Chapter 7

“Oh! Good evening, Mr. Greene! Are you checking the closing?” Henney asked when she was fixing her things.

It's an hour before the closing of the café. Henney came in first this morning so her shift is over now.

Julian stood there and nodded at her. He's wearing his suit from a while ago, only this time, the buttons are undone which showed the dividing line of his chest and its sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. 

Holy hell. He looks so hot!

He turned to me. “An hour more?” he asked me only to surprise both me and Henney. 

She looked at me with narrowed eyes as if asking me what's happening. I just bit my lip and nodded at Julian's question before looking down. 

I noticed Julian going to the counter. 

“What are you doing, Mr. Greene?” Henney seemed to be in panic as Julian took the rag from counter and started cleaning up. 

My eyes widened at what he's been doing. I wanted to scold him but nothing is coming out of my mouth. 

Julian turned to Henney. “You can go now, Henney. Your shift is over.” He said in a serious tone. 

Henney froze and nodded before getting her things in a swift move. She leaned closer to my ear. “You’ve got to explain to me what's happening.” She told me as she left the café. 

I sighed when she was out of my sight and turned to Julian who's busy cleaning the counter. “What are you doing?” I asked him.

He stopped and looked at me. “I'm helping you so you could finish early.” He told me. 

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I can do that alone.” I pouted.

He nodded and smiled. His blue eyes are shining now. “I know but if I could help you, why not?”

I bit my lip and just let him do whatever he wants. We silently cleaned the café and left earlier. 

This is honestly surprising. I don’t know what it is with him that makes me nervous but every time I think about what happened, my heart is leaping in joy. 

We walked towards the parking lot. I frowned. So, we're not eating in Hermosa.

He stopped in front of a white Lexus RX Hybrid. I know. I used to have the same car as him. Well, it's not like I miss my old life. I am happier now that I havr the freedom that I need. 

He pressed his key fob and opened the door for me. I looked at him and he smiled. “Get in?” He said. 

I pursed my lips in a thin line before hopping inside. He closed the door and jogged towards the driver’s seat while I buckled my seatbelt.

Julian settled in his seat and revved the engine. 

“Where are we going?” I asked. I wanted to say we're only to going to eat dinner together but I decided against it.

Julian looked at me and smiled. “We're eating in Manhattan.” He replied before turning the steering wheel. 

I nodded and just let him take the lead. I have been here for the past six months but I've never really wandered to Manhattan or anywhere outside Hermosa. 

It wasn't that far from here. In fact, it only took us less than an hour to get to a sophisticated-looking restaurant near the beach. I can see a few people eating inside because most were eating on the beach side.

Julian laced his fingers with mine as we walked towards the restaurant.

“Good evening, Mr. Greene.” The receptionist greeted. 

Julian smiled and nodded. 

I narrowed my eyes at the female receptionist. It seems like she knows him well. Why did my heart suddenly felt cramped?

Julian pulled me towards a table near the glass window. Everything looked elegant. But I wanted to stay near the beach, though.

He pulled a chair for me and smiled. He sat across me as a male waiter came. “Good evening, Mr. Greene.” He smiled. 

Julian nodded and took the menus on the waiter's hand. He handed me one. “I hope you like oriental.” He told me. 

I smiled. I am not really picky with foods but Oriental isn't really on the upper half of my list. I bit my lip as I looked at the menu. 

No, Darren. Julian prepared for this. Eat.

I had to chant that line in my mind as I scanned the menu in my face. I wish there’s at least pasta here. 

Julian brought his menu down. “Are you good?” He asked. 

I shook my head. “What do you order here?” I can't decide what the safest to eat is.

“This.” Julian pointed at a certain Thai dish with overflowing sauce and greens. I had to cross my fingers while thinking of swallowing that down.

“That's our specialty, Ma'am.” The waiter blurted. 

I nodded and smiled. “Sure. I'll have that, too.” 

The waiter smiled at me. “Alright. Is that all, Ma'am?” He asked. 

“I'll have iced tea.” I told him. 

Julian smiled at me when the waiter left. “This place is one of Stan's resto chains.” He said. 

I looked at him. “Constantine Bennett?” I asked. 

Julian's jaw clenched as he heard me mention Mr. Stan Bennett's name. “Yes.” He narrowed his eyes at me. 

I blinked at him. “What?” 

He pursed his lips in a thin line. “He's already fixed to marry someone.” He said in a serious tone. 

I raised my brows. “Oh! That's too bad. No one should be deciding for him regarding that matter.” I said. 

I know the feeling of being asked to be with someone for the sake of the company. It doesn't feel so good to have someone control your own life. I can sympathize with Mr. Stan. He must be in distress now.

Julian narrowed his eyes at me even more. “Do you like him?” He asked me in a tone void of any humor.

I looked at him in disbelief and snorted a laugh. “No!” Stan Bennett is handsome but he doesn't have eyes like Julian's.

Julian's brow rose in my utter denial. “Do you like someone else then?” He asked. 

I stared at him and smiled. “Maybe.” I replied, not telling him that it's him. 

He relaxed when he heard my reply. I smiled at him. 

The dinner was good. The food is surprisingly good. Bennett Restaurant Chain really does not disappoint.

Julian have been extremely sweet the next days that I'm getting bombarded by Henney and Celine. On the other hand, Ms. Heart is always smiling at me like she knows that something’s up. 

Julian walked to the café today with a smile on his face. He looked around and stopped when he saw me by the counter.

My heart stopped as I saw him walking towards me. Henney, who's on my side, kept pinching my sides until Julian stopped in front of me. 

“Good morning, Mr. Greene.” Henney greeted after harassing my side. 

Julian smiled at her and greeted her back before looking at me. His blue eyes jailed mine and now I couldn’t escape. 

“Good morning, Darren. Have you eaten breakfast?” He asked in his usual sweet tone. 

I bit my lip in embarrassment because I'm sure as hell that I blushed at his sweetness. “Yes. I did.” I reply shyly. 

I heard Henney stifle a laugh before leaving us alone. I looked at her as she walked towards the kitchen where everyone is at.

I was trying to keep myself busy when Julian stopped in front of me and held my hand. I looked at him and pursed my lips in a thin line. 

Damn. Even this simple gesture is keeping my heart crazy. I am not like this. I've been closer to men before. So close that holding hands is nothing to me. 

But with Julian? Even just his stare is going to be the end of me. 

 “What's wrong?” He asked me in a concerned tone. His blue eyes are getting deeper with his present expression. 

I frowned at him. “What are you doing? All the employees think there's something between us.” 

He narrowed his eyes at me. “There is something between us.” He said with conviction. 

“What?”

He clenched his jaw. “Can't you see? I'm doing this because I like you. I want to be with you.” He sounded frustrated.

I bit my lower lip. Is that so?

“I thought you just want us to be friends.”

“Darren, if I wanted to just be friends, I'd treat you like the rest.” He said in a serious voice. “Now, the question is, do you want us to be friends? Just friends?”

His question hung in the air. Do I want to be just friends with him? If we’re just friends then, is he free to date other people?

Does that mean I'm free to date someone else, too?

“Darren.” He threaded his fingers with mine. “Please tell me you don’t want to just be my friend. Because I don’t. I don’t, baby. I like you too much to just be a friend to you.”