After my class, I went straight to Noah's company. The biggest International Construction Corporation in the Asia— I've heard the Acostas have multiple successful businesses too from every part of the World. But the InterCons Corp. was the most known firm they ever had. What a cash rich. I wonder if the Acostas were billionaires or perhaps, multi-billionaires. They can actually buy everything they want with their riches!
It was almost four o'clock when Juli dropped me off infront of the InterCons Corp. Our class ended at three thirty. I hitchhiked in Juli's pick-up for a free ride. Finding an affordable taxi is getting so hard these days. So if there's an opportunity to grab a free ride, I'll surely take it to save money— except riding with Noah, of course. He would just drop me off in the middle of the highway. Wretch.
"Good luck taming your beast boss," Juli ventured when I get off her car.
"I am not taming him, I'll kill him." I responded. "And he's not my boss. I'm just working for him to pay off our debts."
"That's exactly the same thing,"
"No it's not. And enough of that, I'll go now before that wicked Noah torment me for being late. Thanks for the free ride by the way, Juli." I kissed her cheek between the open window of her car.
She chuckles at my previous sentence before replying. "Anytime, Lori. Bye!"
"Bye!" I waved until her car disappeared from my sight.
I sighed and prepared myself for entering the huge, highest-quality glass building in the city. The place still looks the same when I was here before. Though some trees were taller now than before. And some plants grew wider on the garden area. And... Oh, more post lights near the entrance.
A memory flashes right before my will. It was three years ago, that was the last time I had seen Noah Acosta before last Friday evening. It was here outside his building. He was sauntering, a disposable cup of coffee in his left hand. He's approaching the entrance of the company when he halted along the way because a crumpled paper ball with a small rock inside had directly hit his head.
His walk faltered and turn around to discerned who did it. We were snickering as he scratched the back of his head. His fist tightened and jaw tensed as he looked back, ready to kill the one who threw it. That was the first time I felt terrified of him because of how mad he was at that time. But when he saw me with Juli and Andrew who were the suspects— Well, technically, I was the one who had thrown it to him so I guess I am the suspect, his eyes darkened. Though, I swear the rock was small and I didn't expect it to hurt him. He's weak if it hurt him. I mean... Yeah, of course, the rock in the paper stung a bit. But all I can say is that he deserved it.
"You deserved it!" I shouted and stick my tongue out.
His jawbone hardened more.
Juli did the same thing and Andrew laughed. I raise my middle finger at him and shouted, "Jerk!"
His eyes widened. He could not believe his eyes. People who were strolling outside the building witnessed it and their expressions were all the same. Shock. Terrified. Those aghast looks in the crowd were definitely from those people who work inside his company and who know his attitude. Well, sorry for them, I didn't work under the supervision of an evil so I don't have any reason to worry.
"Andrew, drive! The monster looks so angry, he might come at us!" I ordered Andrew, who was in the driver's seat.
I was in the backseat while Juli was at the shotgun.
"Go, Andrew! He'll chase us!" Juli seconded, who was possibly feeling the same emotions as me— nervous that he might really chase and punish us, but enjoying to see him mad at the same time.
"Alright, then brace yourself!" and just by that, Andrew accelerated.
We laugh triumphantly inside the car. Take that, Noah! A small rock may not be enough to take you down, but next time we'll cross each other's path again it will be a big rock.
I am sure Noah could really chase us that time. I knew him as someone who didn't let his enemy escaped without making their life a living hell— Oh my cash!
A realization just hit me.
Of course, of course! How stupid of me. What I didn't even realize was what he's doing now is a pay back for what I did to him years ago! He didn't actually let me escape— he planned this. He waited for the right moment. I am his enemy. And he is making my life a living hell now. He would get his revenge. Yesterday was just a start off. He let me carry his countless and heavy shopping bags. Earlier in the morning was his next step. He dropped me off in the middle of the roadway to make me suffer! He did it! He planned it all!
So this is the start of his revenge, huh? I should buck up myself for the next thing he has on his sleeves! You evil Noah Acosta! You can't beat me with those petty paybacks!
One year, Lori. Just sacrifice a year. And this will be over.
"What face is that?" he asks as soon as I reached his office.
I was having a hard time entering the building minutes ago because I needed to state my reason for visiting first and was asked to leave my ID on the front desk before letting me in. I almost lost my patience when a staff lady didn't guide me to his office when I asked where was Noah Acosta. I should need an appointment first before seeing him, she said. What a pity. If Noah didn't show up, I probably would go home.
And now seeing him just pisses me off more.
"How can this building's security be so strict? If you haven't shown up, I'll really go home with no word!" I complaint at him.
He rested his back on his chair. His suit jacket was dangled on the head of the swivel and he's currently wearing a rolled up white long sleeve polo. He relaxed his point finger on his temple as his right ankle was rested on his left thigh.
How annoyingly handsome! And bossy.
"A company with no strict security is just a man who freely opens his house twenty-four-seven with his treasure inside." he said. "Now tell me, what do you think will happen to the man's house, Gomez?"
