Chapter Text
The latte machine hissed. "Pumpkin spice latte for Karen," Chell shouted over the crowded chatter of Starbucks.
Chell was a young woman, 26 and fresh out of college, Which she attended late due to financial struggles. She had dark brown hair, which was always pulled up in a messy bun for work, so one could never pick up its natural waviness. Her skin was tan, as part of her ethnicity was eastern Asian.
Chell pulled out her phone and checked the time, 4:29, her shift was over at 4:30, but there was no harm leaving now. She walked past all of her co-workers, not saying anything to them. She pretty much hated them all anyways. She entered the employee space and hung up her lime green apron and threw on her orange hoodie, which wasn't in the best condition, noting the fact she had owned it since high school.
Chell exited the building and walked over to her car and unlocked it, got inside, and turned the keys in the ignition. She craned her neck around to back out of her parking space. Her old 2008 silver Honda Civic coupe did not have any of the fancy features like all of new Hondas did. Like Heated Seats and Backup cameras. She had been longing for a backup camera since she had bought the car, it only took her a week to regret the decision of getting such an outdated model.
“I need a new car,” Chell told herself, “So i don't have to cram my damn neck every time I back out of a parking space.”
Around ten minutes went by and Chell arrived at the Magnolia Vilas Apartment Complex that she called home.
The complex itself was small, all of the apartments inside only had one bedroom one bathroom each.
Chell arrived at her room, Room 103, unlocked the door, entered the room, locked the door again, took off her shoes then clumsily collapsed on the two seat couch in the center of the living room.
After taking a short recharge for five minutes or so, Chell got up to go to her room to change. She changed from her Starbuck uniform of a black t-shirt and dark blue jeans into black short shorts and a white turtleneck crop-top with sleeves. She pulled her hair out of her messy bun and let it fall majestically over her shoulders.
Chell had a second job as a bartender at a nightclub, sadly on all seven days of the week, but without the extra money she would probably be living in a box. Luckily, her shift at the club did not start until 8:45, so she has plenty of time to relax and watch the lame Friday afternoon local news, which she strangely enjoyed.
Chell flicked on the television, the 5:00 news segment was just starting. The main headline was about the police discovering a 19 year old girl who had been imprisoned as a sex slave by some creep.
Chell put her hand up to her face, “Why in Hell do such evil people exist in this world?” She asked herself.
The next story came on. Chell had heard recent rumors that some billionaire had moved himself and his investing company to the city, and it turns out this was true. She did not catch his name, but apparently he was from England. The news anchors were discussing what this meant for the economy of the city to have a large business centered there.
Chell exhaled, “Why can’t i have some of that money? Other people need it too.” Chell told herself again. She checked the time on her phone once more, 5:05 she still had loads of time before her shift started, so she flicked off her Television and went back to her room to take a nap.
8:25
Chell’s alarm chimed on her phone, she left in plugged in so it was fully charged throughout the night because her shift didn't get out until Midnight.
Chell walked over to the door and put on her hoodie and black high heels to give herself a little extra height. After all she was only 5’5”.
Chell arrived at the club around ten minutes later. She parked her car in the back lot of the building, since that was where the employee entrance was. She got out of her car and almost fell over in shock. A black Ferrari was parked in the lot as well. She did not know of any one in the city with that kind of money.
Chell entered the building through the employee entrance. When she arrived inside, the usual dance music was playing loudly from the speakers and the lights were at a somewhat low level. The club was at a lull at the moment, but she knew it would get more exciting throughout the night, after all it was only 8:45.
15 minutes passed when someone finally came up to order drinks. A young guy came up to order some shots for him and his girlfriend. Chell poured the drinks and gave them to the couple. They thanked her and headed off for the dance floor.
Chell took out her phone, 9:05, she still had several hours dealing with drunks and guys constantly hitting on her. But in her mind, money was money, and Chell got a good amount of it for her shifts.
Chell heard her co-worker walk in from the employee entrance. Her fellow bartender Alexis walked in. Alexis had mid-back length black hair and tan skin. Chell was almost certain she was Eastern Asian like her, but Alexis had never brought up anything about her heritage.
“Hey Chell, sorry I’m late.” Alexis apologized to Chell. “You’re good, we’re nowhere near busy.” Chell reassured her friend.
Oh by the way, some guys sent me and order, can you take some drinks to Private Suite 1A?” Alexis asked while started to make the drinks Chell was supposed to transport. “Sure,” Chell agreed. “Need any help?” she questioned.
Yeah can you pour a vodka and a whisky?” Alexis instructed while vigorously shaking a cocktail mixer. They finished the drinks and set them on a circular platter, and Chell set off across the club.
Chell passed by a drunken couple lazily making out on the wall. “Jeez, cool it you two. It’s still early.” She whispered under her breath, quiet enough so they could not hear.
She located Private Suite 1A and walked in. The four young men who were playing poker looked up at Chell. All of them were dressed in suits and had fancy watches on their wrist. One of them even whistled at Chell, earning a punch in the arm from the guy sitting next to him.
Chell stopped dead in her tracks as she realized one of the guys was that English Billionaire she had heard about. That would explain the Black Ferrari parked out back. The weird part was he was staring dreamily at Chell. His eyes full on engaged on her every move.
What would a rich guy like him want with an almost bankrupt bartender? Chell thought to herself. He continued to romantically stare at her with his unnaturally bright blue eyes.
