In the car on the way back to the Tan Corporation, Angelo didn't waste his time and began reading the list of the unknown models that they can use in their campaign. He was reading it seriously. He started writing his thoughts on every single one of the models on the list. No one got away with his 'observation/criticism.'
"This Liza is too skinny".
"This one is a bit bland."
"She's not the one. Needs personality."
"Facial features too strong for the campaign."
"No distinct feature."
He was getting frustrated. He can't seem to erase the image of the enchanting lady and can't help but blame her for becoming the image... of what the face of his campaign should be. Since the meeting with that lady, he can't help but remember her image at that very moment - a very confident lady. And with that thought, he remembered his embarrassment. He sighed and looked out of the window to clear his head.
__________
It's been over 2 weeks since his meeting with the 'enchantress.' And he still can't erase her from his mind.
Her image constantly flashes through his eyes, as if she is right there...looking at him, with those mesmerizing eyes. He didn't know why she keeps haunting him, maybe because it was the most embarrassing incident that ever happened in his years of living... and she happens to be there. Every time he remembers that embarrassing moment… he remembers her with it. Maybe that's why. Or maybe something else..who knows?
It is mystifying how just a brief encounter with her, can make Angelo constantly be thinking of her.
Anyway, he was currently inside his car that is parked in front of a well-known French patisserie. He was waiting for his secretary to get him his daily fix of snack... preferably, something sweet. You know, because human bodies need glucose to function.
While waiting in the car, he made sure not to waste his time by busily reading proposals, contracts, etc. The silence in the car was broken when his phone started ringing. He looked at the caller ID and it is his sister. Angelo rejected the call, but it rang again. And yes, it's his dear sister again. He can't ignore her call because she is similar to his mom... the more you ignore her, the more she will pester you.
"Brother! Why did you reject my call a while ago?" His sister complained loudly.
"Well, hello to you too my dear sister." Angelo sarcastically greeted her.
"Not a good morning, to my not-so-handsome brother."
"So, why have you called me?" He crossed his leg and wanted to know what his dear sister is up to now. She mostly calls him if she needs something from him, or if she's in some kind of trouble.. or something 'worse.'
"Well... brother... Uhm.." Then silence.
"Well? Did you get yourself in trouble again?" Angelo pressed on.
"No! Of course not! Who do you think I am? You are talking to the well-known prim and proper Crystal Tan of S city." She sounded as if what she is saying is the truth.
She is hardly what she describes herself to be. She is known as the 'crazy lady.' You will know a lot of stories of her 'escapades' later on.
For now, be satisfied with what you are going to hear. It is about an incident where she punched a man on his nose and kicked the body part where the sun doesn't shine on, because of an altercation that she instigated first.
The story is, according to her chatterbox of a friend, that Crystal was dared to seduce a man in the club because of losing a game with friends. But when the man flirted back... she lost interest so quickly and began ignoring the poor guy. The man tries to flirt with her hard but she is just not having it. The man loses control, feeling embarrassed for being played at and called Crystal a 'f****** tease' and all sorts of derogatory terms that anyone would get mad for.
Crystal is simmering with anger but she just let the man talk and tried to get away. She knows that it was her mistake. It was her, who flirted first. Her friend tried to make the man calm down, but it was not working. The man grabbed Crystal's ass and whispered something to her ear. That's when all hell broke loose.
She is every bit the 'crazy lady.'
Remembering some of his sister's antics, Angelo hopes that his future wife won't follow his sister's lead. Because that would be a disaster.
"Brother.."
Angelo's musings were interrupted.
"Just say it." He commanded. He was starting to get irritated with how she kept hemming and hawing.
"Brother I wrecked your limited edition Lamborghini Aventador." She confessed so quickly that Angelo thought he was hearing things.
"Say that again?" He calmly asked.. hoping that he just heard her wrongly.
"It's true..." She confirmed in almost a whisper.. she knows she is in deep trouble with her brother.
"And.. might I ask.. HOW?" Angelo exhaled and tried to calm himself down.
"Brother I'm sorry." He can hear the guilt in her voice as she apologized, but it isn't enough for him. She needs to be reprimanded and learn a lesson for her to grow up.
"Quiet. Your apologies this time won't save you." Angelo sternly told her. He admits that he and the whole family is too soft on her. This time he will be stricter than his parents. With her recklessness.. who knows if something bad will happen to her and the people around her?
But before anything else, he needs to know first if she's fine. "But are you ok... did you get injured? Did you get yourself checked out thoroughly in the hospital?"
"I'm ok. I already went to the hospital. There's nothing wrong with me. Fortunately, I am a good driver." Sounding proud.. totally different from herself a while ago - meekly confessing with guilt.
"What a good driver you are. So good that you wrecked my car." Angelo can't help but sarcastically retort back.
Suddenly someone is knocking on the window on his side. He looked at the window… lo and behold... the enchantress is right there trying to see if someone was inside. Her face is almost touching the window… without knowing it, he got closer.. staring hard.
Is it her?
Angelo watched her as she applies lipstick to her luscious lips. He became so engrossed that all he can hear is the muffled talking of his sister. He didn't hear clearly what his sister is talking about, all he can say is "hm." He wasn't paying attention, as his full attention is on the lady outside the car... diligently applying a bold red lipstick.
It suits her.
Angelo was busy looking at her when he caught something his sister is talking about.
"You are in what?" He asked, still looking at the lady.
"I am currently detained in the police station." She dropped another bomb.
"Please tell me… you didn't kill someone in your car accident?" Angelo momentarily looked away because of being caught off guard by what his sister told him.
"No! He's fine. Just some light bruises and cuts here and there. But he is fine." She tried to make it sound like there is nothing serious about the injuries that the man has gotten.
Another knock has been made, and Angelo looked again at the window and she was not there, but.. it was his secretary instead. This is the first time he found his loyal secretary unpleasant to look at. He immediately opened the door and got out trying to see if she was still around. She's gone. He thought this cliche type of coincidence happens only in movies, but it is happening to him now.
He gave a glance to his secretary and ignored him. He got into the car and the poor confused secretary got in and drives the car back to the company.
All of a sudden Angelo's not-so-good mood turned sour.
"Brother, can you bail me out? And please, don't tell mom and dad." Crystal pleaded.
"I'll inform our parents to bail you out. Wait for them to scold you. You deserve it." It is time to seriously educate her.
"Noooo!!!" Angelo can hear the horror in his sister's voice, but she needs the wake-up call. Hopefully, she can grow up even just for a bit. He turned off the phone on her and leaned back in his seat.
A crippling silence surrounded the car, and with it is Secretary Rod's discomfort. He has no idea what made the president's amicable mood into something like this. He is sure that he didn't do something that made the president displeased.