I heard screams and loud gasps from other customers, but I was too angry to care for them. I glared at the man who helped me to my feet, mumbling his apology.
"I'm so sorry, miss. Are you hurt?" he asked, holding my arms to check for abrasions. Seeing none, he heaved out a loud sigh.
"Can't you watch your moves?" I said, pulling my arms away.
"Please tell me if your hurt," he said, looking straight into my eyes. A bell seemed to ring in my ears, making me stare back at him. Dear skies, those worried orbs were beautiful, melting my burning gaze!
I looked away, redirecting my admiration back to fury.
"Just go away!" I demanded, showing him the way out with a finger.
He turned to go, but he suddenly stopped for a while, giving me a quick stare. Then, he pulled out his wallet, drawing three, one-thousand peso bills. Going back to the counter, he handed the money to the cashier.
"Whatever the lady will order, this will be the payment. Give the change to her." He then strode towards the door, ignoring me.
I gritted my molars in anger. What does this man think? Does his paper bills erase my humiliation from sprawling across the floor? Several pairs of eyes were watching, and I couldn't even imagine how I looked!
I took wide steps to the counter, demanding the cashier to hand me his money. I ran after him to throw the money in his face, but he disappeared into the thick crowd.
I went back to the cafe and ordered a tall cup of my favorite Java Chip Frappuccino. I ignored the sea of penetrating gaze thrown at me, trying to forget my embarrassment. To think about the perfect blend of coffee, milk, chips, and spiraling whipped cream was far better than dwelling on my awkward posture on the floor!
"Miss, here's your order." I glanced at the attendant, hesitating to thank him. I realized he was also the cashier who accepted the paper bills from that man.
"Does that person come over here frequently?" I asked, swearing to face him again on another day.
"You mean, Mr. Richard Tan?"
My eyes widened in shock. "Say it again?"
The lady on the table next to mine answered. "Yes, miss. He is Mr. Tan, a famous figure in the business industry. You're so cool to have crossed him!"
"What if he is rich and famous? It still doesn't excuse him from being careless!" I stood up from my seat and retorted, leaving them hanging their mouths open as I stormed out of the door.
____
I smirked after recalling that scene. I pulled my blanket over my head, suppressing a wave of laughter as I imagined his distorted face in watching the work of art I added into the signage.
I woke up late the following day. Andy was already staring at me with his wide eyes the moment I opened mine.
"Nana, I'm hungry!"
I sat up abruptly, scrambling to my feet! I still have to cook for him, help him take a bath and change, then bring him to school.
"What do you like for breakfast?" I asked while sprinting towards the kitchen. The hissing sound of dragged slippers told me he was following.
"Just eggs."
I laughed, turning to pick him up in my arms and pinch his nose. "Andy, you'll soon smell like chicken dung!"
"I don't care," he replied with a yawn, shrugging his shoulders.
I couldn't believe I moved like a burst of lightning. Soon, we were already on the road, passing through the entrance of Hacienda del Fierro.
"Nana, look!"
"Yes, sweetheart," I answered, suppressing a giggle. I already expected that he would look at the signage.
"Someone ruined the signage. Is Mr. Tan a real killer?"
"Who knows?"
"Dad said he's kind and handsome. But since he is a killer, don't ever marry him in the future!"
"Andy, what are you talking about? Stop spilling nonsense!"
Andy no longer replied until we reached the school. He just wrapped his arms tighter around my waist as we sped off across the highway. I was grateful for his silence. Just a few hours ago, I was recollecting the memory where dad teased me about Mr. CEO. It was just too awkward to talk about him again.
With a speed of a hundred kilometer/hour, we reached the school premises in a few minutes. He jumped from my big bike as soon as I turned off the engine.
"Be good in the class. I will come back for lunch." I reached out to pat his head, but I was already too late. He had already run towards the campus.
"Love you, Nana," he hollered once he reached the door of his classroom. He blew a kiss on his tiny hand and sent it to me in a flying motion. That was enough to make my day.
I took a joy ride home, feasting on the lush greeneries by the roadside. Blue and white clouds sailed across the clear skies, making a beautiful but sharp contrast between shades of blue and green. Cows, goats, and horses grazed on the grass-covered plains, a lovely sight one couldn't find in the heart of the city.
As I was nearing Hacienda del Fierro, I noticed a long line of cars parking by the roadside. There were also groups of people, gathering in clusters. Curiosity hit me, so I sped up. As I got closer, I realized the reason why these people are flocking here.
I smirked as I saw some people setting up their cameras on tripods. I was lucky then to have my wish granted. A news reporter indeed saw my work of art.
"What's happening?" I asked one of the men who stood near me as I stopped.
"Someone destroyed the signage."
"What's the motive?"
"He's maybe one of his enemies. In the business world, you can't avoid them."
"But Mr. Tan holds an impressive image," I pretended to argue.
"Yes, he does. But look at that vandalism. It seems that Mr. Tan has offended someone badly. The person even accuses him as a killer."
When I did not give my opinion about what he said, he continued.
"Poor, Mr. Tan Who would have thought someone would destroy him this way."
"It's only vandalism," I offered him my thoughts.
"Yes, but don't you think the people who saw this earlier would not upload it to social media?"
I nodded, but before I could argue further, another car arrived, pulling in front of the gate. I saw the door opened, and indeed, the business magnate stepped out from his luxurious vehicle. Facing in our direction as he addressed his order to his men, his eyes suddenly met mine, locking our gaze for a moment.
I was thankful I still wore my helmet and jacket, but then I suddenly shuddered, thinking that he may have installed surveillance cameras around. The man looked back at me, perhaps sensing my discomfort.
"Take down the signage and have the fingerprints analyzed!"