#poyl

"The Power Of Your Love" - Physical packaging from 1992. Released by Hillsongs Australia and The Fire Label.

Jacob loathed his job. For you see he was the barkeep, oh excuse me Sommelier, because that doesn’t sound fucking pretentious, for the Fontaine wine club. It was the only late night wine club in Paris, which meant it catered mostly to 30-something rich people who think they’re all 20-something rich people but classier. He hated them all so much, the only reason he kept this job was because it allowed him to pay his rent while he worked up the money to start his own pub.

The worst thing by far though, besides the annoying rich people, was the fact it was the same every time. Nothing really changed. Except one, night. The night he looked back on and smiled.

It was about 3 am. The Duponts and the Pierres were already complaining about their servants. As his boss, Madame Fontaine monitored the crowd from her podium. Everything was going as normal when the door opened and in walked a very odd sight. A young woman, clearly in her early 20s, with tan skin, long frizzy red-brown hair and glasses over her tired eyes. She was wearing an oversized leather jacket, a loose t-shirt and pink sweatpants. She was probably fairly pretty if she didn’t look like she was dragged out of bed by force.

The host, who looked quite appalled by this random woman, went up to her.

“Excuse me…Miss this is a private cl-” “Stuff it Jeeves.” She growled, shoving him aside. Jacob let out a laugh, til he saw her marching towards him. He suddenly understood what it felt like to have a predator stare you down. She slammed her hands on the bartop, an unshakable glare,“Give me all of your Camembart. Now.” She ordered. Jacob nodded and went to the back, grabbing a case of the smelly cheese and walked back towards the front. “Excuse me, Miss” Madame Fontaine spat at the disheveled woman, “this club is for members only. ” “Yeah I don’t care. I just need the cheese. I’m not coming back.” The woman spat back. “Young lady this is not a cheese shop, this is a wine club, so unless you plan on getting a membership I cannot allow you to take any cheese.” Madame Fontaine growled. “I’m not coming back there would be no point, but since interrupted whatever this is. I’ll consider it. How much?” The woman asked pinching the bridge of her nose. “More than some ruffian could afford, besides you won’t be aproved anyway” Madame Fontaine smirked. “Then why the fuck would you ask?!!” The woman fumed. Jacob slowly walked, trying to avoid provoking anyone’s wrath, back to his place at the bar, placing the crate of cheese on the counter. “Jacob, please return the cheese back to the fridge at once!” Madame Fontaine ordered. “That’s it!” The woman grabbed Madame Fontaine by her collar lifting the woman easily with one hand, “listen you pretentious bitch, my wife is 7 months pregnant, she’s cranky, tired, and miserable. She woke me up, sobbing. Why? She couldn’t sleep because she was having cravings for Camembart and we’re out. This is the only place within an hour that’s open and sells Camembart. Now you can either let me buy your fucking cheese, or I will personally make everyday of your life a living hell.” “If you don’t put me down I’ll have you arrested for attempt assult” Madame Fontaine spat. Jacob rang up the cheese swiping his own card. It would cost most of the money in his account but his heart went out to the poor woman. “Put her down. Take the cheese” Jacob said calmly. The woman set Madame Fontaine on her feet, and released her collar. She turned to grab her wallet. Jacob raised his hand. “It’s on me.” The woman blinked then smiled as she grabbed the box. “Jacob. You’re fired.” Madame Fontaine said as she glared at him. “I never liked working here anyways” He smiled before walking ahead of the woman with the crate and opening the door for her.

Once she got through he followed her out and sighed.

“I’m sorry I got you fired” The woman said, setting the box down on a bench.

“It’s fine, they’re a bunch of assholes anyways. Besides I know how you feel, my sister just had a baby, I spent quite a few days helping her while her husband was at work.” Jacob smiled. “What’s your name?” The woman asked. “Jacob Bernard.” He answered. “Thank you, Jacob, here, this is my phone number. If you need anything just call. My spouses and I are in your debt.” She said handing him a wrinkled piece of paper. “You’re welcome Madame?” “Alya. Alya Dupain-cheng.” She replied. “Well thank you Madame Dupain-Cheng. For freeing me from that miserable hellhole.” Jacob grinned. “You’re welcome?” Alya gave an exasperated smile, as her phone beeped, “shit. I better get going. Thank you again” She said as she grabbed the box and walked away. Jacob sighed and shoved the paper in his pocket as he began his walk home.

(3 weeks later) Jacob groaned as he sank into his sofa, as he threw the inviction notice in the trash. He’d had a long few weeks of job hunting, plus the building he’d planned on buying for his pub was sold and now he sat in his soon to be ex-apartment. *I guess I can move in with my sister…I was so close to getting that building though.* He threw his head back and sighed. The doorbell rang and rolled his eyes. *fucking landlord* He felt his fists clench as he threw open the door. “I’m getting my ass out y-” Jacob froze as he saw not his landlord. But a very well dressed thin older gentleman, “shit, I apologize sir I thought you were my landlord” “that’s understandable” the man said, his voice seemingly indifferent.