The Loyal Servant

Chapter 4:Weird

“I don’t like that.”

Mr. Calixtro said and smashed the plate on the ground. Fernand’s hand clenched as he tried to gather all his patients. It has been three days since he officially served this guy alone. For a week, Melisa trained and assisted him with what he was going to do and what he must remember. Every morning except Mondays and Fridays, Melisa woke him up at 6 and cooked a meal for Mr. Calixtro waited for him to finish his food, then accompanied him to the office. His job seemed normal and easy during those days, but when Melisa resigned, Fernand started to serve Mr.Calixtro alone.

“What would you like to eat, Mr.Calixtro?” Fernand asked patiently.

Mr. Calixtro looked at him and smiled, “whatever you cook,”

Fernand’s eyes narrowed, “whatever I cook?”

 Mr.Calixtro nods, then puts his attention on his phone screen.

Fernand turned around and went back to the kitchen. He wears his apron back and starts to get some ingredients to the fridge. For three days, this scenario is not new to him. The first day he served Mr.Calixtro alone, the bowl of soup he made was thrown on the ground. He even had a cut on his finger, but Mr.Calixtro kept complaining about the food. He cooked five types of food before Mr.Calixtro decided not to eat. It’s kinda weird since Mr.Calixtro was not pleased with his food, while when he and Melisa served him, no such complaint was heard.

Fernand suddenly stopped mixing his ingredients and looked up like he was looking for an answer.

“Is he in love with Melisa?”  he thought, “Was he upset that Melisa resigned?”

Fernand shook his head and focused on mixing his food. There might be a possibility that that could be the reason, however, Fernand was too convinced that Mr.Calixtro was not the type of romantic guy that will be upset because his lover left. After he finished preparing the food, he went back to the dining area and served it.

“Here,” Fernand  placed a plate of green salad in front  of Mr.Calixtro

Mr.Calixtro put down his phone and looked at the plate. His eyebrows raised as he got his fork and started to dig the salad… Literally in front of  Fernand. He smells it and acts as if it disgusted him. He frowned and threw the plate on the ground.

“ I don’t want that,” he said and picked up his phone.

Fernand gritted his teeth and whispered, “how old is this guy?”

“What?” Mr.Calixtro said and looked at him with narrowed eyes.

 Fernand didn’t reply, instead he picked up everything that was thrown on the ground and slammed it to the table. He was not a patient guy who would just agree to be teased around. He has been in hell for just three days. He was required to cook for him, accompany him and patiently wait for Mr.Calixtro to finish his food while he was teased by this guy multiple times a day. His Patient reached the maximum and he couldn’t calm himself.

“ You don’t like it?” Fernand asks while trying not to burst out.

“I don’t like that,” Mr.Calixtro replied.

Fernand chuckled in disbelief, "I asked you many times. What do you want to eat, Mr. Calixtro? And fudge…" Fernand stroked his hair and continued, “You said everything I cook. Damn you.”He tries to calm himself by fidgeting with his fingers. 

Unfortunately, Mr.Calixtro has a habit of getting on Fernand’s nerves. He turned his seat facing to Fernand and rested his chin to his one hand.

"What about..." he looked at Fernand from head to toe, then a playful smile flashed to his face.

" You?" He said while pointing at Fernand.

Fernand loses control and grasps Mr.Calixto's collar. The things he picked up earlier once again failed on the ground. His face turns red as he firmly grasps Mr.Calixto's collar but the smile on Mr.Calixto's face is retained as Fernand looked at him with fierce eyes.

"Don't look at me like that. I might fall for you." Mr.Calixtro said. 

He held Fernand's hand that was still holding his collar and looked at Fernand’s eyes with a mischievous smile . Fernand grasps his collar more firmly, and it seems like he has no intention of letting him go.

“I’ve been trying not to punch you sir,…” Fernand said in his tight voice.

"Will you let go of me? You wouldn't like to punch nor hurt a handsome guy, would you? " He said to Fernand with a soft voice, then flashes another smile. That doesn't look like a pretty smile. He had something behind those words.

