THE CHEEKY MAN
1958 Words
CHAPTER 6
THE CHEEKY MAN
Mahalia instantly stands on her feet, “I am sorry.” She says right away.
“I am so sorry for what I have done.” She adds.
He is taken aback with her action as he stares intently into her eyes.
She exhales heavily and he could see the disappointment in her eyes, “I would strongly decline your offer.” She says intently as she stares back into his eyes. “I don’t like it that you see me as that kind of woman.”
He blinks at her as he takes a sip from his drink.
“I actually thought you were a respectable man.”
He chuckles lightly, “I am, lovely.”
“Please don’t call me that.” She barks back. “I just can’t believe you can freely and casually offer that to women who are actually working with decent jobs without thinking how inconsiderate and selfish that sounded like coming from you. You don’t have to take advantage of the situation that I am in just because you know I am having such a hard time with my life right now.”
She nods, “And I get it, I am poor as a rat and I know I am, but that does not give you the right to see me so low like that.”
Mickey looks around and noticed that the other people were actually beginning to look over their table. He leans over and extends his hand towards Mahalia, “I am sorry. Can you sit back down please?” He says softly.
No. I don’t want to share the same table as you. How could I trust a man like you who offered me such--”
“That was a joke.” He cuts her off with his devious sweet smile and holds her gently on her wrist, “I was just kidding. I am such a stupid ass for saying that but I didn’t have any intention of saying so. It was a joke. A bad joke.”
Mahalia stares at him intently and doubts about his real intention now. He continues, “I swear to God it was a joke. God I would not sell anyone to the brothel.”
They’re just staring at each other while Mickey begins to feel a little embarrassed for what he has actually started, “Please do sit down and give me a listen.”
She breathes out heavily, “Fine.” She sits down eventually.
Mickey flashes his smile to the people who were looking over their table, “Nothing to see here ladies and gentlemen.” He states before he looks back at her, “I am so sorry for the joke, I did not know you would take it seriously.”
She crosses her arms together and he adds, “But I do have a job to offer you.”
“And what is that?”
“I cannot really tell you what but it is something very decent. I promise you.”
Mahalia’s brows creases, “That does not even make any sense.”
“Look, I still have to talk to the boss about the whole process but they were asking me for help and I think you fit right for the job.” He gestures his hand and smiles at her.
“So what is the job?”
“Think of it as a secretarial position.”
“I am not good at that and I don’t have proper training.”
“Oh you don’t have to worry.” He smiles at her before he finishes his drink. “Like I said, all you need is patience for the job.”
“Why?” She asks curiously. “Is it working for a child? That’s why it needs patience?”
He chuckles, “Well, you will find out if you will say yes.”
She sighs and rests her back against her chair, “I can’t say yes because you have not even told me what the work is exactly.” She takes a pause, “And who am I going to work for?” She questions hastily.
“For someone that cannot be named for now because he will be so mad at me if I am going to this but I have to. But rest assured that he has the cash to pay you and if he will miraculously like you as his secretary then you will get your bonus.” He narrates and Mahalia is still not buying it.
He sighs, “I should not have joked like that, now you don’t take me seriously.”
“I just don’t trust people that easily now after I was framed by another Filipino.”
He nods, “I understand that. But this offer does not only have a high paying salary but also a lot of perks.” He convinces her and puts an emphasis on the words a lot of perks.
“Like what?” She asks cautiously.
“Well for instance travelling to other countries, bonuses, food allowance and day offs. The salary that you will have if you accept this job is thrice or four times bigger than the ones you probably have now, all you have to do is have patience and… work for him.”
I hum, “You make it sound like he is a person that is so hard to deal with?”
He smiles and chuckles, “He is a nice man, trust me. He’s just…. Ehh, misunderstood.”
Mahalia breathes out, “I will think about it. Just promise me that it isn’t related about p**********n or any of that?”
“I solid promise.” He pulls his hand out.
She nods.
“Excuse me boss.”
Mahalia pulls her head up and finds a waiter standing right next to their table and finds it alarming who he was addressing it to. She looks back at Mickey as soon as he answered a cheerful, “Yes Paul?”
