Chapter 05

“You again? Out of all the people around, it’s your face I see.” He glared at me, and I glared back. I admit, he was handsome, a sharp nose, dreamy eyes, thick eyebrows, a furrowed brow, and....

“And who are you?” Who are you, indeed? Goodness, doesn’t he recognize me? I mean, doesn’t he remember my face? With my beauty, I’m unforgettable at first glance. And him? Impossible.

“You don’t even remember me? Aren’t you the one who went into the restroom the other day while I was applying for a job at the building? Near the—”

“That girl?” That was his only reaction.

“Yes, that’s me. The prettiest and most lovable, Unique.” I flattered him, hoping he’d buy some balut if our conversation went well.

“Well, likewise, Miss. I don’t know or remember you, and besides, that was a men’s restroom, not for women.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have gone in since there was someone there, but anyway, let’s skip that topic. I don’t know why I’m meeting you again.”

“Me neither. I don’t know why you’re in front of me again, knowing that you’re not the one I’ve been waiting for.” He said.

I stood there, hands on my hips, staring at him. “So, who are you waiting for? Mother? Father? Sister? Or…Girlfriend? While you’re waiting for whoever that relative is, Mr., eat some balut. It prolongs life.” I said happily, offering him the balut I was selling.

“I’m not eating balut.”

“Goodness, you’re so picky. Sigh.” I muttered.

“Why? Did you eat it to say it prolongs life?”

“Of course not…”

He smirked, deadpan, while looking at me, “No, but you have the nerve to sell it to me.” He’s something else. If he doesn’t want it, then don’t eat it.

“Of course, from what I’ve learned, it’s good for men, for a man’s body, so buy some. I only have five left. Buy them all, please,” I said, offering the balut again with puppy eyes.

He stood up straight after checking his flat tire. He looked at me and the styrofoam box I was carrying.

“If you want to taste me like that, this is my challenge to you, Miss.” A challenge? What’s that?

“And what is it? Should I run around the street or crawl like a turtle?”

“Eat some balut first before I buy it.”

“What? But…but…wait…are you sure you’ll eat it?” I made sure, in case he was a scammer.

He was hesitant, weighing the challenge he’d given me. Could I do it? Or would I end up throwing up?

“Yes, I’ll even buy them all if I see you eat it, so that after I eat, I can still go home later.”

“Of course, you’ll still be able to go home, you’ll still remember yourself, and most importantly, you’ll remember all your exes, even your one-night stands.” I convinced him, though I could sell it to others, but I was tired of going around and wanted to go home, so I’d just sell it to him, there were only five left.

He cleared his throat. “Your balut is amazing, Miss. Imagine, I’ll even remember my one-night stands?” See? He’s a playboy, confirmed. He didn’t even deny having one-night stands. Tsk.

“Yes, so, buy it-”

“Too bad…I was looking for balut that makes me forget my exes and all of my one-night stands. Do you have that?” Oh, my.

“This can do that, sir. If you eat it and enjoy it, you’ll only buy more balut, and you’ll forget those exes.” I said with raised eyebrows and a smile.

“Hmm, you’re good at marketing and strategy, anything, just to persuade customers.”

“What?” I was about to snap when a motorcycle stopped in front of us. Two men got off, and I was ready to throw a balut at them if they did something bad to me.

“Boss, sorry we’re late. The change took a long time when we had our gas filled.” I thought they were thieves or killers. Who were they?

“It’s okay, just check my car. I’ll use your motorcycle to go home.” said the man called boss. He really didn’t want to buy. Hmmm, if he doesn’t want it, then I’ll sell it to the two men in front of us. Easy.

“Okay, boss, here’s the key. We’ll take it to the shop before returning your car,” said the two men.

“Okay, thanks. I’ll go ahead.” He said goodbye to his friend or acquaintance, the mechanic.

As soon as he turned around, I immediately went to the two men and smiled.

