The members of the marketing team gradually emerged. I was going to depart when I spotted Mr. Roize and Miss Levanier speaking quietly.
“Let’s get some lunch together. Do you still have meetings to attend?” Mr. Roize asked. I remembered what Ismael told me: They are both his relatives.
“Yes, there is more, but it is later afternoon. Where will we eat?”
My eyes widened as I heard that. Are they truly close? Anyway, when Ismael and I were in the office the last time, it was clear that the three of them were quite close.
“I made a reservation at a fancy restaurant three blocks away from this building.”
“Wow, extremely good. Let’s leave immediately so we can return early.”
I was going to depart when Miss Levanier called out my name. “How are you, Miss Alvandra? Where will you eat lunch? Do you want to join us?”
I glanced at Mr. Roize, as if the narrowing of his eyes indicated that he did not want me to come with them. Such a negative attitude. Is he making a move to Miss Levanier?
“No, it’s fine,” I said. “I have plans.” Mr. Roize’s face instantly cleared up when I refused.
“Are you sure? Mael still has meetings scheduled. You are welcome to spend an early lunch with us. Is it okay, Yves?” She appears to call Ismael and Mr. Roize this way on a regular basis.
“Of course, she can join us,” Mr. Roize replied, staring at me. “What are you still waiting for?” He said, “Time is ticking,” which worried me. I lost my mind that they are not my superiors to make me that nervous. I’m here for the collaboration, not as their marketing representative.
I stood and followed them. By the way, Ismael seemed to be busy; therefore, he didn’t inform me that his meeting was at noon. Ours finished early, so I planned to simply wait for him because he would later bring me home. I’ll just tell him that I’ll have my lunch early with his cousins and grab him his meal so that when he finishes his meetings, he can just eat.
I also want to be around his cousins. Maybe I will know something about Ismael that he hasn’t told me yet if I linger around them. I want to know more about him and the people around him.
“You made me a driver,” Mr. Roize stated as Miss Levanier sat next to me in the backseat.
I noticed Miss Levanier smirking. “Why should I leave Miss Alvandra alone here?”
“So you’re going to leave me?”
“You’re very dramatic! Just drive there.”
My jaw popped open in shock. I am not used to seeing them like this. Are they so easy on me to expose this part of themselves?
Miss Levanier looked at me and smiled. “Simply ignore him. He’s really hot-headed, and he’s also unfamiliar with women.” I just nodded. But, looking at it, it’s not exactly because of that that he was furious; instead, it could be because I went with them when they were meant to go out together alone.
I sighed as I remembered how I had previously suspected Miss Levanier because of her strong relationship with Ismael, despite the fact that they were merely cousins. If I have any suspicions that he has a relationship with him, it is with Mr. Roize. Especially when I notice them staring in the rearview mirror and smiling.
After a while, we arrived at a Japanese restaurant. Fortunately, I knew enough about their eating etiquette to avoid being mistaken for an ignoramus. The only difficulty is that I’m not used to eating sushi or sashimi. I vomited once because of the fishy scent and taste. Fortunately, they ordered other dishes like tempura and karaage, so that’s all I ate.
“Did you know, Miss Alvandra, Mael’s favorite is Japanese cuisine?” Miss Levanier spoke, and I looked at her. My face is so soiled that I don’t recognize it.
“It’s good that Yves brought us here so you can bring him food,” she went on to say. Wait, does he know Ismael and I are in a relationship?
I nodded before focusing on the dish in front of us. Ismael prefers the meals I avoid.
“Miss Alvandra, how long have you and Mael been together? Should I call you Jothea instead? Can I do that?” she asked quietly, as if making friends. I caught a fleeting glance at Mr. Roize; his lack of reaction suggests that he is also aware of Ismael and myself.
“In exchange, you can also call me Jenna.” She extended her hand toward me. “When we are not at work or when we are alone, please address me by my first name. It appears that our ages are not far apart.”
“Mael said she’s only twenty-one,” Mr. Roize added.
