Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

Nelson seethed as she left his office. Her attempts at talking to him, trying to make him introduce himself, made him all the more angry. How could she be so two faced? All timid, shy and helpless st Adam's house while in reality she was a talkative girl who had mastered the art of seduction. He didn't bother to drink the coffee that she brought in, his mind already full of wrong judgement based upon Adam's words.

Annalise walked up to Greg and cleared her throat. She didn't usually interact much with any guy at the restaurant since she didn't want to encourage them in any way. Today, however she had to ask Greg the name of her green-eyed savior. Greg turned and a sly grin spread on his face as he looked at her with interest.

"Hey Annalise, do you want to say something to me?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes, do we have a new employee?" She asked, gesturing towards Nelson's office.

"You mean Nelson? No he is..." he started but a customer came in and he had to work on his billing.

"Anna, what are you doing here? Chef Garner's looking for you. Go now, he's mad already, " said Susan who was another intern working with her in the kitchen. Annalise's eyes widened with nervousness and she ran into the kitchen but there was a small smile playing on her lips. She knew the name of her green-eyed crush. Nelson. She sighed as she said that name twice in her mind. It felt so good on her tongue just like it felt good being in his arms. She opened the door and walked into the kitchen to see her boss, chef Garner's furious face.

"Sorry sir," she said breathlessly. Chef Garner still stared at her.

"Where were you? I wanted you to help me with our signature dish of the day and five customers have already ordered it and you go missing, " accused the chef. Annalise hung her head in shame.

"I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again. Please don't throw me out. I need this job," she mumbled dejectedly. The twenty-nine year old chef felt bad for shouting at the teenaged girl. She was the most hardworking girl he'd ever seen having been working non-stop since morning. He had become so dependent upon her that he had forgotten that she was human and needed a five minute break. In fact he didn't remember that she ever took a lunch break. He felt guilty. Was he a monster who was overworking a young girl?

"It's okay. Come and help me," he said, softening towards her. Annalise nodded and followed him to their work area thankful that she wasn't thrown out of job. The next few hours she was too busy even to breathe. Finally she was a little free to use the washroom. Excusing herself she ran out of the kitchen to the staff washrooms at the back. Finishing her business as she was rushing out, when she collided with none other than Nelson.

Nelson's arms went around the soft girl who suddenly crashed into him. After steadying her, he looked down and to his surprise found himself staring into the blue eyes of Annalise Martin. He immediately frowned and released her as if stung by her. Looking at her upturned, expectant face with adoration shining in her eyes, he cringed. He wanted to tell her that however much she tried her charms weren't working upon him. He could see through her. He was aware that she had collided with him on purpose. He walked off without giving her a second glance.

Annalise walked towards the kitchen with a frown on her face. Didn't Nelson recognize her? Maybe seeing her in the kitchen uniform he failed to recognize her. The rest of the time her mind was preoccupied with ways to make Nelson recognize her. Maybe if she wore the same clothes that she wore at Adam's house, Nelson would recognize her. Having made up her mind, she slipped to the staff washroom to change out of her uniform and go home. Susan  et heron her way out.

"Hey girl, you look extraordinarily chirpy today. Your cheeks are glowing. What's the secret?" She asked Annalise with a wink.

"What rubbish!" Said Annalise, blushing away.

"Your blush gives you away. So who's it? Greg?" She asked Annalise and she shook her head.

"No," said Annalise with a goofy smile on her face.

"Then who? Chef Garner?" Asked Susan wiggling her eyebrows.

"Never," said Annalise with a laugh.

"Okay, Trent," guessed Susan with a sigh. Shw was the one who liked Trent actually.

"No way, he's yours," said Annalise.

"Okay just give me a hint, please, please," begged Susan.

"Umm, he's got green eyes, " said Annalise with dreamy eyes.

"Who? Old chef Franklin?" Asked Susan with a giggle. Franklin was their fifty-five year old head chef.

"Oh please.  Say you give up and I'll go home," said Annalise with a giggle.

"Oh no. You're not leaving without telling me the name of the guy who stole your heart," insisted Susan. Annalise sighed. She knew Susan was a pest but she her best friend.

"Okay Nelson. I'm in love with Nelson. You know the green-eyed guy who's joined us today?" Said Annalise, clasping her hands dreamily. Susan stared behind her with her mouth hanging open. She pinched Annalise but she was in her own dreamland. "Ever since he saved me that day, I've fallen for him. I love him, Susan," she said, then focused her eyes upon Susan's horrified expression.

"What happened to you?" She asked with confusion and then followed her line of sight and to her horror saw a pale faced Nelson right behind her. From the expression on his face she was sure that he had heard her confession. Her cheeks colored profusely as she stared back at him with her mouth hanging open. Susan looked between the two of them and ran out of the place, eager to escape, leaving the two of them alone.

Nelson felt more anger bubble inside him at her confession. Who falls in love like that at the drop of a hat? Either she was too innocent or too shrewd. Since the former was out of the context, it surely was the latter. She was playing with his feelings to trap him to have a relationship with him. After all he was the future owner of the place. He glanced at her with hatred and walked away not saying a word to her.

Annalise smiled to herself, thanking Susan mentally. She would never have been able to confess her feelings in this life so it was good that he came to know about how she felt. Feeling giddy with happiness, she walked towards the bus stop to go home. Taking the bus she reached her humble small two bedroom apartment. Her siblings looked up and smiled at her. "Anna, did you get the book that I need?" Asked Aries, expectantly looking at his older sister.

"Oh, I forgot. I'll surely get it tomorrow. Where's mom?" She asked looking around the small living room and peeping into the kitchen.

"Mom's not feeling well. She came back from work early and ever since she's been lying down inside," said Alexis who was as beautiful as her older sister. "I tried to feed her but she wouldn't eat. "

"Oh. I'll go and check, " said Annalise, feeling terribly worried. She walked into their her mom's room to see her lying still. Panicking, she went towards her and placed her hand over her forehead. It was burning hot.

"Mom, you're burning with fever. I'll get you something to eat and then give you medicine, " said Annalise. She rushed to the kitchen and got some chicken soup  that Alexis had made. She came back to the room. "Mom, please wake up and have this, " coaxed Annalise but her mom refused to open her eyes. When repeated efforts to revive her mom failed, she had to call her uncle Edward.

The three of them waited anxiously for their uncle to arrive. After twenty long minutes, their uncle Edward and his wife aunt Emily came to check upon their mom. "How long has she been like this?" Asked aunt Emily.

"Ever since she came home from work, around five hours ago," said Alexis.

"I'm afraid we have to take her to the hospital, children, " said their uncle.

"We are also coming along, " said Aries.

"No you two stay here with your aunt. Annalise can come along with me," said their uncle. They all carried their mom to uncle Edward's car. Annalise climbed in and held her mom while her uncle rushed towards the same hospital where their dad was admitted.

Her mom was immediately admitted into the emergency department. While her uncle went to the reception to complete the formalities, Annalise stayed waiting outside the emergency department while the doctors checked upon her mom. She was too scared to even ask what happened to her mom.