Taming Mr. Arrogant

Chapter Six

Tina's POV

I was woken up by the annoying sound of my alarm and the sunlight through my windows hit my face. I guessed I forgot to close my curtains last night.

I just stayed in my bed, staring at the ceiling above me and recalling the days that passed by.

It had been five days since I arrived in New York. It had been five days I was not with my loved ones especially my family. And it had been five days I stayed in New York still jobless.

I groaned. I really needed to get a job. I had enough money on my own, much even, but having a decent job was something I should be proud because the money I would get was from something I had worked hard for. That was why I needed a job for my sake.

After a while of thinking, I got into a sitting position on my bed and prayed. I thanked God for making me still alive and awake. I thanked Him for giving me life and strength, for keeping me and my family safe. I thanked Him for being with me always and I prayed that I'll get a job soon.

I made my bed and headed towards my bathroom. I did my usual and daily routine every morning. After I took a bath, I walked out of my bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body and headed towards my closet. I began looking for something to wear. I picked up a dark blue skinny jeans and a white Hollister shirt. After I got dressed, I paired my outfit with my black and white sandals.

I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. I looked fresh with no make up on. It was just the simple Me. It was exactly the simple Tin from Philippines who dreamed to go to her dream city and now she made it. I was happy and sad and the same time because I made it here in New York but, I left my family and friends in the Philippines. I was sad because I missed them so much. I really did. I wanted to hug them and the loneliness were killing me.

Well, that's what you wanted.

Ugh... Enough of this emotional and dramatic thoughts. We were not in a Soap Opera, I knew.

I was starving and breakfast sounded good at the moment. With that, I got my purse and walked out of my bedroom to my living room then out of my apartment. I locked my door and headed towards the elevator.

'Ding' I walked out of the elevator and headed outside the building. As I passed by the lobby, I saw Maia. I smiled and waved at her.

Once I was outside I called Thomas, the old man, for a ride. He arrived five minutes later, stopping beside me.

"Good morning, young lady."

I got into the cab and greeted Thomas. "Good morning, old man. You're fast."

"It's because I just dropped my granddaughter and his uncle at the park. So, where to?" He said.

"Starbucks." With that, he began driving.

"Are you going to apply for a job again now?"

"Nope." I said, popping the 'p'.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to get embarrassed again?" It came out as a question.

Or maybe you're scared you won't get accepted again. A voice in my head whispered.

I won't argue with that because you could be right.

I was afraid I wouldn't be accepted again for whatever reason. I didn't want to be disappointed again. And I didn't want people to think so low of me.

My thoughts were cut off when old man laughed.

"What was so funny about that?"

"I just remembered what happened yesterday. Your face was so priceless on the sidewalk." Then he laughed again.

I shook my head. "Well, I don't want to talk about it. You'll just embarrass me more."

"Right. I'm sorry young lady." He apologized, but he was still smiling.

This old man.

***

"We're here, young lady." Thomas announced as we came into a halt in front of Starbucks.

I handed a bill to Thomas, but he didn't accept it.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"No need. You gave me too much tip from the last few days, so I won't accept it now." He said.

"Don't mind it. Now, accept this." I argued and was about to snatch his hand when he drew it back.

I frowned at him.

"No thanks, young lady. Now, get out." He said in a stern tone as he shooed me away.

He was trying to be serious and sound scary, but I was stubborn.

"No, please accept this." I said, still handing him the bill.

"No thanks. Now, go."

"Fine." I let out a huff as I got out of the cab. "Bye."

"Bye, stubborn young lady."

I frowned as he drove off. I shook my head. You could be stubborn too, old man.

Nevertheless, I walked into Starbucks to have some breakfast.

Wow, it was already packed, mostly by office workers. I ordered a Cappuccino and cheesecake. After that, I looked for a table and found one at the left corner.

As I waited for my order to arrive, I took out my phone from my purse and began to message Khloe.

'Hey, Khlow. Good morning.'

A minute later, a text message from Khloe popped up on my screen.

'Hey, Tin. Good morning to you too. Wazzup?'

'I'm here in Starbucks for breakfast. Not in the mood to cook for myself. How 'bout you?'