“Gentlemen, sorry to bother you. Would you like some balut before you start—”

“I thought you were going to sell it to me?”

“You scared me! I thought you weren’t going to buy, so I was going to offer it to them.” I said, and he just furrowed his brows. Was he angry? Where?

“I’ll buy them all. Follow me.” Follow me? So I immediately followed him to the parked motorcycle.

“Hop in.” I was surprised by what he said. Should I get on? Why?

“Goodness, I don’t want to go with you. Why? I don’t know you, so why would I go with you? No way. How many balut will you buy? All of them? Because if it’s only one, I’ll sell the others to them while they’re still here-”

“I’ll buy them all, and don’t give even one to them, not even the salt. Now…hop in, Miss, and I’ll take you home.”

“Huh? Seriously? No, my house is near from here, it’s just on the third street, it’s near.” I pointed to the street, and he followed my gaze.

“I’ll still take you home. What do you want to happen? You’ll stay with them? They might rob you. It’s a waste of your earnings, especially since it’s night. Get on the motorcycle, and I’ll take you home. What do you want, I’ll pay you first before you get on, or after we get there? Choose.” He said, and I was just staring at him dumbfounded.

Is it true that I had a real angel, even though he looked like a devil because of his cold and aloof treatment of me? I just smiled.

“Pay me first, in case you run away. Here’s the balut you’ll buy.” I said, handing him the balut. I saw him frown as he took the plastic bag from my hand.

He gave me a crisp one thousand peso bill. Thankfully, I had change earlier, but he said he’d give me the change when he dropped me off, so I couldn’t do anything.

And because he insisted, I got on the motorcycle. My feet actually hurt from standing earlier when I applied for the job, which wasn’t sure if someone would text me that I got hired. I was just hoping for it.

I got on the motorcycle and sat almost at the end. I shouldn’t be close to him.

“What are you doing?” I heard him ask.

“What? Are you talking to me, boss?”

“Is there anyone else around?” Yes, the two men were busy with the car.

“Oh, what am I doing?”

“Stay close to my back! Do you want to fall without me knowing?” He said without any gentleness. This man is something else.

I moved closer to him because that’s what he said. I put my styrofoam container in the middle, and my right hand was on his shoulder. I was surprised and felt a shock from touching him.

“I’m okay now, boss, thank you.” I said, and then he started his motorcycle. I pointed to where our house was, and he just nodded.

This man smells good. Rich man’s scent. Obviously, he likes expensive perfume.

“Are you okay back there?” I heard him ask.

“Yes, boss.” I answered. “Boss…boss…boss…” I teased him.

“What?” So aloof.

“I have a question.”

“Then ask.” Sigh. If you weren’t working at that building, our trip would’ve been quiet, but since I felt like asking about his experience there, I would ask.

“Aren’t you one of the people working at the company I applied to earlier? What’s your position? Then…did you see the company owner? Is he grumpy? I hope he’s kind and accepts me for the job.”

“It depends on your performance, Miss, if you want to be part of that company.” he said.

“I hope I get hired so I can have a stable job and won’t have to sell balut anymore. Sometimes, I don’t tell my parents, but I almost got kidnapped while selling, they said I was too noisy.” I said.

“Someone did that to you?”

“You’re asking again, boss? Yes, that’s right. So help me get into that company. Any job, I’ll accept it.” I said. I was disheartened that I didn’t hear any answer from him.

“It’s okay. Maybe that’s against company rules. Just drop me off here, boss.” I said, and he immediately stopped the motorcycle.

I thanked him. After I got off, I walked home. My parents would surely be happy that I got home early and, most importantly, all the balut in the styrofoam box was sold. But I suddenly stopped because I forgot the man’s change.

“Goodness! I forgot his change!” I was about to go back, but his motorcycle was already far. I couldn’t do anything and would just keep his change. Maybe he’ll come back tomorrow, and I’ll give it to him then.