Four: Impressed

“1991 Black Eagle. . . that baby is mine,” I said proudly. My shameless older brother has very good taste. It looks like this is also the latest release of C.C. Cars, so I will definitely get Mr. Carter’s attention—or maybe I already got it.

Firstly, I just have to show him how interested I am in cars. With that, he would also like to talk to me. Men are always like that. When it comes to cars, they become talkative. “You have a nice taste.”

I laughed softly at the thought. I told you so; my primary goal for the day is not for the cars. It’s Mr. Carter—I’ll him have a conversation with me.

For a reporter like me, time is very important. In a day, we do not only have to be productive. We also need to double or even triple our efforts.

It is usual for us to work even 24/7, especially when there is something interesting going on. I find this one of those. I really find Mr. Carter interesting.

In media, it is normal for us to know the ins and outs of things—I mean, that’s one of our jobs. That needs to be done to get the most of the news.

But this guy. . . over time, as I forced myself to get to know the man, I wonder how come journalists who have been searching for him for so long still do not see the information he does not want to release to the media?

It seems like he’s really hiding something, and I need to know what it may be.

“And you’ll pay this by?”

I tilt my head slightly to get rid of the thoughts. “I will pay in cash now.”

The man next to me smiled even more. He took me right in front of that car but then I had nothing else to say—it’s stunning, even more, beautiful that I had a chance to see it upright. 

“Fine, then. I’ll tell you something about this car. Is that okay? Aren’t you in a hurry?” he asked. 

I immediately shook my head, “Yes, please. Tell me something.” 

Then, I looked back at the small sign near the car. There is information written, but that is not what I read. My eyes were stuck at its price. Twenty-nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine; wow. 

 “Well, our 1991 Black Eagle is a one-off high-performance sports car. We showed it to the public last year in December. So, if you buy it now, you will be the seventh to get it from the Philippines, which is very rare compared to our sales internationally. It has a speed of 350 kilometers per hour which is 217 mph, and a twin-turbo V12 engine mounted in 60º. This is our latest model who also won the XCR Show in Germany the same month 2019.” I wanted to gape at what he was saying, but I really tried to control my lips. I can already hear what he said to my co-workers, but then I went blank for whatever it was. I am not even a sports reporter, and I do not really like the car. 

The important thing is that I have access to work. My older brother also chose my car last year, so I don’t know what the heck might be so special in my car.

“I’ll give you a little comparison about 1991 B.E. and this MK-75 Knight. This is a plug-in hybrid sports car. This has the biggest sales for the last two years. its powertrain rate is 775-918 kW which is 1,054-1,248 PS; 1,039-1,231 hp. It has five different motors onboard. They are both amazing, aren’t they?” I just blinked in front of the man. I was suddenly exhausted with what he was saying.

“O. . . of course, they. . . they are,” I said, yawning like a student in the class. My eyes immediately widened, and then I covered my mouth. But then, I guess it was worth it. I saw him. I saw him laugh.

“If you’re really sure about this, we’ll go to Jessica,” he said seriously again. So, he’s good at that, huh? He can really suppress his laughter. But it doesn’t matter, I just saw him.

I rolled my eyes at the two cars there. The black 1991 Black Eagle and the red MK-75 Knight, he says. As for me, I’m in love with the color red, so if I decide, I will choose the MK-75 because that has a good color? Shit! I suck at this.

“Come on,” I said. Why was I even doing this? Imagine buying thirty million cars just to talk with this guy who still seems impossible? I am really out of my mind! I’m very sure Mommy will tell me that I’m too extravagant just to flex things to my colleagues—I’m not even like that.

The process has been easy. I also told them that I would just get my car here the next day. And just then, in just a few minutes, my money was completely wasted. I couldn’t stop frowning. I was holding my copy of the car key, but it looked like heaven and earth were covering me.

I don’t have any plans now. How can I talk to him? How should I begin to convince him? I feel like I need to eat at Kuya Jac’s house for the next few days.

“Thank you so much, Ma’am Avery. See you–” I quickly approached Jessica as I looked around. I made sure that man was not really here anymore. 

If he can not give me information, I will take it from others.

“Jessica, right? Do you mind if I ask you something?” She immediately smiled at me and nodded.

“I am very used to reporters like you, Ma’am. But just like what I said to them, I am just one of the staff of Mr. Carter. If you ask me about his personal life, I can not answer them. But if you’re going to ask me more about C.C. Cars, you can get some information from me. I just don’t know if they are reliable enough.” 

Now, I am getting impatient. Everyone, even those close to him, do not know the man? Is he an alien or something? A creature who suddenly appears on the surface of the world?

“I don’t need you to tell me about this company. What I have is enough. I just want to ask your observations about your boss. You know, things he likes, perspectives, what kind of boss is he” Jessica laughed a little at what I said before nodding. “I will try, ma’am. Feel free to ask me.”

I

smiled as I picked up my small recorder. Hopefully, by this time, I can get at least a little. I will not let my thirty million go to waste. “I’ll record this conversation, okay?”

When she nodded, it was as if my intestines were dancing in the body. Here we go, AFA 2020. “Okay, Miss Jessica Torres, can you describe how Mr. Carter as a person?” Jessica suddenly fell silent, so I assumed the woman was thinking.

“You can also mention the things he likes, hobbies, even the things he doesn’t like. Girlfriend? Does he have a rumored girlfriend? Do you know her name? Does he bring it here? I might find it easier to get information from his girlfriend, Jessica.” 

I noticed her eyes became rigid as if she was trying to point out something to me. When I realized it,  I felt my knees shaking, losing much strength. I already know what she is saying.

Hesitantly, I slowly turned to the man behind me. From his place, his cold eyes were clearly visible. His two hands slipped into both pockets of the slacks he was wearing. 

“Shouldn’t I be the one you’re asking about that thing, Miss Taylor?” he said softly, but it still sounded like thunder entered my ear.

“Ah. . . yes, Mr. Carter.” I hid the recorder I had been holding while constantly cursing at my self. What an unlucky girl.

“Let’s go to my office.” 

“Wait, I thought–”

“I just thought your thirty million deserves some information about me. Don’t you like it?”

This guy! He’s getting on my nerves now. If only I could leave, if only I could walk out! “Of course not! Let’s go to your office, Mr. Carter.”