Fernand suddenly thought about his sister and decided to let go of Mr.Calixto's collar.  This is not the time for him to create conflict between him and his sister’s boss. He needs to know where his sister is. He goes back where he stood before and asks him again. This time he tried his best not to go with his emotions.

"Mr.Calixtro, tell me what you want. I already made you four types of food yet you throw them everytime. Stop being so childish because you're wasting food."” he tried to lower his voice. 

But Mr.Calixtro enjoyed teasing Fernand, he sticks his tongue out and laughs. Fernand clenched his fist, trying not to burst out again. If only because of his sister , he might have already killed him in the first place. With his temper and skills, Mr.Calixtro is considered lucky to have no bruises.

"I already said what I want," Mr.Calixtro said with a smile while fixing his polo collar.

"Okay, I'll order you a steak," Fernand said. He gets his phone from his pocket and dials the restaurant's number. The call is immediately answered by the restaurant crew but when he’s  about to talk, a smooth cold hand touches the back of his hand. It was late when he realised that his phone was snatched by Mr.Calixtro and thrown on the ground. 

His eyes grew bigger as his phone fell on the ground and shattered it’s parts. He turned around and looked  at Mr.Calixtro with narrowed eyes. But instead of hearing sorry, he saw Mr.Calixtro back to his seat, trying to hide his smile.

"Damn you. WTF is your problem?" Fernand shouted from the top of his lungs. He already lost his patience. He looks at Mr.Calixtro, but it seems that he doesn't care at all.

 Mr. Calixtro shrugged his shoulders and said, " Nothing," 

Fernand's face scowled and rolled his eyes, “ Ha. ha Unbelievable.”

He fidget his finger and continued, “ Nothing, yet you fcking threw away my phone”

"I don't like steak," Mr. Calixtro said and stood up from his seat.

Mr. Calixtro looked at fernands and started to walk towards him.  Fernand felt a chill throughout his body as he felt Mr. Calixtro coming closer to him. He turned his sight to Mr. Calixtro and raised a brow. 

“W-what ?” Fernand said.

A line formed between Mr.Calixto's lips. Fernand took a step back each time Mr. Calixtro walked closer to him. Unfortunately, his back hurts as it hits the wall that divides the kitchen and the dinning area. Every inch of his face turns pale except for his nose that  turns red. He swallowed his saliva and licked his lips as Mr. Calixtro stopped in front of him. With a mischievous smile, Mr.Calixtro moved his face closer to Fernand.

“I don’t like Steak.”  Mr. Calixtro whispered.

Mr.Calixto's voice is soft enough to tingle Fernand’s ears but loud enough to pissed Fernand's ego.

Fernand released a deep  annoyed sigh, “I h-heard you, now move or else...”

Mr.Calixtro raised his brow and asked,”Or else what? You’ll punch me?”

Fernand gritted his teeth and looked at Mr.Calixto's eyes.  He’s almost thirty in age yet his face looks like 25 or younger. He thought as his eyes were distracted by the beautiful face of Mr.Calixtro.He‘s irritated, however he can’t deny that Mr.Calixtro has an extraordinarily young face. From his thick brows, long lashes, pointed nose to his alluring lip.

His eyebrows raised with his eyes widened as Mr.Calixtro put his hands around his Fernand waist and leaned closer to him. He tried to remove it with his strong arms yet Mr.Calixtro’s hand is stronger than his.

“Don’t move,” Mr.Calixtro whispered.

Fernand brows scowled as he gradually stopped removing Mr.Calixtro's hand on his waist. His eyes are looking downward trying to avoid the almond colored eye of Mr.Calixtro. He released a deep sight as he felt warm skin on his back.

“I don’t feel like eating steak today,” Mr.Calixtro said.

He bent his head trying to look for Fernand’s eyes but he failed. Fernand always tried to move his head whenever he met Mr.Calixtro’s eyes.

"But if the steak is you..." Mr.Calixtro touched his chin and continued. "Why not?" 

Fernand’s reddish nose becomes tomato as all his blood rises to his face. He pushes Mr.Calixtro on the floor with all his strength and grabs Mr.Calixto's collar.

”I’m not a freaking meat,” he said and landed a punch.

