Touch Of Solicitude

DIEZ

It had been half an hour since I had arrived at the restaurant; with my hands crossed, I leaned at the chair as I looked at the clock. He should be here soon; what kind of man shows up too late at an appointment?

As I was about to leave, someone entered, a face so familiar that I could not bear to take my eyes off. Blinking twice to make sure if I did not see any illusion.

Was it the unknown man I met at the launch party? Why is he here? Perhaps, a coincidence, who might he be meeting at this hour? A business meeting or a personal affair is either of the two.

I expected him to turn right or left, but instead of doing so, he immediately went his way in my direction as our gaze met. Why is he going this way? The man stood in front of me, wearing a proud smirk on his face.

"It's nice to see you again, Sunny- oh, I mean- Miss Kim, we are in a profession and formal manner, I suppose I should address you properly," He said, slowly sitting down, my forehead creased in return, "Oh, what a coincidence. However, if you don't mind you better empty the seat, the person I'm meeting might arrive momentarily,"

"Also, you should go to your own table. To tell you again, I have an appointment, and what irritates me the most is making me wait. He has been late for almost an hour now, so please leave," I continued, his hands clasped together, "Is that so? Who are you meeting with?" Rolling my eyes, I glared deeply at the man.

"That is none of your concern, so please, leave while I am saying it nicely. My action has nothing to do with you," He just chuckled and sighed, "Am I irritating or perhaps bothering you? Even so, you can't push me away so harshly," No, I cannot deal with him now; I promised not to get involved with him anymore. Also, he forced a debt on me.

I had had enough waiting; I rummaged through my purse and getting the man's business card; I will call him. Dialing his number, coincidentally, the phone of the man in front of me also rang. My brows furrowed, even in a phone call, really?

I shook my head, not minding the thoughts; the other line continued similarly to his phone. However, as he answered the call, I got connected to the call, "Mister Ferreiro," I started, "I have already arrived at the restaurant that you said, may I ask where are you?"

A sigh was heard on the other line, as the man in front of me did also, "I'm right here," My eyes widened in shock, "I'm right in front of you, Miss Kim," The phone fell from my hands, with him ending the call, holding his phone and waving it to my face.

He placed his phone at the side and smiled at me, "Good Evening, Miss Kim," I felt betrayed at the moment, "Why are you wearing such expression? Are you that happy to know that I am Ludwig Ferreiro?"

With no words from me, he then called for the waiter and ordered for the both of us. The atmosphere felt too awkward. I soon started to realize everything. I spent the night alone with Ludwig Ferreiro, and I was extremely drunk.

We were both inebriated, but I was on a different level. I began to wonder if I had made any drunken errors that required an apology, but deep down, I hoped that nothing had happened. How I wish I could dig six feet beneath the ground and bury myself right now.

As they served the food, Mister Ferreiro started talking, "Miss Kim, about the other night-" Before he could finish his sentence, I cut him off, "Mister Ferreiro, we are here for work. For now, should we talk about the interview?" I uttered, slicing the meat.

The staff was giving us weird looks; I did not want to look strange in front of others. "I would prefer it if we could start and finish this interview at the earliest convenience," I forced a smile, "I hear the dessert here is good, I especially picked this restaurant because of the dessert. I hope it suits our preferences," He replied, avoiding the topic.

"What?" The night continued to drag on; I continuously brought the topic about the purpose of our meeting, but this man avoided and changed it to his liking, "We prepared the special dessert, Mister Ferreiro," The server said to him, placing the desserts in front of us.

"Thank you, I am looking forward to trying this out," He smiled back and started to cut the dessert; my patience was at the brim; I took a deep breath and looked at him with a stern gaze, "Mister Ferreiro, about the interview," He could not even take a bite of it, he closed his eyes, as if he was calming himself.

He raised his hand, calling for the waiter, "Bill please," I started panicking, I should treat him now so that I will not owe him anymore, the man came back, but before he could sign the receipt, I took it from the waiter and signed it, "Please bill it to my name," With that statement, Mister Ferreiro stood up and started to walk out.

After paying, I walked towards him and saw him at the lounge, looking at the city by the windows, "Let's do it," He stated; I returned a confused look, "Yes?" He looked at me with a bitter expression.

The awkward air continued to surround us. I felt uncomfortable and had the urge to leave, but since I came here with the company's order and name, I cannot leave as I please and let him be.

Why is he wearing such a face? He seemed disappointed, hurt as if his world fell apart; as expected, I cannot really read his mind this easily. Unlike other men I know, comparing him to them, this man is not an open book that I can understand in haste.

"Let's do the interview,"