LOVING THE REJECTED BILLIONAIRE

After our disconcerting situation earlier today with Andy, I wrapped up cleaning and came to relax on the couch as always, waiting for the lunch delivery and battling to flush that little accident out of my mind.

Andy has since not come out of the study. When we finally pulled away, after asking me if I was alright and I nodded my head that I was, he excused himself to go change from his then-soaked clothes, and I was left to dry the floor. Only after I was done and out of that room did I see him going in.

That was so embarrassing. And it’s more embarrassing that I am unable to get the image of me atop him. What a dirty mind I am developing! I need cleansing, for God’s sake!

It’s now noontime, and I have nothing to busy myself with except fathoming about that short-lived moment earlier when I was soaking up the heat from Andy. My mind is becoming so nasty, and I abhor how my body is fascinated by these wildly crazy thoughts. I can’t help it.

“Are you sure you didn’t get hurt earlier?” That is Andy’s voice, and he parks himself on the next couch.

“Yes. I am alright, sir. I mean, Andy!” I say, trying to hide the blush.

“Okay. Take that stool out of that room immediately. Tidy up only where you can reach. I will not be there to fetch you next time.” He orders.

“Okay. I apologize for what occurred earlier.” I mumble, averting his eyes like a plaque.

“It’s alright. Here. I got you a phone.” He says, handing me a phone that looks way too valuable for a servant like me.

“For me?” I hesitantly asked.

“Yeah! You can talk to your family and friends at any time.” He says.

What a sweet boss I have!

“Thank you so much.” I walk backwards after gladly receiving the phone and sit where I was seated earlier, eyeing the gadget in my hands. It sure must be very expensive, to the point that I can’t even guess its price. And to top it all, it is my very first souvenir from someone. How ironic! A heartwarming irony, I must admit!

“Don’t you like it?” He speaks; maybe after observing, I am absorbed in his thoughts.

“I do like it very much. Thank you.” I say it with all sobriety, and he nods his head. “Ooh, it has a password.” I further state:.

“Sorry. I forgot to deactivate that. Let me.” He walks and sits beside me as he deactivates the password, which doesn’t take long. “Here. It’s all done.” He hands me back the phone and proceeds. “After picking up Angel from school, we will go to the mall. You can get a SIM card there.”

“Okay. Thank you so much once again.” I express my sincere gratitude.

“Don’t mention it. Instead of being bored here when Angel is at school, you can call your family and friends and catch up. As long as you prioritize your work.” He states.

“Sure. Nevertheless, my circle is too small. I only have my family-my dad and my mom-and my twin siblings-Mina and Mira. As for friends, I only have Rita.” I confess.

I snap my eyes at him, realizing that I might have let out too much. I should learn to control my big mouth.

“Aren’t you too young to be that reserved? I mean, people your age are out there having fun and exploring the world. Don’t you feel like you are trailing behind the trend or something?” He queries with a questioning tone, as if I am the most confusing creature he has ever encountered.

“Not exactly. I’m okay this way. I have a lot of obligations to my family right now. I can’t afford to get diverted. Maybe when I accomplish my goal, just maybe, then I will have time for myself to “explore.”. I respond, earning a smirk from him.

“Your parents must be so proud of you.” He says it with a small smile on his complexion, and since I don’t want to brag about how delighted my parents are with me, I just smile back.

I know my parents are proud of the decision I made. And I hope my sacrifices will be worthwhile. I’m their only hope. The fate of my two sisters lies with me. I want to help them pursue their careers and secure their dreams. I want to help my father pay off the bank loans before they come to mortgage the little we have left. What is there to mortgage anyway? Nothing!

That reminds me; I didn’t even ask how much Andy would be paying me. I was so over the moon about getting a slot in a billionaire’s house that I forgot to ask how fat or thin my salary would be. I should ask so that I can start rationing it.

“Let’s go.” He beats me to speak.

“Huh!” I exclaim.

“Let’s go pick Angel up and proceed to the mall.” He adds.

“Aah… okay.” I think my qualm will have to dawdle for now.

He grabs the car keys and his phone, and after locking the house, we get into his black limo and hit the road to Angel’s school.

“I haven’t seen Mark since yesterday evening.” I state while someplace is on the way.

The city streets are so confusing. I haven’t familiarized myself with them yet.

“I gave him the weekend off. He will be back on Sunday evening.” He retorts, and I nod my head. Didn’t I tell you that Andy is a terrific boss? Inside this impassiveness that is on the outer surface lies a sweet candy!

I wonder why, with all his rich, luxurious life and bubbly daughter, he refuses to smile at the world. Why boss?

We drive in silence to Angel’s school and pick her up, and we take a different route to the mall, I presume.

I thought that the cute doll will fill this limousine with giggles and her childish chit chats, but no. The kid fell asleep almost immediately, and we fetched her in my arms. I wonder why she just fell asleep like that. Her breathing is shaky, like she has cried or something. I might be wrong, though.

Pulling up in front of the most glamorous mall I have ever seen, not that I have been to any before, Andy parks in the parking lot. I don’t know what we are supposed to do in the mall, and I don’t think I need to ask. I’ll just sit here, getting a kick out of the view, until I am told what to do.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

People have a life in the city, I tell you. I look at the happy children jumping up and down the playing grounds, playing together. Couples walking hand in hand in and out of the mall, the parking lot almost filled up with expensive, sparkling four-wheeled machines. My! What is that sh*t we call life back in the upcountry?

“Should we wake her up?” Andy’s voice cut my eyes off abruptly.

“I don’t think so. The poor kid might be so tired.” I respond.

“Okay then. I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you with her. Here.” He hands me the car keys after lowering the tilted windows down a little to allow in some fresh air. “In case she wakes up before I come back, you two can step outside and breathe some fresh air.” He says.

“Okay.” I mumble as I take the keys.

“Let me adjust the seat for you.” He says and leans in, so dangerously close to my face according to my not-so-innocent brain.

Again, this closure agitates some assorted emotions in me. This heat? This tickling sparkles. What are you doing to me, Andy? I never felt this way, even for that pathetic boyfriend whom I thought I loved, only for him to dump me for my only cousin. Why do I react like this to a man I have known for barely two weeks? Am I ordinary? Is this even normal?

“Is that okay?” He implores, and due to the heat that is suffocating me because of him being this close, I cannot find my voice. I just nod, praying that he gets done now. When he is done, he steps out of the car, and only then do I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding. Ooh, my! I lay my back on the seat and pull Angel close to my chest so she can rest well. The kid is still fast asleep.