-"The atmosphere of the place is quite opulent, clean, refined' the marble floors so clean you can see the reflections of the people on it, the paintings with simple abstract art on the walls, the people who not only dress for the occasion as if it were a wedding but their actions, their gestures and their speech was a distinction between the people who normally surround the cities.
-This is very uncomfortable. -Rin thought, looking uncomfortably at the figure of the man sitting in front of her without saying or doing anything but checking her cell phone.
The well-kept fabrics, the refined laughter of the people filled the place, the waiters serving the distinguished crowd of that restaurant.
-Rin's eyes flickered uneasily, watching the man in front of her, his hair perfect, practically combed back if it weren't for the patch of hair sticking out in front of him.
His fine, cool, dark cinnamon eyes and his slow, calculated way of moving.
-He's handsome, but his behavior disgusts me. -I comment a mental whisper in his head.
-And .... tell me about yourself, you haven't said anything to me since we arrived at .... this place.
she tried to break the cold ice between her and the man' but he didn't even raise his eyes, he kept looking at the screen of his cell phone and writing down some kind of digits in a small sheet of paper in his pocket notebook.
-I don't like to talk too much. ....
The answer was brief and direct, but it was so simple and cutting that Rin's discomfort only increased.
-He's...so arrogant, he didn't even ask me my name.... -She whispered quietly to herself, still feeling bored by the situation' besides not feeling comfortable with the cleanliness of the place and the people in it.
Due to nerves and discomfort she played with the folds of her dress and with her hair, A waiter brings glasses of water to the table placing them with elegance and tranquility before leaving the same way he came.
-And tell me are you from... -She had tried to speak but was interrupted by Xavier who cleared his throat.
I don't like to be interrupted when I'm busy. .... -he said, putting his pen and paper aside.
-It's tedious to have a good idea in your head and have someone interrupt you before you even get it down on paper. -He added with a sigh, a long, soft sigh and decided to look her in the eye.
The silence between them lasted for a moment, in which they both stared at each other Xavier with an icy stare" his piercing eyes on Rin who looked embarrassed and at the same time annoyed.
-Busy? S-sorry.... we're supposed to be on a date," She gave a forced smile covering her displeasure at the man's behavior in front of her eyes.
-Date....Ah~ right... -sighed the man with perfect hair and piercing eyes.
-Yes, that's why we're here to get to know each other, right? To see if we are compatible. -Rin clarified trying to take control and initiative in the conversation.
-No...
The man let out in the air denying the idea' which confused Rin too much then why the date? She asked trying to get answers.
-Xavier let out a long sigh as if he wanted to empty his lungs.
-I'm not really interested...no offense but you're very, basic? I don't like the way you look.
Rin doesn't say anything she's crestfallen just listening, her gaze shadowed even though the people around them aren't seeing them and she's minding her own business' she feels they're judging her.
-Where are you from? From the countryside? Do you live in a small apartment? Just the thought that in front of me I have a simple person with nothing interesting' bores not only po....
The man could not finish speaking.
The glances that before were on their own occupying other perspectives of the place' were directed exactly to that point.
The table covered with water, Rin standing in front of the table her hand raised with an empty glass, the liquid already lapping over the man damaging his perfect hairstyle and soaking his face and clothes.
-SORRY?! -Rin spoke in a soft cry but full of negative feelings her eyes fixed on the man like two fierce flames on him.
-I'm sorry sir!...for being just like the other "Basics" as you say.
For not wearing branded suit and etiquette just like you and like those who visit these expensive places' I am a woman who must get up early day by day to work hard, I don't depend on anyone why I manage on my own...not all of us are like you....
-She stopped to take a deep breath after speaking of Rome fast and upset.
I don't have a "Perfect Life" like maybe you do, I've lost too much to be here tonight to waste my time with someone as insensitive as the rest of the people I'm used to dealing with..... -Sorry this was a mistake. -With her fierce eyes full of determination and annoyance she takes her purse and leaves the place with a quick step taking the curious looks on her.
When the woman was lost in the exit of that luxurious place without even looking back, the looks returned to their initial interests.
Xavier is still seated but something looks different, his look is no longer cold, it is one of surprise and confusion while the drops of water thrown on him a few moments ago fall down his face, he touches his chest softly.
-What is this? -He thought, immersed in his thoughts.
