His Hired Lover

IA'

I moved like an acrobat-pacing the room with both hands and balancing trays,

ir hunger seemingly commanding their brains to be impatient. My skin itched looking at their sulky lips and bored faces. Normally, every staff in Lorenzo's Re

r and grilled meat. But a 24-year-old woman like me, with no prospects, had to endure this kind of lowly life so I could provide for my family in the province. And while Manila w

the sound, but no one moved to check. My gaze flicked to the counter, hoping my coworker Danilo w

staff. Today, we were only three-Danilo, the cashier and overall runner; Mike, who was in the back

ull away from a towering, six-foot-tall foreign-looking man, wearing a polo shirt and ragged jeans. I couldn't picture his face well because I

ght, familiar smile. "There you are!

silently urged her to play along. Finally, she caught on and l

ing you?" I asked,

beautiful that should be illegal. His mixed foreign and Filipino features were striking. That sharp jawline. Those high cheekbones

ogne that now surrounded me. I planted a hand on my hip as if I was a Filipina mother scolding an unrul

ave this girl from whatever revulsion this ridiculously hand

g sign. It only sent the butterflies in

hink I'm kidnapp

steamy audio recordings that make you imagine things. I forced

will!" I shot back, tilting my chin.

at my uniform, signaling for me to be

" she whispered, the fabric conditioner in her clothes lig

feeling the heat on my cheeks. "See? You're forcing her to do t

d, he laughed. Laughed! Like

asked loudly, trying to drown the twisting mot

ways tell their status by the way they laughed at people. This man-with his expe

glinted

cted my sense of self. I felt myself drowning as I tried t

" He asked as if that inf

d to?" I

the girl. "Why do

coupled with that irritating expensive c

s cheeks, smoothing down her baby ba

eyes like I was the dumbest person alive

Oh,

ust accused this ridiculously handsome man of kidnapping a child when, in fact, he was actually her uncle! I slowly st

see," I

I think it's time for you

s niece for not clarifying things sooner! "Well, you looked sus

widened.

e," I gestured vaguely at him. "All serious a

say stup

still want spaghetti. I don't want to go to anot

When you do that, you soun

said, plastering a forced smile. "I-I'll leave you to it... s-sir," I ad

ai

. I turned back slowly, m

ng you again,

ine. The question that had been haunting me instantl

I saw it. My nameplate. Right! Way to go. I was getting stupider by the second. But the way he said my name sent a pri

rattled-even though I was. Because deep down, I felt that this man,