Chicken Heart

The Deal

Voice boomed out of nowhere. Scanning the area for some familiar faces, his future boss appeared behind Jacob with the innocent look he is infamous with. His defensive stance towered over them blocking the light of the interior making them both stare up at the intruder.

"Mr. Alexander. What are you doing here?"

Elizabeth asked baffled at how did he found her in this part of the town. She looked around and saw the other customers looking up at them with confusion.

"To grab some coffee. Who is he? Your boyfriend?"

Elizabeth's jaw fell on the ground at his straightforwardness. How can be this man be so tactless. His brat attitude is now getting on her nerves. "No. No, sir. This is Jacob. He is also working in your company. He is from Finance Department." She smiled hoping that this devilish man in tuxedo will look at her and take a cue he needs to stop being intimidated.

"I know who he is. Anyway, you enjoy your night." There he left without stealing a glance on her. That kinda disappoints her at some point.

Jacob is silently laughing probably taking the idea of what is going on. "You seems to know each other, Betty."

Elizabeth gasped at the fact that she haven't told Jacob yet about her transfer to another line of work. She chuckled and told him the whole story leaving the part being Vincent's father. Jacob being the keen observer, connected the dots and told himself to stay calm. He knew that boss is trying to hit on her. Her phone rang and excuses herself to go home because Vincent has been throwing tantrums again.

"I gotta go, Jake. Vincent had his period again." Jacob smiled and lifted his coffee mug nodding his head and waved her goodbye.

"I'll just have to finish this coffee. Take care, Betty. See you tomorrow."

"Sorry, Jake. I gotta go. Thank you."

There Betty took her leave following the jiggling of the bell hanging from the shop's door.

Jacob waited for a while and he was right with his presumptions. The devilish man in tuxedo crept to the booth and settled himself right in front of him. Unbuttoning his coat, he took the untouched matcha latte and took a sip from it.

"Ugh, how come girls love this drink." He grunted swallowing the green leafy concoction with pure disgust on his face.

"What do you want?" Jacob didn't wasted any time and asked the man without second thought. Without thinking this is the CEO of the company where he is working currently.

"How long have you known Elizabeth? You two seems too close to be... just friends."

Sarcasm and arrogance laced on Alexander's tone staring straight through Jacob's eyes.

"We've been friends since we started working in the company. What is it with you, Mr. Alexander. With all due respect, since when a CEO became too nosy about his employees."

Alex smiled crossing his legs under the table. "Elizabeth is not just an employee, Mr. O'connor. She is far more than that. And besides, it's my job to know my employees more."

Jacob snapped his head to the man in front of him. His words mean something, he thought. He is well aware that Alex is trying to intimidate him to make him leave Betty alone.

"Seriously what are you up to?" Taking down all the honorifics, they both decided to talk man to man.

"I want to propose a deal with you." He answered calmly waving a hand and a waitress came over holding a menu card, pointing something in it and smiled at the innocent waitress enchanted by his charm.

Jacob remained silent following Alex's actions. He doesn't like the aura of this rookie CEO so as the way he talk to Elizabeth like they have known each other.

"I want you to convince her to say yes for being my secretary. I said it was just for temporary, but I am planning to keep her for myself."

"You're insane, aren't you?I will not do anything that go against her will. If she doesn't want it, then you should at least respect that. And why are you telling me all this?"

"Do what I say in exchange to your most desire position in the company."

Jacob has been working his way to the top position for some personal issues. Clear as the day that this devil in tuxedo knew about his plans after all.

"I know that look in your face, Jacob. I bet your father wouldn't want you to waste this opportunity."

"How do— "

"I know everything. And I also knew your father is innocent about the embezellement my seniors did. I felt bad for him actually. It's your chance to get rid of those pesky old pawns of the devil in my company. Take this as a win to win situation for both of us."

"Just think about it." Alex added mouthing thank you to the lady waitress that gave him her order.

"And one more thing.. tell me who is the father of her son."

"You have no idea how rude and stupid you sound, Mr. Alexander. That's her private life, for goodness sake."

'So you're not the father. Thank goodness." Alex chuckled wiping an invisible lint on his suit.

"Remember the deal, Jake."