"Well, he will be robbed. His treasure will be stolen." I answered straight, acknowledging his point.
"Exactly." Noah said. "And we can't just let anyone enter my building, they might be a spy or someone that might bring harm inside."
"Right. I understand. Well, then at least tell your employees and staff that I am someone who works under you so I can come to you as you please."
There's a sudden gleam light up in the corner of his eyes, but it disappeared fast. He rolled his tongue inside his cheek as if he's thinking something else more than what I had just said.
"Oh. Okay." Noah smiled. "Noted that."
Wait. He smiled? He really did smile at me? I'm certain it is not a grin. Nor a smirk. Not an evil beam too. He actually smiled. It might be that my eyes are suddenly impaired. No way this evil could smile so hot that will surely make every girl willingly take off their clothes for him. But not me, of course.
"Then what do you want me to do?" I asked, dismissing the sudden electrifying volt I feel inside.
"Uh..." he thinks. "Well, I think you should buy me a coffee."
"Okay, right away—"
"Not just a simple coffee, Gomez. I want a coffee exclusively from the SunBucks."
I looked at him in disbelief. "You're kidding,"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" he arched his brow, his usual expression whenever he wants to steer his dominance at me. Freaking entitled.
"It's sixty kilometers from here. Plus, I need to take a bus to go there since I don't have a car." I explained, pleading that he's stupid thinking understands my part here.
"I know that. So?" he said in a caustic tone.
I clenched my fists on my side. Controlling myself from bursting out. He's really serious. Not that I expect this evil has a soft heart but at least a little consideration from him, please.
"Okay." I breathe out controllably. "Sure. I'll go now there. Just wait here, devil." I almost whisper the last four words, expecting it not to reach his ear.
"What did you say?" he speaks, annoyed.
"Nothing! Bye!" I rash out in his office scowling before he could nag at me. Devil.
I took a bus on my way to Bastion. The only place who had the SunBucks branch near the city. I perceived that it will take almost forty minutes to reach there. I'm already tired from school, how could Noah be this selfish?! Can't he torture me during weekends? He's really evil.
I arrived at Bastion in forty minutes. Just as I thought. The bus has lots of stop overs, taking it long to reach the place. I get off immediately when the bus stops. I trotted to the SunBucks. I wince when I saw how many customers are waiting outside falling in a line for their turn.
What?! How unfortunate to have these many customers on this day when I needed to hurry. Patience, Lori, patience. It took twenty minutes before I finally got what I wanted. A SunBucks coffee.
Noah Acosta, you're really a pain in the ass!
I rode another bus on the way back to InterCon Corp. Almost two hours— no, I think it's really two hours when I came back to his office. And it was already dark outside. An unexpected traffic jam had just happened on my way back that takes too much of my time.
When I arrived at his office the first thing I thought was I wish I just didn't come back. I wish I haven't followed his order. He's boorish! I knew that! And I should know better than letting myself be fooled by this Acosta.
"Here. Is. Your. Coffee." I'm really trying to contain my anger now. He had another coffee on his table.
He watches me for a second, before holding the SunBucks cup I just placed on his table. Noah holds it for a while and then release it afterwards.
"Throw it." he commanded.
"W-What? Why?!"
I wasted my time, energy and sweats just to buy that fucking coffee and he just order me to throw it?
"It's already cold. I don't want that. And besides," his eyes bounce on the other coffee beside his left arm. "I already have one. I like this more."
"You asked me to buy this fucking coffee to a sixty kilometer place. Let me wait in a long line just to get this coffee and..." I heaved a breath. "And wasting an hour just to get back here because a traffic jam had just happened along the way and then you just want me to throw this? Really?"
He nodded. "Yes. Really."
I can't believe him. I am sure this one is his another sort of revenge. He really meant it, making my life a living hell. He's starting to punish me for all the things I did to him way back. I should be ready for this, right? But why it still hurts? Why it stung my heart?
Trying my best not to shed a tear in front of this heartless man, I stiffly grabbed the SunBucks coffee on his table and march outside.
But before I try to open the door to go out, I looked back at him which I regretted promptly when I see him just smirking evilly. My face heated in too much anger. He's obviously enjoying slaving me. Fuck him.
"Fuck yourself, Noah! Rot in hell!" I gave all my energy to shout all my hatred for him before shutting out his door.
His employees who were presently strolling outside his office stopped in their track and looked at me incredulity. The shock and concern on their faces didn't suppress. They heard me. They heard me cuss their boss. They hear me curse the boss they are terrified of.
They couldn't probably believe that there is someone out there will disrespect someone like Noah Acosta. A business tycoon. A fucking billionaire who didn't have a heart. Well, now, they must share this news that there is a one person who will not run and hide from Noah's anger. I will not run from him.
He's angry. I am very of aware of that. He wants to retaliate. I'll give him that. I will prepare for his next attack. Let's see, Noah. For my family, I won't back out from your petty subjugation.