His Hired Lover

IA'

I moved like an acrobat-pacing the room with both hands and balancing tray

unger was seemingly commanding their brains to be impatient. My skin itched just by looking at their sulky lips and bored faces. Normally, every staff in Lorenzo's

ed my face upon realizing that. I spent an hour doing my hair, only

my family in the province. And while Manila was considered a city of opportunity, no one could deny that living

the sound, but no one moved to check. My gaze flicked to the counter, hoping my coworker Danilo w

aff. Working with me today were Danilo, the cashier and overall runner, and Mike, who was in the bac

away from a towering, six-foot-tall, foreign-looking man. He was wearing a polo shirt and ragged jeans. I couldn't picture his face well because

ght, familiar smile. "There you are!

silently urged her to play along. Finally, she caught on and l

ing you?" I asked,

t choked on my saliva upon

nd Filipino features were striking. That sharp jawline. Those high cheekbones. Those bluish eyes seemed

ogne that now surrounded me. I planted a hand on my hip as if I were a Filipina mother scolding an unru

ave this girl from whatever revulsion this ridiculously hand

g sign. It only sent the butterflies in

elieve I'm kidna

hat make you imagine things. I forced myself to stay composed despite the erratic beating

at my uniform, signaling for me to be

" she whispered, the fabric conditioner in her clothes lig

jaw. Are you

heeks. "You're forcing a little girl to do things! I s

d, he laughed. Laughed! Like

I asked loudly, trying to drown the twisting m

ways tell their status by the way they laughed at people. This man-with his expe

glinted

cted my sense of self. I felt myself drowning as I tried t

" He asked as if that inf

ed to?"

h his smirk that hinted arrogance, coupled with that irrita

s cheeks, smoothing down her baby ba

eyes like I was the dumbest person alive.

Oh,

her wide-eyed gaze reflecting mine. I had just accused this ridiculously ha

gaze remained steady as I swallowed my pride and tr

I think it's time for you

yone was to blame, it was his niece

. I just did what I had to d

widened.

e." I gestured vaguely at him. "All serious a

say stup

hetti. I don't want to go to another rest

When you do that, you soun

said, plastering a forced smile. "I-I'll leave you to it... s-sir," I ad

ai

. I turned back slowly, m

ng you again,

ine. The question that had been haunting me instantl

g amused-like I was missing something obvious. Then I saw it. My n

within me. It didn't feel like a simple statement.

t rattled-even though I was. Because deep down, I felt that this man