I Will Take Hold of You

Chapter Five

Monday morning the young lady came down to go to the market. She found her father talking to someone in the kitchen. She was slightly shocked because even though his back was turned, she knew who it was because of his curly hair.

"You're already there, hija. Come and join us for breakfast."

The man Nicholas was talking to stood up and turned to her.

"How's your knee, miss?" he asked.

"It doesn't hurt anymore, but I still don't want to force it. By the way, thank you, mister," she answered formally. Why is this man here?

Isa remained where she was and did not take her eyes off Paolo. Like before, he was wearing faded jeans. The light blue camisa is tucked-in. Imitation or not, the girl couldn't help but swallow. If it's about attraction, she definitely, this guy would rate 12! On a scale of 1 to 10.

She was still a little surprised when her father took a sip. Eyes blinked. How stupid of her to drift into thought as if hypnotized! Paolo pulled the chair for her. He came to the table but didn't sit down.

"I'll just... have coffee..." put coffee in her cup.

"Daughter, Paolo is the one I imported to be your temporary driver. So we have nothing to worry about," Nicholas began.

The girl stopped what she was doing and looked at her father. Made sure she heard right.

"I have a lot of trust in Paolo, hija, and he's no different from us because I saw him being raised. So, I can leave the two of you and continue my exercise."

After Nicholas left, Paolo also stood up. "I'll wait for you in the car."

The girl just nod quietly but did not raise her head and continued to drink coffee. If Paolo can be with her every day for a month, then, she's in big trouble! This guy spells trouble as in T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

The girl opened the car door without hesitation and sat in the back. Paolo looked in the side mirror for a moment and looked at her before turning around.

"All I know is that you are sitting in the front, Miss de Leon?"

"In my boyfriend's car, yes. But in your car and tartanilla, no. Another thing, isn't it appropriate for me to sit here because I'm actually sitting in the back of our carriage if we use it and you're the driver?" she answered with a snarling tone.

"I'm sorry young lady, but I'd rather you sit here in the front."

The girl left the leaning position and sat up straight. "I'm not the one who wants to hire you as a driver, it's Papa and you actually used your car. Now, as the driver, it's only right that I sit here, right?"

"Would you prefer someone else to drive for you, Miss de Leon rather than me?" asked the irritated young man.

"Anyone, as long as the driver is efficient and trustworthy!" she doesn't know why she is annoyed and whispering. "Anyway just for the time being."

"I wasn't paid to be a driver, miss. Your dad and my dad just asked me to be nice to you," he emphasized the kindness. "Now, if you want us to leave, come here," he ordered firmly.

The girl stood up from the car and moved to the front. There's really no reason for her to be angry. But this is the only way she knows how to fight the attraction she feels for Paolo.

The two didn't talk until they reached Tayabas and Isa showed him the way.

From a distance Juana saw the car parking and the two of them getting off. Isa enter the store, while Paolo get the flowers they sell in the car.

"Who is that hunk?" she meets Isa.

"My driver-mechanic."

"What?"

The girl dropped her bag on the table. "He is the one I told you, the tartanilla driver. And would you believe it, Papa's godson. Our carriage was made in his workshop. Now, my father asked him to be my driver until my knees hurt."

"Fantastic! You're siblings-like of super hunk? Why are you upset?"

"I don't know. He's really affecting me so much..."

"Hmp. I don't know about you. Wait and I'll go. I'm dying to meet him."

Isa laughed. "Juana! I will report you to Miguel," she shouted.

"Well, he's not here. And then I'll just meet him. I want to prove that my eyes weren't deceiving me earlier," and winked at Isa before leaving.

The young man was closing the car door when Juana approached.

"Hi, mister! I'm Juana. Isa is my best friend," she extended her hand to Paolo.

Paolo accepted it with a smile. "I'm Paolo, miss."

"Come in first, Mr. Paolo. It's hot in here."

"Don't, miss. Thank you. I'm used to the heat. One more thing, it might just ruin your friend's day," he snorted at the store.

Isa just watched the two outside.

"Don't misunderstand Isa. If I know the nicest person on earth, it's Isa. Come on..."

"Answer me, huh?" the young man smiled and joked.

Juana laughed. From Paolo's appearance, she was sure that this was not the type that would not charm anyone, especially a woman.

"Sit down, Mr. Paolo. Read. Well, this is a woman's place so you won't see or read anything but women and flowers."

"I'll take care of myself, miss Juana. Go ahead, thank you."

Juana came to Isa's table. "My gosh, Isa, intensity 10 is the strength of sex appeal!" her friend said.

"Listen! You're really crazy, he might hear you," replied the young woman smiling, not looking up and continuing to paint flowers.

"If I don't love Miguel, I'll screw him up!"

Isa almost burst out laughing if she hadn't covered her mouth.

"Stay away from me, you woman. He might have noticed that we're talking about him."

Juana would not have leave if a customer didn't came.

That morning there was no customer who bought that did not pay attention to Paolo. Whether young or old.

It was past one o'clock when the young man approached Isa's table after the customer she was talking to stood up. He placed his hands on the table and bowed.

"Where would you like us to have lunch, miss?"

The girl looked up and stared at the young man. And she never took her eyes off him. She seemed to have butterflies in her stomach. She just stares at him.

The young man flicked his two fingers in front of the girl's face.

"Does your mind really travel every time I talk to you and look at you?" he's smiling while asking.

Isa shook her head a little and leaned back in the chair. Bowed her head in shame.

"Are you...are you saying something?"

"Where do you want us to have lunch, miss?"


The girl glanced at the man. "What time is it?" she glanced at Juana who was still talking to a customer and handed the flowers.
"It's one thirty."

"Lunchtime, Juana."

"Eat now, Isa. I have a lunch here and I'm waiting for Miguel to come here," the girl refused.

Isa took a sharp look at her friend and indicated that she must come with them but the girl looked away.

"Come with us, miss Juana," said Paolo.

"Thank you, Paolo. But Miguel is coming at two o'clock. Of course, I don't want to miss my boyfriend, if you know what I mean," she glanced at her friend with a smile. "Also, there are no one to be left here." And it continued inside.