With her mood dampened coming from hospital, Jisonia finished her remaining works in her office before heading out from the gallery.
Jisonia narrowed her eyes trying to get clear vision of an all-too-familiar face standing near the gate leaning on the wall with his hands in his pockets.
"I see, you've had made the money since you're going home." Rubben chirped.
Jisonia was about to take a step but unfortunately the tip of her heels got broken, making her staggered backward almost losing her balance but Rubben was quick enough to hold her steady with his hand which suddenly appeared around her waist.
"Why did you wear such things? You almost got hurt" Rubben said in his strong tone which kind of warmed her ears. Her heart was suddenly racing fast. Her eyes was fully widened and she was staring at him unblinkingly.
"I am sorry" Jisonia said as she quickly pulled away from his grip.
"These are not pretty at all. They are just scary. Is it to win insurance money from accident insurance?" Rubben said with a frowned face.
"But Why are you here again?" Jisonia asked.
"I heard there was an incident" Rubben plainly replied.
"Are you here because you worried about me?" Jisonia asked casually.
"Worried! Why would I worried about you? I am here to keep an eye on you incase if you run away with my money." Rubben blurted out incredulously.
"Right! You told me not to act friendly since our relationship is nothing more than a debtor-creditor one." Jisonia said while Rubben silently scrutinizes her expression.
"You know well! Yes, Whether something happens at the gallery or you broke your leg, What does that have to do with me?" Rubben started again after a moment of silence between them.
"You don't need to worry about me. I won't run away with your money." Jisonia said in firm tone.
Rubben heaves a silent breath and lowered his eyes, but something unusual feeling crept into his heart when he saw her barefoot. Wait here! He said and rushed to his car.
"For now, Wear this." He placed a slipper in front of her.
"No, I am fine. I will go now. Goodbye then." Jisonia said before she turned to leave. "You said a "thank you" was enough". Rubben said from behind making Jisonia halted her steps.
Taking a few steps he stood in front of her and said, "That's what you said in California, that when someone is nice to you, saying a "thank you" was enough."
------
"You don't have to do that. Thank you". Jisonia thanked Rubben for offering to drop her.
"Is it that day that you heard about your father?" Rubben spurted out, making Jisonia looked at him confusedly.
"That day?"
"That day, when we parted ways from the hotel".
"I guess so! Everything happened so fast that I can't remember what came first and what came after. How I even get home and how I went through funeral." Jisonia downcast her gaze. Rubben snapped his neck towards her. He took note of the pain and longing in her eyes.
"That reminds me, we were supposed to meet at the gallery, Did you wait long?" Jisonia asked with a small smile.
"No, why would I wait for you? I told you, I had a tight schedule. I can't possibly make time, I called to cancel but you didn't picked up" Rubben announced, prompting Jisonia to look at him with widening eyes.
"You knew my number!" Jisonia inquisitively inquired.
"I called the library... museum! I mean, I called the gallery." Rubben said uncomfortably shifting his position.
"The gallery told my number" Jisonia asked amusedly.
"They did, when I told that I was your hometown friend. I'm businessman, I'm not that stupid. As you didn't picked up my call. I thought "I guess she's busy" in cool way." Rubben said urgently.
"By the way you can... Jisonia was yet to finish her sentence but Rubben cut in. "I'm serious. Did you think I hired a private investigator to get one phone number." Rubben snorted.
"No, we are here. Please drop me over there." Jisonia said while Rubben awkwardly nodded his head in response.
-------
Jisonia was waiting for the elevator in the mall and enters in a haste before pressing the button that will lead her to her floor of destination. But then, not even a minute later, the elevator stopped again. Its ascent came to a halt at a particular level, and its doors opened to convey the least person she expected she would see there.
Jisonia blinked her eyes rapidly grasping her mind together watching Rubben stepping inside the elevator. "What are you doing? Press the button!" He command nonchalantly as he looked down at her because of the advantage of his height.
"What are you doing here?" Jisonia asked back after a small pause on her part. She just bids goodbye to him in front of the mall but seeing him again was confusing her. She couldn't help but to ask.
"I am just....I...came..." Rubben couldn't finsihed his sentence.
"Are you following me?" Jisonia asked making Rubben slightly flinched back in suprised.
"Why would I?" Rubben hastily denied. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm looking to see if they have new products while I'm here. I'm a diamond level customer. I even have access to the private lounge" Rubben snickered.