Gabriele was surprised. The sign hadn't been up for more than a few hours and he already had someone acquiring? As he walked closer to the woman standing in his bar, he reached for a wet rag and wiped his hands before tossing it on the counter.

"My bad, miss. I'm Gabriele Castano. I own this fine establishment." He said, a wide charming smile spreading across his lips. He held his hand out as he closed the space between them, "it's nice to meet you, Miss...?"

Norah raised an eyebrow when the man said he was the owner. She was expecting someone - oh, older? Mustier? Not this. He was far too attractive. His broad shoulders and carefree appearance was laid back. His brown hair was a mess, tangled and his clothes were wrinkled, covered in flour. Didn't this boy know that aprons existed? She pushed back her thoughts for the time being however and smiled brightly up at Gabriele, her hand reaching out and giving his a firm handshake. His hand was warm, rough but not unpleasant, her hand was tiny compared to his big hands. She was a bit amused.

"Norah Hart." She wasn't surprised by how easily she could lie. She had a lot of practice at it and she actually liked this name. It was cute.

"Nice to meet you too, Gabe. It is okay if I call you Gabe?" She was being extra friendly, anything to land a decent job. Not that working here would be too big of a problem with Gabriele around.

Gabriele chuckled, nodding his head as he crossed his arms across his chest, "Gabe's fine, everyone calls me that anyway."

He was amused by the way the gal in front of him spoke, so openly and freely and without a care in the world. He liked it, especially on her. It suited her it seemed and he was rather enjoying the encounter. He leaned on a nearby post, his arms remaining crossed as he watched her, his eyes occasionally wandering.

She was an attractive girl, short but curvy, her pale skin a sharp contrast to that pitch-black hair. The way her brown eyes looked at Gabriele gave him a sense that she was hiding something, so guarded and feared but she refused to show any of it.

"I don't exactly have a resume to give you, but I have waitressed at various dives and diners. I've bartended at a few places as well, even at a ritzy Sheraton once."

Norah spoke, bringing Gabriele from his thoughts as he listened to her... could he even call it a plea? She seemed desperate for the job, but not desperate enough to actually beg. She gave off a strong aura of confidence.

"I mean, I could even get started right now helping you with this inventory." She said, gesturing to the mass of boxes that still had to be put away.

Gabriele wasn't exactly expecting that answer. Sure, he had taken in a lot of people who hadn't had jobs before and gave them experience, but this girl claimed she had experience while seeming all too desperate to get off the streets. He fell silent as he weighed his options, thinking. He did need a new waitress before the lunch rush and if she was willing to work the shift, he might as well give her a chance. He shrugged his shoulders, his arms falling from his chest.

"Alright, you better live up to what you promise though." He said with a chuckle before pushing himself off the beam and beginning to walk.

"Come on, let's get you in the books and then you can help me with inventory. Lunch rush happens at noon, lasts until two, sometimes three in the afternoon. Then it's slow till seven or eight and doesn't stop till we close." He explained as he walked through the restaurant and to the back hall that also led to his apartment. Though, instead of going up the stairs, he went left and to a door that had an open, hand-made sign that said 'Office.'

Norah had a feeling this would happen and felt her heart sink. She needed the job, but she couldn't be put into any official records. As Gabriele pulled a book off the shelf, she fiddled with her fingers, picking at chipped polish nervously.

"Okay, so I just need a few pieces of information. I already got your name so all that's left is... date of birth, phone number, address, you know the usual." He said, shrugging his shoulders. He had sat down, beginning to write her name into the book as he waited for her to start filling in the blanks.

"About that...." She said, laughing nervously, "I don't have a phone. Or, an address. I just blew into town. I still need a place to stay and I just... don't do phones." Not that she was going to mention why. Phones were too easy to track.

Gabriele stopped, turning in his chair as he looked up at her and he sighed through his nose, listening to what she had to say. "Nothing, eh?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.

He pulled himself up from his chair, standing up straight as he tossed his pen onto the table, a few clinks echoing through the air before it settled somewhere. He looked down at Norah, a concerned, worried look upon his face. What was with this girl? He didn't know what to make of her, this all sounded like some sort of bad cliche, not like his life wasn't already a bad cliche on its own.

Norah shook her head, the black curls swaying behind her in a large tumbling mess. "I'm some kind of a drifter. I don't have much. I know that could disqualify me from getting this job... but I really need the money, and I am a good worker." She paused, pursing her lips, "I would need to be paid under the table, though... if that's all too much to ask, I understand and I'll be moving along." She was quiet, avoiding eyesight with Gabriele.

"You do realize this is illegal?" He asked though he was sure she already knew this.

Gabriele had a stern look upon his face as he crossed his arms. He felt bad for her, truly, but it was a little much to ask. He sighed, shaking his head. He wasn't a stranger to paying under the table and keeping employees secret. Life happened and he wouldn't turn away someone in need.

"I could get into a lot of trouble if anyone were to find out." He felt her hard luck story though, he noticed how guarded she looked, how on edge she was. She looked like she was about to bolt at any second.

"I know it's a lot of ask." Norah emphasized, "I wouldn't be asking if it could be avoided."

She knew there was a chance that Gabriele would say no and she wasn't sure what she would do if that was the case. She knew other employers had been happy to take an off the book employee; fewer taxes and fees for them. But she had also known employers to reach for the phone to call the police. She had a tight grip on her duffel bag, ready to bolt out the door when he said no.

Gabriele felt his heart tighten. She looked so terrified and worried all of a sudden, the cool confidence she had melted away. He sighed again and turned to the book, reaching for the abandoned pen. He scratched out the name on the page, enough to obscure it and then closed the book, stuffing it back on the shelf. He then turned to Norah, shrugging his shoulders.

She shifted nervously, her hand wrapped around the strap of her duffel bag as thoughts ran through her mind. She was terrified he was going to reject her. She really didn't know what she was going to do now, it was pure chance that she happened across his little pub. She was in a strange city, miles, and miles away from her hometown, running from her past. All she had was the clothes on her back and the duffel bag that held the meager amount of belongings that she had left.

Her breath was hitched as he stood up and loomed over her, a worried look plastered across his face. Up close, she couldn't help the flutter at the pit of her stomach. He was an extremely attractive guy and even as intimidating as he looked, he also gave off the air of being a soft teddy bear, gentle at heart. When she did suddenly dare to breathe again, the strong scent of fire and wood wafted through her nose. It was such a comforting scent, homey. She realized the scent was coming from Gabriele now that the door was closed and she chewed on her lip at this realization, her cheeks burning. She dared to look him in those big brown eyes of his.

Norah watched him, jaw locked, eyes wide. Ready to run or ready to hug him thankfully.