"1000, is that okay?" Johanna spoke up.
Rosendo didn't say a word and turned back to his room after hearing this. He felt that 1000 was too low for him. After all, he was the chief professor of the future century, and at least he should ask for more than 10,000!
Johanna saw Rosendo turn around and walk away, so she curiously asked him as she caught up to him, "Hey, are you going to accept my offer or not?"
"You're deliberately humiliating me," Rosendo replied without even looking back.
Johanna turned her head towards Cheryl with a puzzled expression on her face and asked her why Rosendo said that she was humiliating him.
Cheryl rolled her eyes at Johanna and said, "You're so silly! Can't you see? He's just complaining that you offered too little."
After hearing Cheryl's explanation, Johanna understood what was happening. She then grabbed Cheryl's hand and walked into Rosendo's home. When they saw how shabby it was inside his place, both girls were surprised beyond words. It wasn't because they were being overly dramatic; it was simply because they had never seen such a rundown home before.
"Rosendo, have you been living here all along?" Cheryl asked him aloud.
"Yeah! I've been living here for over a year now. Is there something wrong with that?" replied Rosendo while continuing to process medicinal herbs without lifting his head.
"Ahh...you've been living in such poor conditions for so long! Your life must be really tough," muttered Cheryl under her breath.
Seeing how poorly Rosendo lived made Johanna feel maternal towards him; she wanted to help him out somehow. "Rosendo," she smiled sweetly at him as she spoke up again after thinking things through, "I've decided to offer you 10k for one night. Is that enough?"
Rosendo remained silent as if he hadn't heard her at all and continued with his work.
"Say something!" Johanna exclaimed in frustration.
"Johanna, he still thinks your price is too low," Cheryl reminded her.
"What? Ten thousand isn't enough? That's more than what most white-collar workers make in a day! Besides, it's only for one night," Johanna retorted angrily.
At this point, Rosendo finally spoke up. He said calmly, "My current job is tutoring several students at once. I can earn around 10k in just three hours of work. If you want me to accompany you to the party tonight where I might be harassed by your suitors, then you'll have to pay me at least fifty thousand. Don't think that this is expensive because when we get there tonight, you'll see how much my services are worth."
Johanna frowned; she felt like Rosendo was asking for way too much money from her. Most importantly though, she didn't have that kind of cash on hand since she only received ten thousand per month as pocket money which wasn't even enough for her own expenses! So Johanna turned towards Cheryl and asked her instead: "Cheryl, can you lend me 40k ?"
"We're good sisters; of course I can!" replied Cheryl while patting her ample chest proudly.
Upon hearing Cheryl's answer, Johanna turned back towards Rosendo and said happily: "Okay then! You've got yourself a deal! You'll accompany me to my father's party tonight and I'll give you fifty-thousand-dollars!"
"Alright then...when do we leave?" Rosendo smiled knowingly; he couldn't believe how lucrative his life had become ever since coming into the 21st century. While others worked hard and still couldn't earn as much money, he was able to make a fortune with ease.
"Tonight at 7 pm! Wait for me at the school gate; I'll come pick you up in my car," Johanna said excitedly.
"Okay!" Rosendo replied with a clear expression on his face.
After Johanna and Rosendo made their agreement, she didn't go back but instead visited the house where Rosendo lived with Cheryl. They even took pictures to commemorate the occasion.
Rosendo didn't care about them being there because he had nothing valuable in his place, so he wasn't worried that they would steal anything.
When Johanna entered Rosendo's room, she saw how neat everything was - from the clothes hanging on hangers to the tofu-shaped bedding on his bed. Everything in the room was arranged perfectly as if it had never been touched before. "I can't believe how cultured Rosendo is! His room is even neater than mine," Johanna said enviously. In reality, though, it was Vanessa who helped him keep everything tidy.
"I feel like Rosendo is becoming more mysterious," Cheryl sighed.
"I agree; someone as outstanding as him couldn't possibly be hiding something for so long," Johanna added.
Johanna and her friends admired Rosendo's house before approaching him curiously while he was busy. "What are you doing?" Johanna asked with curiosity.
"I'm making medicine, but I won't tell you what kind because it's a secret," Rosendo replied calmly. He didn't want Johanna and her friends to know that he was making beauty products, otherwise they would surely ask him to make some for them too. After all, which woman doesn't love beauty, especially wealthy girls like Johanna and her friends?
"Who cares?" Johanna snapped angrily although her eyes were still curious about what exactly Rosendo was up to.
Johanna and her friends didn't go back during lunchtime, they stayed at Rosendo's place. As it was already noon and time for lunch, Rosendo had no choice but to cook for the three of them. Johanna and her friends were very helpful in washing vegetables, rice, and dishes while Rosendo cooked. Although Rosendo rarely cooks, it doesn't mean he is not good at cooking. While cooking, Johanna and her friends watched him with admiration as he looked so cool doing it. This made them think to themselves: "This man is simply a nemesis of women."
"Okay, bring the plates over," Rosendo said.
"Oh." Johanna felt herself holding a snow-white plate next to Rosendo.
Rosendo had prepared three dishes and a soup, which was his standard meal. The fragrant dishes were placed on the table, and Rosendo sat casually beside it. He handed his empty bowl to Johanna and said, "Help me serve some food."
"Oh," Johanna agreed. If Harold saw her being bossed around by Rosendo like this, he would definitely confront him. How could he treat such a beautiful woman who needed a man's care like this?
Cheryl also handed her bowl to Johanna with a smile and said, "Johanna, I want some too."
But Johanna didn't give her any face at all. She gave Cheryl a disdainful look and said in an indulgent tone, "You have hands and feet of your own; can't you serve yourself?"
"Putting boys before friends," Cheryl pouted unhappily.