ONLY FOR YOU

AUTHOR GREY

EPISODE 1

BELLA

I painted on a smile as the next customer came to

order. But inside, I was sighing in exhaustion. I

really needed a better job. I had to pay my rent

soon and I had already asked for an extension. My

landlord was really stingy about these types of

things, so I had to hurry up and get the money in,

or I would be kicked out of the flat, with no where

else to go.

I would be getting my pay check today, and finally

would be able to pay my landlord the rent. He had

been bugging me about it for days now and swore

that he would kick me out if I didn't get it to him

today.

I closed my eyes, trying to get a little bit of

mental rest, once I had given the customer his

coffee and thought about how much easier life

would be if my past wasn't as twisted as it was.

My parents had abandoned me as a three year old,

they decided that they couldn't look after me, so

they dropped me off at the park by our house and

left, letting me play for hours with other kids.

When it started to rain, and everyone started to

leave, a couple of families noticed I had no

parents looking after me, and so they took me to

police. Since then, I had been in and out of foster

care, with families and in care homes. Nobody

seemed to want me.

When I was 18, I moved out of the home once

and for all and got my own apartment. I was no

longer under the care of social services.

School was never really the best place for me. I

got through with average grades, but whilst some

students were bunking off, and whilst some were

working hard in Math and Science, my heart lay

with the Arts.

Although I got mainly Bs and a few As in most

subjects, I always had a strong love and passion

for all Art forms. I loved to paint and draw, but

more so, I loved to sing.

However, I never managed to pursue my passions.

After school I went to a decent university, to try

and study, but with bills, life style and fees, I

couldn't afford to continue and dropped out a

couple of years into it.

At twenty one I still hadn't found a job I loved, and

was working in a cafe/diner thing near where I

lived. A job at a cafe didn't pay much money, so

whenever I could I would go out onto the streets

and busk, taking my guitar with me.

I had to sell quite a lot of things to get to where I

was, but I could never let go of my guitar. Its

worn strings and its scratched wood, was

comforting to me. I knew every groove in the

wood, and every chip on the base. I loved that

guitar with all my heart and could never even think

of letting it go.

I wanted to be able to sing freely, or paint and

make a living out of it. I wanted to do what I

loved, but I hadn't had that break. I had auditioned

for commercials and other singing competitions. I

had performed in bars and restaurants, but I hadn't

been found. Not yet. Though I was determined to

do what I loved. I had to.

I started to wipe down the counters as the cafe

came to closing time. I was starting to clean the

coffee machine, when the bell on the door tinkered

and someone came in making my mind swarm

with irritation. Did they not see the closed sign.

I sighed and looked up bored. 'Sorry sir, the cafe

is closed,' I said tiredly.

The man was quite handsome, but he had a sour

glare on his face, which was beginning to piss me

off. He was dressed in a formal suit, so he had

probably come straight from work.

'What do you mean, you're closed, it's two pm,' he

said looking at his watch, and still glaring at me.

His tone was angry and he looked really irritated.

I sighed frustrated, I knew it didn't make sense,

but the owner was lazy, and on Sundays, they

would close the shop at two, even though she

could probably make more money if she kept it

open longer. 'Yes, I know, but on Sundays, we

close at two,' I said.

He rolled his eyes, 'That makes no sense. I

wanted my lunch, so I came here.'

'I'm sorry sir, but I really can't help you, the

kitchen is closed,' I said,using all my might to be

as polite as possible.

He narrowed his eyes and leaned in closer from

the counter, his face only inches from mine. 'Do

you know who I am?' he growled, glaring at me

angrily.

I stepped back and narrowed my eyes. 'No I don't,

and I don't care either, now can you please-'

'What is going on in here?' We turned

simultaneously to see my boss, coming out from

the back. 'Bella, we are closed!'

'I know, I'm just trying to explain that to this...

gentleman,' I said through gritted teeth. He was

anything but a gentleman.

My boss turned to him, and her eyes widened.

'M-Mr H-Hawkes!' she stuttered, rushing up to him

as he smirked at me.

I raised an eyebrow, who was this man? Hawkes?

The name sounded familiar?

'What- I mean- Why- I mean, how can I help?' she

stuttered pathetically. I looked at her in complete

confusion. She never served anyone after closing

time, she'd just kick them out.

'But-' I started.

'Bella!' she cut me off and glared at me, before

turning to Hawkes and smiling nervously again.

'I'm so sorry. Was she bothering you?' she asked.

He smirked at me, as I looked at her

incredulously. Why was she sucking up to him so

much. Yeah, he was good looking, but I was pretty

sure she was married.

Then again, I wouldn't put it past her to be

interested in other men. She was that type of a

person. 'Actually,' he started, giving me a look that

made my stomach drop, 'Your employee here

denied me a meal. She, instead of offering

services declined to help me, and then suggested

that I join her in the bathrooms to "have a good

time".'

My jaw dropped. He did not just say that. That

was sneaky and underhanded, and it was entirely

untrue.

He smirked at me, whilst my boss glared daggers

through me, looking down at me like I was dirt, 'I

didn't!' I defended, 'I-'

'Shut up!' she snarled, her head held high in fury, 'I

saw how close you were standing to him at the

counter. Bella, you're fired!'

'But!'

'No. No pay-check. Get out, right now.'

I scoffed, and glared at the Hawkes guy, before

taking off my apron and pulling the hairnet off my

head, shaking out my hair. I turned and picked up

my bags from under the counter and narrowed my

eyes at him as I went to leave the shop, whilst my

boss started to usher in the man.

'Now, Mr Hawkes, let me get you a table.' she

smiled widely, as she pulled out a chair for him,

dusting off the invisible dirt.

I covered my scoff and walked to the door, only

stopping still as I heard her continue, 'What is

such a wonderful business man like yourself doing

here?'

I froze to a halt as I suddenly realised who this

man was and what all the fuss was about.

Hawkes. William Hawkes. The business man that

our city was crazy about.

I turned away from them, scoffing as I shook my

head and left the cafe, the bell above the door

ringing as I slammed it shut behind me.