“Whisky?” The guy who had whistled at her arrival answered. “Right over here,” His appearance matched his husky voice that had a slight country flavor to it. His hair was brown in a side swept bangs cut, he wore a bright green tie.
She set his drink down in front of him. While Chell least expected it, the man spanked her ever so slightly, and left his hand there, groping it. He grinned and winked at her, until one of the other guys cleared his throat and he let off his grip.
“Martini?” One guy with a magenta bow tie held up his hand, signaling for Chell to put down his drink in front of him. She set it down, praying this guy was not like the other, and lucky for her he wasn’t. His hair was a very dark shade of brown, and was slicked back with hair gel. His pale hands held his poker cards tightly as he examined them.
"Vodka?” “Right over here Miss.” This one appeared to be the youngest, noting he had a higher pitched voice than the other two, and was slightly smaller than them two. He was probably only 21, since that was the minimum age of entry at the Nightclub. He had a dark blue tie with little yellow stars on it. He had yellow-greenish eyes, and fluffy mustard yellow hair.
“And this must be for you sir.” Chell handed a rum cocktail to the last man. He had sandy blonde hair, with a really short beard of the same blond color. He wore onyx color square designer glasses. Chell was mesmerized by his beautiful blue eyes.
“You don’t have to call me sir, beautiful.” He spoke. Chell was hearing him speak for the first time. He had a throaty tenor British accent.
One could obviously tell by his slick looking suit and black and silver Rolex, he was most definitely a player. He looked like he had just come out of the Playboy Mansion.
He held out his hand, “Come here luv,” He beckoned her towards his lap. Chell had dealt with this many times before, with drunk guys who had absolutely no idea what they were doing. However this man was not drunk, he intentionally called her over. Chell did not refuse.
She sat down on his lap and let him wrap his arm around her hips. He whispered into her ear romantically, “You’re a pretty little thing, aren’t you?” He edged her closer, “You doing anything tonight?” All of the other guys just sat and watched as he worked his magic.
Chell shook her head, “Good, I’ll come find you when we’re done here.” He glanced at his cards, then got so close to Chell’s ear his beard tickled her skin. “Looks like someone was my good luck charm.” He told her. Chell was confused at first until he addressed the group. “Alright boys,” He slammed his cards down on the table. “Full house.”
All of the other men groaned and face palmed. “God damnit Merchant, you’ve done it again!” The one who had groped Chell replied.
Chell was dazzled as he took a pile of $50 bills from the middle of the table and put it in the front pocket of his suit. He then ran his hand down to her thigh and squeezed it a little, earning a soft moan from Chell.
"Like that?” He questioned her. Chell nodded, “Well then, You’re sure to have a lot of fun tonight darling.”
He removed his hand off her thigh and let her get back to her shift for the time being. Chell grabbed the tray and left the suit. She could sense him staring at her backside as she walked out.
Chell started walking back towards the bar, her head was kind of in the clouds, she was totally shook that she has just scored a night alone with the richest man in the city. In her distant state, she was not watching where she was going and bumped into a middle aged woman dressed in a black leather coat, black pencil skirt, and black knee high boots, which Chell shunned as very unusual nightclub apparel.
"Watch it!” The woman snapped at Chell. “Sorry!” Chell was quick to snap back at her. She got back to the bar counter and set the tray down. Alexis was off somewhere, probably hitting on a lonely guy, which she had been known to do. Chell checked the time once more, 9:25. Lucky for her, she would be getting out of there with Daddy Warbucks soon.
Out of what seemed like nowhere, the same lady she had bumped into a couple of minutes ago appeared at the bar. “Jesus! How did you-” “Yeah, Yeah, I have been known to teleport.” The woman jokes. “So I see you were talking to, “him” in there.” She leaned on the customer side of the bar.
Chell shrugged, “I was just bringing them their drinks.” she did not bring up her romantic encounter with “him”, or as the lady referred to guy from the poker game.
She held out her hand for Chell to shake. “GLaDOS Johnson, owner of AEGIS Business Technologies.” Chell shook her hand and stared at her outfit again, she could not get over the odd choice. Everything about GLaDOS was unnatural, she has extremely pale skin that almost appeared white, ghostly white hair, and yellow eyes framed with metallic black eyeshadow, and her full lips wore pitch black lipstick.
“That man you were talking to in there,” GLaDOS nodded her head in the direction of Private Suite 1A. Her hair, which was in a short bob with straight bangs, landed majestically back into its original place at the end of her nod. “Is Wheatley Merchant, the richest guy in the city. He’s got everything, a sky rise, fancy cars, a mansion in Nicholas Canyon, a yacht, and countless fancy watches. All funded by his billion dollar investing company, Aperture Enterprises.” GLaDOS explained.
“Hold on, how do you even know all of this? And what do you have to do with it?” Chell questioned GLaDOS. She handed Chell a business card with her number on it. “Long story, call me up and we’ll arrange a meeting time, so i can fully explain everything.” She paused for a second, examining her nails, which were also painted black. Oh, I forgot to ask you your name, "She mentioned.
“Chell Smith.” Chell told her. “Well Miss Chell, if you whip me up a mojito, I will be out of your way in a jiffy.” GLaDOS instructed. Chell mixed her drink and gave it to GLaDOS. She took a sip, “Ah, perfection!”GLaDOS admired. “I look forward to working with you in the future, Chell.”
Chell, smiled a bit, “You too.”