Where Iris Bloom

Ch 9. Alviejo, man down.

"Going discreet, no?" Genevieve raised her brow at me after cutting a bite size of her steak. She's been pestering me ever since she heard about the party I've gone to. Knowing my sister, she won't let this slide until I spill the tea.

"I told you, I just got invited as a plus one." I shrugged and continue eating my steak like it's no biggie gathering more annoyed look from her.

"Date. Mr Montrata said you're all over your girlfriend." She emphasized the latter and I can't help but to sigh.

Why do I need to explain myself to anyone again? Remind me? Enlighten me.

"She's not my girlfriend." I reiterated for the third time. My patience is slowly draining as we speak.

"Then what? Friends don't hold hands." She insisted.

"We do hangout and go out but she's not my girlfriend. How many times do I need to repeat that?" I rolled my eyes. "I would never do business with Mr. Montrata, such a big mouth."

"I wanna meet her." Genevieve ignored my comment on Mr. Montrata but went bolder with her sentiment.

Unbelievable.

"Of course." My sarcasm is oozing. I'll be walking out on these doors sooner or later.

"Seriously, I want to meet her, Kim." The atmosphere is palpable. I hate it when Genevieve goes like this, I can't fight over what she wants.

"Give me some time, Viv." I sighed in defeat.

FLASHBACK

Letting Iris inside my life totally is another story. I didn't expect to meet someone who's gonna make my life run slower. I decided to enter discretely in my own company to find out how things are going. I heard some rumors which did not sit on me right so I had to take matters on my own hands.

"I own Love, Nana and other restaurants as well. I have my own catering service and commissary chains. I have consulting companies too. Remember that Montrata guy? He's been dying to meet me because he wants me to invest on one of their hospitals. They want me to put up one of my restaurant inside of their hospital." I took a breather and watch her face. She's been listening intently to every words I say probably trying to digest everything.

"Your favorite dishes, those are my recipes. And your fave crumble? That's Nana's recipe. My gramma." I saw her smile upon mentioning the latter.

"You know, they've been making fun of me at the hospital." She stared at her fidgeting hand and flashed a sad smile that pinched my heart. "They've been saying mean things to me because they heard I'm taking an interest towards a server."

"What do they say?" I pried holding her hands in mine.

"Stuff." She mumbled and I can sense she's hesitating to spill it.

"C'mon, I'm no baby. I can handle it and there's nothing to be ashamed off." I nudged her and offer a reassuring smile.

"Hmm. Somewhere along the lines... I've become a sugar mama." She said in almost a whisper.

"People don't fall in love just because they came from the same status right?" She look at me with an earnest stare that made my heart melt.

"Don't mind them. But I'm intrigued." I shifted and propped on my elbows. "What did you even saw in me that kept you on coming back?"

Her cheeks turned into a bright crimson. "I don't know. It's like, you've got this mysterious aura in you and I'm so drawn. And honestly, I don't choose who I fall in love with."