"Can you move out of the line so that others can pay for their goods?" The receptionist yelled, tossing my two cards at me. I caught them on time before they slipped out of my grip. "Try again when you have real and not imaginary money in your account"
My heart began to thump so loudly that I could literally hear it. My feet felt stuck to the ground as I couldn't turn to face the crowd that had just witnessed this shameful moment.
"Put her bills in my name" A masculine voice said from behind me.
I couldn't comprehend the words he just said because mostly, It felt scattered and my brain was trying to put it together. I didn't know if that statement was meant for me either.
"O.. okay Sir" She nodded obediently at the man behind me before averting her gaze to me again. "You should go after him and thank him. So ungrateful"
Wait, what? He left already?
Upon realizing that I had been redeemed, I quickly spinned around in search of the owner of the voice.
Now that sounds stupid. How was i going to find him when I only heard his voice? Perhaps he couldn't have gone so far. I raced to a well dressed man standing around the corner, pressing his phone. I didn't even know how to explain this person to him but maybe he could tell me if he saw anyone leave the building not quite long.
"Excuse me..."
"I knew you'd come after me" The well-dressed man said, cutting me off. He slipped his phone into his pocket, his beautiful glassy blue eyes trained on me.
I guess there was no need searching for who paid my bills because his cocky response said it all. I thanked God quickly for cutting short the stress of looking for the good samaritan that saved my ass.
"Yeah, so..."
"It's really very easy to predict women" He scoffed, sizing me with his eyes. "Do them a little favour and they'll come running back"
"Will you let me talk?" I sighed, blowing out a hot breath
I get sad whenever I come across attractive men with sour attitude. Big ass red flag.
"Let me guess, you want my contact?"
"How much would it add to my already empty account?" I snapped, irritatedly.
"Women always go after men they can milk off money from" He fired back, smirking.
"I see." I nodded. "It's not your fault"
"Where's your phone? You don't look that bad. I could ..."
"I'll stop you right there." I held out my palm to his face, shushing him up. "I only came here to appreciate you for your kind gesture towards me. I didn't come to you for any extra shit"
"That's not true" He scoffed, shaking his head.
"Believe whatever you want to believe. I need to go take my things before the receptionist throws it off the counter. Thank you for paying anyway" I said, stomping off.
"Wait... Just like that?" I heard him yell
Just exactly like that, brother.
I really don't blame him. I blame my gender for always throwing themselves at men who finds pleasure in degrading them.
"I hope you took his number. I don't think you'd be that stupid not to" The receptionist said to me while I dragged my bag off the counter
"You know, I was just talking about you" I smiled
"Really? Where? To who?" She beamed, ignoring her precious customers who were waiting on the line
"In my goddamn mind. You're the reason people like him have so much ego" I said, stomping out of the grocery store. Mr well-dressed was no longer standing where I left him. At least I'm glad I appreciated him despite him being cocky.
I mean, how would I have gotten food for my family tomorrow if not for this man? Meanwhile, I'm so going to beat the shit out of Justin for making me go through this.
"You know I'm quite surprised at your attitude." Said a voice, startling me. I turned to see that the well dressed man had now approached me halfway through my journey to where I'll get a taxi.
"Good" I said, not paying much attention to him. I had bigger problems. I had an unopened mail box to attend to. I was reminded of it by my mother this morning but I was too scared to go through that trauma. Nothing good ever comes out of that mail box.
"Something about your attitude intrigued me" He said, following me closely. I didn't even bother to reply.
"Right" was all I said, still moving forward
"Firstly I'm sorry about what I said earlier and secondly, I think I'll want you to return the favour I offered to you earlier on." He said, making me stop on track and also averting my attention to him
He's kidding right?
Is he trying to mock me?
I couldn't pay for my goddamn bills, how am I supposed to pay him back? Or rather 'return the favour'?
"I'll take that as you mocking me." I scoffed, staring at his now annoying blue eyes.
"Not at all. I mean it" He said, matching my stare.
"How do you expect me to pay you back when it was obvious in there that I was financially empty!" I yelled frustratedly, trying to suppress my shaky voice. "I swear, you're just trying to embarrass me and you win" I blinked off the tears that were threatening to pool at the brim of my eyes.
If there's anything I really didn't like, it was public embarrassment.
"No, I'm not. Besides who said anything about paying me back though." He stared at me, a taunting look plastered on his face. "Move out!" He quickly yelled, using his hand to swoop me off the middle of the park. "You owe me double now"
"W.. What?" I blinked at him, still trying to process what just happened.
"I saved you from the hands of death. That car would've hit you while revising" He smirked, explaining it gently to me like I was some kid.
"So what now? I owe you my life too?" I joked, releasing his arm from my sudden grip.
"How about we talk in my car. I'm a public figure and a lot of people are beginning to stare" He said, walking towards a car. "You coming?" He yelled when he saw I was still standing there.
Who follows a stranger into his car? You think my mother didn't warn me about that when I was little? Hell, she definitely pulled my ears while warning me so it could sink in.
"I am sorry but I'll politely turn down your offer. You see, I really appreciate what you did in there for me. However, if you want me to pay you back, that's fine too but that'll be when I have something to give to you." I sighed, already exhausted from today's drama.
"Now you're talking! I guess we're on the same page now." He smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth.
"Beautiful then. You'll help me find out how much these things cost you and text me the amount. I'll pay back installmentally until it's finished" I reasoned.
To say I had hope that I would be able to pay back is an overstatement as my whole life was currently upside down, financially. And maybe physically.
"Firstly, Jared Callahan doesn't need your money. Secondly, you have something to give me." He said the first sentence with a hint of pride in his voice.
Callahan? Where have I heard that name?
"Me? I don't think I can offer you anything currently." I quickly intersected, wanting to get over with this conversation already
I really don't know why this man was wasting his time on me.
"First of all, What's your name?" He asked, eyeing me up and down. I wouldn't say he was admiring me because I wasn't dressed beautifully well. So let's just say he was assessing my features - which wasn't much.
"Daisy Morretti" I answered honestly.
"Daisy, how about you hear my offer. It doesn't have to do with you giving me a dime." He said seriously. His facial expression turned stern and stoic.
"Okay? So what's this about?"
"Apparently you're in need of financial support and I'm in need of something and I feel like you're the best person for the job." He sighed, scanning the environment with his eyes as he spoke to me.
"A job?" I smiled, now interested in the conversation. "What Job and what are the benefits?"
Is heaven trying to smile at me today?
"Trust me, there are lots of benefits if you accept this. I'll cover everything financial for you." He said.
"Hmm! That sounds interesting but also fishy." My eyes narrowed at him suspiciously.
"All you have to do is accept all the terms and conditions and we're game." He said, slipping his hand into his pocket for a brief second before giving me his complimentary card.
"Okay?" I raised my eyebrow at him inquisitively. "What's this?"
"A complimentary card?" He smirked
"I know what this is. I mean, why are you giving it to me?" I laughed lightly.
"Ah, right. It's to call me so we could start working together and planning too" He said, adjusting his wrist watch.
"I haven't even accepted. Hell, I don't even know what you're offering"
"This will really be a turning point for you if you accept this and like I said, it's your turn to return the favour..."
"Can you just go straight to the point?!" I groaned, restricting myself from rolling my eyes
"I want you to marry me, Daisy Morretti."