Mr.Calixtro’s face tilted as he felt the soreness in his cheeks. Fernand frowned and looked at him as he giggled.

"You did punch me. I love it"  Mr.Calixtro said while cupping his face.

Fernand eyebrows raised in confusion. He just feels like he's gonna start losing his mind. He’s about to punche Mr.Calixtro again when he remembers his sister, he needs something from this guy. He stands up and looks at the perverted man lying on the floor.

"Stand up," Fernand commanded Mr.Calixtro.

Mr.Calixtro stared at him and smiled.

"Don't smile, you jerk." He offers his arm to help Mr.Calixtro stand up.

Mr.Calixtro reaches Fernand's arms and stands up. He fixed his clothes and got back to his seat. Fernand grabs the opportunity to get his phone that was thrown out earlier. He's really out of luck, after seeing his phone with a c***k on its screen makes him think that sooner he will be out of money.  I never had my salary from this guy yet. He thought

"Thanks to you. I probably need to buy a new phone, Again." Fernand complains.

Mr.Calixtro developed a mannerism to beam at Fernand every time he grumpy or got teased. That made Fernand annoyed, but this time he ignored his smile. He looks at the clock placed at the entrance of the dining room. It's already 8 am, and his boss must go to his work at 8:30 am.

"Mr. Calixtro, what do you want to eat?" he asked and slowly walked towards Fernand. " Hurry up and choose. There's no time playing around."

"The same question will never change my answer," Jaime said. “And please refrain from calling me Mr.Calixtro. Jamie is better, darling,”

A loud  sound of slammed made him  raise his two arms in the air. Seeing Fernand turning into red r****h, he can't stop laughing. Fernand ignored the impish laugh .

"Just kidding, Mr. Lopez" he tapped Fernand’s shoulders and stood up from his seat. His playful character suddenly changes into a serious man.

"Just order me some Scallops. I’ll eat them at the office." He said and walked out of the dining room.

Frnand left dumbfounded in the dining room trying to absorb everything that happened. He might have been serving and seeing  this guy for three days yet the sudden change in Mr.Calixtro’s Character still surprises him.

"How did Lisa get involved with this crazy person?" Fernand mumbled. 

They left the mansion together as they usually do. But this day wasn’t ordinary. Mr.Calixtro demands that Fernand sit on the backseat though his usual seat is in the passenger seat. He just shrugged his shoulders and sat beside Mr.Calixtro.

When they were almost near Mr.Calixtro’s office, they caught a traffic jam.  Fernand looked at his watch multiple times restlessly. Mr.Calixtro noticed Fernand's anxiousness, he looked at him but immediately looked away when Fernand looked back at him.

Fernand looked back at his watch and scratched his head as he noticed that the car didn’t move an inch after several minutes.

“Do you have class?” Mr.Calixtro asked while looking outside the car

Fernand looked at him and nodded. It's a bit weird since Mr.Calixtro never asks him that.

“Have you eaten?” Mr.Calixtro asked once again.

“Nope,” he answered and looked away.

“Why?”Mr.Calixtro asked in his soft voice.

Fernand's face scrunched up  as he heard Mr.Calixtro asking him. Does he have alzeimers?. He thought. He can’t stop himself  but  to laugh sarcastically. His head was confused by the scene earlier yet Mr.Calixtro asked him the question why.

“Why?” Fernand asked sarcastically. 

“You…” He continued and turned to Mr.Calixtro.

He pointed his index finger to Mr.Calixtro and said “You ordered me to cook you a food that you throw each time I serve you one. How the hell am I supposed to eat?” 

Mr.Calixtro looked at him with a blank face. “Want to eat?”

Fernand rolled his eyes,“I would be happy t-” 

Mr.Calixtro interrupts. “Then let’s stop at the restaurant.”

“We can not,” Fernand said firmly.

Mr.Calixtro frowned , “Why?”

Fernand was shookt to the question. His eyebrows are met again. “I can’t stop just to eat, I still have my exam later,” He turned around and looked outside. “Also, I already ordered your scallops, sir.”

