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In a dark room with star-gazing eyes that were glued to the navy blue sky above, continued to sit on a balcony and think. They considered some ways to make better of themselves; ways to try and keep their thoughts positive, ways to see the good and bad in the people that surrounded them. Her thoughts became disturbed by a dripping sound near by. The dripping had been going on for hours, from the sink in the one-bedroom apartment on Maine Street.

The woman's emerald green orbs continued to stargaze, as though if she didn't have the image ingrained in her mind, she may never be able to see this sky again. After a while, a cluster of curls flew into her view from the late-fall air; crisp and refreshing. Being snapped out of the indulgence of the nature around her, the alarm clock screeched beside her bed, reading 5:30 A.M.

'No sleep again...' She thought with weariness, and slid out of the metal chair, with a squeak of the weight being lifted off. She trudged inside, opened the sliding door with another shriek, and straggled her way to the bathroom. Cold water rushed from the showerhead, as she stepped beneath it, waking up her overworked form more.

Again, her thoughts began to strayed, as these were the thoughts that kept her up at night. Anxiety that ate away at the Mediterranean 24-year-old's soul. Eventually, she was able to cut off the thinking once she switched on the radio that sat atop the toilet, and blasted some classic rock to drown out the voices. Once she finished in her artic shower, she stepped out and dried her body off and hair.

She studied herself in the mirror and began to nitpick at herself. She could see the light bags developed under her lids, as she shook her head. She clutched her hair dryer and pushed it to start blow. She hummed to the music softly that played, as she dried her hair until her curls were a frizzy disarray. She smiled and wrapped them up in a huge bun, and started into her bedroom.

She clutched the lavender shirt, black jeans, and a gray apron for her job. She slithered a sweatshirt over her body to keep warm from the gnawing fall air and sighed in comfort from the feeling.

She was set to leave the small, and slightly dark, apartment. She shoved her five and a half size feet into her sneakers, she verified herself in the mirror one more time, and concluded she looked decent enough and left her shabby apartment. The walls rattled behind her as the door slammed. She locked it up and head down the steps.

Whistling and swirling her keys on her finger, as she sauntered to the bus stop. Seeing it coming up, she quickened her pace, rammed her hand into her pocket, pulled out the exact change, and waited in the line. Once she finally stepped on, she poured the quarters into the small plastic box, and head to the back seats. Sitting next to an old man, his beard longer than her own hair, snored loudly beside her. She looked at her watch, already reading 6:30, knowing she'd make it work on time.

After a 20-minute ride, she walked two blocks and unlocked a small, but popular, diner named "Coffee Corner". Finding her way to the back of the proportionately sized establishment, she put her keys and wallet in a small locker.

She walked up to the front and opened the small setup, greeting customers as they walked in. Her employees began to flood in as well, starting to take orders, her day seemed like no other, not minding the clutter of people and accepting the rude and inferior tippers. She made good money in a small amount of time, never splitting tips with her employees.

Everyone made their tips with what tables they took, deserving every penny they worked hard for. Her eyes always lingered to the men ogling the 5'1 woman, as she found it silly they were attracted to the disaster that owned the building.

Once the morning rush had ended around 10:30, the sun came to a higher peak in the sky. She took a seat behind the counter, cleaning up a little, as the small bell on the door rung, signaling a customer had walked in.

She looked over, a smile formed on her lips, as a well-suited man came through the cream colored door. His tall 6'4 stature strutted over time the counter and his well- built frame fitting nicely in his navy blue suit. His stormy grey eyes looked over the diner, landing on the owner as he took a seat.

"Black coffee and a blueberry muffin." The small woman looked at the male and blinked a little at his rough tone and demand, but got him what he asked for. She began to clean a little more but could see from the corner of her eye as the man watched her every movement. Naturally, this wouldn't bother her, but from how professional he dressed and had a clean shave. She did fear him a little from his stern look and his rough and demanding voice. But, couldn't deny he was well-looking and groomed. She walked back over to him after a few minutes, asking if he wanted anything.

