Chapter 2
2233 Words
I helped him up and he’s not even making my whole life any easier. He kept mumbling something under his breath like he was chanting something while I stood there, on my full force, trying to pull him up off the ground.
“Come on, Kino,” I told him, sounding like we’re close or anything. “Get up. The ground won’t love you as much.” I even had the guts to joke around him even when he’s already so stupid drunk.
But he was stubborn. I already know that the moment he didn’t accept my wipes and alcohol. However, I didn’t expect him to be this stubborn. Or maybe he just doesn’t know what to do whenever he drinks over the limit.
I looked around, hoping that someone is around who could help me get Kino up and make him sit on the concrete bench near the sidewalk.
“You’re really heavy…” I commented in a strained voice because I am already at my maximum force.
I looked at him and saw his eyes closed while his lips are slightly parted. I am most thankful that I only had two shots of tequila or I would have kissed him impulsively without minding if he was throwing up just a few moments ago. I know. It’s gross.
“Leave me alone…” he slurred while trying to remove my arms around him but I narrowed my eyes at him and shook my head.
“Nope,” I told him. I am already here, helping him. I won’t leave now that I have already wasted a lot of my time on him. “Can you just stand up so I can make you sit on the concrete bench while I get some coffee for you?”
His eyes finally flickered open and he turned to me. “Why do you really care?” he asked in a stern voice. It was still slurred and serious but he still tried to get up. He struggled and stumbled a little but managed to get on his feet.
I put his arm around my shoulders and led him to the nearest concrete bench under a lamp post near a nonfunctioning telephone booth. I let out one heavy breath when I successfully made him sit down on the bench.
I looked at him and saw him sitting with his hands pressed on the bench, supporting himself so he would not fall.
I pursed my lips. “What’s your address?” I asked.
He snapped his head to me. “I don’t bring girls at home.”
I narrowed my eyes, confused at what he meant with what he said. So what if he doesn’t bring girls at home? Did he think I would come with him? Ridiculous! He’s handsome, yes, but I am not that kind of woman.
I rolled my eyes. “I am booking you an Uber. I need your address.”
“Tsss…” he rolled his eyes before taking something out of his pocket. He handed me his wallet.
Confused and not knowing what to do, I slowly opened his wallet and saw a stash of cash and several black and gold cards. I looked at him. “What about this?”
He glared at me. “Just get that and leave me the f**k alone,” he replied.
My eyes widened as anger immediately rushed through my veins. Did he just insinuate that I am a prostitute? Insulted and angry at the same time, I gave him his wallet back. I glared at him with all of my admiration on him drained out of my system in an instant. “Take your money with you,” I said with gritted teeth. “And good luck going home in that state.” I gave him one more look before scoffing and turning my back on him.
He’s a f*****g evil man with such a godly face. It’s annoying.
I walked straight to the sidewalk and booked an Uber to go home. I thought I would have a good night. If I had known that I would only have two shots, I would have driven here and saved myself from the hassle of waiting.
I clenched my fists and tried so hard not to look back at where that annoying Kino Sloane is. I know that he’s a little rude but I didn’t know that he is a certified Grade A asshole who thinks lowly of the women who only want to help him.
I looked at what I am wearing. It’s not even something revealing. Well, not that I think that the women who wear revealing clothes are like that. I just f*****g hate the fact that he thought of me as a f*****g prostitute! Now I realize that I just wasted my time and energy on him.
I let out a heavy breath and tried to calm myself. I should stop sticking my nose on other people’s business. Sometimes, other people think ill of the help they are getting. Especially the elite.
I pursed my lips and thanked heavens that my Uber has finally arrived. I got inside and called it a night. Coming here was not the best choice, I guess.
***
The next day, I went to work and saw the women at the reception gushing about someone. I wanted to ask them what was that about but because I am already running late, I had to shrug it all off and rush to the lift. Julia is going to have a meeting today and some of the data she needs are still on my computer. I need to go to my office fast and print all of them.
I immediately went to her office and gave her the folder she would need for the presentation. She’s looking so fresh even with her condition. She’s also gaining some weight but she’s still looking so good. I wonder what her secret is. Or maybe it’s the genes. Her mother is a beautiful woman and I guess she took after her.
“Are you okay?” she asked me when she saw me inside her office. She looked at me from head to foot. “Please wear some makeup. You look so pale,” she requested.
