"Why did you ask me out all of a sudden?"
I sit gracefully on the vacant chair in front of him. The table is filled, and he's already sipping wine from his glass so early in the morning. My heart has just calmed from the stunt I pulled earlier. And I'm glad I was able to do it. Dion seems very mad that I almost hear his soft curses and the way that he called my name.
"I missed you Gab." I winked at him and smiled.
He coughed and laughed awkwardly after hearing what I said. He also blushed while scratching his nape.
"That's something I don't expect for you to say." he said cockily.
"Well, I guess it's just fine after a long time we haven't met." I sipped on the coffee he ordered.
"You have changed..." he said, staring at me with astonishment.
"You think so? That's great then. Changing means a lot for me right now."
"You look even more beautiful." He leaned on the table without breaking his stare at me. Aish! I'm getting conscious!
"Thanks."
"Where's that wound came from?" he asked worriedly.
Oh!
I carefully touched my forehead and felt the band-aid I put on my wound. It has a lump, and it has turned into a darker shade now but as long as it doesn't bleed, I'm fine. I'm a bit surprised he still noticed it even when I'm hiding it with my hair.
"I just slipped."
"Hmm. Get straight to the point now. I know it would be rude, and I also don't want to give a bad impression since it's the first time we met again after years, but I really have meetings on my list for today."
I sighed. I know it would be rude, and I also don't want to give a bad impression since it's the first time we met again after years, but I really have meetings on my list for today.
"Why do you all seem so busy when I always need you? Is that a new trend now? When you don't want to see or talk to a person, you'll excuse yourself being busy?"
He laughed. "I'm sorry darling. I didn't mean that."
"You're hurting me Gab." I pouted.
"Sorry. What is it that you want then?" he grabbed my hand and kissed it. I smiled.
"I want you to be with me."
He stopped for a moment and his hand holding my hand tightened its grip. He looked shocked.
"Well, I'm not forcing you to do so. I just need one day of your presence..."
"What are you--"
"At a specific time and place..."
"Huh? What is it that your planning? Does Dion have anything to do with it?..."
"Yes."
He shifted uncomfortably on his seat. He crossed his arms and formed a ball on his gums with his tongue which shows that he's starting to get upset.
"You'll make me your boy--"
"Just this one please..." I leaned on the table and held onto his arms quickly.
"Aish! You think he'll believe you? He'll believe us?" he shake his head in disapproval.
"He will! If we will just act nicely! Please Gab..."
"No."
"Come on!" Do I really need to act this desperate just, so I could save my pride?
But it's impossible Iris! You can never ignore Dion, and you know that!
"I won't act as your boyfriend... Instead,"
"What?"
"I'll be your suitor."
It made me dropped my hands from his arms and returned me back on my seat. I processed all that he said slowly.
Is he serious? Will he court me for real, or it will just be an act? But he seems so serious! What am I going to do? Should I consider it?
"Well, I'm not forcing you--"
I sighed. So it's for real.
"I'm in."
He smiled widely. "You decide so fast and nicely. I really like that part of you."
My mood turned sad and I knew it the moment I answered him. "I have never been this desperate in my entire life."
His eyes immediately show sympathy for my expression. He also leaned on the table. "Did he hurt you again? What was it that he did this time?"
Hearing that from him seems like everybody know how I have lived my life this fucked up and miserable just because of that person. Everybody knows how madly I am in love with him. My foolishness spreads not only out of the mansion but also out of this world.
"His girl has arrived."
"Oh... So he really has a girlfriend." His words caught my attention.
"You know about it? Do you know her?"
"I have only heard of the news. But I still haven't seen the girl. Let's see if she's pretty. Say, she's worth choosing over you."
I rolled my eyes in irritation. "Go! See her and be amazed how pretty she is. After that, die."
He laughed so loudly it almost caught the attention of all the people in that restaurant.
"I'm just kidding. You know I won't choose anyone but you, right? Dion's just fool enough to lose you..." the last sentences he said were only whispers that I didn't hear it all clearly.
We have decided to continue our talk after my work today. He'll drive me to the office, and he'll also pick me up from there. For the mean time, I have to practice how to ignored Dion while we're at the same place.
Because for sure, I can't always get an excuse to stay away from him. No matter how hard I try, if he gets to decide what he likes to do, I can't do anything about it. I'm sure he'll try to make this situation go back to normal again. Like how he always handles this kind of situation between us.
He will act like nothing had happened. He will treat me nice and ignore my feelings again. He will treat me the way he wanted without giving me justice for what kind of embarrassment I have experienced. He does that everytime, but I'm already sick of it.
This time I'll try to set boundaries for us like what I should have done for a long time ago. If he's sure enough he will never fall for me, then at least I should save my pride, right?
I'm already tired following his orders. I should already decide for myself now. After all, he'll already leave me. I should prepare myself to be alone again.
"Good morning Ms. Arfiyaz." an employee greeted me. After her, all of the staffs in the lobby who encountered me also greeted. It's like a morning ritual for them. I'm already tired saying that they should skip the formalities because I still work as a normal employee like them.
I only smiled. I was preoccupied by thinking about how high are the chances that I'd get to see Dion when the elevator door opens. He's mad, right? I'm sure he'll wait for me till he can give me a blast.
If I were him, I would stop treating my "little sister" these nice before I got burn with my own fire.
The door opened and luckily, I only see the operations team whose busy with their own works. I was asked by Sean to check for the month's schedule and audit few invoices.
I held on to the hope that there would be no Dion who will disturb me from doing my work. And my wish was granted so thought it would be as easy as that, but it was already three in the afternoon when we got called for a meeting with the board members.
I know I should be there because I probably own this company but no one has ever told me that we're gonna have a meeting today. And my off will be at five pm, so how and who the hell planned this meeting at this time?! I already contacted Gab to meet me in the parking at exactly five!
If Dion has something to do about this, I will really cut off his head!
"Sean." I caught Sean's attention by tapping his shoulder. He looked at me and smiled.
"Do you know about this?"
"Oh! I'm sorry I didn't have the time to tell you but an investor will be coming. Mr. Montaleon and the team will discuss for a new real-estate project."
Aish! Do I really have to be here?! I think Sean can already handle this. I'm just the assistant manager, and I don't think they really need me. Why did I still receive a notice?! As if I have something to say!
"Do I really need to be there? I'm sure you can already handle it." I smiled at Sean to convince him.
"You don't probably have to attend to but, I'm not the one who send the notice. It's from Dion's secretary. So maybe Dion wants you to be there."