Chapter 3 - Meeting Mr. Nice Guy

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I parked my car and strolled off down the street into Starbucks. I ordered iced caramel latte, my ultimate favourite. I picked a table and waited for my drink. 

I was looking at my phone all the time. I gagged when I saw Alex and Claire's photo showed up on my timeline in instagram. Alex stupid face was plastered with a wide grin as Claire kissed his cheek. They were both blushing like idiots.

There was something bubbling in the pit of my stomach which felt like...jealousy. Eh. No way. I've moved on. Long time ago. I'm sure it was more of disgust. Yep, disgust it is.

I was still scrolling when I heard my name being called. I quickly get up to get my drink. The cafe was quiet but somehow I could hear people were chattering behind my back. None of my business, I thought. I gave the barista a sweet smile and a wink while I'm taking the drink from his hand. I intentionally brush his hand. He was taken aback by my subtle action. I smirked and turned around when I heard his snicker from behind me.

"Why are you laughing? What's so funny?" If look could kill, I bet the barista was long gone.

"Nothing, miss. I just remembered something funny." He answered while trying to suppressed his laugh. I did not quite satisfied with his answer but I did not have much capacity inside me to care about a lowly barista would think, so I just left.

I was few steps away from Starbucks when suddenly I felt someone wrapped his arms around me and I yelped. "Stay still." The man said and I looked down to see he is tying his jacket around my waist. Oh my God! What a fashion terrorist! 

I freed myself from his embrace and turned to look at him. "What the hell are you doing?!" I asked half yelling. 

We are standing face-to-face. If you think I was tall, he was noticeably taller than me. I was around his shoulder only. Not to mention, his face was astonishing. Alex Anderson was ugly if to be compared to him. Like, super ugly. His hair was slick black very dark in colour compared to my brunette hair. And I thought my hair was dark enough. He had a sharp nose and high cheekbone. His eyelashes were beautifully long and his eyebrow enhance his masculinity. His lips were thin but not really thin, just perfect for his face. Overall, he looked like he came out straight from a magazine. 

"...just trying to help you." I was so lost checking him out that I missed what he said.

"Come again?" 

"I said, there is coffee stain on your skirt and I was just trying to help." He repeated.

"Oh." That was all I could say at the moment.

Oh? What the hell? That's totally not me! And why was there coffee stain on my skirt? 

Ah...that's explain the sudden noise at Starbucks. Fucking great day it was!

"Are you okay? You look distracted." He asked looking concern.

Yes, I was distracted with how ridiculously you look handsome. I wish I could say that, instead I said otherwise. "Uh? Err...yeah. Just having a bad day at school." I said while looking at anywhere else because if I keep staring at that beautiful face in front of him, I afraid that I would say something stupid instead.

"You still in high school?" He asked with a hint of shocked on his face. 

"Yes, I'm in my senior year. Can't wait to get out of that place." I said absent-mindedly. 

Wow, Kiera Martino. Since when were you become this friendly with a stranger?

He gave out a small laugh. God, even his laugh is beautiful. "Just enjoy your high school, it will be missed." He said as if high school was a long time ago thing for him. Or is it?

"From your words, I guess high school is a history then in your life?" That was my subtle way of asking his age, in case you guys missed it.

"Yeah, kind of. I..." he was about to say something when his phone rang. Damn! What a perfect timing.

He picked up his phone and went a bit further from me for privacy. I stood still at the same spot, looking at nowhere in particular. A moment later he ended the call and came back to me. "Sorry, I got to go now. See you around then. Have a nice day." He said quickly and went on his way leaving me dumbfounded. 

I was at my car when I realised that I still have his jacket with me. I cracked a smile while looking at his jacket. I wish I would see you soon, Mr. Nice Guy.

I arrived home with a lifted spirit. I was humming to a song when I noticed papa's car was here. I slowly walked into the house. My good mood was no longer there. I saw papa was sitting on the sofa at the living room. 

"Hi, papa. Long time no see." I said with a fake enthusiasm. Papa's presence always intimidate me.

"Oh believe me it would be longer if you would just behave for one damn time!" Papa scolded. He was now standing with both of his hands at the side of his waist respectively. Suppressing his anger to me.

"I don't quite understand what you are saying." I said softly because all of sudden I lost my voice. I hate myself for this.

"You fired yet another maid today! Do you even know how hard it is to find someone who is trustworthy enough to be here, to take care of you?!" I flinched at his words. "You..." He pointed his index finger to me."Of all people, you should know how busy I am and I surely don't have time to play this childish game of you! I had to cancelled a meeting just to talk with you about this stupid thing."

Of course the ever efficient Valerie would reported to papa about it. 

At his words, it was my turned to be angry. I looked up meeting his blue eyes, the same colour as mine, the only different was his colour has faded. Not as bright as mine. "Maybe, just for once I don't want a maid to take care of me. Just maybe, I need my dad instead of a total stranger shoved at my face to wake me up in the morning. You!" Now it was me pointing finger to him. "You, of all people should know that!" I was fighting the urge to cry. My lips were trembling. My  chest was rising and falling erratically. And I could see papa's face softened.

"Sweetheart...I'm sorry. I..."

"Enough! Don't feed me with any of your bullshits anymore because I'm tired of it. You've been repeating the same thing over and over again since the day mama's died!" 

We both stood still, accompanied by suffocating silence. 

"You seriously need to see a doctor." My voice was low but the silence made it loud enough to be heard by papa.

Pang! 

I felt pain arising on my cheeks. But, it was not as hurt as my heart right now. Papa startled with his own action. He looked between me and his hand again and again with guilt in his eyes. Mama was always a sensitive subject to papa. He was heartbroken. But he should know that, he was not the only one hurting. I lost both of my parents the day mama died.

"Thank you very much for your warm greeting, papa." with that I ran to my room and I thought I had never cried that much since the day mama's died.






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