I pursed my lips and sighed. “I was running late so I didn’t have time to put some makeup on,” I told her. “I just rushed here to print that and gave it to you before you go on your meeting at nine.”
She smiled and nodded. “That’s okay. Thank you for this,” she beamed as she raised the folder. “I will have a meeting with Kino Sloane and the rest of the investors for the fashion show in three months.”
I froze on my spot when I heard Kino’s name. What the hell? So that means he’s coming here? I pursed my lips as the thought of seeing him again made all the anger I felt last night coming alive again.
“Are you okay?” Julia asked me when she noticed that I was stoned on my spot so suddenly.
I looked at her and faked a smile. “Yeah, I’m good. I just didn’t have a nice sleep, I guess.” I didn’t lie. I really kept thinking if what I did last night was worth that much. “I better go back and fix my face,” I told her.
She looked at me with narrowed eyes, confused, and questioning at the same time. “Okay,” she told me but her expression shows that she’s a little reluctant.
“I’ll see you at lunch. I need to go over the designs needed for the fashion show,” I told her before turning my back on her, walking out of her door, and rushing to my office.
I closed my door and leaned onto it while holding my beating heart and my heated face. I shut my eyes and tried to calm my nerves. I am still so angry at him for thinking lowly of my help. Did he think he looks like a high-profile person?
Yes, he did.
Well, he does. But it was the club and a lot of men are dressed in the same style as he is.
But his perfume proved the difference.
I rolled my eyes and took another heavy breath. Maybe I need some coffee. Yes, maybe that would be the only thing that could calm me right now. I walked to my bag and fixed my face first, put on light makeup and an orange shade of lipstick from MIT Cosmetics. I brushed my hair with my fingers and looked at my face on the mirror one last time before grabbing my wallet and finally walking to the café on the ground floor.
I checked the time on my phone. It’s almost nine and there is a possibility that I would bump into the investors coming in so I used the other elevator—the one that the normal staff and employees use. I waited patiently in front of the lift. When it finally arrived, I rode it down and walked straight to the café to have my daily shot of espresso.
I have a lot of work to finish now so I need to be awake and calm the whole time. There’s just not a lot of work done when emotions are stirring inside my system.
While I was waiting for my order on the side, I froze on my spot when I smelled a familiar scent from beside me.
“Let me have a large cup of hot Americano. To go.”
The familiar baritone got the hairs on the back of my neck rise together with my irritation and anger. I cannot be mistaken. I know I only met him that moment but his voice and the smell of his perfume have already registered in my brain and it’s impossible for me to forget that now. Especially since he already holds a huge impact to trigger my emotions.
I looked to my right where the voice came from and confirmed my suspicion. Here is Kino Sloane, dressed in a black coat over a white turtle neck and a pair of black slacks. His hair is brushed up neatly, showing his handsome face. His deep-set eyes looked more expressive with his thick brow. His jaw is clenched like it’s actually how it should be.
He turned to me after saying his order and his eyes widened a bit. Wow, I beat him right there. He was more surprised to see me than I do. And well, I am actually more surprised that he could remember me even with how stupid drunk he was last night.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. He’s already ruined his face on me so I won’t even waste my time crushing on him. Besides, how would a man as high and mighty as he is look at a common employee like me?
“Hey…” he trailed and I felt him stepping closer to me. “Were…you the woman from last night?” I pursed my lips and ignored him. He inched even closer. “Look, I am sorry for how I acted with the wallet and all that—”
He stopped when I snapped my head towards him. His eyes widened and lips parted. “I-I’m sorry,” he stammered and I could laugh at his facial expression.
Who would even think that a man as tall as he is and with an established reputation in the business industry would act like a coward in front of a woman? I would have never imagined that. Not even in my dreams.
But here he is. Looking like a small kitten in front of a huge lion. It’s funny.
I sighed and crossed my arms against my chest. “Look, Mr. Sloane, it doesn’t matter anymore now,” I told him as I looked at him from head to foot. “That was nothing. And it’s not like what you think of me would actually matter to me. I know myself better than you do. So, just forget about it. Actually, you can just forget about meeting me there because that’s what I am trying to do now.” I smiled at him and turned to the releasing area when I heard my name being called.
I showed my receipt and grabbed my drink before walking out of the café with a victorious smile on my face.
Well, isn’t that a huge achievement for me?
I sipped on my coffee and walked to the lift. I am so proud of myself right there. This has to go down to my daily journal.
- Writer