-I feel strange...it's...it's the first woman.... No!...the first person who has spoken to me like that, who looks at me in such an intimidating and firm way.... intimidating and firm.
"'It's a feeling' I haven't felt in many years...."
-His eyes darted to the entrance of the shop as if he expected the woman to be there, but no, it was clear that she had left several minutes ago while he was immersed in his mind.
Rin walked through the streets, the atmosphere was active because of the people walking around the place despite being a night hour, the glaring lights of the streetlights on the asphalt and the locals offering their food or entertainment services to the families or couples passing by the place.
-That jerk .... I'm tired of that kind of people' just because they wear clothes of a different fabric they think they have control over others.
-Her expression was a mixture of pride for having said what she thought was necessary, but at the same time she felt doubts. Did I make the best decision? Did I act in the right way? These were questions that filled his mind in a sea of frustration.
-Damn, at least I should have bitten my tongue waiting for that date to end and take me home. .... Now I have to walk quite a bit. -I let out a long sigh.
-but just the thought of spending one more moment with that man makes me so uncomfortable....that way he was looking at me, how he was acting. Is he the only one with problems? We all have problems...
She let out into the air without anyone listening to her as she walked through the streets alone and without looking back between sighs and thoughts, Although she spent more than 20 minutes walking towards her house between areas full of people and areas with no one in sight her thoughts kept her busy during every step she took until she reached the entrance of her home.
-Uff~ Finally... -She let out in a sigh as if her soul was leaving her body, before rummaging through her bag for the keys to her home, taking them she places the key that fits perfectly in the lock of the door to enter and lock it behind her.
Back home again, her small but cozy apartment, everything was just as she left it before she left' even though she didn't spend much time at home because of her work and responsibilities. today more than ever she had longed to get out of that uncomfortable situation she found herself in and get home.
-He stretches until his spine creaks as a sign of the stress accumulated in air pockets between his bones.
-Ugh! I should fire that girl for giving me such a dumb idea...Well..... it's not really Maggie's fault, I guess she's just trying to help me somehow.
She takes her cell phone unlocking its simple pattern, enters her contacts and looks for the contact "Maggie employee" She quickly writes a message reminding her of her problems to make her place shine and attract public.
Message: "Maggie I need you to make advertising brochures of our local, simple but attractive to attract the attention of more potential customers, try not to exaggerate with the amount."
-That was what she wrote before sending the message, then she threw the phone aside narrowed her eyes and stood up.
I'd better go take a shower before going to sleep... I want to get those bad vibes out of my body after this unpleasant afternoon.
- I walk with a sure and slow step as she quickly takes off her dress, her soft pale skin, the small rolls forming on her stomach, her thighs thick and soft as cotton, her steps echoing barefoot until she gets lost inside the bathroom.
The night went fast, the hours passed as if nothing' until there was a new, shimmering day already flashing over what only a few hours ago was a dark night sky.
-Anything to go? -said Maggie to a customer selling a couple of coffees and sandwiches with cheese and ham, keeping a soft but nervous smile as her boss's expression was different from what she's used to.
-J-Chief Rin .... did something happen yesterday? -asks Maggie to the woman who has not put on her makeup today and seems to be stressed and pensive.
-Yes Maggie ..... I'm thinking of some solution to move the store forward, but it is difficult .....
-Rin said in a lament full of discomfort and feelings of helplessness.
-Maggie smiles and places a hand on her boss's shoulder to comfort her.
- Don't worry, we'll find a solution, maybe the flyers will help us attract more people.
Rin wipes the empty tables with a white cloth, followed by the gaze of her employee.
-I hope so...by the way, ...., where are they? -I'm curious to know what her employee did with the brochures.
-Don't worry, they are already being distributed... I told little Daniel to do us the favor of offering them on the street to people and we would give him some money and he accepted, I couldn't do it myself and leave you here with all the work in your hands. - Maggie smiles broadly with an overwhelming confidence in her expression as if she was very smart for the decision she made.
Rin rolls her eyes before smiling and looking at her.
-Well I guess it wasn't a bad idea on your part....
- Maggie laughs softly with pride before remembering that yesterday her boss would have her date with someone.
-Oh~ by the way, and what about her date? Did everything go well? What was he like, was he a beau? Was he romantic?
-I throw out several questions sighing in a dreamy way as if I was expecting a cheesy and exciting answer.
Rin's expression turned to cold disgust as she remembered what happened yesterday, and as she remembered the guy.
