*Andrea*
Alejandro, being the gentleman that he is, extended a hand to help me out of the car. We were currently in front of a restaurant for lunch.
After an unsuccessful meeting with Mr. Jordan, the company owner we wanted to invest in, Alejandro suggested we go out for lunch.
My stomach rumbled as I exited the car and remembered that I hadn’t eaten since morning. We had left the hotel early for the investment meeting. We still hadn’t concluded, and by the time the meeting was finished, not only was I tired, but I was also hungry.
We stepped into the restaurant and walked to our designated table. Before long, our food was placed in front of us. I was so hungry that I quickly dug in.
“Well, it seems like someone is hungry,” Alejandro teased from the other end of the table. I noticed that he hadn’t even touched his utensils yet. Oh well, he’s more composed than I am.
I blushed, smiling sheepishly. When he made no further remarks, I relaxed into my chair and continued eating my food, albeit slowly this time.
My mind wandered to our meeting this morning, and my jars clenched in anger, thinking that Mr. Jordan was delaying the whole process. The investment was ours, and I didn’t appreciate how we were just attending the meeting with no significant achievement.
Alejandro’s voice broke me from my thoughts. “What are you thinking about, love?”
I sighed as I relayed my concerns to him. I was scared the contract would be given to Mr. Shaw because of the direction in which things were going.
“Relax, love. It would work out. Besides, we can always invest in other companies.” He moved his hands across the table to hold onto mine. “I don’t want you worried over insignificant things like that, okay? There are losses in businesses, too, and this should not put a frown on your pretty face. I want to see you smile,” he concluded, and a smile broke out on my lips.
I looked at him in gratitude as his thumb caressed my palm. He always made me feel better, and I couldn’t ask for a better boss than him.
And man, too. A small traitorous voice whispered in my mind, and I agreed with it. Yes, I couldn’t ask for a better man than Alejandro.
His phone rang at that minute, but he ignored it. He didn’t even look at the screen, and I nudged him.
“What? I don’t want anyone to disturb my time with you.” He simply stated.
“But what if it’s someone important? Or something very important? Come on.” I encouraged him.
He groaned and released my hands, glancing briefly at the screen of his phone, and the look I saw on his face told me everything I needed to know. It was someone extremely important.
“I need to take this, love. I’ll be right back, okay?” He said, looking at me expectantly like he was waiting for my permission. I nodded and smiled at him, and it seemed to do the trick because he tipped his head and walked out immediately.
I watched him pass through the glass doors with the phone by his ear, talking animatedly with wild gestures. Whatever the call was about, I just hoped it would end pleasantly.
The day had been rough for him already, and I wanted this call to be a relief, not an added burden. I sighed as I took my eyes off him and surveyed the restaurant we were in.
Nothing much to do here. I decided to go to the bar to order champagne instead of calling a waiter-just a glass of champagne to cool my nerves after the unproductive day I had.
Getting to the counter, I was redirected to a small room in the corner. They don’t sell drinks at the main restaurant. The room I was directed to was almost hidden, and if I weren’t looking for it specifically, I would have missed it.
I entered and walked straight to the bar, placing my order. I quickly texted Alejandro so he would know where to find me when he was done with the call.
I looked around the room, humming appreciatively at the beauty of the place as I sipped my champagne. The room was dimly lit, portraying an exclusive vibe, and before I knew it, I had finished my champagne.
Not wanting to get drunk, I asked the waiter to bring me a nonalcoholic drink, and he placed a glass full of blue liquid in front of me.
I regarded it curiously before taking a sip, and my eyes widened in surprise as the delicious fruity flavor exploded on my tongue.
I heard whispers coming from one of the tables in the room, and I looked over to see three men and three ladies sitting at the table. I guess this area was a VIP area, considering the privacy. They were looking at me while whispering, and some of the girls were giggling.
I quickly averted my eyes. There was a possibility that they weren’t discussing me, and my overactive imagination was at it again. I turned back and focused on the drink before me as I listened to the low music, waiting for Alejandro.
“Hello, Andrea.” I heard and whipped around to find out that the ladies sitting at the table earlier were now beside me.
When had they gotten up? And how did they get beside me without my notice?
I plastered a smile on my face as I replied to the greeting.
“Remember me?” The lady asked. My eyes skimmed over all three of them before I focused on the lady who had asked the question. I tried to place her face but couldn’t remember where I had seen her, even though she looked familiar.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t,” I answered politely, returning to my drink and hoping they would leave me alone. I was not in the mood for small talk.
