Chapter 6

"How old are you again?" He asked curiously.

"25?" I was not sure. "Or 26."

"Still young," he remarked. 

Silence followed. I was just staring at my shot glass, not knowing what to do. I feel like I will doze off if I will add another shot.

"You're an architect, right?" He asked again.

"Yup. Why do you ask?"

"I have a friend who's looking for an architect. I'm thinking if I should recommend you to him. Is that okay with you?"

"Really?" I peered at his side. His eyes were serious. "When?"

"Is that a yes?"

"Will I ask if not?"

"I want to make sure. There's still a tendency you will decline the offer if you don't like it."

"Depends on the job."

"What does that mean?"

"I specialize restoration. You might ask me for commercial buildings."

He slid his palm across his mouth, staring boldly at me. I turned my face away. His hot stares burned my body even more.

"Here's the thing," he said. "We need to renovate an old house and we are looking for someone who has the specialization."

I turned to his direction. His gaze was intense like daring me to compete with him.

I smiled and dug my elbow on the counter. I rested my head on my palm, mirroring him, as my eyes twinkled.

"That's what I'm talking about, dude. I am more on renovation or restoration.," I uttered.

"Is that a deal?"

"Can it wait?"

"Tomorrow morning, I guess."

"Oh shoot," I blurted out.

"Why?"

"I already have schedule tomorrow morning."

"What about in the afternoon?"

"I won't say no," I winked at him.

I turned to the bartender and beckoned him to give me one more shot. 

"If you will drink one more shot I don't think you can make it," Jonas commented beside me.

"Just one last shot," I replied and quaffed my last shot. I made a face and quickly sipped my citrus.

"Damn," Jonas chuckled. "Don't tell me I'm gonna carry you again to my car and throw up."

I cracked a laugh at his statement. He sounded like he hadn't moved on from what happened. 

"Damn," I mocked. "It's been a year since that happened, Joe. Isn't "moving on" part of your vocab?"

"I'm just stating fact."

"Oh hell, Joe. You hold grudges. To hell with that!"

"I barely forget," he said coldly, pressing his side against the edge of the counter.

"Since when you become a memory card?" I scoffed. "You should be like that because you would hold memories as long as you can." I wiggled my brows at him, eyes were flat.

He chuckled. He took a little amount of his wine. His eyes held laughter.

I straightened my posture but only to feel dizzy. My hands were quick enough to grip Jonas who was quicker to respond. My head throbbed and my vision danced.

"Stubborn," he grunted. "Where's your car?"

"Parking lot," I replied, feeling dizzy. "Just take me there. I'll throw up there."

I paid for my drinks and after that Jonas led the way out, keeping me close to his side. His silent treatment gave chills to my bone but I felt safe. The scent of his clothes filled my nostrils. His scent marked my skin.

He opened the car's door for me as it was already open. He placed his hand on my head as I went inside the car. He closed the door and turned around. He got inside the driver's seat.

"Throw up all you want. This is your car," he said. I can hear sarcasm in his voice.

"Three shots were too weak. I can manage," I said, smiling at him.

"Where's your house?"

"I can't go home like this, Joe. Just take me anywhere or leave me here."

I heard his low growl. "I swear you don't want to wake up tomorrow in embarrassment."

He drove the car away. I closed my eyes and rested my head on my seat. I wondered why the car stopped. A heavy breath was heard. When I opened my eyes, I was taken aback.

My heart pounded heavily against my chest. Our brows creased.

"What?" He asked irritatingly.

"Did you just want to kiss me?" I accused. My sanity went back like I was never drunk.

"Do you think I'm pervert enough to kiss you?"

"O-Of course!"

"Put your seatbelt on," he demanded and went back to his seat.

I looked at mysealt who wasn't wearing my seatbelt. I heaved a long sigh. My cheeks flared up in embarrassment.

"Or else I won't drive," he uttered.

I swallowed the lump on my throat. I put my seatbelt on silently. I felt embarrased.

"Sorry I startled you. I thought you were sleeping already," he stated.

"Sorry I overreacted. You should have told me."

"If I am sleeping, I don't want to be interrupted." He gave me a quick glance. "That's why I didn't wake you up."

I fell silent. His oddity perplexed me. He was reasonable. I thought he was planning to do something against me.

"Not all boys like you," he said and gripped the steering wheel. "Not all men want to bed you."

I fell silent. I shuddered at the coldness of his voice. He was mean but something caught my soul.

"Sorry," I said, almost in a whisper. "I know boys only want my body."

"I'll take you home," he uttered and drove away.

The next morning, I woke up with a loud knock on my door. I checked my phone beside the table and found out it was vibrating. I answered Joshua's call.

"Good morning!" He greeted, sounding jolly. "Sorry I called so early. I just want to remind you about my offer."

"What time was that again?"

"10:30 would do. We'll just wait for the client."

"Okay. I just woke up."

"That's why," he chuckled. "It's still eight anyway. I'll call you back later."

"Sure."

I hung up already. I placed my phone back to my bedside table and stretched my body. I was still sleepy until I remembered what happened last night. I scrambled out of bed in an instant.

I cupped my mouth with my hands. Jonas took me home! He introduced himself to my parents as my friend. He didn't stay long. He left after that.

"'Etincelle," I heard Mommy's voice. I whipped around and ran towards the door. I opened it.

"Mommy," I called. My throat went dry.

"You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Uhh, nothing. I just woke up."

"Don't you have a hangover? Were you drunk last night?"

"Tipsy," I grinned sheepishly.

"Have some breakfast now. Josh called me you have plans today."

"He wants to offer me a job."

"What job?"

"We will discuss it later."

She looked strangely at me, eyes studying my face.

"You look like your dad," she said and turned around. "Hurry up. Let's go down.

"Yes, Mommy," I answered.