Newfound Destination

~ 15 ~

For no exact reason, I didn't ask Amir for a ride. I just used an Uber.

A few minutes ago, Mustapha texted me that he was already there. Well, I arrived in no time.

I pushed in the glass doors and went into the restaurant. It wasn't too crowded so I spotted him easily.

He was there, dressed in a sharp suit. Too formal.

Brushing the thought away, I made my way towards the table and sat down opposite him.

He didn't say anything for a really long time. He was just staring at me, like literally watching my every move.

"Hey?" I greeted him first.

"Hello Karimah." He spoke in his normal deep voice.

Then silence took over.

What was there to talk about?

I never was the person who started a conversation, I usually just spoke when spoken to.

That's just how I am.

"You look really pretty." He complimented me.

I succeeded in preventing myself from blushing, "Thanks."

I decided to ask the one question that had been bugging me since I first met him.

"How old are you?"

"25." He answered.

My heart sank.

Oh...that's like, I don't know, about seven years above me? Whoa.

"I see..." I muttered.

"Hey, I'm sorry for questioning you but what do you do for a living?" I asked.

He smirked with pride, "I run the family business."

"Wow..."

I said that out loud...why did I say that out loud?!

He rose a brow, "Are you surprised?"

"Ye- No, It's nothing. It's really cool." I denied.

"I can tell you're uncomfortable, but I can assure you that you don't have to worry about a thing. I'm not scary at all." He told me as he looked through the menu.

I don't even know if that eased my nerves or increased it. All I knew was that a lump was rising in my throat.

I just smiled, "I don't think you're scary at all anyway."

He dropped his menu and stared directly at me before he started laughing. So loudly, it drew people's attention.

Now I was getting scared.

"Thanks I guess, but I just have a feeling you're lying when you say that."

I scowled at him, "Hey, I'm not a scaredy cat you know."

He nodded, "I hear you."

"Please, choose something to order. Anything, don't worry about the bill." He later added.

I just realized that this guy likes to boast but it's hard to notice since he does it with style.

I picked up the menu in front of me and just decided I'd go with the rice and a random cocktail.

The waiter soon came along and I gave her my order. Same did Mustapha and the waiter left with our orders.

I took out my phone, just to keep myself busy doing something or just to get my attention off him.

This was awkward.

He snickered, "No texts or calls?"

I sighed and nodded admittedly.

He was right.

"Then I'll keep you busy. I mean, that's why we're here, correct?"

I cleared my throat nervously as I waited for him to say or do something that might draw my attention.

"I remember when you asked me how I got your number..."He trailed off.

Now this definitely caught my attention.

"Are you ready to know who?" He questioned.

"Sure." I responded.

"No one."

"I got it on my own. By my own means." He added.

"How? Are you one of those guys who make up numbers and start calling-"

He cut in, "Nope. I did anything but that."

"Then are you going to tell me what you did and by what means?"

"Fine, but don't freak out..." He began.

I nodded in signal for him to go on.

"I got your number when you submitted your personal information for a job interview at my company." He finished.

Okay, that was the last thing I expected him to say.

"Seriously? And what, you didn't give me the job yet you used my number to-"

"That's the reason why I contacted you in the first place. I wanted to give you a job, not the job you applied for but well, a job." He told me.

I recalled on the three jobs I applied for in the past few weeks.

One, as a cashier. The second, as a waitress in a random restaurant and-

"You applied for a job at my company's canteen as an assistant to the food vendor." He completed my thought.

"But I have a better offer for you. You could work as my secretary. I know you'd like to work part-time and I've already arranged everything so you won't have any problems. And as for the pay, I'm certain that it's perfect for you."

It took me a moment to think about this and process his every word.

I mean, I had no reason to refuse his offer. It seemed fair and he clearly just wanted to help.

But still...

"You didn't really give me an impression that said you wanted to give me a job when chatting with me. To be frank, you actually seemed like a weirdo. No offense." I told him.

He grinned, "As crazy as it sounds, that's just my way of interviewing people."

I narrowed my eyes at him trying to look for the slightest hint in his eyes that shouted 'lie'.

But, he seemed sincere.

Although...

"And how on earth did my personal information get to you? It wasn't like I applied to work for you directly. An even better question is, what motivated you to give me the job?" I bombarded him with questions.

He breathed, "Whoo, it's getting hot in here."

I laughed.

"Well, I just felt like it. My secretary just resigned anyway and I just happened to bump into you. Plus, before anyone is employed into any part of my company, even if it happens to be a mere janitor, my permission as the CEO is granted first. It's a basic rule." He explained.

"And so, I was only being a kind person... giving you the job."