Thorin and Fili hadn't see the boy for nearly three more weeks, and the next time they saw him they were surprised to say the least. They had a meeting with some business associates in one of the most expensive restaurants in town called "The Front Porch". It was a beautiful French style restaurant, decorated beautifully and elegantly. It was a popular place but you had to book early, and Thorin had a list of dates when he had a table there. The chef Bombur was famous in town, and despite having many opportunities he stayed in this restaurant because of family ties. His two brothers, Bofur and Bifur worked there as well. The three boys were among the many children taken in by Belladonna Baggins, no one else wanted to take the three of them especially with Bifur being a mute. She treated them as if they were really her children, and soon as they grew old enough to help out they started work in the restaurant. Bombur turned out to be a talented chef, while Bofur was a fantastic front hall manager and Bifur did the accountancy and paperwork. Among the many waiters the two older Luin brothers, Dori and Nori taken in by Bilbo, were working, and both the younger Ori and Frodo were hoping to do the same in the future. Bilbo was a special person, being raised by the eccentric Belladonna he continued the tradition, he took in five boys and gave them a safe home. His favorite was the oldest Kili, an extremely smart boy, and Bilbo was hoping he would eventually take over the restaurant. Even at a young age the boy had talent in the kitchen, but he also was showing signs of being a great manager. But when the boy wanted to get some experience in a different field Bilbo did not dare stop him. Bilbo was worried when the boy was clearly overworked and stressed, but he could not take away the boy's pride of making his own money and being able to pay off the imaginary dept he thought he had. Bilbo never treated it as a dept, Kili was his son in any aspect and he was ready to pay for his studies anyway.
After Bilbo's accident Kili had to step in as the general manager. He knew the job well, after all he started helping out at the age of sixteen. He knew the waiters, the business, the chefs. He knew this job better than anything else in his life.
When he saw Thorin and Fili enter he put on his best professional smile and showed them to the way to their table. He saw surprise on both men's faces but he did not comment or engage into a conversation. The waiter took their orders and they hadn't seen Kili practically until the finished their lunch. As they were going out they saw Kili again and Thorin decisively approached him. Kili motioned them to sit down at a guest sofa in a more private part of the restaurant.
"How's your father doing?" Thorin asked gently.
"He's still in hospital, but the chances are high he will recover." Kili told them slowly in a very serious voice.
"You got a job here?" Thorin asked gently.
"You could say so." Kili replied in his usually curt style.
"Kili!" suddenly a young voice called out. "I've done my homework, can I get started?" A young boy with red haired entered the lounge, he was dressed in a waiter's uniform and he was carrying a notebook and showed it to Kili.
"Get started, but remember not longer than the statutory four hours." Kili informed him dully.
"Whatever you say brother!" The boy replied with a huge smile. "Bofur told me to tell you that Grimes hurt his arm and he's not coming to work tonight!" Kili just sighed deeply hearing that.
"I'll be there in ten." He replied and turned to the two men.
"It's a family business." He told them seeing the curious glare. "Excuse me but I have to step in for the chef, so it's time I get back to work."
"It was nice to see you again." Thorin said.
"Likewise." The boy replied politely but he couldn't wait to run away from them. First time he blessed the chef for not coming that night, at least he would have something to focus on. After leaving the restaurant Fili finally noticed he didn't even use the chance to speak to him, and then he realized the boy didn't even look at him, as if he wasn't there.
Kili felt stressed more than ever, he had the restaurant on his shoulders, he had Ori and Frodo and all school related issues, he had the house and house chores too. He realized Bilbo was doing much more than a normal person could handle, and he realized him changing his job pushed a huge burden onto Bilbo. Kili deeply regretted getting that job and asking Balin for a recommendation. He left Bilbo with lots of duties, and he experienced the best and the most horrible moments of his life. It was a mistake, and being back in the familiar atmosphere in the restaurant was soothing his pain. It was hard to hide, but he changed because of his job at Erebor. He became cold and distant, and the family members were surprised with the change. Kili was trying to hide it but he felt depressed, on one hand he hated his boss and loved him deeply at the same time. That man caused him lots of pain, but Kili felt pain of his broken heart. After a week he realized he couldn't handle all the things he had to, so he pushed all the house duties on Dori and Nori, and asked Balin and Dwalin to keep an eye on Frodo's and Ori's school work. Both men immediately took over driving the boys to school and later would help them with homework. Kili focused on the restaurant, he had to manage the employees and the whole place, it was good he could count on everyone but someone needed to keep an eye on everything.