-Hmm...well, it didn't turn out like I thought....era.... a lout, a very rude and arrogant man hiding behind a facade of elegance and a pretty face.
-She said dryly, her lips curving into a grimace of distaste for talking about it.
Maggie snorts and looks at her with disappointment. Was the date that bad? Is that part of her boss's irritation today? ..... Then she smiles and looks at her with initiative.
-Well, it doesn't matter, you can try again, boss, there will always be a man interested in you.
He said with hope accompanied by a playful smile, but Rin denies with a fake smile.
-No Maggie, I have decided that I will focus only on my work, I have no time for such trivialities.
Now to work, this is not the time to talk.
-He said alerting Maggie when customers entered the store.
In the elegant office of the company "Radiant Shoes" the atmosphere is not the same as always. The secretary, who is standing near the desk wearing her classic skirt and high heels with some papers on her lap, is looking at her boss confused and very stunned with what she is seeing.
That man, the same one who is always focused on work and who does nothing but complain or show discontent when he is annoyed by the lack of work...is doing nothing.
-Xavier is with his elbows on his desk his hands on his chin and his expression is pensive and totally distracted.
-J.... boss Is everything all right? -The secretary comments in a low and soft voice wanting to bring him out of his thoughts and receive some answer instead of silence or a reprimand for meddling.
But the answer didn't come. The man's distraction was enough to drive her away even though he was probably thinking about some work strategy.
-Surely you are thirsty, your neurons must be dry from so much thinking about strategies and contingency plans.
She gets nervous every time she doesn't get an answer, she approaches a water dispenser, takes a glass and fills it, quickly turns around and walks towards him to offer him the water but without realizing it, because of her hasty way of doing things, she stumbles over her own feet.
- She falls to the ground spraying all the cold water on the face of her boss, this more than annoyed seems to be used to that they are throwing water in his face.
-S-Sorry! -said the secretary standing up quickly and apologizing quickly, the man doesn't even react just takes a towel and wipes his face without taking much importance what makes the secretary is surprised.
-D-Dammit ..... he must be thinking about firing me.... - were the thoughts of the woman with short golden hair and long legs.
Suddenly there were noises in the corridor, some shouts that she quickly recognized.
-My father? .... It can't be.... -Xavier said in a small sigh of complaint.
The man entered the office slamming the doors' but his gaze fixed and intent on his son turned to surprise and a soft cry of excitement to see that he wasn't as usual stuck at the computer and typing or working as usual.
-How was the date? Was she a good woman? - said his father, fluttering his eyebrows up and down curiously and approaching his son.
-I'm not going to say anything about my private life. - Xavier commented turning his gaze towards the windows avoiding his father with some embarrassment and discomfort.
- Is he ashamed, is he denying himself, has his son fallen in love, has he had a good date or even better?
These were mental questions his father asked himself, Alfred, quite intrigued, came quite close to him, staring at him with a smile spread across his face.
-Private life? my ass I am your father and I have a right to know now tell me.
- Looking at him with authority waiting for an answer, the secretary seems curious about the conversation between the two men.
- The young man settles back in his seat, his expression a mixture of discomfort and discomfort.
- (Sigh) It was .... strange ..... I admit that maybe I was a little .... indifferent? And rude? She was quite a woman.... -Remember that look full of determination and strength in the eyes of that woman he had a "date" with.
Determined....But well one thing led to another and she threw a glass of water in my face and left.
The words the young man was saying about his date, leaving out some details and describing it as a good thing when it was a disaster, made the secretary and her father look at each other with indecipherable expressions.
-I want to...meet her again, But her profile on the dating site has disappeared.....
The words Xavier blurted out were full of determination, his father looks at him with an expression of disbelief and surprise.
-My son ..... Are you a masochist? That woman probably doesn't even want you in her nightmares, I can imagine how you behaved.
-His father commented in confusion.
-Don't get involved in this.... - Xavier said with a look full of pride and coldness' making clear his determination.
His father shrugged his shoulders making a duck mouth minimizing himself for his son's coldness, anything is better than having him all day in an office, isn't it?
-Well, I'm with you," he smiled broadly, anxious about what his son would do from now on.
They both started talking about strategies and romantic facts as if it was a business meeting being professional even to talk about dating tips.
-R-rich people are strange....
commented the secretary to herself, just watching with a nervous smile that pair of men talking as if it were nothing...