“What?! Really?” Miss Levanier asked in shock. “Are you only twenty-one? Wow, I’m five years older than you. But I don’t want you to call me ‘sister’; instead, please call me ‘Jenna’, Jothea.”
I pushed my lips together, feeling a sudden sensation of humiliation and awkwardness among the three of us.
“Additionally, I dislike how you address me as ‘brother’; therefore, please refer to me as ‘Yves’, just as you address Ismael by his given name.”
I gave a gasp. How did he know that?
“W-why? How old are you, sir?” Shit. I am not even excellent at formal conversation. Because I don’t even respect my superiors.
“Drop the ‘sir’.” He growled, “I’m only twenty-nine,” which made Miss Levanier, I mean, Jenna chuckle. “You are eight years older than her! She should address you as ‘brother’. Come on, Jothea, call him ‘brother’ for me,” she joked.
“Shut up, Jenna.”
Because of their mocking, I couldn’t help but smile and feel relieved for both of them. It was fantastic, and I had someone to spend time with while Sav was away, as well as my Safira buddies. It was enjoyable to be friends with Ismael’s cousins. I feel more connected to the person I love.
“So, what’s happening? How old are your relationship with Mael?”
“Ahh, I don’t know,” I replied, making her jaw drop.
“What do you mean you didn’t know?”
I shrugged. “I can’t recall when. Besides, he did not court me; we simply confessed and agreed.”
“Haha!” I looked at Yves when I heard him giggle. Hold it still. Wait a minute, is he mocking me because Ismael did not court me?
“Do not laugh at him! You do not even know how to court right! You and Mael are the same.” Jenna responded, silencing Yves. Hey. I’m more accustomed to calling them Miss Levanier and Mr. Roize.
“I’ll just shut my mouth and continue eating,” he said, admitting defeat to Miss Levanier.
“Don’t worry, Jothea, I believe my cousin loves you,” she added, caressing my shoulder.
We finished our meal, and I laid out some for Ismael. I was going to pay my half when Miss Levanier mentioned that she had the company card, so I didn’t have to trouble anymore.
We’re back at LMC. Miss Levanier said goodbye since she had a meeting, so Mr. Roize and I were left together.
“Don’t call me, sir,” he stated, making me look at him. “Just call me whatever you are comfortable with.”
“Okay, Mr. Roize.”
“Very good.” He smiled at me sparingly. “It was a pleasure to meet you, and I’d like to thank you for being with my cousin. I only hope you don’t shatter his heart.”
Given what Mrs. Estanislao had said at the time and what Ismael had recently informed me of, I was surprised by what he said. I shake my head. “I will not. I love him so much, Mr. Roize.”
“Not because of his wealth?” His inquiry seemed serious.
“Not because of his wealth,” I said. After all, I didn’t realize Ismael was so wealthy until then. That is not why I love him. And I’m sure I’ll be unable to explain why I adore that person if asked, since even though I’ve lost him, I’m still hunting for him.
“Are you still going to love him if he doesn’t have anything anymore?” said the man. “You see, a plant must be left out in the woods to last long, and it would just put him in danger if you pluck it yourself for your own advantage.”
I looked at him closely. I don’t like what he says to me; it’s as if he’s accusing me of something I didn’t do. “However, you may need to uproot the plant in order to replant it in better soil where it is more suited, mature, and likely to flourish, because if you leave it alone, others will pester and destroy it. A plant requires someone to care for it-to give it a balance of sunlight and rain in order to produce more fruit until it grows leaves and branches and becomes a tree. A plant requires a defender, just as they protect us from floods,” I said, dismissing his claim against me.
Someone called my name just as Mr. Roize was going to speak. “What’s going on here?”
I turned around and saw Ismael and Mr. Tory.
“Nothing,” Mr. Roize said, “We’re just having a casual conversation.”
“About?”
“The collaboration.”
“Oh, I thought your meeting ended a while ago. What else to talk about in the hallway?” I interjected since I felt Ismael’s tone was serious.
