The frenzied idea of killing that impudent brat was constantly stirring in his mind as Leandre made his way out of the plant nursery, only to be blocked by another woman at the entrance.
"OMG! Leandre, It's you." A girl shrieked with a gaping jaw. "I am a big fan of yours."
He stared at the girl for a brief second, who seemed to be exhilarated seeing him here. With no mask covering his face, Leandre was not surprised that someone recognized him. With a smile and two words of thank you, Leandre was done. He prepared to leave when the girl stopped him again, prolonging the conversation.
"One last question, please. Are you coming to watch the Olympic games since it's happening in this city? I am competing in Archery this year.'' The girl smiled at Leandre with a warm rush of confidence. ''I really wish to see you there.''
''What's your name?" With a maximum of three slots available for every country in the Olympics, she must be a professional in Archery to get there. Unlike some impudent girl who goes on calling people weird names, he has immense respect for the women who uplift the country's heritage.
"My name is Astraea." She added with much excitement, not expecting Leandre would ask her name. ''I represent Spain. You still haven't answered my question. Are you coming to the show?'' Her face filled with hope, believing he would say yes to her request.
To her disappointment, Leandre said no.
''I am busy. Good luck with your game.'' He said, and this time Leandre didnot let her block his path.
"Thank you! Still hope to see you." Astraea shouted at the retreating figure, her eyes never leaving Leandre until he disappeared out of her sight. She touched her right arm and brushed the tip of her fingers against a mark in a half-winged shape. "You will come and watch me lift the Gold medal." She declared with a dark smile on her face.
....
Leandre received a text from Dustin asking for his location. He replied to the message, crossed the road and got into the car to wait for Dustin. He inserted the key into the ignition and twisted it to test the water. To his astonishment, the car revved up. ''The Fuck is wrong with today?'' It looked like he was jinxed to get entangled with that mad fruit today.
He called Dustin and informed him to drop off as he squeezed the accelerator. Just as the car veered from the parking road into the main lane, Leandre heard and felt a crashing sound. His body jerked. He would have bumped his forehead into the steering wheel if not for the seatbelt. He gazed at the car that hit his through the rearview mirror.
Furiously, he got down, anger thrumming through his veins. His heart will break to see a scratch on any of his cars or someone touching his revolvers, but now... a bump on the side and the back tire were busted. His predatory expression became an effigy of rage as he shot a look at the driver, sitting in the car through the transparent glass windshield.
"Little girl?"
Their eyes met again. His, clouded in a mocking triumph with a hint of surprise, hers as naive as a lamb.
Slowly, the crowd gathered and began accusing the girl sitting inside the car, refusing to step out. With the thought of playing with her, he dismissed them and knocked on the glass window. "Stop with your innocent act, and get down! We have things to settle."
Pressing her lips, Clary stepped out, and both stood in an empty place opposite each other, with Clary uttering not a single word. Of all the people, why it has to be him? Is he after revenge now?
''Do you have a driving license?" Leandre asked, watching her bashed face. She was acting as if Innocence was her last name. He was supposed to lash out at her, but the idea of being harsh was not happening with her.
Clary bobbed her head without lifting her head. "Yes."
''Did you pass the test?"
''Yes. My driver was supposed to come to drop me off, but today, he is sick...very sick..'' Clary skimmed her brain to devise an alibi to escape this situation. ''Sir, the thing is, I didnot hit your car intentional_''
''Sir?'' Leandre stopped her in the middle, amused by this one-eighty-degree shift in her character. She was a rebel a few minutes ago, bashing him. Where did the arrogance go? ''What did you call me at the plant nursery?''
Clary sheepishly smiled at him, embarrassed. He remembers? Clary, you are dead meat.
''Answer me!"
''Littlegiraffe,'' Clary muttered, shifting foot to foot in nervousness.
''Is that the tone you used earlier?'' He questioned, liking the way she has come under his control. "I want to hear the name with the same tone."
With gritted teeth, Clary shouted as the way she called him at the nursery. ''Little Giraffe!''
"Little Giraffe," Leandre repeated, etching the name into his memory. He will not let this matter side. "An arrogant fool said I am a son of the clipboard? And my face looks like a video game cartoon character?"
"She...she must have lost eyesight, sir." Clary faked a laugh, clenching her fists. "You are the most handsome, dapper, and charismatic human I have ever seen."
''I am impressed, but my car doesn't understand your language. Let's go to the police station_"
''We_ we will settle this account with money here, Sir. Why do we need police uncle to intervene? Please don't ruin my life. I am a student with many aspirations..'' Police station was the only thing Clary had not opened her account. 'Dad will definitely ground me to home if he knows this. Why am I bound to get into trouble always!' "How much does the repair costs? I will pay you back."
"Bumped tire repair cost 1000 euros. The dent cost 2000 Euros.'' The satisfaction of hazing this mad fruit is price-worthy. Modesty and madness should be part of her split personality.
''I..I don't have that much money.'' Clary was floored. Holy crap! Who is he fooling? Although the car is costly, the patches don't even cost 300 euros. She could buy a lifetime of essential oils for three thousand euros.
Leandre folded his hands over his chest and gave her a smug smile. ''You are driving one of the richest cars. Come on, take it out."
''I..I_I only have T_twenty to thirty euros, Sir," Clary said. Should I ask him to consider one-year instalments?
''Twenty to thirty euros doesn't even go for the tip of car servicing.'' Leandre was in a full-on conversation with Clary without knowing his car was being towed down due to the unresolved parking violation.
Seeing the truck towing the car, Clary waited until it moved a reasonable distance. She then tugged Leandre's shirt.
''What?''
''Your car... Someone is taking away.'' She motioned him to look at his back.
Leandre turned around. He cursed, walking to the spot where a towing paper lay on the place his car was supposed to be there. "Did she play again?"
Seizing the chance, Clary jumped into her car and ignited the engine. Feeling something was not right, she called Leandre, her pride returning with full force.
''Oye, little giraffe.'' She shouted, dropping the window glass as she slipped on her sunglasses. With Leandre's full attention on her, Clary brushed her middle finger across her forehead. ''Put a hold on your three thousand dollars. I will pay you if we meet again. Don't worry. It will never happen....Bye...bye..'' Clary sped the car, leaving Leandre with festered rage.