"Hell no." He whispered, claiming her without hearing what she had to say.
~~~~~~
"Miss. Michelle Jackson," The manager called, his cold gaze piercing right into her soul.
"Yes sir."
"Why do you think you deserve to work here?"
"I.." Michelle couldn't find the right words. His office was as cold as his eyes.
His hand suddenly touched hers.
She flinched.
"I don't understand."
"Your father is so rich. You attend The White's Academy as a business student. Yet you choose to live in the culinary world. Your father doesn't have the right, I guess. Is it because you're illegitimate?" Michelle wanted to protest but controlled herself.
"Michelle Jackson, you're so beautiful. I'm very sure you're not single." She shook her head innocently.
"Wow. You have a boyfriend?"
"Y-yes."
"He's a lucky asshole." He cursed. Michelle slid his hand from underneath his on the table.
"I'm not going to tolerate that," She mustered up some courage.
"Am I getting the job or not? He signed me but if you're going to insult him, I won't hesitate to - "
The manager rose up abruptly.
She fell silent.
There was a scowl on his face.
"You looked really desperate. Do you really want this job?"
Gabriela was lost in a peaceful slumber, her body sprawled across the couch, when a pillow suddenly landed on her face, jokingly smothering her. She jolted awake, blinking away the haze, and saw Isabella standing over her, a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
"Girl, did you order something?" Isabella asked, nodding towards the door. "There's a delivery guy here."Gabriela rubbed her eyes, still trying to shake off the sleep.
"No, I didn't order anything," she mumbled, swinging her legs over the edge of the couch.Isabella shrugged and disappeared into her room, leaving Gabriela to tramble to the door.
She opened it to find a delivery guy standing there, holding a large bag.
"Hey, someone asked me to drop this off," he said, handing her the bag. "Bill's settled, ma'am."Gabriela took the bag, still half-asleep, and mumbled a thank you as she took the package from him. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it, curiosity getting the better of her.
As she opened the bag, her eyes widened in shock. Inside, she found not one, not two, but five stunning dresses, each more beautiful than the last.
A long-sleeved silver sequin glamour dress caught her eye, followed by a daring blue skimpy dress, a elegant white dress decorated with roses, and a playful pink ruffly bandeau dress.
Gabriela's jaw dropped as she stared at the dresses, her mind racing with questions. Who could have sent these? And for what occasion? She pulled out the dresses one by one, feeling the soft fabrics and admiring the intricate details. Suddenly, a small card fell out of the bag, bearing a simple message: "Tomorrow's the big day. Wear what makes you shine."
Miguel's handwriting.
She chuckled.
Another note was attached to a separate box that had a sexy green mid-thigh dress with a spaghetti strap.
"Wear this whenever you want me to make love to you."
A gasp escaped her lips.
She crumbled the note in her fist and trashed it. She was blushing uncontrollably.
"Miguel, are you insane?" She didn't wait any second before calling him.
"Why do you ask?"
"The note - how could you write that?"
"I said whenever, I don't want that right now." He joked. Gabriela plopped on the sofa.
"Thank you for the outfits. They are really nice." She grinned.
"I'm glad you like it."
"This should be the last time you'll get me something. What if I go back on my word?"
"I'll be happy if that happens."
~~~~~THE WHITE'S ACADEMY~~~~~
"Gabriela!" Michelle waved. They walked towards each other.
Gabriela pulled her into a warm hug.
"You look pretty!" She complimented Michelle.
"Thank you, you don't look bad either. You're always perfect." Gabriela grinned.
"I know, right?"
"How is it going at Lumi's Kitchen?" Gabriela asked her as they walked side by side.
Her smile vanished.
"I...I haven't..resumed..." Gabriela's eyes widened.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Yeah...the manager. He's giving me a hard time."
"How dare he? Is that the sort of jerk he is? What is he doing to you? Is he strict?"
"N..no, Gabriela. He..he..he asked some really weird questions that made me feel quite uncomfortable. Worst of all, he insulted Damien and I can't stand that."
"What were the questions?"
"He asked if Damien and I ever fucked and I said no. He proceeded by saying he wasn't a real man and I was only wasting my time with him. He said it would be better if I gave my body to someone who was worth it, someone who knew the value of my body and made me experience pleasure. He was indirectly asking us to - fuck before I can officially resume as a chef in Lumi's Kitchen. He said I'd get paid the highest if I satisfied him."
Gabriela was expressionless.
"What did you tell him?" She questioned.
"I just told him I'd..come back when I make my decision."
"What's your decision?"
"I don't know, Gabriela. I don't know what to do. I can't possibly cheat on Damien because of the job he got me. At the same time, this man seems really connected. What if he sends someone to get me?"
"Don't worry, Michelle. You don't have to tell Damien anything. You'll get the job by tomorrow."
"How?"
"I'll take care of it."
Gabriela's cute and sassy looks were admired by the students, as the cameras clicked for her in the studio.
