Chapter 5
1926 Words
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ALI
When we reached the ground floor, I let him go down the elevator first because I couldn't shake off my hesitation, knowing that he could observe my every move from behind. I followed behind Sancho as we walked out of the building, using the glass door with a large exit sign above it. The entrance and exit glass doors of the building were automatic and motion-censored, swiftly opening as Sancho approached. I quickly followed him as he stopped on the side of the aisle where vehicles were dropping off passengers.
After a few minutes of waiting, a black car pulled up in front of him. The car was simple but radiated pure elegance and power; it wasn't an ordinary car, probably priced around 12.5 million dollars, if I'm not mistaken. I wasn't sure whether to join him or take a taxi and form a convoy, as he hadn't mentioned our setup for our meeting. I didn't want to assume that Sancho would offer me a ride in his luxurious car, especially since it could only accommodate two people. I wasn't sure if he had a driver, and if he did, obviously, I couldn't ride with him.
A man emerged from the driver's seat and handed the keys to Sancho. He quickly took the keys and went to the driver's side door. He opened the car but paused before getting in, looking at me.
"Are you coming?" Sancho asked me. I glared at him briefly due to my irritation, but I was the first one to recover because of the strange energy I felt from his gaze. I rolled my eyes before speaking again.
"Y-yes," I said when I finally found the courage to speak.
"Okay, good. See you at Le Nid d'amour Restaurant. You know where that is, right?" he continued, using his thick Italian accent.
"Y-yes," I replied, puzzled. Why was he asking if I knew the place? Wasn't he going to take me with him?
After I responded, he entered the car, and it quickly sped away. I was left dumbfounded. Did he just leave me? That infuriating guy! After making me wait for so long, he now lets me commute. I couldn't believe he could be this ungentlemanly, not even offering me a ride.
"J3rk!" I shouted in frustration, even though I knew he couldn't hear me now that he was far away.
"That guy is so annoying! Now, I have to spend on a taxi unexpectedly. This isn't covered by the company budget, so I can't reimburse it. Ugh! There goes my allowance again. Instant noodles and sardines until the next paycheck," I muttered to myself, irritated, while waiting for a taxi that I could ride.
After a few minutes, I was fortunate to catch a taxi and quickly tell the driver the destination. I prayed that I wouldn't encounter much traffic; otherwise, I might end up walking home due to the expensive fare. I usually don't use taxis as a mode of transportation for client meetings. I always commuted, arriving at the meeting place at least an hour early to have enough time to freshen up and present myself professionally. Today was an exception; I didn't want to risk the demon boss leaving the restaurant if I was late.
Finally, after 30 minutes, I arrived. Unfortunately, I got caught in traffic, turning what should have been a one hundred peso fare into three hundred fifty pesos. That was my allowance for a week!
As I got out of the taxi, I immediately saw the demon with enticing eyes. I gave him a resentful look as our eyes met. I didn't hide my irritation this time due to his earlier abandonment.
"It took you thirty minutes. I've been waiting here too long. I've been hungry since earlier," he said, greeting me with a frown. Of all things, he had the nerve to be annoyed. If he had taken me with him in his car, we would have arrived together.
"It's not my fault I was stuck in traffic, okay?" I couldn't hide my frustration with him.
"Whatever, I'm hungry," he said, entering the upscale restaurant.
I hesitated about whether to follow him or not. He hadn't mentioned if he would pay for their meal or if it would be a "pay-your-own-meal" kind of situation. It's risky to assume because I might end up washing dishes since it's obvious that I can't afford their menu.
"Table for two," he told the staff. I breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his words. At least he was going to include me in the meal. I quickly followed him inside, but before he took more than a few steps, his phone rang, and I unintentionally overheard the conversation.
"Yes, Cath, I'm already here at the restaurant. I reserved a table for us. I'll wait for you here," he said before ending the call and putting the phone in his pocket.
Crap! That other seat wasn't for me! This guy is really irritating. I almost embarrassed myself again.
"You can look for your own table, then wait for me to finish my dinner so we can talk," he said, facing me. I was about to speak, but he immediately turned away.
I knew it; he planned to make me look like a beggar, including me here when he's not even covering the meal. I thought I had a chance to eat for free in an expensive restaurant, but apparently, it was just wishful thinking. Well, who is he to spend money on me when he spends it recklessly on his woman, who had ten layers of makeup on? Am I jealous? No way!
I quickly dismissed that thought from my mind and shook my head, hoping to rid myself of the unpleasant idea that had entered my mind.