Just as I pressed 'send', my order arrived. I closed my eyes as the delicious aroma of my Cappuccino and cheesecakes hit my nose. I dug in as Khloe replied.

'I'm here at my boyfriend's. I just woke up.'

As I ate, we continued texting.

'Seriously? It's like 8.'

'I know. It's just that I was so drained last night, even now.'

'Why? Did you work late yesterday?

I took a sip of my Cappuccino and it was just so delicious. I continued eating my breakfast, but Khloe had not replied yet. What was wrong with my question that she did not reply right away?

Minutes had passed, but I still got no reply from her so I decided to text her again.

'Khloe, what very hard job did you do?'

Minutes later again, but she hadn't replied yet. That was it.

Calling Khloe...

"What did you do?" I asked Khloe on the phone.

"Hello to you too. No 'hello Khlow. I miss you so much.'" She was changing the subject, I knew it.

"What did you do, Khlow?" I repeated.

"Hhmm.. Uh- W-we.." She stuttered. Why was she nervous?

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, getting worried.

"No, of course. There's nothing wrong. Everything is fine, perfectly and blissfully fine."

Huh? What does she mean by that?

I was about to ask her that when I heard a masculine voice in the background.

"Ready for Round 3, baby?" And might I add, seductively.

My eyes widened as realization hit me. I quickly put down my phone and ended the call.

Oh. My. God.

My face heated when I understand everything. My face was probably a ripe tomato at the moment. I wished I did not ask her about it earlier. I was so stupid and naive to not understand it easily. I couldn't believe I didn't get it right away. I remembered Khloe said, 'blissfully fine'.

Oh darn. They did 'it'.

I faced palmed myself. Round 3, seriously? I groaned. That was so disgusting. I didn't want to think about it.

As if you won't do it someday.

My eyes widened at that thought. It wouldn't happen. I was not ready.

Ugh... Stop thinking about it.

My mood to finish my breakfast instantly vanished so I pushed my seat back and headed outside. I decided to go to Central Park to calm myself and to get Khloe and her boyfriend out of my thoughts.

I just walked to Central Park, not even thinking of hailing a cab. Besides, I was used to this.

Hands in my pockets, I enjoyed the cool breeze that hit my face on my journey to the park.

***

The walk to the park was not that long. When I arrived there, I began wandering around. I took photos of some beautiful spots as I walked around.

I got tired of walking around and it felt like my legs were going to give up so I took a seat on an empty bench near the children's playground.

I watched as the children played and ran after each other. Others played hide and seek, hiding behind the trees. I loved that game too. On the hand, some of the children played on the slides and monkey bars.

I just enjoyed watching the children play, laughed as I saw them getting cheated by the others and smiled as I saw them laughing. They were so cute and carefree. I continued watching them, still seated on the bench when I saw a boy, with hazel brown eyes that complimented his brown hair, approaching me. He was a kid about five years old.

The other kids who were with him stopped playing and watched their friend that was approaching me.

"Hi." He greeted me shyly. Awwe. He was so cute.

"Hi." I greeted him back.

He looked back and I looked forward too, just to see his friends, watching us and telling the kid, 'just ask her already' and 'don't be shy'.

What's up with them?

I looked at the boy in front of me and asked softly, "Hey, what's wrong?"

He was hesitant to answer me.

"Hey, don't be nervous. Just tell me already. I won't bite, you know." I encouraged him.

"Can you play a guitar?" He finally asked.

"Of course, why do you ask?"

"Can you play with us?"

"Do you have a guitar?"

"Yes, Connor has." He answered gladly.

I smiled at the now smiling kid in front of me.

"Well, where is he?"

The kid didn't answer me, instead he took my hand and dragged me to his friends. He was really happy and exited.

When we stopped in front of them, he happily announced, "She can play!" Then he called his friend Connor for the guitar. A boy from the back stepped forward and handed me a cute blue guitar.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come on." I cheerfully said and the kids chorused, "Let's go!"

With that, we began walking towards the clean trimmed grasses. I squatted down crossing my legs on the grass as the kids also got comfortable gathering in front of me.

I looked at the kids in front of me and said, "Before I play, I want to know you all first."

