Chapter 2 Stranger's Invitation

Loid's vacation in London will end in a few days. He also felt sad because he would not see Carina for a long time. He couldn't understand himself, as if he was falling in love with the woman. So he made the most of the three days left on his vacation. He returned to the restaurant so he could see Carina again.

When he was at the restaurant, he noticed Carina was not there. He could not see her. So he asked a coworker.

“Good morning sir, please come in! We have here a table for two. It's beautiful here in this area so you can see the outside. Here is the menu, sir, just choose you.” Loid couldn't focus on the server because his eyes were looking for Carina.

"Can I take your order, sir?" the server asked again.

“Ha?! Ah, sorry! It's the same thing I order every time I eat here.” Loid replied.

“Okay, sir noted! Just wait for about 5 minutes, sir.”

“Thank you! Ah, by the way! May I ask, where is Carina?”

“Oh! Carina has been suspended for 7 days because last time a customer complained and she was furious.” Story of her co-worker.

“Oh! I see. What is the reason she was suspended?”

“It's not really Carina's fault. The customer is just over-acting and says she's influential. She was furious so our manager could do nothing. Fortunately, our manager was kind, so her punishment for Carina was suspended and she was not fired. Carina is kind. There are only customers who have bad habits. And because we are just employees, we just accept the guilt that we are not the culprit.” Server's story.

“Oh! Unfortunately for Carina. Do you have any contact with her? Can you give it to me?”

“Ah! Yes, just wait. I'll just put it in your order, okay?”

“Yes, please, thank you!

The server left to prepare Loid's food. While he was saddened by the story of Carina's co-worker. He felt pity because he knew people like them were only working well for their families in the Philippines. It’s just sad to think that there are customers who don’t understand the workers ’situation.

~~~~~

"Hello friend, are you okay there at home?" Dina asked.

Dina and Carina have been together in an apartment since they met because they also save and have a lot of expenses when you are alone. So they split the expenses so that they can send money to the Philippines.

“Yes, Dina, I'm okay here. I am saddened by what happened to me. I will only receive a small salary because I have a 7 -day suspension. I cry because I know when they will have the money in the end. After all, my youngest brother is graduating from senior high.” Carina said sadly.

Carina has two siblings. She is the eldest and her two siblings are all boys. She is the one who educates her siblings because they are orphaned by their father, and only her mother takes care of her siblings, so it can be said that she is the breadwinner of the family.

“Haist! Let me first, if I have more than my salary, I'll just lend it to you. Don't think too much.” Dina replied.

"Thank you very much, Dina. You are a friend."

"Of course, who else will work together but us?"

Carina drops Dina's call. She no longer knew what she was going to do. She works well, but she feels destiny is testing her.

~~~~~

She heard a ring on her phone. That number is unknown. She was hesitant to answer that because everyone in her contacts had a name and another might be a cheater and another scam. Because she was taken one time to scam her. But the phone rang three times. She was curious, so she answered.

“Yes! May I know who’s this is, please?” she replied.

"Hi Carina, do you still remember me?"

“Ahem, no! Who is this?”

“Oh! Sorry, this is Loid. Your customer in the restaurant you are working for.”

She was stunned. She could not answer immediately. She wondered who might have given her number to that man.

“Ha?! Oh, sir Loid. You have been called.”

“Ah! Yes, are you busy? Does that bother us?”

“Ah! No, I'm just at home.”

“Oh! I see. I heard what happened to you. How are you?"

She was surprised. Why did he know what happened to me? I got lost in the restaurant and I was suspended?

“Ah! It's okay. Thank you for the greeting.”

"I heard that if you are suspended, I'll understand your side. When your colleague said that it was not your fault, so don't worry. You are still lucky because your boss is kind, and you were only given a suspension.” Loid replied.

“Ah! Yes, it's embarrassing that you still know the reason I'm not at the restaurant. My co-worker is gossipy.”

“Haha! I'm not sure, because I asked him so he told me what happened.” Loid replied.

“Oh! Did you go to the restaurant? I thought you went home to the Philippines because you haven't eaten at a restaurant for a long time. And the last time we saw each other, I still had sin with you.” Carina said.

"Yeah! I'm sorry I've been so busy lately, ah! Those are the ones with me, my business partners. They are the ones you filled with juice. She was my cousin's friend, and the one with me is my cousin.” Loid explained.

Carina suddenly fell silent. She is ashamed of herself because the three of them have a connection, not as his women but as business partners and his cousin. That's why that woman, Pia, just calmly speaks like Loid because they are cousins. Carina was stunned. And could not speak and forgot that she was talking to someone on the other line.

