Allie has just survived another stress-wrenching day at college. She wiped her forehead in emphasis and exhaled with relief. "I wonder if Maddie's home?" thought Allie. She went out of the elevator in a hurry, rushing to their apartment door. She hastily took her keys out and opened the door.

No one was home.

Figures.

Maddie was rarely home now she kept herself occupied with her job as a waitress.

Allie sighed and flung her backpack on the sofa. She was hungry and went to look for something to eat. She looked through the fridge and felt disappointed. She might have to cook something since she couldn't find any leftovers. She remembered she and Maddie had eaten them up a few days ago.

Allie wished she could have a burger. Yeah, yeah, she knew they were bad for her and would make her fat and all that, but it was Allie's most favorite food. She tried to eat one any chance she could get. France didn't have a lot of McDonald's and the nearest one Allie had noticed was pretty far away. Allie took a shower and changed into some new clothes. She was going to eat out.

Allie was going to go to that bar she noticed a few days ago. She wasn't going to drink or anything, but she heard from a college friend their food was really good. She usually tried out her friends' suggestions and recommendations, to see how they were. The bar was called 'The Wine Rose'. Allie looked at the sign for a moment and went in. There was a musty smell in the air of wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks. Allie scrunched her nose at the strong, pungent smell. The bar was dark, and the lights were dimmed. The bar was decorated in rich deep purples and reds, an elegant touch to the bar. It also hosted cushy chocolate-brown sofas that would make you sink a little when you sat on the cushions.

Allie had never went to a bar before because her parents had cautioned her on the dangers of going to one and Maddie always telling her of all the mishaps that could happen in one. But here she was, hungry and thirsty, and she just wanted something good to eat and something cold to drink, non-alcoholic, of course, she was still underage and she wasn't interested in drinking.

She noticed a drink counter and a few seats open. A young, blonde man stood wiping the insides of dirty glasses. Mm, he looked yummy. Hot too. Allie thought she could flirt with him a little and get something nice to eat and drink, too.

"Excuse me?" she called. The man looked up at her. "Ack! I forgot, this man might be French and he might not know English! Stupid, I forgot again!" Allie thought with frustration when those two words left her lips automatically. "Yes? Is there something you need?" the man asked. "Oh! He speaks English! Thank God."

"Um, are you a waiter, sir?" Allie asked.

"No, I'm a bartender, miss, but if you'd like, I could serve you, I guess," the man replied.

"He has a really hot English accent! Those accents are oh so smexy!" Allie thought with glee. She tried to keep the squeal that was trying to escape her lips.

The man flopped a menu in front of Allie, which sent a wave of air flying to Allie's face which her brought her back to reality. The man waited, still cleaning glasses. Allie wanted something filling, but light at the same time. She looked through the choices. The choices on the menu were written in French but there were English translations on it too, with translations of other languages Allie didn't recognize.

"Uh, could I suggest their roast ham sandwiches?" the man said politely.

Allie looked up at him.

"I-i-if you don't like ham, uh, sorry…"

Allie guessed most people turned down the suggestions of the Englishman.

"No, I like ham, I'd like to try that, please," Allie said.

"Oh, ok, then what would like to drink?" the man asked, recovering from his fluster. "Are you old enough to drink?"

"No," Allie replied. "I don't want anything alcoholic."

The man simply nodded. He was really hot, and had very bushy eyebrows Allie noticed. His hair was a deep blonde and it was slightly spiky, His eyes were a brilliant emerald color and they shone when the dim lights hit them. He also had a smexy smile too. His bartender uniform was stylish yet formal-looking, it kind of looked like what a butler would wear. A pure white dress shirt tied with a navy blue tie, topped off with a silky black vest, a short black apron, black dress pants, and shiny black dress shoes. He wore a lot of black, but isn't that what bartenders usually wore?

"Do you have Coca-Cola?" Allie asked. The man nodded. "Then that's all I want, please, thanks."

"No problem," he replied. "Just wait here your order will come soon."

"Ok."

Allie sat on the counter's seat. She gazed around at her surroundings. The bar was actually quite peaceful, not like those hardcore ones with all the…you know…bad stuff. But maybe it will turn that way at night…and Allie definitely wasn't coming here at night. It seemed like most people were just chilling but some people here did seem to have ulterior motives on their minds. Allie began feeling a little sick and turned away, looking at the countertop and keeping a close eye on her purse and surroundings.

Soon, the waiter came back with her order. He placed a steaming plate in front of her and placed the glass of soda carefully on the counter. "Enjoy," the man said politely.

Allie nodded happily and thanked him. He turned away to help a customer.

Allie began eating the sandwiches. There were four on a plate. And they looked really delicious.

