Chapter 23: Chapter 23

After two weeks,

Isabella's pov;

I let out a yawn while stepping down the stairs. When I took a look around the house, there wasn't anyone in the living room. I walked to the kitchen to see the chef but he wasn't there either. Is it a weekend today? Because no workers show up on weekends in this house. When I was about to step out of the kitchen, I saw a plate covered with another plate. I opened to see a shrimp salad with ravioli pasta. I took the plate and walked out of the kitchen and sat on the dining table with the food in my hands. I started digging in since I felt hungry.

While I was eating, Mr Martinez walked in with a garden shovel asking, "You finally woke up! How's the shrimp salad?"

I let out a yawn and asked while pointing to the shovel, "It's good. Are you cleaning the garden? Wait, I'll finish up my breakfast and come help you."

He gave a nod and said, "It's fine. I'm already halfway in clearing out the leaves. If you feel sleepy, go to sleep because you've been staying up all night for the exams so go and rest in your room." And walked to the store room.

I gave a nod and continued eating the salad.

After finishing up my food, i came to the backyard where is garden.

"Didn't i asked you to take rest?"

"I feel bored in my room." And let out a yawn. I leaned back on the chair and looked at Mr Martinez who was gathering all the leaves in a particular place.

"Mr Martinez!"

"Yeah?" Asked while working.

"How many floors do you own in that company?"

"Um… the whole."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm the CEO of Skyland corporation. Did you forget that?"

"I still remember but I didn't know that the CEO can own the entire building too."

He gave a nod and continued working.

"Does your employees know that you clean your own garden? Don't you think they will make fun when they see you like this? In this outfit?"

“I am wearing this since it's comfortable for me!” His voice boomed, sending a few leaves flying off the trees and into the soil below.

He kept the shovel on the ground and leaned on it and said, "The office and the house are different places. Even if there's so many employees working under me in the office, in the house I have to do my own things because this is where I live. This is where I can be myself without being aware of anyone."

"Good speech by the way."

"Okay, come and help me."

"Huh? You said you can take care of everything."

"Since you're living in this house, this garden is also under your care too. So come here and help me to remove all the weeds grown around here."

I stood up and walked to him and asked for the (garden tool used to remove weed)

"Go and change your outfit."

"I don't want to. I feel lazy."

I took the (tool) and squatted down to remove the weeds.

He made me stand up by holding my arm and said, "I can see your underwear when you squat down like that. Go and change your outfit."

"There's not anyone in the house though. And, why are you looking at me? Go and gather up the leaves."

When I tried to squat down again, he said, "I'll take care of removing weeds. You go and gather up those dried leaves."

I took the shovel and said, "Okay. It's easier than plucking out the weeds though."

I started gathering the dried leaves. Once I'm done with it, I asked him, "Should I dump these in the pit?"

He gave a nod while plucking out the weeds in the flower beds.

I gathered up all the leaves and took them to dump into the pit. The sun shone brightly and I was glad it hadn’t started raining just yet.

After dumping everything, I looked at him. He was still picking up the weeds. When I looked up, it looked like it was going to rain. The sky had been so clear and blue when we had first arrived, but now clouds were gathering over the horizon. The wind whipped through my hair, and as I stepped forward onto the garden a few droplets hit me. I walked over to him and looked at the flower beds. There's still a lot of weeds to remove. I asked him, "Do you want my help?"

"It's fine. I'll do it."

"Take a look at the sky. It looks like it's going to rain. And, there's a lot more weeds to remove." I squatted down beside him and started removing the weeds and said, "There are no people around us so don't get jealous."

"Who said I'm jealous?"

"Then, why did you ask me to change my outfit? Wasn't it because you're jealous of me?"

He shook his head and said, "Nope."

"You're lying. You're jealous. I can see it clearly on your face."

He pushed me and I fell down since I was squatting on the ground.

"Did you just push me?"

I stood up straight now and looked at him, eyes narrowed into a glare, pushed him on the ground and started running away from him. He stood up and ran after me to catch me. I turned around and yelled for him but he just kept chasing me. I ran all over the porch and stopped when it started to rain.

Mr Martinez catched me by hugging me from behind and said, "You think you can run away from me?"

I removed his hands and said, "Aren't you going to cover the flower beds?"

He remembered and ran back to the garden. I called the guards for help. They went to help Mr Martinez and I followed them behind. After covering every flower bed and putting up the shade, we came to the front of the house. While Mr Martinez was thanking the guards for helping him, I walked into the house being wet. The last thing he said to them before leaving was “I'll get your salary tomorrow as a thank you gift”, and now I am soaked from head to toe. He must have had a good laugh when they left.

