Chapter 5 - A Spark of Interest
1795 Words
"It was an offensive presumption. I apologize." Wednesday immediately stated when Lowell didn't respond.
The stunned gentleman finally got his senses back and shook his head. "N-no, it's not that."
"Are you alright? You look pale," she asked out of concern.
"I'm fine, don't worry about it." he smiled to reassure her. "Anyway, how did you come with that conclusion?"
Wednesday's eyes lit up brightly upon hearing his query. "It was just a thought that occurred to me by the end of the story. The way she described the woman standing behind her son was too endearing. It was as if she loved that woman before."
"And you think that the woman was her ex-wife back when she was a man?"
She nodded enthusiastically, "Yes. In fact, that's not Adelia's only encounter with her. Every time she would see her, there's no mention of names. Adelia would just describe the way she looked as if she's longing for her. "
Indulged by her thoughts, Lowell can’t help but laugh softly in amusement. "But you can't just assume she's a former male just because of that. The woman could just be her son's lover."
Wednesday pouted, disappointed by his comment. "I thought about that too, but how about that scene where you implied how Adelia hated her masculine body and even tried to alter it.”
“A lot of women suffer from insecurity because of their body figure. That scene may only represent how she viewed herself.” he defended with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes, obviously frustrated. Her nostrils were flaring in the middle of her intense thinking. After some moment, she sighed and lifted her hand mid-air to show defeat.
“Okay, you win,” Wednesday admitted.
After that long debate about the book, the rest of their lunch went smoothly. She almost forgot how intimidating this man was when they first met. They chatted for some more, mostly about her novel, which she unknowingly enjoyed.
“You really don’t have to drop me home personally,” Wednesday said awkwardly while seated inside the car. “I’m sure you’re busy. And wouldn’t it be a big problem if you’re seen with some girl?”
“That’s exactly what I told, Alex.” Lowell sighed as he put on a cap and mask to cover his face.
With his hand placed on the steering wheel, he turned to look at her. “But he arranged everything so that I can send you home myself. All because I brought you home last night and he got the wrong idea.”
She turned all red and shifted her gaze away. Being reminded of her actions last night brought the shame back to her senses. “Speaking of that, how did I end up in your penthouse again?”
“H-hey, don’t get the wrong idea.” For the first time, she heard his flustered voice. He coughed to ease the tension away. “It’s just bad luck that some reporter tailed me when there’s a drunk woman clinging in my arms. I had no choice but to bring you here.”
“C-Clinging? I’m drunk but I clearly remember that I passed out after..” Wednesday gulped and cleared her throat. “..the kiss.”
“Oh, did you now?” he teasingly replied while starting the car engine. “You know, it’s amusing when you talk with assumptions.”
She gritted her teeth, annoyed. “Can’t you just tell me what happened?”
“Hmm.” He paused as the corner of his lip raised. Almost as if he’s deeply considering her request. “Nah. I’ll tell you when we meet again.”
“And when will that be?”
His eyes narrowed, “Maybe say my name three times in the mirror and I might just appear.”
“Yeah, funny.” She sneered, he laughed.
To be honest, it made her feel a bit empty. Because she knew there’s no way she’ll meet Lowell Sebastian again. He’s the Chairman and CEO of SMU Publishing after all, and she’s some amateur writer who got tangled in this situation by a mistake.
"Catch." he interrupted her thoughts and threw his phone in her lap. "Put your address in the GPS so that we can get moving."
"You can just drop me by the nearest bus station. I can go alone from there, really." she declined and picked up the phone.
"Don't worry, I'll have a security team driving behind. There's no way someone can tail us again." Lowell assured her with a confident smile. But seeing that she’s not convinced, he snatched the phone away from her hands.
“Should I just call Alex and make him look through your records?” He started to dial a number on the screen. Before he could put it near his ear, she pulled the phone back.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
After dropping off Wednesday Curtis, the young chairman of SMU Publishing drove home with an upbeat air around him. His unknowingly good mood dragged on until the following morning. Even when he was informed of an urgent business trip later that afternoon, there were no complaints or sudden anger outbursts from him. Lowell also declined Alexiel’s offer to accompany him throughout the two-day out of town trip.
When he got back, the maids and security personnel were taken aback by his unexpected smiles and greetings. Although weirded out, everyone was very pleased with this change. After all, it’s not every day that they can move at ease around him.
“Looks like someone had a good time.” Alexiel shot him a suspicious grin while putting down reports on his office desk.
Lowell’s face turned grim almost immediately. “For some coward who ran away, you look shameless.” He purposely jabbed at him.
