Chapter 3
3152 Words
I was not expecting to meet Kino Sloane in the office immediately after what happened last night. As a matter of fact, I am not expecting to see him again. Not with how things ended up that night. I just can’t look at him in the eye and be cool with it.
And I don’t care if he’s drunk and he doesn’t know what he’s doing. As an onlooker who wanted to help, I was offended by his gesture.
I pursed my lips and plopped on my swivel, glaring at the computer screen in front of me.
“What? Sorry?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes while pretending like the screen in front of me is Kino Sloane’s face.
I leaned on the backrest and shut my eyes tightly. I shouldn’t be this pissed off. I should stop being so pissed off. I should stop being offended because I shouldn’t care. I wasn’t doing it for his money. And damn, even though I have been single for long, I am not that desperate to be with someone.
My phone chimed. It’s Julia.
Julia:
Can you come to the conference room? We need you in the meeting.
I raised my brow. Why does she need me all of a sudden? I already gave her everything that she needs. And besides, I have to review some designs for the new bag collection that we’re releasing by the end of the year.
I began typing my reply but stopped when her name is suddenly flashing on the screen. I sighed and accepted the call, left with no choice.
“Hello,” I answered.
“We need you here,” Julia’s voice sounded so urgent. “Kino Sloane’s secretary said that he needed to talk with the head designer, too.”
I furrowed my brows in confusion. “He’s just an investor, Julia. Why does he have to see me?” I have never been present during the presentation of designs to the investors. Julia normally handles those stuff so I am kind of surprised that I am needed in the meeting right now.
I heard Julia groaning from the other side. “But Mr. Sloane is an important investor!” she insisted. “So, get your ass off here and I promise I’ll set you up on a date tonight!”
I raised my brow. Now, that’s promising. I guess going out with a man would make me forget about Kino Sloane.
“What do you think? An engineer in the Air Force. I’ll tell Clifford to set you up with him!” Julia was obviously pleading and I couldn’t help but just agree with her.
“Fine.” I sighed hard and prayed that I am doing the right thing. Now, I can only think about the way I treated him in the café. What if he says no just because of that? s**t!
“Great! Now, come here this instant. Mr. Sloane is about to come up.”
I swallowed hard. Sure, he needs to apologize to me for his offensive remark last night. But damn it. I should have handled it better. I should have said something better than the words I used.
It doesn’t matter how he thinks of me? Well, that’s true. But now, for the sake of this huge project, it f*****g matters!
Damn it! Since when have I acted on my emotions? This is one of the rarest times that I let my emotions get the best of me and now, I’m regretting why it has to be with an important investor. f**k coincidence!
I fixed myself and made sure to calm myself down to manage my expression before walking to the conference room. Apparently, I was the only person they are waiting for when I arrived. Julia was seated on the southern portion of the island table while Kino Sloane and his secretary are seated on the opposite side.
Julia’s eyes widened and she immediately smiled when she saw me entering the door. She waved at me and motioned to sit beside her. Because of her gesture, Kino and his secretary also turned in my direction with his secretary smiling widely at me while he himself looked at me like he’s seen a ghost.
Well, if someone vented out on me in public, that would also be my expression. Or maybe even worse. Sometimes, I look like I am mad when, in reality, I am just spacing out.
I smiled widely when mentally, I would like to vomit. Run away. And never turn back.
Julia chuckled as I took the seat beside her, which is right across Kino Sloane. This is just so great. I think I am having a blast the whole week. Meh.
“This is Charity Denise Marshall, our Head Designer,” Julia introduced me and I hated that she introduced me using my whole name. Now, Kino can just go on and sue me for lashing out at him in public. What a smart move.
Kino raised his brow as he looked at me. Gone is the weirded and shocked look on his face. Now, all I can see is how he’s looking at me like he’s trying to study my whole face. “Good morning, Miss Marshall.” His deep voice literally sent shivers to my spine. How the f**k am I going to survive this?
If only I knew that this would happen, I wouldn’t have reported to work today.
