Mr. Johnny Croone smiled at Clarisse.
"My Boss is still alive and kicking, and it's all thanks to you. If you didn't help him, who knows what will happen to him.” he relayed.
“I am glad and relieved that I was able to help him." Clarisse smilingly responded.
"My Boss wants to show his appreciation to you, so that's why he wants to invite you for a simple dinner. Please, accept his invitation dinner..." John Croone finally said his intentions.
“There's no need for him to prepare a dinner for me. A simple thank you is enough." Clarisse politely rejects the invitation.
"I'm sorry to say this, but my Boss doesn't take "no" as an answer. My Boss is known to be very persistent, and he'll just let me come back until you say yes..." John Croone insisted.
Clarisse: "But-----!"Clarisse wasn't able to finish his sentence when Johnny Croone spoke again.
"To sincerely show how thankful my Boss is because you saved his life, he also donated a generous amount of money amounting to one million dollars at the Sunshine Orphanage. That's where you grew up, right?" John Croone gave her more information.
Clarisse's eyes widened in shock after she heard Johnny. Why does his Boss knows about her background and how did he know about the orphanage?
“Wait, how did you know about Sunshine Orphanage?” she asked, while looking obviously shocked.
"If you want to know the answers to your questions, you should accept my Boss' dinner invitation." John Croone smilingly said, instead of answering her question.
Clarisse fell into a deep thought as she's trying to assess the situation. She's having second thoughts of being with a total stranger, as she doesn't have any idea what will happen to her. However, there are many CCTV cameras around the convenience store, and it will serve as an evidence on who she talked with if something bad happens to her...
She really wants to know the "so-called-Boss," and she wants him to get back the money that he donated at the orphanage. If she doesn't accept the dinner invitation, Johnny will just keep on coming back until she says yes. But once she accepts the dinner invitation, the man won't pester her anymore, and they can forget everything.
"Okay, I'll come with you." Clarisse finally made her decision.
"Good choice. I will pick you up at 9pm, right after your shift ends." John Croone gave her further instructions.
"Wait, how do you know almost everything about me? Oh, nevermind. I don't want to hear the answer..." she just have to wait for the day she will meet the so-called Boss.
"It's settled then. Please be ready at exactly 9pm."
After a few moments, Clarisse watched Johnny exiting the convenience store, while looking bewildered. She wondered what kind of person is Michele Montserrat... Well, she will find out about him once they have dinner together, face to face.
=============================
Later that night, Clarisse is now endorsing the night shift to her fellow colleague, Lara. She's giving her some last-minute instructions, then afterwards, she finally said goodbye. As soon as she steps out from the convenience store, a sleek-looking black limousine suddenly stopped infront of her. A chauffer who's wearing a black suit and tie suddenly appeared and walks towards her.
"Good evening, Miss Clarisse Marshall. I am Thomas, and I'm going to be your personal chauffer this evening. As instructed by our Master Michele Montserrat, I'll be driving you to the dinner venue." The chauffer politely informs her.
"Err... Nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas. Where are we going?" Clarisse inquired.
"We're going to a very private place, and I'm afraid I can't disclose the location for privacy and security reasons. But I can assure you that it's a very safe place.” the chauffer gave her an assurance.
"Uh, okay then. I'll trust you. Shall we go ahead now?" asked Clarissa.
The chauffer politely opened the door for her. Once Clarisse is inside the limo, she can help but to feel amaze when she saw numerous bottles of expensive. And at the same time, she also saw a tray laden with big and fresh-looking fruits such as apple, oranges, pear and who knows what are the other fruits there. There were also some slices of cheese, crackers, and high-quality ham. She's not really a wine drinker, and she is unfamiliar with rich people's food so she decided to not touch or eat anything...
After a few minutes, the limousine stopped at a modern high-rise building located at an expensive-looking Metropolitan City. Clarisse steps outside from the limousine, and stared at the building with her mouth open...
She was greeted by two tall and big-looking man who are wearing sunglasses and they are also wearing black suits...
"Welcome to Athena Palace, Miss Clarisse Marshall."
Clarisse: "T-Thank you."
"Our Boss have been waiting for you. Please follow us. This way, please." the two bodyguards escorted her.
Clarisse tries to hide her nervousness while she's trailing behind these two bodyguards. The three of them are walking inside the lobby. And once they reached the elevators, one of the guards started talking to her again.
"The elevators on the left side are for all the hotel guests. We have a special elevator for our Boss, and we're going to use that." Informed the first bodyguard.
“But it's all the same---!" Clarisse wasn't able to finish her sentence when the man spoke.
“We're just following our Big Boss' orders." responded the second bodyguard.
Clarisse decided to shut her mouth and not say anything else. Anyway, she's pretty sure what they are doing. They stepped inside a gold-colored elevator. She was secretly impressed by the elevator's interior design.
“In case you're wondering, everything and every corner of this elevator is made from gold." one of the guards informed her, much to her amazement.
Clarisse's jaw almost dropped halfway to the floor when she heard the trivia about the elevator. She can't believe that it's possible to own an elevator which is made from gold! She can't help herself but to feel amazed once they reached penthouse where Michele Montserrat is waiting for her. She feels like she's inside a dream. Everything about this place is beautiful, and she feels like she's doesn't have the right to step into this wonderful place! Everything about this place screams of money!