The girl in a cute pink dress with blonde hair and blue eyes nearest to me said, "I'm Sheena and I'm five years old." She showed off her cute little five fingers.

"You have the same name with my best friend." I told her.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Can we be best friends too?"

I laughed at her cuteness. "We can all be best friends." I gestured to us.

"Really?" They all chorused.

I laughed. Are they on a choir or something?

"Really." I told them.

The boy who approached me earlier and was sitting beside Sheena said, "I'm Quinn by the way and I'm five years old too." I nodded and smiled at him.

I had a crush before whose name was Quinn. Well, I was a teenager and I couldn't help it. Crushes didn't last long. I even had a crush on Edward Cullen. He was hot and all. But they were just silly crushes.

"I'm Max, and I'm five years old." A blonde boy with blue eyes said. He looked liked Sheena.

"Are you two related to each other?" I asked Max and Sheena.

"We're twins." They simultaneously spoke.

I laughed. "You two are absolutely twins."

The introductions went on and on until they all introduced their selves to me. They were all nine.

I met the others who were Joe, Taylor, Riley, Shay, Angel and lastly Scarlet. She was the youngest among them. And her name was my favorite color. When I laid my eyes on her, I instantly fell in love. She was in a cute light blue dress. Her hazel brown eyes complimented her wavy brown hair.

She was the cutest, I thought. She was in the middle, surrounded by the others so I picked her up and seated her beside me. Scarlet just stared at me when I picked her up.

"You can all call me Christina. That's my name." I clapped my hands. "So, are you all ready?"

"Yeah." They eagerly answered in chorus.

I began playing the intro of "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri and when I was on the first verse, I began singing.

♪♪

"Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

How can I love

When I'm afraid to fall

Watching you stand alone

All of my doubt

Suddenly goes away somehow

One step closer..."♪♪

Then I sang the chorus,

♬♬

"I have died everyday

Waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you

For a thousand years

I loved you for a thousand more."♬♬

I continued singing the song, with them singing along with me.

I was even surprised and amazed they knew the song.

When we were almost at the end, we all sang the last line heartily.

♪♪"I loved you for a thousand more..."♪♪

Then they all clapped at me.

Cute little angels.

"You have a beautiful voice." A soft, cute voice said beside me said.

"Thank you, sweetie." I thanked Scarlet.

When I looked up, I was shocked to see many people staring at me. I cleared my throat and stupid thoughts began forming in my head.

Maybe they are the parents and they'll think I'm going to kidnap their children.

And they'll get me arrested.

Then I'll be sent to jail.

Please, don't.

Stop acting. My conscience said.

I was so shocked when they all applauded me. I smiled awkwardly at them.

A woman in her late 30s approached us.

"Mommy!" Scarlet cheerfully called running towards her Mom.

The woman picked her up and kissed her cheeks.

"Hello, honey. Are you enjoying?"

"Yeah. Tin played guitar with us and she really has a beautiful voice."

The woman smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Yeah. I agree."

The woman approached me and said. "I'm Kate. Scarlet's Mom."

I smiled. "I'm Christina. Nice to meet you." I gave her a handshake.

"You have a great voice and You made these kids really happy." She complimented me, but I frowned when she said that.

"I guessed you were confused. These kids are friends with each other and so with the parents. Every weekend we go here to let our children play and have fun. Connor here always brings his father's guitar even though he doesn't know how to play it. So they'll ask someone to play it here in the park, but nobody played for them until now." She explained.

I was flattered by what she just revealed. That was probably why they were hesitant to ask me to play the guitar.

"Oh." Yeah, that was all I could say.

"Do you go here every weekend too?" Kate asked me.

"Actually, no. I just come here when I want to have some fresh air and when I have to clear my head."

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty four. Turning twenty- five in July."

"Married?"

"No." I quickly answered.

She laughed. "You're pretty cool with children."

"I love kids. They are innocent and cute. They're just carefree." I stared lovingly at the kids.

"You're right about that." Kate agreed.

"Mommy!" I heard Max and Sheena shouted.

A woman also in her late 30s approached us while the twins ran towards her.

"Oh my babies." The woman said as she hugged her kids.

"Ashley, where have you been?" Kate asked the woman.

