If you've clicked the link to this story, thanks for doing so. I just wanted to say that the grammar could do with some work. So if you see a mistake, please, please, please, let me know! I'm a perfectionist that way… But I hope you enjoy it all the same.
Just to remind you, this is an alternative universe piece, and has nothing to do with the world of souls, weapons, and meisters. I do not own any of the characters, and neither do I have any affiliation with the organizations mentioned. This is purely fictional work.
Thanks and enjoy!
The minute Maka stepped into the two-story apartment she knew that this was it. It wasn't very often she fell in love with a place so easily, but there was something charming about Port Loamswater that made her feel at ease.
She breathed in the strong smell of new paint and smiled. Maka walked through what would be her new living room and gave a little twirl. It was essential that the place made her feel good. She believed that good atmosphere greatly constituted to one's mood and feelings, and in almost every sense, the place was perfect, modest.
She looked down at the brochure again, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. She nodded her head in approval; with a bit of tweaking here and there, she knew that she would have her dream home in no time. Maka let out a giggle and dashed towards the balcony.
"Wow…" Maka said to herself, breathing in the salty air. The wind caressed her cheeks and swept through her long light brown hair. The lazy boats riding along the rolling waves looked like a postcard, and far off into the distance she could see the coast of California. Maka imagined the sunrise and sunset from her viewpoint, it would be breathtaking and simply romantic. Looking down over the railing, she smiled. She was instantly greeted with Port Loamswater's busy Main Street with its colorful cars and picture- snapping tourists.
It was the perfect weekend getaway from the bustling city. It was only half an hour off the coast, and she was absolutely positive that she and her business would thrive here. Without a second thought, Maka looked over to her real estate agent with a killer watt smile.
"S-so, I take it that it's t-to your liking then?" The scrawny man said timidly. He was wringing his hands nervously and his palms were unbelievably sweaty.
"I'll take it." Maka clasped her hands behind her back. "I'll take it for all it's worth!" She laughed and rushed back inside.
It was a done deal. Maka had already signed all the necessary papers and was more than eager to get going. She was back in Los Angeles in her father's town house, packing up most of her belongings. She had already called the movers and all her furniture was gone. Giddiness bubbled in her stomach at the thought of living alone, away from her womanizing father.
But first, she thought, a snack. And as if on cue, her stomach grumbled. With a shrug, she walked down the brightly lit hallway, passing by walls adorned with expensive contemporary artwork. Maka scoffed, she never understood the appeal of an empty canvas with a dot of paint. There was neither technique nor creativity behind a splatter of color. And it still made her wonder why people, like her father, paid ridiculous amounts of money for something a three year old could do.
In no hurry, she strolled by a number of empty richly furnished guestrooms. She was alone, just the way she liked it. She stepped down the grandeur marble staircase, greatly thankful that her sorry excuse of a father was not there. He always fawned over how beautiful she looked each time she descended from her room.
She rolled her eyes. He was just too much sometimes... Maka shook her head. Scratch that. He was just too much all the time. She remembered how she always made an effort to stay as far away as possible from her father and his… lady friends. A surge of anger coiled up inside of her. She scowled. Men were such pigs. Not all she admitted, but most, and her father definitely topped the list.
Crossing the extremely white and extremely minimalist foyer, she pushed open the swinging doors into the checker-tiled kitchen. Chef Anthony was cooking something that smelled absolutely wonderful.
Maka could feel her mouth watering. There was always something stewing, brewing, or marinating. He wasn't the best Le Cordon Bleu chef for nothing, he'd often tell her with a wink.
His life story was a tale Maka never grew tired of, a poor child in the streets of London pursuing his dreams to be a worldwide chef. The passion, the sweat, and the backbreaking work were what fascinated her. Never had she met someone so hardworking. He was the total opposite of her lazy bachelor father.
In many ways, it was Anthony's story that inspired and drove her to work hard for her own dream, to manage her own coffee shop where guests could relax and enjoy good food. She was quite the cook herself, thanks to Anthony's professional training. And now she was close, so close to reaching her goal.
At the sound of swinging doors, Anthony looked over his shoulder and smiled. Maka always liked it when Anthony smiled. There was kindness and a hint of mischievousness when his clear blue eyes crinkled that way. He was like a second father to her.
"Ah, just the girl I was looking for!" He gleefully beckoned her over to the stove. "Try this. Special recipe of mine, but it's pipin' hot." Anthony carefully dipped the spoon into the pot and let Maka have a taste. A cautious sip later had her squealing in delight.
"It's delicious! What's in it?" She greedily grabbed another spoonful.
"A secret, my dear." Anthony wiggled his eyebrows.
"Mmmm… It would be another great recipe for my menu." Licking her spoon, she gave Anthony a cheeky smile.
"Oh, no you don't. I know exactly what you're doing, you sly little foxy you. And you're not guilt trippin' me into giving you another one of me recipes, you hear?" Anthony set the spoon down and steered her towards the little booth in the corner. He sat her down and leisurely filled her a glass of wine. Wiping his hands, he settled next to her with a glass of his own.
"Anthony, shame on you, it's not even noon!" She said teasingly, giggling as she reached for her glass. She swirled it around before taking a sip.
"'Oh, pish-posh', is what me ma'am would say. It's nice in' it?" Anthony smiled. Maka nodded and took another small sip.
"A… Sauvignon Blanc, right?" Maka guessed, looking at him hopefully.
"Nice try, love, but it's a Chardonnay."
"Same thing…" Maka grumbled. Anthony gave her the stink eye. But then again, maybe not, she decided as she sunk lower into her seat. He laughed and ruffled her hair.
"Alright, enough of that. Now tell me, love, about the movers."
Maka's eyes lit up instantly. "Well, I leave the day after tomorrow. It's such a charming place! You'd love it, Port Loamswater. Quite touristy actually, which will be great business for my coffee shop. It's perfect, it's right below the apartment. I'll take you there when everything's set up."
"Sounds good," Anthony gave a little wink, "Oh, I'll miss you." Anthony shook his head sadly. "What am I going to do when the boss brings in one of the lady friends? No one else will be willin' to put laxatives into their foods except for you, love."
Maka laughed loudly at that. "Oh, remember that one time we accidently put rat poison in, what's her name's food… Courtney! Her dessert thinking that it was salt instead of sugar? I always did wonder who switched the salt with the rat poison…" Maka grinned.
Anthony snorted. "Oh yes, darling, with that Cheshire cat of a smile, I really wonder who switched the two." His sarcasm had her batting her lashes at him innocently. He gave a hearty laugh and pulled her into a hug. "I'm really going to miss you." Maka squeezed him tightly. She was going to miss him too, she thought sadly.
Well that's all for now. Chapter two will be up hopefully soon…?