When she was done, she took more pictures with Carissa, Diana, Michelle and Isabella, then a group photo.
More photos were taken, Gabriela with the arts and entertainment department, the basketball players and some juniors who have been dying to take a picture with her.
Claudia and Sandra were in a corner dressed in matching sundresses were also taking pictures with friends.
"Rafael, let's take a picture. It'd look perfect in my photobook." Sandra said with a grin.
"No." He refused frankly and a knife of reject tore her heart.
Claudia burned with jealousy as she watched Miguel and Gabriela take pictures together.
Gabriela was sashaying with pride towards her. She wanted to explode.
"Step aside." Gabriela ordered.
"You bitch. What makes you think you've won by taking a picture alone with Miguel?"
"I don't think I've won, I have won!"
"You're such a whore, I hate you." Claudia cursed with gritted teeth.
"Do I need to tell you that I hate you? That would be such a waste of time. You know it already. You know how much I despise you."
"Get lost." Claudia whispered coldly.
"Girl, you're in my way. Do you want me to push you?"
Gabriela entered her car and ordered the driver to head home.
"Hello. Miss Flores speaking. The picture I sent to you is the manager of Lumi's Kitchen. I need you to carry out an assignment tonight. Call Lumi's Kitchen and make them employ Michelle Jackson but fire that man first."
"Hello, Mrs. Lumi!" Mr. Kevin the manager greeted with a cheerful grin, his phone pressed to his ear.
"Kevin, you bastard! What have you done? Why are you so hellbent on ruining the future of my restaurant?" Mrs. Lumi sounded extremely mad.
"What's wrong?"
"Michelle Jackson. Why are you giving her such a hard time before employment? She already passed her test so what's with the pending? Do you even know who she is? The independent daughter of Mr. Jackson. My whole restaurant could be hers if I put it for sale. She looks ordinary but its all because she's a strong lady who doesn't want to depend on her father's billions." Mrs. Lumi reprimanded.
"I am so sorry, Mrs. Lumi."
"There was also a report that you were asking about her personal life. Is that why I employed you?"
"I apologize, Mrs. Lumi."
"No need for your apologies, because you'll get fired right away. Miss. Michelle Jackson says she doesn't want you in office when she resumes. Your letter will be prepared and its over for you!" Mr. Kevin was alarmed.
"What the fuck? Who is she to decide who you employ and who you fire? Its your restaurant, Mrs. Lumi."
"It is! I know it is! But I won't tolerate anybody degrading the culinary empire I've worked so hard to build. A report also came from Miss. Gabriela Flores. She's a high profile student of The White's Academy, heiress of Flores Corp and Miss. Michelle's friend. The order came from her that you should be fired."
Mr. Kevin was dumbfounded.
"Does Miss. Gabriela have anything to do with Michelle and I? I put her resumption in Lumi's Kitchen on pending for my reasons. So many years, chefs have been going through my test before employment, and this one wants me to leave before she can work?"
"Are you going to leave Lumi's Kitchen or Gabriela Flores sues you? What if she sues me, all because of you? I don't want your dirty act to land me or my restaurant in any trouble. Fuck off! I don't ever want to see you near me or my employees!" She shouted.
Kevin wanted to speak but the line went dead.
"Shit! Gabriela Flores, who the hell are you to get me fired?!" He snarled.
He thought Gabriela could be related to Michelle's boyfriend, that was why she was so into this case.
"That asshole...he'll pay for this..so dearly..." His phone buzzed again and he growled.
"Who is it?" He smiled a little when he saw the caller ID.
"Nadia, my sweet niece. What's poppin'?" He tried to sound casual.
"I'm good, uncle. I heard Lumi's Kitchen's employing someone new, huh?"
"Yes. Some bitch who is about to get me fired."
"Fired?" Nadia was taken aback.
"Michelle Jackson. A sick bastard who feels that she could be independent in the culinary world. I just found her alluring and instead of her body, she's telling my boss to make me vacate the premises before she can resume as a chef. How ridiculous!"
Nadia gritted her teeth.
"Michelle took everything away from me. Long time ago, she came out of a shithole and turned out to be the child Mr. Jackson had with his maid. She joined our school and everyone hated her with so much passion. Including me. Because the guy I liked was so into this poor rat for no reason. My friends and I turned her into our puppy, a day came she tried to play games with us and we had her nudes all over the school's media. She was everywhere – crying helplessly."
"We wanted to release it to the general public but we thought of making her beg us. We had the nudes and we thought it was easy to get her anytime, threatening to post it online. When we resumed college, Gabriela came into the fucking picture. She made her confident. She changed so many things about this witch that she had the guts to kick us out of her birthday party, which we thought it was a good place to make a fool of her. Gabriela even turned Michelle from an isolated nerd into some kind of social butterfly. Damien White, the guy I liked became hers. My own mom, your fucking cockroach little sister made her the president of our department out of the blue. She watched me get expelled from The White's Academy. She didn't care that my college dreams were shattered. All I do now is crawl out of a hole and cry my eyes out!" Nadia burst into loud tears.