Mr Martinez walked behind me and said, "Why are you still standing here? Aren't you going to change your clothes? I can see your undergarments clearly since your clothes are wet."

I walked him and hit him on his shoulder and asked, "Are you a pervert? Why are you looking at my body constantly?"

"I was just saying."

"I have eyes too. I can also see. Did you get it?"

He started to climb the stairs while I was talking to him.

"Where are you running to?" I grabbed him by his shirt and made him stop going upstairs.

He turned to me and asked, "What are you doing right now?"

"What?"

He came closer and said, "You're tempting me."

I smiled and said, "Then why are you running away?"

"Do you know what you mean by that?"

"No, can you tell me?" And smirked at him.

He put his hand around my waist and pulled me towards him and asked, "You're making me lose my patience."

I put my hands over his neck and moved closer where our faces were a few inches away and asked, "Oh, really? I'll take your patience and give you a good deal more," I replied.

He didn't say anything as he leaned in, kissing my lips slowly, passionately, almost too hungrily. I moaned when he finally drew away and said, "You don't need to do that," against his mouth.

He smiled and asked, "What's wrong with you today? You've been acting weird since morning. What's got into you? Do you have something to ask me?"

I took my hands off and said, "Ah! You found it. Actually…"

Before I said, Mr Martinez took my hands and put it around his shoulder and said, "Wrap me up before saying anything."

I let out a chuckle and said, "I'm feeling bored staying in the house. Can I go to some part-time jobs until college reopens?"

He let out a sigh and looked at me.

I continued, "I know it's in the contract but I really feel bored and weak. Please?"

He held my cheeks together and said, "How can I reject it if you asked me to act cute?"

"Is that an 'yes'? Can I really take jobs?"

He gave a nod and smiled at me.

I hugged him and thanked him.

"I think I'm going to have a reaction if you continue the hug while we're being like this."

I broke the embrace and said, "Go and change!"

He came closer and asked, "Who came on to me?"

I pushed him away and walked past him to go to my room.

While I was searching for the jobs, Mr Martinez said, "Why don't you come work for me?"

"What?"

"If you come to work for me it'll be useful for your dream too. What are you saying?"

"Your company is way out of my league. I don't think I can get a job there."

"I'm not hiring you for a job though. You can intern or work as an assistant for workers."

"Is there any ulterior motive behind this?"

"Yeah, if you come to work for me, I can see what you're doing since You'll be in front of my eyes all day. We can have lunch together, work together and, i can take you along with me after the work."

"I'm not a hostage to take me wherever you go."

"Wasn't there any other terms for that? Like a partner, girlfriend, lover, wife?"

"You went crazy."

I stood up from the dining table after finishing my food and walked to the kitchen.

Suddenly, Mr Martinez hugged me from behind and whispered into my ears, "Please, come work for me."

"I don't have any experience working in a big company like yours. Your employees look sweet and nice, I don't think I can survive there with this mouth. And, the elevator car is stuck in your company. I hate taking stairs. And, there's another reason for not working in your company. The employees in your company look like they worked to get a job there, just because I know you, I don't want a job this way. It doesn't look right."

"When did you start to think like a grown up?"

"I'm a grown-up so I can do well on my part-time jobs."

He made the hug tighter and put his head on my shoulder.

"Why are you acting like I'm going far away? I'm just taking a part-time job."

He broke the embrace and held my hand and said, "Okay. All the best for getting a job. And don't do overtime, remember that I'll be waiting for you here."

"Hey! What's with this talk? I didn't even get a job yet."

He pouted his lips which made him look cuter than before.

I ruffled his hair and softly pinched his cheek and said, "Why do you look so cute today?"

"For you, I can be anything."

"Then, turn into an elephant and carry me to the living room."

He did a half squat and asked me to climb on him.

"Are you sure about this? I may look smaller when I stand next to you but I weigh a little bit more than my physical appearance."

"I will go to my room if you don't climb up."

"Okay, okay."

I climbed up on him and wrapped my hands around his neck. He didn't even stumble a bit and started walking out of the kitchen. He carried me across the living room and asked, "Do you want me to carry you to your room?"

"It's fine. I'll get down."

"No, wait…"

We both fell down on the floor and I was on top of him.

He asked me, "Aren't you going to get up?"

"Not for another minute." I lied on him by placing my ear on his chest to hear his heartbeat. He wrapped his hands around me.

