from drain wholes in the streets. My stilettos clicked against the sidewalk and I stopped by one of the newspaper stands.
“What is it?” Alicia turned around to walk back where I stood. I pulled a paper off the rack and looked at the cover: a picture of Lucifer D’alle. “Who is that?”
“Lucifer D’alle. One of the most richest men in the world. No one knows how he got his money or what he does for a living, he’s just insanely rich and he disgusts me to no end.” I stared down at the black hair, caramel eyed man. He was unbelievably gorgeous in my opinion, everything a man should be and look like. Manors, good income, good looks, and respect. I tossed the paper back on the rack and kept walking.
“Why?” Alicia started to follow, confused.
“He’s… well, I once wanted to interview him but he’s just too busy to see anyone. What does he do all day long? Every time there is a story about him, there is no resources or quotes. He’s completely invisible to the public. No one ever sees him, only photographers get a candid photo every once in a while. Then he appears on shows like no big deal with his English accent and talks about how he wants the world to just go about their day worrying about him - what makes him so goddamn special?” I was frustrated, Lucifer made me frustrated.
“Well, you’re technically worrying about him now.” Alicia pointed out quietly. I ignored her comment and kept walking. “So, when will I get my first story?”
“When Sir assigns you one.” I stated, hauling a cab to take me back to my apartment.
“Can I ask for a certain topic or story? You know, like Bianca writes about Iraq?” Alicia asked as a cab slowed down in front of me.
“If Sir thinks your worth it.” I shrugged, entering the cab.
Making about thirty-five grand a year in the journalist business is pretty good in my opinion. Next year, I’ll be making forty. It all counts with experience and knowledge. Coming along with all the money I’m paid, and my side job at the crab house on weekends which gives me three hundred a week, makes me able to buy this one bedroom apartment in New York City. The fifth floor apartment was perfect for me - about twenty minutes away from work.
I kicked off my black stilettos when I walked in the door. After locking it, I walked back to my bedroom to remove my pin striped dress pants and button up quarter sleeved shirt. I placed on the khaki pants and red polo. I grabbed socks and a pair of Nike’s to place over my feet. I then took my curled hair and put it up in a pony tail, taking out the diamond burette that my mother gave me that held my bangs back. I grabbed my keys and walked back out the door, out onto the streets, and was on my way to the crab house that was down the block.
“Hey, Avril.” Charlie smiled. Charlie was the cook of the crab house and I was a waitress.
“Hello, Charlie.” I smiled, grabbing a waist apron off the rack to place around my waist.
“You have tables-”
“-five, eleven, and twenty. I know.” I winked. Charlie laughed and checked the steaming crabs in the pot on the stove.
“Where’s Ellen?” I asked. Ellen was the other cook in the kitchen and was also Charlie’s wife.
“She’s out back getting lobsters.” I nodded and walked out the kitchen door to take my tables.
I sat down in the table in the kitchen, eating some crab soup the Ellen made me. I had about twenty minutes left of my shit before I was able to go home and sleep.
“How was work today?” Ellen asked, sitting down in front of me. Work was closing up and most people left were the ones at the bar.
“It was different, we had a new girl. Her name’s Alicia. Candice doesn’t really like her.” I smiled, thinking back to the teasing today during lunch.
“Sounds like Candice. Well, I need to get back to cleaning up, hun.” I nodded and Ellen walked away.
“Avril, one of your tables is taken.” My manager called out from the door. I looked up and then out to the tables in the seating area. My mouth formed an ‘o’ shape and I quickly scooted out of my chair and to the table. Lucifer D’alle was sitting in table eleven.
“Hi, welcome to the crab house. I’m Avril and I will be your waitress for tonight. Is there anything I can get you to start off?” I got my pen and pad ready. Lucifer didn’t look like his normal self. He had a hood up and the dark bags that usually formed his eyes were gone. He wore tattered jeans and a jacket. He obviously put in colored lenses to change his caramel eyes to blue, but that didn’t matter.
“I’ll start off with a water.” I wrote down the drink and started to walk away when he called out.
“Avril? Can I ask you something?” I turned around to walk back up to him. “Do you know who I am?”
“Why should I? Are you more special than everyone else in the world?” I retorted, hoping to stab at him. He pissed me off, I couldn’t help it.
“That’s good, thank you.” He smiled, obviously he thought I didn’t know who he was.
“You’re welcome.” I nodded and headed off to get his water.
At the end of his dinner, Lucifer paid me a very generous tip and as he got up to walk out, I stopped him.
“Thank you, Mr. D’alle.” I smiled. Lucifer looked at me with wide eyes and started to come towards me, but I walked off into the kitchen before he could do or say anything.
hehe & oooh did I notice the word conflict ... ooh, will be keeping my eye on this 
hehe