"Hey, Nadia. I hate hearing you cry. Just get a grip of yourself."
"No! This girl has stolen my entire life! I just wanted to be happy with Damien as my boyfriend. He never even looked my way but I was going to make him. Then suddenly, Gabriela made her germinate and bloom like a flower. She is dating Damien now, she's dating the fucking son of the school's owner. Which means, at the snap of her finger, she can get anyone expelled! I hate her, uncle! I want Michelle Jackson to die! The only thing that'll make me stop crying is the news of that girl's death! I want her to die!!!"
~~~~~~
Gabriela's call startled Michelle.
"Hey, Gaby! I'm currently watching your favorite series and..."
"Mr. Kevin is fired, Michelle! You can resume at Lumi's Kitchen!" Michelle's eyes twinkled with excitement.
"Really? B..but how...how.."
"I reported him to Mrs. Lumi."
"OMG, Gabriela. You shouldn't have. The man is really connected, I told you. He might be as dangerous as he looks." Gabriela chuckled.
"If he tries anything funny, he'll go to jail, Michelle. You don't have to worry. Just start working and achieving your dreams!"
"Oh, Gabriela. I wish I could hug you right now. I love you.." She was fighting back joyful tears that glistened her eyes.
"I love you too, Michelle. That's why I want to see a smile on your face."
Few minutes later, they said their byes and hung up. Michelle let out a relieved sigh. She headed to the kitchen to grab a snack.
Damien fell back on the sofa after a shower.
"Your house is really comfortable," He complimented as Michelle walked out of the kitchen.
"Mom said we could stay here for as long as we want. She's away on a trip with her friends." She sat.
"She must be having fun." Michelle nodded.
"When are you starting at Lumi's Kitchen?"
"Tomorrow." Michelle grinned. He faked a frown.
"I'll miss your clinging." She chuckled cutely and wrapped her arms around him while he relaxed.
Michelle's phone rang again. Damien reached out for it first.
"Give me that!" She exclaimed.
"Who's calling?" She asked. It was an unknown contact.
"Hello?" Damien answered the call.
"I'm from Lumi's Kitchen. Is this Miss. Michelle?"
"No, it's her soulmate." Michelle blushed.
"We want her to come to the restaurant for her acceptance file."
"Acceptance file? Is she supposed to have that?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll come get it for her."
"No -" He hung up.
"Someone from Lumi's Kitchen. They want to give out your acceptance file. Weird." Damien rolled his eyes.
She broke the embrace.
"Let me go get dressed." She got up to leave but Damien pulled her back and she dropped on the couch, her head hitting his chest.
"You're going nowhere, baby." She laughed.
"She sounded like it was important, right? I have to."
"Didn't you hear what I said? I'll go." Michelle shrugged a little.
"Okay." She raised her head and hugged her knees close to herself, focusing on the movie.
"But, hurry. I have something to discuss with you." Damien stood and walked to the door.
"Alright, bye."
"Bye, thanks!!"
Damien sped to Lumi's Kitchen, getting there faster than normal.
He entered the restaurant, gazing around for whoever could be holding an acceptance file.
"You look like you're searching for someone." A lady wearing a nose mask approached him.
"Yeah....the person called me about Michelle Jackson's acceptance file." The lady nodded.
"Come with me. She's somewhere around the building." They walked side by side, the streets illuminated by the night lamps and lights.
Suddenly, a group of thugs surrounded Damien, holding sticks, evil smirks plastered on their faces.
Damien turned to look beside him, but the lady was gone.
"Hey you! You think you're so connected that you can get our boss fired all for your whore girlfriend!" One of them started.
"Yeah! Don't you know its not the first time Mr. Kevin has met Michelle? They've been fucking for so long." Another one added.
"That classless girl! Now that Mr. Kevin desires more, she suddenly comes up with the excuse of having a boyfriend! What a disgrace to the females! Our boss is old enough to be her father!"
"You look surprised, huh? That's right! Michelle Jackson was fucking our boss! Your girlfriend is a slut!" Damien couldn't wrap his head around their statements.
"You all are wrong! You've got the wrong person."
"Wrong person? You are mistaken." Michelle was heading towards the scene in her pajamas. She had recalled that they'd need her signature, so she came running.
"She even went to the extreme of telling Gabriela Flores to make a fake report to Lumi's Kitchen!" Michelle could hear the thugs and see them surrounding Damien. She quickened her pace but was whisked away by two thugs who grabbed her roughly.
"Damien! Over here! Those people are lying to you! Don't let them hurt you!!" She was trying to wave her hand but they threw her into their van and sedated her.
"You animals! I don't believe anything you're saying. Get out of my way!"
"Not so fast. You'll pay first – for daring to cross our boss." Without hesitating, they seized Damien and started hitting him.