"Just the check and also if I can buy this diner." He simply stated, tipping his head back to finish the rest of the coffee. She raised a brow, and handed him his check and leaned against the counter.

"It's not for sale, " she indicated and leaned her chin into the palm of her hands.

"But you are-

"I'll give you $80,000, I won't change too much of it, and keep you employed as my vice president of this diner." The man quickly interrupted, crossing his arms over his chest, as the sun-kissed woman smiled more.

"Not enough." She attested, as the man raised a brow, but she could tell a small smirk played on his lips.

"$52,000 and you get 65% of the income." He continued to push, as she shook her head again.

"Can I have a card?" She asked, knowing if he was able to stash out this amount just for her small diner, he must own a company. He handed her a business card, reading 'Hamelton Incorporation' and his name being Alistair Hamelton written on the card in a fancy font.

"Well, nice to meet you, Mr. Hamelton, I'm Rosalinda Scott. These offers are very generous for just a corner establishment, but I have more customers to get to. But, if you'd like anything else, ask one of my employees or myself." She informed, stuffing the card into her pocket and walked off with a hum, cleaning off tables. But, she could feel a presence behind her, as she figured who it was.

"The money you must save now and the amount we make together you could be able to retire by next year! This corner diner and street are so popular and you probably make a great income, live in a nice house with your husband-" The woman began to roar with laughter from his words, as she turned to him with a tray full of dirty dishes on her hips.

"Mr. Hamelton, I am just a simple woman with a simple diner. I do not plan on selling it to some big corporation. Sorry, but not sorry." She shrugged, walking around him. His frown deepened in his olive-colored face, as his eyes hardened. He simply sat down at the counter again and ordered a coffee from one of her employees. They nodded and grabbed him another cup.

The day continued on, lunch rush came in and left as if time was too quick to catch. Finally, she had her employees leave at 4:30, as she told them she'd see them tomorrow. She locked up, but once she turned she jumped in fear when Alistair was right up her behind.

"Mr. Hamelton, nothing can change-"

"How about I make this a worldwide chain and I only take 30%?" He cut short, as he smiled knew he caught her. But, Rosalinda simply shook her head and rested her hands on her curved hips, his eyes following her gestures.

"My eyes are up here, and again, no thank you. Now, if you don't mind, you can stay, but I'm going to clean up." She walked past him, his face a soft pink from how she realized where is gaze was. She then headed into the kitchen, as she finished the rest of the dishes and mopped.

She finished around 5:45 P.M. and walked over to the man with a side quiff and classic tampered sides, one of her favorite cuts. She could see his hair well from the top, as his head was down a little as he looked at emails. She simply ran her hand through his hair to fix it, as he froze from the sudden touch. She smiled and pulled her hand away, as he looked up at her with wide, grey eyes.

"I wanted to fix it." The adolescent giggled and rocked on her heels. He nodded slowly and leaned back in the booth in thought.

"How can I convince you?" He complained, as shrugged and smiled.

"Find me something to love more than my diner. I mean, I've made a name for myself and I love this place with all my heart." She chirped as he slumped in the seat more.

"Now, can we go? I have grocery shopping to do and I don't think you'd like to spend the night here." She smirked, as the man stood tall and looked down at her.

"I'll be seeing you again soon," he told her, and headed to the door. He took his car keys out, as Rosalinda laughed and shook her head. She directed herself outside and shivered a little from the chilled air, as she rubbed her arms to stay warm. She locked up the diner behind her and turned to watch him walk to his car.

"Okay, don't miss me too much and come running back." She joked a little but was serious. She didn't want to hear about his negotiations every day. She waved and began to walk down the street.

Alistair watched the Mediterranean woman head down the road. He found her...Riveting. He offered so much to her, but she declined it because...Because of how much she loved the diner? If she loved it so much, she'd want more of them all over the world! The businessman scoffed, shook his head, and got into his AST-V Coupe Cadillac. He sped down the road, passed her, as he was confused as to why she got on a bus, but dropped the question. He knew any better, he'd ask himself about it all night and never sleep.

He was going to get this "Coffee Corner".

Even if he did have to let go of his ego a little and tame her trust.

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