"Are you still there?"

“Ha!? Ay, sorry, sir. I'm just thinking."

“Ah! Okay, I imagine where you are already. By the way, aren't you busy later? I would like to take you for a walk. I'm going back to the Philippines in the coming days. It may be awhile before we meet again.” Loid's invitation.

“Ha?! Are you sure? Let's go for a walk?”

"Sure, why are you surprised?" Isn't it possible? Will anyone be angry?”

“Ah! Nothing sir, I was just surprised because it was the first time that a stranger greeted me.” Carina smiled.

“Oh! Really? Has anyone invited you before?”

“Ah! There is, but we are a group rather than a group bonding. But with only two so far, that hasn't happened to me here.” Carina replied.

“Oh! That’s great, no worries, I’m harmless haha! So what? Is it okay with you around 5 pm?”

“Ah! Okay, go ahead, I'll just message Dina. Maybe she'll wonder why I'm not at home.”

“Okay, no worries. Ah! By the way, just send your location so I can pick you up later.” Said Loid.

Carina gave her a location. Their conversation ended, and Carina felt joy in her heart as she and Loid talked.

He texted Dina and informed her about Loid's advice to her. Dina shuddered at what she heard, so her friend cheered her up. She even tricked her into grabbing the opportunity for them to get along. Dina always teased her, but she didn't take it seriously because she already knew her friend's behavior.

~~~~~

“Oh! Loid, you look so amazing today. Where are you going?" Pia asked.

Pia is Loid's cousin. Pia's mother and Loid's father are siblings. Pia grew up in London because when her parents got married she was born there with a twin brother, Patrick.

There, Loid first stayed with them while he was on vacation.

“Ah! Yes, she’s my friend. I invited him because I will be home soon. ”

“Oh! That’s good. He may be your soulmate. You know uncle and auntie are excited for you to have your own family and for them to have a grandchild.” Said, Pia.

“Haha! There you are. Do you know I was pressured by those words? That's why I took a vacation to think and now you reminded me again.” Loid replied.

“Haha! Is that so? But seriously, my dear cousin, it hasn't crossed your mind to settle down yet. You are financially stable, you are the CEO of your company. Everything a woman is looking for is already in you. But why haven't you thought about getting married yet?” Pia asked seriously.

"I also don't know Pia. Maybe there's nothing for me yet."

"Wish you find her first Loid so that uncle and auntie will be happier," Pia said, smiling.

“Haist!! That's why!”

“What are you? Don't lose hope. Maybe this is the year you can find someone for you. Good luck on your friendly date!” his cousin smiled once leaving.

Loid just smiled. He thought about what Pia had said. Of course, everything is up to him and the only thing he needs is to have a family.

Carina was also excited when they met again. She dressed well, and she also made herself beautiful so that Loid could impress her. Loid is ready to pick her up.

Even before she left, someone called her. She looks like her mother. She answered that because she already knew its purpose.

"Yes mom, did you get a call?"

"Carina, don't be surprised. I'll tell you something."

“Why mom? What happened? I'm nervous about what you're going to tell me.” Carina replied.

"Your brother Carlos had a motorcycle accident." Her mother said tearfully.

Carlos is the second of their siblings, and Corby is the third. He is the youngest of them to graduate in the end.

"What?!" Carina's whole body sank. How could he be disgraced? Did he drink while driving?”

“No Carina, he didn't notice that he was followed by a motorbike that was also running hard. He signaled again that he would turn in case the speed was really strong when he followed. So, according to the victim, he is now in the ICU being treated by doctors. I hope your brother is okay.” Cora said sadly.

“Haist! I'm sorry mom, I'm not by your side right now. Let me send for you to spend there. What's the news about the collision? Did they give help?” Dina asked.

“Yes, but the process still takes time. The motor driver was also shot. I don't know what to do anymore, son.”

“Just calm down mom, I will look for some strategic money here and I will send it to you right away. Be strong, especially since I am not there in the Philippines.” Said Carina.

They ended their conversation with her mother. She was very sad about what happened to her brother. She didn't realize that Loid had been calling earlier. She lost sight of their conversation. It was also about 30 minutes ago that the last missed call to her. So she called Loid again, but could not be contacted. She thought maybe Loid was sulking at her because she wasn't answering his call.

She is confused about her situation now. She only thinks more about her brother's welfare because her family is more important to her than her priority now.

Can Loid understand Carina's reason she didn't show up for their date?