CHAPTER 4: DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND?

Madi's POV: It's been one week since the conference room incident. I told Sandy about it and she never did anything but to laugh her every time she remembers it. "I wish I was there to capture that moment." That's what she always says. I even laughed with her, but thank God the issue has died suddenly. And here we are back at the Cafeteria, having our lunch with Troy ... next to me again. "Ahm... Madi?" Troy called my attention while I was munching my gingerbread. "Hmm?" "I have a question." "What is it?" I looked at him. He's wearing a sheepish smile on his face. "D-Do you have a boyfriend?" Sandy and I broke our trance and I subconsciously swallowed my food quickly. "No...why?" "Uhm, c-can I invite for a d-dinner sometime?" he asked stuttering and scratching the back of his neck. He's really cute when he blushes. "Are you asking her for a date?" my eyes snapped in Sandy's direction as she voiced out my question. Troy scratched again the back of his neck. "Uhm... I guess?" "You guess? You mean you don't know if it's a date or not?" "Uhm----" "Sandy, let him talk." I cut what Troy was saying and glared at Sandy. She just rolled her eyes. "If that so... I mean, if that's what you call it, then yes. I am inviting her for a date." Troy said looking at me. "I just thought since I'm still single and you don't have a boyfriend, uhm... why don't I invite you for a date. Don't worry, not tonight. But some other night, if you agree." I was about to say something but Sandy opened her clever mouth again. "Wow! I am starting to like your braveness, Troy. You really asked a girl on a date in front of her friend. Just wow!" she said nodding while grinning. "Ohh, thanks," Troy said proudly. "So, can I have the honor of going out with you, Ms Madielyn Davis?" He acted like a prince asking his princess to dance with him. "Okay, just tell me in advance where you will take me so I can prepare." "Yes!" instead of Troy, Sandy exclaimed loudly. "Your voice!" me and Troy warned her in unison. We didn't notice the same pair of eyes watching our conversation intently until we finished our lunch. ************************* Like my everyday routine after lunch and every 4 pm, I would bring Mr Wilsons his coffee. And it's now his 3rd coffee of the day. I wonder how he can drink too much coffee in a day and take note--- every day. Wouldn't he become high in caffeine? Yeah.. not in drugs but from coffee. Wouldn't he become acidic or have an ulcer? My thoughts stopped when I am standing right in front of his door. I knocked 3 times before he answered 'come in'. I found him standing in front of the large window behind his desk with both hands on his pants pockets. He's staring at the busy streets down the building. "Mr Wilsons, your coffee, Sir." I put it on top of his table. He watched my every move before walking over to his desk and grabbing his cup of coffee. I averted my eyes when he brought it to his lips to take a sip. When he put it down again, I asked him the same question after giving him his coffee. "Anything else, Sir?" although I know he would just answer me with his the same answer.. 'Nothing more.' "Do you have a boyfriend, Ms Davis?" my eyes widened in a bit surprised as I gulped. For all the questions he would possibly ask me in this world... really that question? "I-I'm sorry, Sir?" I asked him again, maybe I was just being played by my own ears. "I said, do you have a boyfriend?" -'So he really asked me that question!'- Actually, I have no idea why he's suddenly asking me a very personal question which is unrelated to my work. But since I don't see any problem with that, I still responded politely. "No, Sir. I don't have a boyfriend." I answered although my voice laced with confusion. "Are you dating with someone now?" "I'm sorry again, Sir?" ..where is this question going?'- He sighed loudly. I can see that he's tensed and annoyed. Well, it's not my fault. I was just shocked, you know. "Do I really have to repeat myself, every time I ask you, Ms Davis?" now he's annoyed. "I'm sorry Sir, but I was just shocked by your questions. And I was taken aback because I don't expect you to ask me these questions." I reasoned out in all honesty. "Is it difficult to answer that? It's just a yes or a no!" he snapped ignoring what I said. "Are you dating someone right now, Ms Davis?" he looked at me intently. "No, Sir. But I am about to -------" "Good." he cut me off but I can't help raising an eyebrow. '-Good?'- "What?" I voiced out confused. "Because I have a deal to offer you, Ms Davis. My driver will pick you up by 7:00 pm tonight. Be ready by then." "Sir?" "You're dismissed, Ms Davis," he said completely ignoring me by dialling on his phone But of course, being a boss myself, I insist on asking him. "Excuse me Sir, but may I ask the deal you are talking about?" His head immediately snapped at me. "Ms Davis, it's not work-related, so I won't discuss it with you right here in the office." his cold gaze makes me shivers down my spine. "Exactly Mr Wilsons! If it's not work-related, then why do you have to offer me your deal? And why did you have to ask me about having a boyfriend or if I am dating? Does your offer have anything to do with it?" "Ms Davis, don't push me on telling you right now, because it won't happen! You're dismissed!" -'that's it?'- He completely ignored me by turning around his swivel chair after getting his phone. And now the back of his chair is the one facing me... -'Wow! What a rude attitude! What if I tell you, I won't go and listen to what you say?'