"Boss, can I see your menu?" I whispered to the waiter who approached me. I'd like to check the menu carefully, hoping to find something around fifty pesos so as not to feel awkward waiting inside.
"Yes, ma'am, here's our menu." The waiter handed me the menu, and my eyes widened when I saw the prices of the dishes. The cheapest one was two thousand pesos; I might as well eat salt for a month if that's the case.
"Actually, I'm not that hungry. So, I won't eat anymore. I'll just wait outside," I said shyly to the waiter as I returned the menu and turned to leave.
"Guard, let me hang out here. I'll wait for my boss. He's eating," I told the guard outside the restaurant. Despite my internal objections, I couldn't help but feel belittled in my current situation. I'm not a fan of self-pity, but I can't help it.
"No problem, ma'am. That's how it is when normal people like us can't mingle with them. We can't afford it; we'll go broke if we try to keep up. One bill per table is already equivalent to a month's salary for me," the guard joked with me. Although I knew he was joking, his words brought me back to reality.
"Can I sit here? I'll wait for my boss," I asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Take a seat," he answered.
It hadn't been fifteen minutes since I was waiting outside when a beautiful and sexy woman arrived. I don't know why, but I followed her with my eyes. Somehow, I hoped it wasn't the girl Sancho was talking to on the phone. To my dismay, the stunning girl went straight to Sancho's table and gave him a peck on the lips. I immediately looked away. I don't know why, but I can't stand seeing them getting cozy with each other. I felt a pang of pain in my heart at that sight.
I was trying my hardest to hold back my tears when I heard someone speak, prompting me to look at him.
"You're the girl who's been outside Sancho's office since earlier, right?" I quickly wiped away the tear that escaped my eyes.
"Are you talking to me?" I asked immediately, lifting my face to face the man behind the voice.
"Is there anyone here?" the man asked, laughing.
"How would I know if you're talking to the guard?" I retorted, my tone lacking the usual politeness. In the current state of my emotions, I wasn't inclined to extend courtesy to anyone.
I cast a brief glance at the man standing before me. Tall and undeniably good-looking, his amber eyes possessed a penetrating quality that seemed to delve into the depths of my soul. While any woman might be captivated by his appearance, for me, these superficial qualities failed to ignite any fire within. The only man capable of kindling such a flame was presently enjoying the company of a stunning woman within the confines of the restaurant.
Why did I even bring that i***t up again?
"Funny, but yes, I am talking to you."
"Ah, yes, that's me. I need to present something to Mr. Dela Vega, so I'm waiting for him to finish eating," I explained, attempting to provide a rational explanation for my presence and divert attention from the complexities of my emotions.
"He's been keeping you waiting in his office since earlier, and now here? It seems that Sancho is trying his best to make you stay and prolong your presence. Maybe he wants to be with you. It looks like he doesn't want you to leave quickly." he said, his words laced with a teasing tone, hinting at a playful intrigue.
"Really? That's how you see it? He wants to be with me. Yeah right! More like he wants to annoy me!" I commented, my annoyance bubbling to the surface, unable to conceal the irritation in my voice.
"I am sure of that. He's been my buddy for quite some time now. I know him more than anyone else. He just has a peculiar way of showing it. That's why, most of the time, he was misunderstood."
"I don't understand what you're saying. All I know is he's the craziest guy I've ever met, and not in a good way."
"Care for a little wager? I'm willing to bet that if I stroll into that restaurant with you on my arm, he'll dash over to our table, maybe even throw a punch my way," he remarked, his smile widening as he added a playful challenge to the conversation.
"You must be out of your mind. I'd bet my last peso that it wouldn't happen. He's got no interest in me. We parted ways because he claimed we were incompatible, so what you're suggesting is utterly implausible," I retorted, realizing a tad too late that I'd inadvertently spilled something about our shared history, my words reflecting a mixture of defiance and vulnerability.
"Ah-ha! You're his ex-girlfriend. That clarifies everything. All the more reason for me to escort you inside," he declared gleefully.
"Hold on! I can't afford the pricey dishes in there."
"Fret not, my treat! By the way, I'm Magnus Vladimir Montejo, your knight in shining armor."
With little room for refusal, I yielded to him as he suddenly seized my hand, skillfully linking it with his arm as we made our way into the restaurant.
Who am I to turn down a complimentary dinner in a lavish restaurant? It's not every day that a stranger extends such a grand gesture just to make a point. I couldn't help but smile, acknowledging that, truth be told, my stomach had been empty since the prolonged wait for Sancho earlier.
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- Writer