“Well, you used to work at a diner, right? That’s where I knew you.” She said in a deceptively loud voice.
“Ohhhh… That makes sense.” I replied, shifting slightly in my seat as I was uncomfortable with them being in my personal space.
“Well, I’m surprised to see you here. I mean, this place is rather too classy for someone like you,” she said in a very sweet voice, and her friends laughed.
I knew they were trouble the moment they invaded my space, and I decided to ignore them.
“I’m sure this cheap drink she’s having will take a huge chunk out of her payroll,” another lady chipped in, and they laughed again.
I was uncomfortable with their scene, and a glance around made it clear that people were watching us.
“Or perhaps she stole from the bar and flew to France to hide. I know girls like you.” Another laughter, and the others joined her.
I contemplated leaving, and as I got up from my seat, one of the ladies placed her hands firmly on my shoulder and pushed me back into my seat.
I gasped as I turned to look at them. This was bullying. Looking around the small VIP area, I knew nobody would come to my aid.
People no longer defended someone who was being bullied. That’s just the sad reality. They would rather not get involved so as not to annoy influential people.
“Oh Laura, look at her poor clothes as well,” they were now pulling at my blouse. I needed to tell them off, but I couldn’t find the courage to speak out.
Amid the harassment, a firm hand came around my waist, and I almost cried in relief that Alejandro had come at the right time. I leaned back into him as I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping he’d understand and just lead me out of there.
“Hey, love. Are these ladies disturbing you?” He asked me, his voice loud enough for the ladies to hear.
I watched the ladies who had been harassing me for several minutes quickly change their expressions. They smiled at Alejandro seductively, and I got annoyed. No one has the right to smile at my man like that.
“They were just leaving,” I told him, getting down from the bar stool I was sitting on.
Finally, looking at Alejandro’s face, I could see a muscle tick in his jaw. He knew what had happened. I don’t know how, but he knew something was wrong. I could see it in the way his eyes searched mine inquisitively, and I just leaned into him, needing to borrow his strength.
He turned his gaze to the ladies and said, “If you don’t mind, we’ll be leaving now.”
But Laura stepped forward before we could pass through and said, “I don’t know if she lied about who she is to you. But you don’t deserve her.”
I couldn’t believe she would do that. It wasn’t enough that they had their fun insulting me because they thought I was poor; now they want to sabotage me in front of Alejandro, too.
Hot white rage flooded my veins, and I was ready to pounce on them, but Alejandro patted my back, reassuring me that he had this under control, and I relaxed into his hold.
“And who do you think she is?” He asked her calmly. I knew he was keeping his anger in check. He might not have asked me out or gone down on one knee to propose, but I knew he cared about me more than I could even admit. I knew he would not tolerate anyone talking shit about me.
“She’s a pauper, and honestly, I don’t know how you can stand the stench of poverty oozing from her. Or maybe you’re just like her too,” she replied calmly and burst into laughter.
Alejandro stepped forward and told her in a dark tone, “No one, I repeat, no one talks to my woman that way. From where I stand, the stench of poverty surrounding you is what’s defiling the purity of this place. Can you even afford the food you bought?” I was taken aback by the venom surrounding Alejandro’s words, and I was getting emotional.
He released me slightly, and I let go. My eyes were fixed on his large frame as he went to the counter and offered his black card to pay their bill. Their eyes widened at that.
At that very moment, one of their boyfriends, who had been watching the scene, stood up and came to stand beside them.
Probably feeling emboldened by the man beside her, Laura approached me and said, “I don’t believe he’s your man. He’s probably a rich stranger who took pity on you as you played the ‘damsel in distress’ act.”
I was already fed up at this point. How can a human being be so cruel and stupid at the same time? They were all shitheads.
Alejandro returned and put his arms around me, guiding me out, but Laura’s boyfriend stopped us.
“Hi, my name is Fred.” The man extended his hand to Alejandro, but he just stared at his hand as if it were a contagious disease. Although it might seem petty, satisfaction flooded my veins.
Feed withdrew his hand shamefully and continued, “We’re going on a boat cruise this weekend. Both of you are invited to join us as a couple.”
I knew they were looking for loopholes in my relationship with Alejandro, and I wanted to refuse, but Alejandro extended his card to the man. The man and the girls all had smirks plastered on their faces.
“Here. Text me the time and location. We’ll be there.” And with that, he led me out of the restaurant.