The next day,

Mr Martinez bid farewell after dropping me in front of a restaurant which I searched on the online since I saw an advertisement that they needed a part-timer so I interviewed through a phone call and got selected since I had experience in serving in restaurants.

I entered the restaurant. It has a peaceful and quiet atmosphere inside the restaurant.

A guy welcomed me thinking I'm a customer. I asked him, "Where can I meet the general manager?"

He looked at me with a confused look.

I continued, "I came to work as a part-timer."

"Oh! The new part-timer. This way." He showed me a way to the office and said, "You can enter the office. He will be inside." And left.

I opened the door and walked into the office. He was in his forties. I thought he was younger when I heard his voice. I gave a smile and took a seat in front of him after he asked me to.

"You're studying in first year business, right?"

"Yes, Sir."

"How long are you planning to work here?"

"Till my college reopens, Sir."

"Do you like to work even after college opens?"

"I didn't give a thought about it, Sir."

"I saw your resume and came to know that you've worked in many reputable restaurants and your remarks are good too. I don't hire students but since you've got experience I'm hiring you."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Go to the kitchen and ask the line chef to come meet me. You may get to work now."

I stood up and thanked him and left the office.

After telling the line chef to meet the general manager, I waited for the line chef.

The line chef walked up to me and asked, "Are you the new part-timer?"

I nodded my head.

"Come with me."

She placed some boxes on the table and asked, "How did you come?"

"Car."

He gave me the keys and said, "Deliver this to these addresses." And gave me a piece of paper with writing.

"Yes, chef."

I took the boxes and came out of the restaurant. I saw a motorcycle and walked to it. I kept the food inside the box and started the bike.

While I was riding the bike, I thought they'd give me some work in the kitchen or in the front of the house. I didn't expect a delivery job. It's okay. Any job is fine until sitting idle in the house.

After I'm done with the first delivery, I felt tired since it's been years since I took jobs like this.

After finishing every delivery, I sat at the kitchen counter. A guy sat beside me and asked, "Are you the new part-timer?"

I nodded and said my name,"Bella."

"Peter. Working hard on the first day?"

I let out a sigh and said, "Lots of deliveries. Hey, Peter, what should I do with the tips?" Showed him the money I got.

"You got a lot."

"Yeah, I don't know why they give me this much for just delivering food."

"Where did you go for delivery?"

"Among many places, I had a lot of deliveries in Flex plaza. And, they're the ones who gave a lot."

"People who are residing in Flazen plaza are elites so it's a small amount for them."

"Do you want it?"

"You're giving it to me? Don't you want it?"

"It's a lot. Do you still want it?"

He took the money and said, "We just met today but you're already giving me your money."

"I thought we became friends. Didn't we?"

He smiled and said, "Yes, we are friends. Oops! A delivery. Gotta go. See ya."

After he left, I got a delivery.

I took the food and drove to the place. Sh*t! The Skyland corporation? It's where Mr Martinez is working. How am I going to deliver this? I covered my face using a scarf and wore a hat. I took the food and walked to the reception and said the person's name who ordered the food.

She asked me to go to the seventh floor. Thank God it's not the Tenth floor. I asked the receptionist, "Is the elevator working?"

After she nodded, I walked to the elevator. I pressed the button and waited for the elevator car to come down. After the elevator car door opened, I walked in and when the door was about to open, a guy rushed in.

"Tenth floor. No music."

This is the guy I shouted at when I came to deliver an envelope to Big brother. I hope he won't recognise me. I looked down on the floor.

The elevator stopped at the tenth floor. He walked out, when I was about to press the seventh floor button, Mr Martinez ran towards the elevator. I stopped it from closing. He walked into the elevator. After he came in, I pressed the seventh floor.

Mr Martinez said, "Thank you for waiting."

I nodded and looked at the number panel. Hurry up to the seventh floor quickly. It feels weird standing next to Mr Martinez being in disguise. I'm not ashamed of my job, but if he finds me here, he'll get mad at me. Because he said to take jobs in the restaurant and not outside. And, especially, he struck off the delivery job from the list.

The elevator opened on the seventh floor and I rushed out of the elevator car. I calmed myself and walked to the person who made the order. After delivering the food to him, I walked to the elevator. When it opened, Mr Martinez was inside the elevator car. Why is he still inside it? I entered the elevator car and pressed the ground floor button.

"This elevator is AI. You can call out the floor number and it'll take you there."

I nodded and continued at the number panel.

"I'm sorry but It feels like I know you from somewhere. Do you know me?"

I shook my head while avoiding looking at him.

When the elevator car opened, I ran out of the elevator as fast as I could.