I smiled meekly. “Good morning, Mr. Sloane,” I said spiritlessly, making Julia nudge me under the table. I turned to her and saw her mouthing some words to me. I pursed my lips and flashed a fake wider smile at Kino and his secretary. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
Kino smiled at me before nodding. He looked at his secretary who gave him the initial presentation that my team made. He started going through the pages before closing the whole folder. “You know, Julia, we have a few clients who are wanting to get the investment that I would be giving you…if I approve this…” I don’t know why his eyes are on me. “So I guess, I would need to have a good presentation to be able to think that this is the best project that my company will invest in.”
I clenched my fists under the table while I stared at him who’s trying to intimidate both me and Julia. Oh, come on. I have worked in Valeria’s for years and she’s way more intimidating than he is. But then again, Valeria doesn’t have to invest in my projects. She needs to approve it but it’s not like my design is the lifeline of the company.
And that’s the difference.
I smiled and cleared my throat. “Sir, as you know, the designs are dedicated to the l***q+ community,” I began and started pointing out at the pictures on Julia’s folder. “We are eyeing to have the fashion show on June which is their month. And so, our designs are centered on rainbows and florals because that’s what our collection is going to be—for the members of the l***q+ community.”
I took a deep breath and flipped the page. “We are aiming to have at least a portion of the millions of members of the community to join us and that’s why we are planning to sign a few artists known for their affiliation and advocacy on the community to gather more attention.”
If we’re talking about marketing, I can definitely nail it without a question. But by the looks that I am seeing from Kino’s face, I feel like I needed to show more than my marketing skills for him to approve this. Damn. Why did I have to be rude to him anyway? That was so unnecessary.
Kino nodded at me before looking at the folders again. “Are you certain that you will get your target audience?” he asked that question to Julia.
Julia smiled. “There’s nothing for certain. But we are going to try our best to do so,” she replied in confidence. “With the help of our marketing team and social media, we will try our best to spread the word about this campaign and make it a successful show.”
Kino looked up at her with a smirk. Then he turned to me and smiled. “I will try to read this more when I get back to my office,” he said, making me furrow my brows at him in confusion.
He’s leaving?
His secretary checked his watch and leaned into Kino, whispering something, probably his schedule.
Kino nodded and smiled at Julia and me. “I will have to go now and cut this meeting short.” He stood up and handed the folder to his secretary before extending his hand to me and Julia. “Nice to meet you, Julia and Charity.”
I swallowed hard, frozen on my spot when I heard him call me by my first name. I am usually being called by my second name because my first name sounded so awkward. I hated it.
So how could this damn Kino Sloane just say it with class that made me stop in awe? It wasn’t something I am expecting but I actually liked it.
I stopped my hands from trembling as I grabbed his hand for a shake. He squeezed it quickly before letting me go. And, boy, I cannot deny the electrical impulses that sparked all throughout my system the moment he touched my hand. I must be insane.
One second, I am cursing at him and the next, I feel like I am head over heels for him.
Kino and his secretary left the room and I was alone with Julia again. I looked at her and saw her staring at me with narrowed eyes like I have something to tell her.
“What?” I asked, feigning innocence and ignorance. Or both.
She raised her brow. “What was that?” she asked me while pointing to the direction where Kino went. “Do you like him?”
I gave her a look. “What?” I shot back, trying to sound nonchalant. “I don’t.” A lie. I definitely am very attracted to Kino but I won’t admit that to Julia because it would be very embarrassing.
She smirked at me. “No, it’s written all over your face,” she said in a teasing tone.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her. “I don’t like him,” I insisted. “Why would I like someone like him?” I guess I have to keep denying it until even I would believe it. “Anyway, just set me up on a date tonight. You promised.”
She rolled her eyes and grunted. “You are such—”
“A what?” I interjected.
“A woman,” she completed her sentence. “You are such a woman, Denise.” She shook her head before taking the folder on the table. “But anyway, good job today. Let’s just hope for a favorable response.” She smiled at me before leaving me alone in the conference room.
I plopped on the chair and heaved a deep sigh before shutting my eyes. I think I need another cup of coffee to calm my system down.
***
That night, I was getting ready for my date with Zac, the engineer that Julia was talking about. I decided to wear a simple navy blue bodycon dress and light makeup. I don’t want to look like I am overdoing things. It’s just a date. I don’t know if there would be another one after this.