- I didn't bother to ask him again and to say goodbye. I just walked out the door and headed to my desk. "He really doesn't know how to talk in a nice way! Oh, God! I'm going to have wrinkles because of you, Gabriel Wilsons!" I groaned as soon as my butt touches the soft cushion of my chair. ****************************** At 5:00 o'clock, I peeked into his office again. Even though I'll get the same answer, but as an act of professionalism, I knocked on his door. And after he says 'come in', I just stand on the door frame saying goodbye to him. "Okay, be ready at 7:00 pm," he said not even giving me a glance. I just nodded and didn't care if he sees me or not. At 6:30 pm, I finished taking a bath and drying my hair with the blower. "What am I supposed to wear? He didn't even mention where he will take me. My God!" I pulled my hair and sighed in frustration. I took my mascara and applied it to my lashes. And since it's not a date, I just add eyeliner and nude lipstick. "That's it! This would be fine. I don't need to put more makeup. He's my boss and this is not a date." I told myself in front of the mirror. For my dress, I simply wear my simplest sleeveless---navy blue floral dress that ended just mid-thigh. I've added some curls on my hair to make it more bouncy, and that's okay. Two-inch black sandals for my feet. I don't want him to think that I really put an effort to this 'Set up", although I did a little... just a little. At exactly 7:00 pm, I heard a knock on the front door. I went down the stairs to open it but found Jaime (my flatmate) talking to someone at the door. "Here she is," she said looking at me, smiling. I walked towards them. "Good evening, Ms Davis. I'm Jhon and I am Mr Wilsons driver. I am here to pick you up." "Oh, okay." I smiled at him and turned to Jaime but she has an arched eyebrow. I winked at her and exited the door, following John to the car. He opened the passenger seat door for me. "Thank you, Jhon," I said before he closed the door. "Your welcome, Ms Davis." he closed it before I could speak again. When he's already sitting in the driver's seat, I called him again. "Jhon?" "Yes, ma'am?" he looked at me, waiting for my next statement. "Just call me Madi, please. Calling me Ms Davis makes me feel old. I'm only 26." I smiled to ease his tension. "Okay Madi, if that's what you want." "Thanks." I smiled at him and he started the engine. I didn't bother asking him where we're going. I'm just waiting to get to our destination. After 20 to 25 minutes of sightseeing in the streets, we're passing, the frown on my forehead deepening as I noticed that the road looked familiar to me. And I closed my eyes tightly when we stop and he parked at the parking lot in front of the very - very familiar fine dining restaurant. "Ms Davis--- I mean Madi, we're here. Mr Wilsons is waiting for you inside." John informed me. "Where exactly are we?" I asked without opening my eyes. "At the restaurant where Mr Wilsons told me to take you." I took a deep breath. "What is the name of the restaurant?" I asked him again still in closed eyes, silently praying not the same restaurant I was thinking of. "Maiden restaurant." "Oh, shit!" I muttered under my breath. Maiden in short for Madielyn and it's my Dad's nickname to me when I was young. It's the first restaurant I've built out of three. "Is there a problem, Madi?" he asked, sounding worried. I opened my eyes, took a deep breath and smiled at him. "No, Jhon. I'm okay. Thank you for picking me up." "My pleasure." he was about to take off his seatbelt but I stopped him. "It's okay, Jhon. Let me." I smiled again before opening the door and stepped out. His eyes held a silent protest but I just waved at him before walking towards the entrance of the restaurant. But of course, not before calling Noelle. I shook my head at the scenario I am imagining in my head after this. I told her to talk to all the staff not to greet me when they see me inside, which I know a bit impossible. I don't know how she will manage to do that, but I've sent her a message again that I will explain everything once I have time. "Good evening ma'am----- Ms Madi?" the security guard at the entrance greeted me with wide eyes. I placed my index finger to my lips to show him to be quite. I think he got it and he smiled before nodding. But the moment I entered... "Good evening------Ms.Madi?" Susan, one of our waitresses held the same expression with the guard. "You're so beautiful Ms Madi," she said in excitement. She has the reservation book in her hands. "Good evening, Susan. Ahm.. is there a name of Gabriel Wilsons on your lists tonight?" I asked smiling and her eyes light up more. "Let me check it, ma'am." she scanned the lists. "Oh, yes ma'am. Do you want me to show you where the table is?" And my eyes went wide. "Oh no, it's okay, just tell me where it is. Uhm, by the way, is he already here?" "Yes, ma'am, he's already here. He's in the left-wing, third table before the corner." "Okay, thank you." "Are you sure ma'am, you don't want me to show you the table?" "No, it's okay. There is no need to do that. Thank you, Susan." I said smiling. "You're welcome, Ms Madi." she smiled back at me. "Uhm... wait, Susan. Please go to Ms Noelle after this, she has some instructions for all of you. You should go now, just left the reservation book to the guard for a while." "Yes ma'am." she nodded without asking back. After that, I went to Mr Wilsons' table. And I found him on his phone frowning and talking to someone on the other line. I just wonder if it's the same person he's talking to on the phone a few days ago... An investigator as I remembered. -'Ohh, tsk..tsk..tsk.. poor someone whoever you are, I pity you for getting hired by him. Until now, he can't get over with his ex-girlfriend that he needs to hire an investigator to monitor her'- And then, there's the sudden 'pinch' in my heart again.