“Not much. Come on, I brought you some food,” I invited, grasping his hand. “Are your meetings over?” I changed the subject, but Ismael merely stared at Mr. Roize, as if they were communicating via vision.
“Be careful when you take his hand; many people can see. You don’t want to cause a problem here like you did last time,” stated Mr. Roize, who appeared to be talking to me despite staring at Ismael.
“What’s your problem?” Ismael questioned Mr. Roize. I just frowned. Good thing, Mr. Roize has also said goodbye. Mr. Tory was with us but also left, which is why Ismael and I were remained in the corridor near his office.
I was about to take my hand off his when he stopped me. “Don’t let go of my hand; it will break my heart.” I gazed into his eyes. They are sad for reasons I cannot understand. Is there any problem?
We held hands till we reached his office. Despite the fact that I had nothing to say, my surroundings remained calm.
I just placed the paper bag on the table next to the meal I had brought for him. I was astonished when he let go of my hand, but I ignored him because it was more important for me to get his food out quickly.
I felt his hands wrap around me. I closed my eyes as soon as I felt him smell my neck. My fear seemed to have vanished from our previous chat with Mr. Roize as a result of his kind and strong hug.
I overheard him chuckle. “Did you use my perfume?”
I nodded. Because I saw his perfume in the shower and was curious, I applied it. It turned out he was using LMC 01, his company’s first perfume. “Yeah, so I can smell your scent even when you’re away,” I replied hesitantly.
“I see. Do you like it?”
I nodded again before turning to face him. Our gazes locked, and a few moments later, he pushed a kiss against me. “What did you bring for me?” he inquired.
“Oh, just a few Japanese dishes from the restaurant where we came from. Miss Levanier invited me, and Mr. Roize had already eaten with them. I’ve also agreed to take some for you. So, following your meeting, you will simply eat,” I explained.
He sat opposite where I placed his food.
“What?” I asked, noticing him staring at me. I also sat next to him and watched him eat.
“Nothing. It melts my heart to watch you prepare my meals as if you were my wife.”
I turned aside because I could feel the heat burning on my cheeks. “What are you saying? Simply eat that.”
He laughed and began eating the freshly prepared fish and sushi that I had taken from their plastic wrappers. I also poured her a cup of tea, knowing he prefers coffee. It would be preferable if he at least drank green tea.
“Are you sure you’re not going to eat with me?” he said. I shake my head.
“I’m fine, Ismael. Help yourself to your favorite foods.” I then remembered how his parents cared for me when Isa took me to their home. I wish I could be Miss Elisse someday and do what she does for Mr. Mikael. Somehow, I began to think ahead of myself. I want to serve my spouse, Ismael, someday, just as he has provided for me.
“Did you enjoy being with my cousins?” he inquired, wiping his lips with a tissue. He appears to have finished eating. That’s why I helped him clean the table.
“Yeah, they are accommodating, especially Miss Levanier,” I told him. “I was really astounded by their behavior outside of work, particularly their arguing like cats and dogs. They appear really close.”
Ismael laughed. “Because they are lovers.”
I was too astonished to speak. “They are?”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “Are you that shocked?” he questioned, laughing.
“I mean, I have a notion because when they stare at each other and chat quietly, it’s as if something is wrong with them. There really is?!”
“Yup.”
I was astounded by what I found out. That is why Mr. Roize was present when I went with them. “To be fair, they look really decent. It is not immediately clear that they are in a relationship.”
“Decent?” Ismael asked, shaking his head. “You’re not sure about that. Jothea, what we are is ‘decent’. They have something more explicit than we do.”
I was stunned. I cannot believe this. “We were classmates since elementary school, but I was accelerated, so I had no knowledge when they started dating in high school. I only found out after they were separated. Anyway, it’s their tale, and we’re going to talk about our own, right?”
I was the one who grinned at his words. What he mentioned is correct; our love story is equally strange. I never imagined I’d wind up where I am today.
“Then can I ask, what issue was Mr. Roize talking about?”