She was not getting what was happening since she was a little shocked and overwhelmed that the waiter called him “boss” but she tried to observe as she listened to their conversation.
“The Freys are already here on the second floor boss and they are looking for you. They wish to talk with you and your future ventures together.” Paul, the waiter, answers with such politeness.
Mahalia stares back at Mickey who groans on his seat but smiles at Paul, “And s**t I am in my trainers. Tell them I will be there as soon as I am done here. Thank you Paul.”
Paul settles the box of pizza over the table before he walks away and Mickey turns his attention back at a surprised Mahalia as he states, “I’m sorry. Where were we with our conversation?
“Y-You’re…. Why did he call you boss?” She questions since it was bothering her.
“I…” He trails off and chuckles under his throat since he has not met a woman who doesn’t know him and his wealthy background. Knowing his record as a devious and tempting Italian womanizer, he is kind of overwhelmed by her presence, “I own the restaurant Mahalia.”
Her eyes widened in a split second as she took a long sip from her drink while she finished it. She almost spurt out the drink from her mouth since she’s more surprised hearing it from him. “You’re what?”
He stares at her and he realizes that her reaction is completely priceless that it actually made him laugh under his throat, “I thought you realized it. I mean…” He trails off and smiles at her, “The restaurant is basically my name and I thought you knew who I was.”
“Oh.” She feels shy as soon as she realizes that she looked absolutely stupid in front of this man who she thought would actually offer her to work as a p********e. She quickly pulls her head up and feels her cheeks warming up, “I am so sorry for what I have caused here. I just--”
“It was partly my fault so you don’t really need to apologize.” He chuckles.
“I… Um, I do have to go because you need to go too.” She says softly and feels more embarrassed thinking about what she has said to him earlier and saying it so loud that almost other customers heard it. “I am so sorry again.” She covers her face with her palms and pulls it away the next second.
“No worries, let me walk you out.” He stands while he takes the box of pizza with him.
They walk together out of the restaurant and she takes a good look at the restaurant’s name as she wonders, “Michelle’s? Is that how you pronounce it?” She chimes as she travels her eyes back to Mickey.
“Mi-keh-leh.” He corrects nicely.
She subtly gapes and recovers, “Oh. I apologize. I have never heard of that name before. That’s cool.” She smiles back. “Look I am so sorry again for what I have caused in there.”
“No problem. Here.” He extends the box of pizza towards her.
She stares at it and the savory scent coming the pizza tickles her nostrils and makes her stomach even hungrier. “Why are you giving me that?” She looks back at her.
“Just take it.” He insists in a friendly way.
“But--”
“Come on, who can say no to free pizza? Right?” He smiles at her.
She held it in her hands as soon as she accepted it from Mickey. Her stomach feels happy knowing that she’s been starving since earlier and the cup noodles were not enough, it was ever enough for her starving self. Her heart feels blessed since she has been craving for a proper meal for days.
She pulls her head up and smiles at Mickey but he feels a little taken aback as soon as he sees small tears forming behind her eyelids. “Thank you so much for this.”
He has never given a woman a box of pizza before since he uses his charm, flowers and chocolates. Mr. Casanova has never seen a woman crying in happy tears after giving just a box of pizza. “You’re welcome.” He answers as he clears his throat.
He remembers the view of Mahalia earlier when he accidentally saw her standing right outside a restaurant and staring at the chef making a round of pizza.
He smiles at her, “You’re utmost welcome, lovely.” He rubs her arm with his hand trying to comfort her. ‘Think about the job okay? You know where to find me, lovely. Have a good night.” He winks at her before he walks back inside.
She exhales heavily as soon as she is left alone, “Gago, datu man diay to siya.” She mumbles to herself. (TRANSLATION: Silly, he was a rich man after all.)
She looks back to the restaurant and reads the huge name on it, “Tag-iya man diay mamahalun na restaurant, ako pang gipaka-uwawan sa sud. Ka buang jud nimo Mahalia oy! Pakauwaw ka lang!” She complains to herself as she begins to walk. (TRANSLATION: He was the owner of a very expensive restaurant and I embarrassed him inside. You are so stupid Mahalia! You’re such a shame.)
She walks home but her thoughts are bothered about the job offer.
- Writer