His assistant snickered. Amused at his irritated response. “By your reaction, may I assume that aside from the business trip, the negotiation with Ms. Curtis went well too?”
He rolled his eyes at him and picked up the papers on his desk. “There’s no need for negotiations in the first place. You just panicked over nothing.”
Lowell’s eyes were busy scanning the papers but he could tell that Alexiel was still pondering over his every move. He was planning to not let anyone kill his vibe today but his assistant’s constant fidgeting kept on getting on his nerves.
He drew a deep breath before putting down the papers and throwing a glare. “What is it this time?”
Alexiel hesitated for a while. He was tapping his phone over his palm nervously. “Before I tell you, just know that I rescheduled all your important meetings today.”
His forehead wrinkled. “What?”
“I just thought this issue needs immediate action. Louise sent a message a few hours ago.” Alexiel puts down his phone in front of Lowell.
“What does your tiger girlfriend want from me again - “ His complaint was halted as soon as he’d read the message flashed on his assistant’s phone. They exchanged meaningful glances before he suddenly rose from his seat and palmed his face.
“I’ll prepare the car right away,” Alexiel said before stepping out of the office.
Half an hour before lunchtime, Wednesday glanced around the office cautiously. Everyone seemed to be caught up with work and Denver was out of sight for days now. He's probably out doing some fieldwork like he always does. That thought instantly made her feel relieved. She just gained an extra day to think about how to explain herself. If only she didn't blurt out that she's resigning, then she wouldn't be this stressed thinking about how to take it back.
She gazed outside the glass window and sighed. The last few days were like a roller-coaster ride for her, but now she’s back to her same old routine. And with that thought, Lowell’s smug face suddenly flashed on her mind.
“W-What the..” She blurted out loud unintentionally. Some of her colleagues turned their heads to her direction, so she automatically lowered her head and covered her mouth.
But now that her mind was full of the things that happened last weekend, there’s no way she can focus on work anymore. She decided to step out and go to the bathroom to wash her face. No one would mind anyway because it’s almost lunch break.
“Did you hear?” She overheard a voice on the sink while she’s inside the bathroom cubicle. “They said our company will soon be acquired by Mortel Group of Companies.”
“Really? Is that why Denver was always out for meetings?” Another voice asked in a worried tone. “Poor him. Their team worked hard to get that big client. If the management changes, some will be laid off and sent to other departments for sure.”
“You think so? I guess we have to find a new job ahead of time too.”
Wednesday waited for them to leave before she stepped out of the toilet cubicle. She stared blankly at the mirror while the water from the faucet ran down her hand. What was that she’d just heard? A danger of unemployment. She screamed in her head.
“Ah, my luck.” She exclaimed with a hoarse voice, holding back the tears at the tip of her eyes. Just thinking about that possibility already frustrates her.
She gently patted her cheeks to shake off the overwhelming emotions that she’s currently feeling. When she walked back, her spirits remained down. Almost everyone was out for lunch as she returned to her desk.
“Wednesday, reception said someone’s looking for you in the lobby.” One of her colleagues who's returning from buying lunch told her. She was about to ask him who it was but the man already went to the pantry before she could open her mouth.
“This better not be about work.” She groaned and lazily stood up.
Her eyes wandered around the lobby, nonchalantly looking for the person who asked for her. She blinked when a tall woman dressed in fancy clothes started to walk towards her direction. As the unknown person gets closer, she can’t help but take a step back due to her intimidating demeanor.
“Ms. Wednesday Curtis?” The woman called. She took off her sunglasses, revealing her dark eyes that radiated confidence.
Wednesday tilted her head to the side. The stranger who appeared to be in her late 40’s looked incredibly familiar. “Yes. And you are?”
Breaking out into a smile, the woman reaches out a hand for a shake. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Curtis. I’m Iyanna Salvador.”
“Iyanna Salvador.” She mumbled slowly and stared into a distance while trying to recall something. And when her jaw dropped, their eyes locked into an understanding. “The Iyanna Salvador of JYBC Station?”
Iyanna nodded and covered her mouth to hide her emerging laughter. When Wednesday recovered from the shock, she noticed the alerted men standing at a distance and watching over them. She quickly figured that those people were probably this famous person’s bodyguards.
“I apologize if I caught you by surprise. ”
“T-To who do I owe this pleasure to meet you?” She was still in the cloud of disbelief that she’s standing and talking in front of this person. Her childhood was all about watching her movies!
“Actually,” Iyanna tucked her hair behind an ear and pursed her lips. “Do you mind if we talk about it over lunch?”
- Writer
