Cristan studied the girl with an innocent expression in front of him very carefully. At the same time, Monica only can sit with a look of awe and disbelief that written all over her face while observing the restaurant where she is now.
Esperanza. It's the name of this extravagant place. This restaurant is one of the top-class fine dining restaurants and it is very famous for its western dishes which cooked directly by the chef from France. In addition, this restaurant is also one of the restaurants that also get 3 Michelin stars.
Being in such a place….
Seeing the interior which decoratively stunning with its majestic pillars…
And ... then, having an opportunity for tasting their special menus here.
It's like a dream come true for her! Even in her wildest dream, Monica wouldn't dare to set her foot on this place at all! This place surely not a place for a low-lifer like her!
This restaurant is way too fancy for her!
"Have you ever been here?" Cristan asked Monica with a gentle tone in his voice. And, answered immediately with a head shake.
"Ok…. Would you like to order something? "
Monica opened the menu book and soon, her eyes trailing all the listed menus there, her brain suddenly froze on the spot…. again. Those are written in French!
Shit! She didn't know about that language at all!
A white flag spontaneously waving inside her head.
"Sorry ... I don't know how to order this ..." Monica answered honestly, shyly blushing at the gentleman in front of her.
Cristan smiled and immediately ordered several menus for the three of them in fluent French. Including Jade who is sitting next to him right now.
"So ... what's the matter?" Monica asked him straightforwardly.
Cristan raised his eyebrows and took his cell phone from his pocket and replied to her with a smirk on his face.
"Nothing. Let's say that this is just a casual dinner.. "
Soon, a voice recording was suddenly heard from his phone and as soon as Monica heard it, her face immediately turned pale as white as paper. Panic, she rose from her seat and tried to take the phone on the table, unfortunately, Cristan's reacts was twice faster than her. In the end, the phone has returned to its owner. A mischievous smile slowly curved on his lips.
"Did you recognize these voices?"
Monica glared furiously at the man who is staring back at her with an annoying smirk on his beautiful face. Her feelings mixed up with rage and fury inside her heart.
Shit!!
Why did she so unlucky today?
She had just left a lion's den but now, she's entering a snake's pit. Firstly, she was fired. Secondly, the man in front of her has got real proof of her conversation with Linfey. If this thing was leaked out… ..
Then, she's done….
Fucking done….
She can't hide anymore. And how would she able to support her family then?
Monica dropped herself on her seat. The world is crumbling under her feet. Her stares hollow and empty. Then, she looked at Cristan with unshed teary eyes.
"Please… please… don't do it. Don't spread it. I beg you... I'll do anything ... please ... "
Suddenly, she knelt and pleading with a hoarse voice between her sobs. This incident was made every heart of other customers in the same room tingle with pity while at the same time, they glared at Cristan with hatred. As if he was the only person who is responsible for what is happening to the young lady right now.
Cristan covered and rubbed his face with one of his hands while the other hand motioned Jade to wake the girl. Her spontaneous act had successfully created a small fuss here.
Huh .. not bad… what a smart move ...
Jade swiftly sat her back on his seat and her eyes still crying like a fountain when finally, Cristan handed a box of tissue and let her wipe away the tears.
"I'm here to make an offer to you ..." Cristan blurted those words straightforwardly without a single doubt in his voice. He utterly did not pay attention to her sobbing and just resumed his sentences. Reading some lines which written on his screen phone.
"Monica Trifena. Born in 1995 and currently working as assistant to Leona Darwis a.k.a Linfey for 3 years. You're the only assistant who can stay with him for more than 1 year…"
"What a great achievement! You also have a mother who is paralyzed due to a hit-and-run case from 2 years ago and 2 younger siblings who are still in junior and elementary school… "
Cristan continues to read her biography while Monika has stopped crying and looks at Cristan with her mouth hung in mid-air. All her personal information that was read by him is very detailed. Starting from her academic background, her favorite food, hobbies, even a list of her best buddies from school, and the size of her shoes. Fear slowly crept into her heart.
Who the hell is this guy? How come he knows so much about her?
"Am I right?" Cristan asked her back with an annoying smirk on his face. As he puts back the phone inside his pocket and then, takes a folder from Jade who is sitting next to him while the waiters began serving their meals on the table.
"Who ... who are you?" Monica replied to him with a trembling voice. She never tells or shares her matters with anyone in this business. Meanwhile, this young man in front of her knew all the dark secrets that she had been keeping for decades.
"You don't need to know who I am but what you need to know is that we will take care of you starting from today under one condition…"
"As long as you agree with the offer that I'm giving to you right now ... "
Cristan handed over a folder that he had got from Jade before.
"Please read it first, Miss Monica…"
Knowing that she had no other choice, Monica gulped nervously and take it from his hand.
Then, while they are eating their meal, Cristan explained all the details and conditions inside the agreement form and Jade gave her a pen so she may sign it on the spot.
"Is that clear?"
Monica nodded obediently. What else she could do?
"Do you have any questions?"
Monica spontaneously shook her head with a defeated face.
A winning smile curved beautifully on Cristan's face.
"Great! We have a deal then…"
That night, Jade had prepared a vehicle for her. Once she entered the car, her presence disappeared as if she has never existed on the earth. Whereas, Cristan yawned as Jade was driving him back home.
..................
Inside the apartment…
Jojo is accompanying Arissa who was still traumatized by the incident this morning when they heard the door opened and Cristan entering the room while he whistled lightly as nothing happened.
Jojo suddenly rose and walked hurriedly towards him.
"Did you find her?"
"I've been looking for Monica all day long but I can't find her ... .." said Jojo upset and ruffled his hair frustratedly. A verbal sign that the unexpected incident this morning had driving him crazy but at the same time, he also helpless and didn't do anything for preventing it.
"Oh .. don't worry about it. I have handled this problem... " Cristan replied him in a light tone as he poured hot water and made a tea for himself.
"Wait?? So you did find him, didn't you??" Jojo asked him with widened eyes. Thinking that he just misheard something.
Cristan nodded his head without the slightest doubt. "Yup…"
"Where is she now?" Jojo snapped at him. He immediately jumped to his feet and shook Cristan's shoulders roughly. His eyes are fuming with anger.
"She's safe now and…"
"I won't tell you either. Except..."
Cristan lowered his head and whispered in Jojo's ear. Wearing a cunning smile on his beautiful face.
"You let me become her manager…"
"Who is her that you're talking about now?" A deep frown was seen on Jojo's face.
"Snow…." Cristan replied to him shortly.
"NO WAY!!!" Jojo spontaneously spat out his rejection dramatically.
"What did you just say, Cristan?"
This time, it was Arissa who reacted indifferently. Her face showed a mixed-up expression of surprise and confusion. Her blue eyes widened in disbelief.
While Cristan just leaned on the wall and sipped his tea casually as always.
"So, how do you think, Miss Arissa?"
"Is it a yes or no?"
..................…