Mr.Calixtro released a deep sigh and didn't bother  to talk to him again; they both sat in silence. Minutes passed, yet they were still sitting in the same position, in the same place. The road was filled with cars honking and people knocking through the windows of the cars, selling cigarettes and candy. Traffic is not new for people who commute or drive on the roads of Manila, same as for Fernand who usually takes jeepneys to go to his university. Having butt ache as part of his commute, but having neck pain was a bit unusual.

When Fernand felt an uncomfortable ache in his neck, he tilted his head from left to right trying to ease his pain but it didn’t leave him. He tried to move a little while massaging his neck slightly with his left hand. He rested his head on the car window but it didn't help. He looked upward and laid his head on the seat, yet his neck pain worsened. His movements drew attention to Mr.Calixtro.

“Could you stay still?” he asked, but the movement still continued.

He looked at Fernand and exclaimed, “Hey!” 

Fernand's forehead creased while he was trying to ease his pain. He stopped when a smooth muscular hand touched his shoulder. 

Fernand looked at the man next to him and said, “Sorry, my neck is aching.”

Mr.Calixtro removed his hand from  Fernand's shoulder and tapped the driver’s shoulder.

“Sir?” the driver asked.

Mr.Calixtro pointed to his duffel bag at the passenger seat, “get that,”

The driver obeyed Mr.Calixtro and handed the bag to him at once. Mr.Calixtro opened the bag and picked up his pillow neck. He gave the bag back to the driver and requested that he put it back.

   “Here,” he said and gently touched Fernand’s neck while putting him on the pillow.

Fernand was stunned to speak or act as he felt the warmness in his neck. His left hand gradually dropped as Mr.Calixtro's hand touched his neck. He looked at Mr.Calixtro with amusement and confusion.

“Done.” Mr.Calixtro said after he successfully finished putting on the pillow. 

“Thanks,” Fernand said.

Mr.Calixtro rested back in his seat, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes, “Welcome. Just don’t move, it’s annoying.”

Fernand nodded and looked outside. In Fernand’s mind, Mr.Calixtro was not so good at being served by his sister, but he slowly felt like he was wrong. Mr.Calixtro was sometimes crazy, he liked to tease and make him angry, yet he was also a caring boss. Maybe that was my sister’s reason why she was always at his side. He thought.

He remembered the days he spent with his sister. He always blames Mr.Calixtro for having less time with her, but she always says that it’s not Mr.Calixtro’s fault. In the end, he smiled and embraced each time they met each other.  

They may have a short time for each other due to his sister’s job, but if they do have time, they spend it thoroughly. There’s one time when they spent the whole week at Pagudpud beach and went home with empty pockets but full of pasalubong (Souvenir). He can’t stop himself but smiles whenever he remembers it. Mr.Calixtro frowned when he heard a giggle, he looked at Fernand and it seemed like his mind was flying and he failed to remember that he was with Mr. Calixtro.

“Ehem,” Mr.Calixtro cleared his throat.

Fernand suddenly lost his smile and looked at Mr.Calixtro, “hmm?”

Mr.Calixtro did not reply. Fernand shrugged his shoulders and looked back outside. He noticed that his neck felt much better now and the traffic was moving slowly.  He picked his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his social media. He was entertained by the post he saw on social media when a text message got his attention.

His eyebrows met each other as he read the text message. He immediately contacted Kier. Three rings passed before it was picked up by an unknown person. 

“Hello?” the male voice asked,

The background noise was not annoying to hear, yet Fernand could hear the moans of two men.

“Is Ki-” he was about to finish his words when he remembered that Mr.Calixtro was beside him.

He immediately hung up the call and turned his phone off.  His hand sweated even though the inside the car was cold enough. He released multiple deep sighs before Mr.Calixtro noticed his trouble.

“Is one sight not enough?” Mr.Calixtro asked while his eyes were closed.

“Sorry,” he replied and got his water from his backpack placed under his seat.

After he sipped water, he looked at Mr.Calixtro and gathered all his courage.

“I have a question,” Fernand said.

“Uhm?” Mr.Calixtro replied.

He looked at Mr.Calixtro and asked, “Where’s my sister?”