While I was starting the bike, I got a call. I removed my scarf on my face and answered it without looking at the name on the display.

"Where are you?"

"Who's this?"

I checked the name on the display. It's Mr Martinez. Why did he call me now?

"Hey! Hi, what is it?"

"Where are you?"

"Where would I be? I'm at the restaurant where you dropped me."

"Oh, I thought I saw you."

"You've been imagining a lot recently. I'm in the restaurant. How could you see me?"

"But I'm seeing you right now?"

"Did you come to the restaurant?"

"No, I'm in my company."

"Then, how will you see me?"

Someone removed my cap which made me look at that person.

Mr Martinez said while holding the phone near his ears, "Like this."

I got down from the bike and said, "Hi! It's a surprise."

"Is this your new job?"

I let out a nervous chuckle and said, "They didn't have any other jobs except delivery."

"Quit it."

"No, I can't."

"Why? Quit the job and I'll search for jobs for you. Driving the bike through the streets. Do you know how dangerous it is?"

"I know you care for me but a lot of people do delivery jobs. Did everyone get into accidents?"

"Don't try to convince me. Quit the job." And walked into the office after giving back my cap.

I took the bike and started driving to the restaurant.

At the dining table,

Mr Martinez didn't talk to me since he walked into the house. Is he mad at me? Why does his face look like he's disappointed? Is he disappointed in me? I wonder what could possibly make him like that. Is it because of my job?

"I quit the job."

He placed a flyer and said, "There's a part-time job open for a waitress. I talked with them. They said it's a walk-in interview so you can go and attend the interview tomorrow."

"I'm not going."

"Why?"

"What if you don't like the job? You ask me to quit and be mad at me if i don't do it, i have to quit in the end anyways. So I decided not to take another part-time job. I'll stay at the house till college reopen. It's okay with me."

Big brother asked, "What's going on here? Did you fight again?"

"Mr Martinez asked me to quit the job I got since he didn't like it. So i quitted it. Now he's asking me to take another job, I don't know when that job will be disliked by him. So I said I'm not interested in going to work anymore."

Mr Martinez said, "It's not because I just hate it, Mr Johnson, you know how the streets are these days. Will you send her to do delivery through this street? What if anything bad happens? It's better to work inside the restaurant than doing delivery. That's why I asked to quit it. I don't find anything wrong about it."

I said, "Big brother, there are a lot of people doing the delivery through this street. Does everyone get into accidents everyday? He's a CEO of a company but he can't even do simple maths in this."

"Caring for another person comes naturally. It doesn't need any job positions to look out for them."

"Caring can be at a certain level. If it crosses the limit, it will tighten the grip around the neck."

"I won't talk about the job which I referred to. I'm okay with it since it was referred to by one of my employees."

"I said I don't want to take any jobs, Big brother. Is he threatening me now to take that job?"

"I'm not threatening anyone here. I'm just stating my points."

"It isn't a company meeting to state the points. He's damaging his self respect. Did you know how I felt while saying that I'm quitting? Did you know how the general manager looked at me when I said I was quitting?"

"I'm not damaging anyone's self-respect here."

Big brother said, "Stop it! What is happening here? Why are you always fighting with each other? Isabella, do you want to go to work or not?"

"I want to buy now but I don't want to."

Big Brother asked Mr Martinez, "What about you?"

"I don't mind what job she's taking. But I won't accept it if it's a delivery."

I asked, "Did you hear what he said? It's waste of time talking to him? If he decided on something, he won't change his mind easily. Anyways, I lost interest in taking jobs so I'll just stay in the house."

Big brother asked me, "Do you want to come to my house? If you feel bored, yuyang will be there too."

I looked at Mr Martinez and said to Big brother, "Okay. That sounds great. I'll have company."

"I'll come tomorrow to pick you up." And left.

I showed my tongue and said, "Be happy on your own." And walked to my room.

I dropped on the bed thinking about leaving for Big Brother's house.

A knock at the door broke me out of my thoughts and I went over to open it expecting to see him. It wasn't really like he could just pop up like that.

"Oh!" I exclaimed when I found Mr Martinez at my door, acted like I was surprised to see him and asked, "What is it?"

He peeked in my room.

"What are you doing?"

"Are you really going to Mr Johnson's house?"

"Didn't you hear us while we're talking?"

"I thought you were teasing me."

"Why would I have to tease you? Do you think teasing you is the only thing I do all my life?"

"If you go to his house, then when will you come back?"

"I don't know. Maybe when college reopens. Anyways, I feel sleepy. I gotta go."