"At the bank. I thought I've told you?" The woman answered, still didn't notice me.

"You didn't."

"Oh." When she finally noticed me, she asked Kate, "Who is this beautiful young lady here?"

"Oh, right. I forgot. Ashley, this is Tin. Tin, this is Ashley." Kate introduced us to each other.

"Hi. Nice to meet you." She said and she hugged me. I awkwardly patted her back. She seemed friendly.

When we broke apart, she asked. "Why are you with the kids?"

"She played the guitar with us Mommy." Sheena butted in.

"Oh, really?" She asked in a surprised tone. Was it really that big deal to them?

"And she has a beautiful voice." That was Max.

As the twins continued to compliment me to their moms, I looked around me just to see Riley, Angel, Connor, Joe, Taylor and Shay gone.

"Where are they?" I asked Kate

"There." She pointed towards the playground. They were there with their parents, I thought.

"Are they their parents?" I asked Kate, not taking my eyes off of them.

"Not all. The man with Riley and Connor is their brother. "

"Riley and Connor are siblings?" Kate nodded in response.

"The guy with Shay is her uncle. The one with Taylor and Angel is their brother. And the woman with Joe is her Mom." Kate continued.

"Taylor and Angel are siblings too?"

"Yeah."

"Sky!" Ashley shouted.

The man with Taylor and Angel turned to us and said something to Riley and Connor's brother, Shay's uncle and Joe's mom. They began walking towards us.

"Sky, Chris, Drake, Jade, meet Christina. Tin, meet Sky, Chris, Drake and Jade." Ashley introduced us to each other.

"Hi. Pleasure to meet you, Christina. Joe talked about you earlier." Jade told me as we shook hands. She was beautiful with long red hair and green eyes.

I felt like an outsider with them. It was not that I was jealous of them. I was fine with my looks. And even if I was the ugliest woman alive, I would still accept it because it was God's creation.

"You did, Joe?" I asked Joe as I ruffled his hair.

Joe just smiled, showing his cute dimples and nodded at me in response.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you." Drake said as we shook hands. He was tall with jet black hair and blue eyes. He looked like he was not the talkative type. What was cute was that he had dimples.

"It's nice to meet you too, Christina or may I say Chris." Chris laughed as we shook hands.

"It's okay for you to call me that." I told him.

"But we're going to have the same names."

I shrugged. "I don't mind."

Chris smiled at me. "Okay, then."

Gosh, he was so attractive with light brown hair and emerald green eyes. And I admit, he was hot. He really was. That dashing smile was killing me.

"Pleasure to meet you, milady." Sky said as he took my hand and kissed the back of it. My eyes widened and I quickly drew my t back and wiped it on my jeans. Eeww..

Sky smirked at me. What's up with this guy? And I didn't even like his fake accent. I scowled at him. He was so annoying, but he was also attractive with blonde hair and brown eyes, but still his face was so annoying. I didn't think we were going to be good friends.

"So, you're the one who played guitar with the kids." He stated as he stared creepily at me and it was making me annoyed and uncomfortable.

I just ignored him and turned to the others. "I gotta go now." I told Kate, Ashley, Jade and Drake, ignoring the creep.

"Are you sure? I can give you a ride." Chris suggested. That was nice of him. But we just met so I declined his offer. I could not trust anyone that easily.

"No, I'm okay, I'll just walk. My apartment is not that far from here anyway." I insisted.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, take care then." Kate said as she hugged me and so with Ashley, Jade and Drake. Sky moved to hug me, but I crouched down to kiss Connor, Joe, Riley, Taylor, Angel and Shay's cheeks. They also kissed me soundly on my cheeks.

I stood up and walked towards Scarlet, who was being carried by her Mom. I kissed her cheek and ruffled her hair, then she smiled at me. I moved back and turned to them.

"I have to go now." I told the adults.

"Bye, take care." I smiled at them.

"Goodbye, kiddos." I said as I began walking backwards, waving and blowing them a kiss.

"Bye, Tin." They all chorused. I smiled and finally turning my back to them and walked towards the exit.

I went home with a smile on my face.

I met new friends. And they're cool, except Sky. He's a creep. I thought.