Chapter 1: The customer service

Brielle POV

"Ms. Damara?" My name came out of his mouth as a reference of fright to me.

"You wail like an absolute businessman, and I must say," I pout as I continued cleaning the table and picking up the used coffee cups by outgoing customers.

"Indeed I'm, I must say!" He smiles the type that didn't touch his eyes.

I glanced at the next man sitting on the side of the table with his back faced in our direction, not being able to see his face, all I saw was his blue suit which seemed expensive, hoping to God that no one was listening to our conversation.

"Well, Sir!" I breathed out, looking exhausted at him. He furrows his thick eyebrow. "I have no way of knowing. This is my working hours, and it's not for chit-chat with customers!" I gave him a smiling gesture, and my interest was piqued.

"How old are you?" he questions me with his blue eyes not leaving my unpleasant face, "Just asking because you're pretty young and knowledgeable about your work." he reprimanded.

"It's an insult to ask a lady about her age, do you know that?" I watched as he got pulled taut.

"My apologies!" I squirmed. His look made me feel like an errant child, and I tried again.

I looked at Iker, who would be the next for his afternoon shift. It's already 11:30, and I have to get out of the shop since my shift is over for the day.

"I'll be right back, Sir!" I walked past the Iker, not looking at the man who wore an expensive suit. I rush in to get my bag.

A FEW MINUTES LATER!

"Tell me about yourself," I question him, still not looking at his well-shaped face as we sit on the waiting chair beside the bus station.

"I have a family. I have a brother by name Jace and sister by name Hermione and also two loving parents, " he smiles as he sips on his latte.

"What's your name Mr...?" He inflates sharply, and I cringed like a mortified crab.

Why didn't I employ some filter before I asked him his name from the start? Damn me and my curiosity!

"No, Ms. Brielle, I'm cool, " he raised his eyebrows, a cool gleam in his eyes. He doesn't look too pleased.

"I apologize, it's ermm...just that I've been chatting with you from the coffee shop till now, of which I don't know your name." It's the first time he said my name from seeing it on my name tag, but this time, not my surname.

My heartbeat accelerated, and my cheeks heated up again...Nervously, I tuck my loosened hair behind my ear. He cocks his head to one side.

"Let me ease your lady curiosity, my name is Enrique De Leon!" his thick voice, the thickness of his bass erupts the slut in me. The blood drains from my head.

"Er...Mr. De Leon, " I then compiled the questions. "Ain't you like from a rich family?" I questioned because his name sounded rich to my hearing.

"No, I'm just a regular man who works to keep up with life's ends." he rubs his chin in quiet deliberation, his blue eyes appraising me.

I was drafted. My voice was weak and apologetic. "That explains a great deal."

Immediately, a black Alfa Romero car that looked very expensive drove by behind us and stopped in front of us. A man came out dressed in a black suit like a chauffeur, and he seems like he's in his 50s, I must say.

"Mr. De Leon, forgive me for interrupting, but your Father sends for you. He wants you to take the first flight to Mexico." The man voiced out with bowhead.

"We're not finished here, Izan. Please go, tell him I'll meet up with him very soon, but why didn't he call me instead?" He looks a little pissed.

Izan hesitates and gazes at him. He appears lost and turns his head slowly to face him and raises his eyebrows. I flushed a bright pink. Oh, cutely good.

"Very well, Mr. De Leon," he commends his exits to the car but didn't drive away.

He frowns and turns his attention back to me. "Where were we, Ms. Damara?"

Oh, we're back to Ms.Damara now.

"Please don't let me keep you from anything," he said with a sly smile. "I want to know about you, and that's only fair." His eyes were alight with curiosity.

Double crap. Where's he going with this? He places his elbows on the arms of the chair and steeples his fingers in front of his mouth. His lips look very kissable and are very distracting. I swallowed gosh.

"There's not much to know," I replied with curiosity not leaving my eyes.

"What are your plans after you graduate?" he expanded.

Why does he like asking questions on top of questions? Oh, good lord. I shrug. His interest threw me.

I moved to Milan with my friend, Hera, of course! I mumble in between my thought.

"find a job?" I voice out for him to hear.

But still, I haven't thought beyond my finals. What kind of job will I do? I don't even know for now.

"I haven't any plans, Mr. De Leon. I need to get through my final exams, Which I should be studying now for it," I smile lightly at him.

But here I am, sitting swanky with you feeling uncomfortable under your penetrating gaze. I thought.

"We run an excellent internship program in my place of work," he says quietly. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. Is he directing me to a job location?

"Oh, I'll bear that in mind," I murmur, devastated. "Though I'm not sure I'd fit into whatever your work is about."

Oh no. I'm musing out loud again... Damn

"Why do you say that?" He tilts his head to one side, intrigued-a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"It's obvious. I'm uncoordinated, scruffy, and I'm not your kind," I grimaced.

"Not to me." His gaze was intense now all humor was gone, and strange muscles deep in my belly clenched suddenly. I tear my eyes away from his scrutiny and stare blindly down at my knotted fingers.

What's going on? "I have to go- now," I lean forward to retrieve my bag from the other side of the chair.

"Would you like me to tell you about my workplace ?" he said.

"I'm sure you're far too busy, Mr. De Leon and I do have a long way to go, and I'm gonna be busy with my part-time job and preparations for my final exam coming Up,"

"Can we see each other tomorrow? " he added after a silence.

"Yes, sir," I replied, putting my phone inside my handbag. His eyes narrowed speculatively.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. De Leon."

"The pleasure's been all mine," he says, polite as ever. As I rise, he stands and holds out his hand.

"Until we meet again, Ms. Damara," sounds like a challenge or a threat. I'm not sure which. I frown.

When will we ever meet again? I thought. I shake his hand once more, astounded that that odd current between us is still there; gosh...It must be my nerves Playing Stunts on Me.

"Mr. De Leon," I nod at him. Moving with lithe, athletic grace to the Cab that stops with the sign of him, he opens the door wide.

"Just ensuring you make it through the door Ms. Damara!" He gives me a small smile.

"That's very considerate, Mr. De Leon," his smile widens. "I'm glad you find me entertaining," I glow inwardly, walking into the cab.

When I turn to look at him, he's gazing at me and leaning against the door handle. He is very, very good-looking. It's unnerving.

"Brielle," he says as a farewell.

I waved at him with a mandatory smile, and mercifully he closed the door, and the man drove off like a shot.