I sat on the vacant table in this five-star hotel and waited for Zac to arrive. He just got out of the base for his furlough so he said he’s running a few minutes later than what we agreed to meet.
“Good evening, Ma’am,” the waited approached me. “Are you ready to order or are you waiting for someone?”
I smiled. “I am waiting for someone,” I said. “But a glass of water would probably help.”
He smiled and nodded before leaving me to get a glass of water.
But a glass of water later, I checked on the time and looked at the entrance. There’s still no sign of Zac. Well, I have only seen him in the pictures so I am not really sure of what he really looks like. But then, it’s only thirty minutes past our meeting time.
I took my phone and contemplated on sending him a text. Would I look clingy if I send him a text now? Or nagging?
I sighed and put my phone back inside my purse.
“Fifteen more minutes,” I mumbled to myself. If he’s not here yet in fifteen minutes, I will text him. But for now, I can wait a bit more.
I just tried to look around and observe the people when I suddenly heard the chair in front of me move. I immediately turned in front of me and was surprised to see Kino sitting in front of me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him but he’s only looking at me intently.
“Are you waiting for your date?” he asked back, totally ignoring my question.
I crossed my arms against my chest and tilted my head to the side. “What are you doing here?” I repeated.
He chuckled and shook his head. “I didn’t think you have a boyfriend,” he commented.
I narrowed my eyes at him. I tried to calm myself but his words sounded so offending once again. He didn’t think I have a boyfriend? Does that mean, I am not the type to have one? Am I the type that’s destined to be alone?
I pursed my lips and sighed. “Are you saying that I am not the type to have a boyfriend?” I retorted.
His eyes widened before raising his hands in surrender. “Woah, woah, lady. Stop it right there. I did not say that.”
I glared at him and for a moment, I forgot that he’s the person we need for the biggest project in our company. And I don’t care at all.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him again because he’s just too stubborn to answer my initial question.
He shrugged and leaned on the backrest like a boss. “Dinner,” he replied.
“Then go and eat your dinner. Stop pestering me,” I told him. “Why are you even here? I already told you to forget what happened last night.”
He arched his brow. “What happened last night? Have we seen each other last night?” he asked, feigning ignorance. “I only met you today, Charity.” He grinned.
My jaw dropped and I scoffed at him. I shut my eyes and calmed my system. “Denise,” I corrected. “Don’t call me Charity.”
He nodded. “Okay, Denise.”
I rolled my eyes and looked away. “Just go away,” I told him.
“Are you sitting here the whole night?” he asked. “Because I have seen you come in and I have already finished my dinner but your partner hasn’t come. Do you think he will still come?”
I pursed my lips and clenched my fists. Ah, f**k Zac for being late and making me wait here. “I don’t see how that’s any of your problem, Mr. Sloane.”
“Kino,” he said and I furrowed my brows. “You can just call me Kino. We’re not on a business meeting anyway.”
I rolled my eyes. “So, can I ask you to leave, too?”
He chuckled and shrugged. “Depends on if I want to,” he replied like the brat that he is.
I am treading of my last string of patience. “I believe that it depends on if I want you to be on my table,” I said, definitely not backing down.
He laughed. “There’s no way I’m leaving you here looking like that.”
I raised my brow. “Wow! Thanks for your concern but I came here looking like this so I can manage,” I rebutted. Please. I have been living alone for years. I’m pretty sure that I can fend for my own self.
He smiled but this time, it didn’t reach his eyes and for some reason, it made me freeze on my spot. My eyes are fixated on his and it looked like he isn’t looking away any second from now. “I don’t think so,” he insisted in his low voice. “Men have been looking at you since you came in like you’re some delicious dessert that they all want to taste. And there’s no way in hell that I would allow that, Denise.”
I swallowed hard, my throat running dry when I heard him utter my name. I hate that I was stoned on my spot and couldn’t rebut snappier. “I don’t see how that’s your problem, Kino.” The way his name came out of my mouth felt surreal to be exact.
He c****d his head to the side and looked at me intently. “I know…” he trailed. “But it’s hard not to make it my problem when you’re this pretty.”
My heart instantly boomed against my chest and I couldn’t do anything about it. Why in the world is Kino Sloane flirting with me? Damn it!
- Writer