She took a bite. They were really good! Well, the French were very proud of their cuisine, after all. She ate the sandwiches away in no time. She then was almost finished with her soda when the bartender came to check on her. "Is everything ok?" he asked.

"Yup! Everything's great," Allie replied. "Thanks." The man nodded, his face showed a bit of his happiness and relief. "I'm glad." Allie soon was done with her Coca-Cola and asked for the check.

The man returned with her check and Allie paid him. She then gave him a rather large tip. "A-a-ah! Um, you don't have to, really," the man said, flustered. "No, really, you gave me really good service, you deserve it, thank you," Allie said, with a bright smile. "Ok, you're welcome, then," the man replied. "Please come again."

"I will, see ya!" Allie said and headed out. With her mind fresh again and her stomach full, she walked around the street looking for 'Help Wanted' signs in shop windows. Allie was a few blocks away from the bar but then she saw a really beautiful shop that caught her eye. It was a flower shop called 'The Flower Haven Boutique'. And there was a 'Help Needed Sign' leaning inside the shop's window! "C-c-could this be fate? Was I destined to work here? And the job doesn't look crappy or boring at all!" thought Allie, her eyes widening every second. "Yes! I'm gonna work here! Go me, yeah!"

Allie walked quietly through the door. But her insides were full of celebration noises! She turned to the counter where an attractive-looking lady was handling a crate of seedlings. "May I help you?" she asked with a warm smile. Wow, this lady's really pretty!" was all Allie could think at that moment. "Um, I would like to work here, I saw the 'Help Needed' sign outside on the window."

"Ah, yes, we do need some extra help around here, do we? Gilbert here is not really what you'd say 'multitask man', right?" the lady said, looking directly at a completely silver-haired man balancing different pots of flowers. "I try to do my best here, alright?" the man cried, glaring at the lady. The lady turned back to Allie. "Sure, would you please come and help us next Monday if that's alright with you?" the lady asked. "Yeah, I'll be there!" Allie said happily. She didn't need a portfolio or anything!

"I'm Elizabeta Hedervary, and this is Gilbert Beilschmidt, who sometimes helps me out," the lady said. Gilbert came up in front of Allie and said, "Hey there! Nice to meet you…?" Gilbert started. "I'm Allie F. Jones," Allie said, nodding. "Oh! Then I'll call you Al, then," Gilbert said, laughing.

Elizabeta rolled her eyes. They both held out their hands. "Nice to meet you, Allie, we're glad you'll be working here from here on." "Nice to meet you guys, too!" Allie said, happy she was accepted into the job. Wait until she hears about this! She would be so proud of her!

"Thanks again for hiring me, when would you like me to come?" Allie thanked Elizabeta. "Oh, please come somewhere around 4:30 PM would be good, is that alright with you?" Elizabeta said, tapping her chin. "Yup! That's perfect! See you then!" Allie said going out the door. At the corner of her eye, she could see Elizabeta smiling happily and Gilbert flashing a huge grin at her.

Time to head home! It was only 4:46 PM, but Allie had a lot of homework to do and she wanted to tell Maddie the great news. She thought that Maddie would probably not be home but oh well.

Allie took the keys from her purse and unlocked their apartment door. Maddie was sitting on the sofa, watching TV. "Maddie? You're home early for once," Allie said with a smirk. Maddie looked her sister's way. "Oh, I was getting a bad headache and the manager let me go home early," Maddie. "I feel bad for causing her trouble."

Allie shrugged. "Not your fault, your body's for giving you a headache." Maddie sighed and sunk her head onto a sofa pillow. It was very soft and she felt sleepy for a moment. "Why did you get a headache in the first place?" Allie asked. "Ah~ That French dude came as he said, and he drove me nuts, I tell you," Maddie mumbled into her pillow. Allie's face lit up. She dropped her purse and ran to her sister. She slapped her sister's back in triumph, and boy did it hurt. "YEOW!" cried Maddie and she bounced in pain on the sofa.

"What was that for?" Maddie squealed, rubbing her now sore back. "You are so dang lucky, sis!" Allie said, gasping from joy. "What? Why?" Maddie exclaimed. "Well, 'cause some cool, possibly hot French dude checkin' you out, my dearest sister," Allie replied proudly, twirling her finger. "Uh…" Maddie said. "Welp, whatever! I need to get my homework done, the teachers put a ton down on us today," Allie sighed. "Want me to help?" Maddie asked.

"Please?" Allie pleaded. "Yeah, yeah, I suggested it first, didn't I?" Maddie said sighing and giggling. "Ok, so what do you want me to help you with?" Maddie asked. "These…" Allie pointed to a whole list of calculus problems. "Uh…ok, fine," Maddie said.

And so for the rest of the evening, Maddie helped her sister with her homework with breaks in between with snacks and an early dinner.