"I'm absolutely sure that you'll find someone who will love you for who you are, not because of your beauty, or the way you dresses and not because of your status in life. Someone will definitely love you with all their mind, heart and soul..." Martin seriously said, as he stares right into Sarah's eyes.Sarah doesn't know why, but those words that comes out from Martin's mouth are like music to her ears. No one man has said something like this to her, and it made her feel really special as a woman.As a career woman, she has been known as "Iron Woman." She tough, she's strict, she's a hard nut to crack, and she doesn't show any emotions to her colleagues.She's been showing her strengths to her co-workers and she's making sure that she hides her weaknesses. Since she started working, she's giving this "Indestructible Woman" kind of vibe.She thinks that its one of the reasons why men doesn't want to get closer to her.And now, out of the blue, there's this amazing man who never fails
After a few minutes, Martin politely said his goodbyes, and afterwards, he walks back to the kitchen.The kitchen's not busy anymore because lunchtime is already over. Martin fell into a deep thought. Tyler and Cassandra seems to be a very nice couple. Tyler's a very pleasant and handsome man, and it's no wonder why Sarah's been inlove with him.However, it was clear as day that the man's head over and heels inlove with Cassandra.He feels a bit sorry and proud of Sarah because she decided to sacrifice her feelings towards the man that she loves, in exchange of the happiness of her friends.He wants to do something to make her feel better, to let her know that she's going to be alright...============================Few days have passed.Sarah took a deep calming breath before stepping inside the restaurant. She decided to go back to the restaurant after their luncheon date with Tyler and Cassandra. She wanted to thank Martin for keeping her secret, and he pretended that they haven'
Three days quickly flew by... "Where are the newly-engaged couple anyway?" Kyla suddenly wondered aloud, as she started checking for her phone to see if Tyler and Cassandra has called or sent a message.Sarah checked her own phone and she smiled when she read Cassandra's message."Oh, Cass just messaged me and she said that they are on their way now." she informed her friend."Great, I'm really starving right now. I haven't eaten breakfast because I've been taking care of the twins and I was so busy giving my hubby a quick lesson about taking care of the kids." Kyla blabbered on."I think you and your husband are doing a great job. I'm sure Tyler and Cass will ask for your advice once they have their own baby." Sarah stated."How about you? Aren't you planning on getting married and having a family of your own?" Kyla started asking her questions."Not in the near future." Sarah answered in return, while shrugging her shoulders."Be careful of what you say, my friend. We don't know wh
A week quickly passed by.Cassandra groaned inwardly when she heard her smartphone ringing. She was still sleeping because she didn't sleep a wink last night because she's been thinking about Tyler.Her fiancé didn't call her for a week, and it really breaks her heart. She wanted to call her first, but her pride gets in the way...She looked the caller screen, hoping that it was a call from Tyler. But she felt a pang of disappointed when she saw that it was her mentor from the Aesthetics School in London."Hello, Miss Robin?""Hello, there, dahlin'. So, have you made your decision about extending your contract with us?" Mrs. Robin went straight to the point with her phone call.Well... Tyler didn't call for a week, and based on what they have discussed in the park, it's obvious that they called off their engagement... There's no way for her to stay here, and going back to to work in London can serve as a positive distraction for her..."Yes, Miss Robin. I gladly accept your offer. Whe
"Our advise won't really matter, Gianna. We're not the one who's getting married... It's you." Sarah frankly stated."--But what do you really want to do? Do you want to postpone the wedding for another two years for you to continue pursuing your dream?" Kyla suddenly asked."--Or do you want to forget about that job opportunity and be a full-time wife?" Sarah asked Cassandra another question. "I really don't have any idea, girls. If I could, I want to do both." Cassandra said, while shaking her head."I think the right thing to do is to talk to your fiancé about it. You need to sort out this problem, since you're going to be married soon, and whatever decisions you might have, it will affect both of you." Sarah seriously commented."You're right... I just need to find the perfect timing to talk to Tyler. He's been talking about the wedding for the passed few days." Casandra lets out a sigh."Do it as soon as possible before it's too late." Kyla advised."Yes. The sooner the better,
Cassandra roamed her eyes around the Departure Area inside the airport. She's finally home after two years of studying in London, and she feels really good to be back home. "Cassandra, over here!"Cassandra's smile almost reached her ears when she saw her future husband waving at her. She quickly walked towards to her direction, while pushing the baggage cart.Tyler gave her a bouquet of pink flowers, and after that, they shared a quick, loving kiss."Welcome back home, my love. I know you're already hungry and tired, so let's eat lunch first before I drive you back to your apartment, okay?" he suggested."Okay, that sounds good." Cassandra agreed.After a few minutes, they were already making their way to the parking lot when Tyler's mobile phone suddenly rang."Oh, let me just answer this call, love." said Tyler."Okay."Tyler went back to Cassandra as soon as he finished the call."Let's go, my love, so that you can take a rest after that long flight.""Thanks, love." answered Cas