7.

“And you have a big pouty mouth” she said back.

“I don’t,” he defends with a frown.

“Suit yourself, princess,” she drank her latte and ignored the glare he threw at her.

Trying to ignore her remark, he let out deep breaths then shook his head and looked at her. He opened his mouth to say something but what he had in mind to say, flew out of his head and he was drawing on the blank. He still couldn’t place what made him want to stay close to her or just talk to her.

Probably her beauty and how simple she looked made him to know more about her, he wanted to know why she wasn’t leading a world-class company instead of waiting tables. He feels like there is more than what is on the surface and he wants to know more about her.

“Why are you waiting tables?” he asked and once again she was caught off guard.

One customer asked her this question and they became friends, sort of. Now, this annoying pouty-mouth man is asking her the same question. Why was he interested to know? He looked wealthy and all and he could just try to work things with Stacy and apologize for that day but here he is, wanting to know why she was doing this.

‘He could be the breakthrough your dad’s company needs, but he might be a businessman who wouldn’t mind helping a falling company’ she could hear her mind say to her but she didn’t want to place any hope.

“Why?” she quirked a brow.

He frowned “Why what?” he asked “Is it wrong to want to know about you?” she raised a brow and he rolled his eyes. “Fine, I am just curious about why you’re working here, I mean no disrespect but you don’t look like you should be here”

It seems everyone could read beyond her present state.

“There’s nothing much to say aside from that my dad’s company went through a terrible financial stroke due to a failed project and our competitor bought our company,” she said in one go and took a bite from her donut “Oh my, this donut is so good” she made a satisfying sound and continues eating.

Santiago thinks about what she said and is sad that she and her family had to go through that painful stage. He cannot imagine losing all the companies he has been managing for some years now. It might be handed over to him by his dad in a platter of gold but he did work hard to bring more glory and money for the company. It will be devastating if that happens.

“Have you sought ways to get it back?” he asked sounding serious.

Joan looked at him and saw how interested he looked when he asked, a ray of hope grew in her heart but she tried not to dwell on it.

“Well, I have tried reaching out to our past investors and some other partners but because we lost a huge amount of money and the majority of our customers didn’t trust whatever we wanted to produce anymore it was really hard. You know, it takes the trust of your customers to get your company to whatever height it attains” she said and he smiled impressed.

“You have a good business sense, I like it” he grinned and she couldn’t help but let her lips break into a smile.

This could be what they needed, the break they needed to get out of the mess they are in now.

“I learned from the best then,” she said referring to her dad.

“Your dad did a good job then” he winked then his looks turned serious in no time “Well, this might sound crazy but I am interested in investing in your dad’s company and making sure that you all are back on your feet”

Joan couldn’t help the huge grin that was now displayed on her lips as she looked at this stranger whose name she didn’t know, the man that is interested in investing in her dad’s company, words she had been wanting to hear for the past one year of her trying to get help.

“Uh, I don’t know what to say. I am overjoyed,” she chuckled and blinked to stop the tears from falling. Not trying to let this happiness overtake her, a thought went through her mind and the smile on her lips dropped as she hoped that wasn’t the case else, it would just proof to be futile.

She scoots her stool a bit away from him, sits up then straightens her shoulders “You need something in return?” she asks and he nods his head “Well, we can always discuss what percentage of our company you need when we draw out a contract” she offered but he shook his head.

“That’s not what I want, I need something else,” he said and she could feel the twist in her stomach as he said what she feared he would say “Be my girlfriend”

She didn’t know how to react to what he said, what sort of request was that… it was ridiculous, the thought of it and it irritated her to the core.

Her face scrunched up as she stood to her feet. “What?” she said the first words that came to her head, she had a look of disgust on her face.

“I am as-”

“I heard what you said, what in the world is that? Asking me of such” she chuckled nastily “What will be next? Be your paid mistress for life?” she glared angrily at him.

Santiago stood to his feet and brought out his card which he placed on the counter “I will never ask that from you. I respect you enough not to ask that from you, it’s just that I...” he was going to explain his predicament but thought that she wouldn’t understand “I just need a girlfriend badly” he said.

“You’re rich, so get yourself one” she spat then began packing the plates and cups they used.

“I know this is a lot to ask but call me when you change your mind Joan” he turned to leave but stopped in his tracks and turned to her “I don’t need a mistress and if I did, I don’t need to ask” he winked then turned and left the café.

Joan took the card and tore it out of anger for that man and the words that came out of his mouth.