Before it could turn into another argument, I cut in.
"The CEO of Donovan Industries offered me a job."
The table went dead silent. Lina's mouth fell open.
"Say that again," Lina said slowly.
"He wants me to work as a housekeeper. For his grandsons."
"And?"
"I said no."
"You what?!" They both gasped. One was a high-pitched shriek, the other was a low, threatening rumble.
"I rejected it."
Lina shot up. "Eli! You get to see hot heirs every day and you said no?"
"Sit down," Amelie ordered.
"I will not…"
"I said sit."
Lina dropped back into her chair immediately. She leaned back, and folded her arms. "You rejected a job from one of the richest men in the country."
"Yes."
"You would never worry about money again."
"I know."
"You could move out."
"I know."
Her eyes narrowed. "Then why, silly? Why reject it?"
"Because something about it wasn't right," I said, rubbing my neck. "It didn't feel like a job. It felt like stepping into a trap I couldn't walk out of. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I don't have anything left to fall back on."
"What do you mean?" Lina asked.
I hesitated. "Kane took all my savings."
Lina slammed her hand on the table. "He stole your money??"
"Yeah."
"That…."Her face turned bright red. "That stupid, useless, annoying…"
"Let it out," Amelie chuckled.
"Fuck shi!" Lina snapped at the air, though her anger was mostly just adorable pouting. "I swear, one day I will actually fight him."
"Are you this angry," Amelie smirked, "because he keeps flirting with you?"
Lina made a disgusted sound so loud a few people turned to look. "Ewww."
She actually gagged. "I would rather kiss a frog. Not even a prince turning frog," she added. "A regular, slimy, frog."
I burst out laughing, when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I stared at the screen for a second. Then let out a dry laugh. "Speak of the devil."
"What did the asshole say?"
I read it out. "Dad is coming home tomorrow. Mom said you should clean the house and move your things back before he comes."
"Yikes!" Lina patted my shoulder.
Amelie shook her head slightly. "Bold," she murmured. "Very bold for a thief to issue commands. Perhaps you'd like to see what else he can lose. Like a finger. Or his peace of mind."
I locked my phone and dropped it on the table. "He's coming back tomorrow," I said quietly.
Lina softened. "Your dad?"
I nodded. "I haven't seen him in a year."
I dropped my head. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to say to him." My chest tightened.
Lina reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Hey." Her voice softened. "You don't have to figure everything out in one day."
Amelie didn't say anything for a moment. She just stared at her coffee. "If he's worth anything as a father," she said calmly, "he'll be the one trying to fix things. Not you."
I glanced at her.
That was… surprisingly comforting.
Lina nodded quickly. "Exactly! Total facts. And if he's not…"She shrugged. "Then we'll deal with that too."
"We?" I raised a brow.
"Obviously we," she said. "You're stuck with me."
"Unfortunately."
Lina let out a dramatic gasp, pressing a hand to her chest. "I take back every nice thing! Go suffer in your lonely tower, you meanie!"
Amelie snorted quietly. "If you want, I can speed up the 'suffering' part."
The bell near the counter rang. Break time over. Of course.
Lina stood up, grabbing her bag and flipping her mirror open. She checked her reflection, blowing herself a kiss before snapping it shut. "I should go before your boss throws me out for being too fabulous."
"She might," I said.
"She'll likely just call an exorcist," Amelie corrected.
Lina just giggled and blew me a kiss. "You'll be okay, Eli! I feel it in my soul!"
I nodded, helpless against that level of her enthusiasm. "Yeah."
She waved at us as she walked off. "Text me if anything happens!"
"Sure."
"And don't become rich and forget me!"
"I won't."
I watched her disappear into the crowd. Then leaned back in my chair, exhaling. "My life is a mess."
Amelie picked up her drink, and took a slow sip. Her eyes stayed locked on me, devoid of emotions. "Life is always messy," she said, calmly. "Like trying to scrub blood out of hardwood. You think you've cleaned it up, but it always leaves a stain, and eventually, the floorboards rot anyway."
I turned to her, a cold prickle crawled up my neck. "That's not comforting."
"I'm not comforting."