"Hey, Rey? Isn't it too early to call me?" Andrew's groggy voice filled the car.
"Your pay will be divided into two for the harm you have caused!" Reynaldo said at once, his eyes dangerously watching Sienna sashaying into the bar.
"Hey! That's unfair! All I did was help!" Andrew called out, the sleepiness in his voice clearing out immediately.
"See you in the office," Rey said and ended the call before throwing his phone to the empty seat beside him. He sighed, rubbing his head at the thought of bumping into Mia again.
***
"I would have to meet him by 8 and I need to be anything but ugly," Mia told Beatrice over the phone.
"I understand you Mia, but don't you think that is doing too much at your end?"
"Anything to show him the world doesn't revolve around him, and I don't crave his stupid love," Mia spoke into the phone, and Beatrice sighed after that.
"All right, I will forward some links to you."
"Thank you, B!"
"Do you think you'd have the time to get them?" Beatrice asked worriedly.
"You don't have to worry about that, Beatrice. Just send them to me, and I will make the magic happen." Mia assured her cousin.
"How's Lucio by the way?"
"He is still sleeping. Should I wake him up?"
"I am not that desperate. Bye, B!" Mia waved, and Beatrice ended the call after barely replying; her voice sounded tired. A few seconds later, her phone beeped; she clicked on one of the links, taking her to a YouTube channel.
'Just wait, Reynaldo, I'll show you what this ordinary cook of yours is capable of.' Mia thought in her head, ignoring the screech from the tires of the just arriving car.
She refused to peek at him or give him the satisfaction that he mattered to her in ways more than the master, servant relationship.
***
Opening the door, still in his pajama and ruffled hair, Reynaldo looked towards Mia's window, whose curtains were drawn to a close.
'She probably was still in the main house then.' He thought as he swallowed, walking confidently into the house. He saw his food already served, a sachet of instant coffee on the table with a flask of water there too.
"Mia?" He called gently even when knowing she wasn't in.
He felt stupid going against his just-made decision. Rushing upstairs, he made for the gym, exercising harder than usual, he freshened up with a determined look in his grey eyes.
To hell with everyone. As for Mia, she was just a temporary placement till he got his place fixed as the sole heir to The North-Chase Software Development Industry. The dining felt empty and dry without her waiting on him. He struggled to chew but felt the food get stuck to his throat.
What was wrong with him?
Picking up his phone, his hand hovered over her contact. He contemplated calling her, but why? What excuse would he give for calling her when he is supposed to be eating?
Pressing the dial button, her voice floated into his ears, a voice he didn't realize he had gotten used to and had begun to love.
***
Mia, who was in the middle of watching a make-up tutorial to up her game, got startled by the caller ID on her screen.
"Why is he calling?" Her eyes were wide as she immediately swiped the green button across the screen.
"Hello, Sir?" Her voice was quivering.
'Calm down Mia! Dammit!' She closed her eyes.
"Is this how you serve your boss?" His grave voice sounded over the phone. She had to take out the phone from her ear and take a look at it again. What did he mean by that?
"Is there something wrong with the food, Sir?" She inquired gently, bending forward, her heart in her throat. She could not afford to let something go wrong.
"Is there something wrong with the food, Sir?" He mimicked and her face flamed.
"What rubbish have you made for breakfast?" He asked furiously.
Mia stood instantly, "I am so sorry, sir; I will be there soon." She hurriedly left her room, struggled to put on her shoes, and ran towards the main house. Rushing into the dining room, Mia paused in her tracks at the sight before her.
'Stupid Reynaldo. Stupid, stupid Reynaldo!' She yelled in her head, her hand grabbing a handful of her gown by the side as she squeezed it with every fiber of her being.
"There you are." He said after swallowing the chewed food in his mouth.
"Yes Sir." She gave a bow with a tight smile.
"Henceforth, you will have to wait till I am done eating before you can leave." He ordered like the boss; of course, he was the boss.
'What now?' Mia's little nose enlarged, and she stifled a shout.
This was pure wickedness and nothing more, but giving him the satisfaction of seeing her discomfort was worse than this.
"Okay, sir." She bowed before stepping forward.
She stood directly in front of him, her eyes following his hand to his mouth and the bobbing of his Adam's apple at every swallow. If this wasn't torture, she didn't know what else she would call it.
"This isn't to punish you, take a seat." He pointed to the empty chair generously.
"Thank you, sir." She sat stiffly, her eyes still on him.
***
Reynaldo, whose plan was accomplished, felt immersed in satisfaction from seeing her watch him eat. He caught himself smiling a few times.
She was trying so hard not to show her emotions but he could already see through the layers of protection around her. She was angry, but more than that, her intense stare at his lips gave him the most satisfaction he needed; there was still this desire to feel his lips.
"Want some?" He teased, pointing at his lips. She out rightly gave him a fierce stare.
"Thank you, Mr. Reynaldo, but I will have to reject your offer; I have something better waiting for me." She smiled back, indicating to his offering of his lips, and his face darkened at once.
Standing up, he took the plate, still half filled with food, to the trash.
"Sir!" Mia called out, standing on her feet.