Jay's POV
What did I just say?
I stared at the ground, watching the rustling leaves fly away. The trees along the sidewalk danced as the wind gushed through the streets of Est Balcotahe. The slight breeze made the hairs on my skin sway gently.
"You're just like the other corporate hypocrites! Just because you have it all doesn't mean you have the right to ridicule and put labels on a person!" Cole's eyes widen as I grip his shoulders.
Wow, where did I find the courage to say that in front of the CEO's face?
Looking at the busy street once more, people walked with their handbags and decent clothing, going on with their day. Some with colored heads, others with a fancy fashion style, like this guy strolling along with his ear plugs on. He wore a fishnet shirt paired with some gray, baggy pants.
"But even so, so be it! I can be your anything, just hire me! Cleaner, assistant, maid…escort!" I shouted and felt muscular arms wrapped around me dragging me on the floor.
Even when I try to distract myself, looking at anything—haaa. My eyes shut, and fingers found my temples, circling and trying to ease my embarrassment. I turned to the leaves that had almost turned orange, or that black cat on the sidewalk, legs stretched violently while hissing at that husky when its owner walked beside.
I really must be nuts. "You're not even gay, Jay!" I uttered to with a finger pointed at me and face-palmed, trying to rub the dismay away. The black cat flinched, now staring at me. "Do you even know how to do a….blow…uh…huhu.." My hands clasp my hair.
Really? From all the words you can come up with, you splurt out 'escort'?
Suddenly, the atmosphere began to darken. The black polished marble, men in suits were standing in every corner. The glass desk and that name stand imprinted with gold letters screaming:
CEO, Cole Williams.
My eyes squint and realize that I'm already in that prick's office again. The chair was facing the window, back facing me.
"Guards, you may leave."
I gulped and the men in suits quickly walked out of the room, passing by me and not even batting an eye.
Why does it feel like…they're scared?
At me?
"W-wha…but…didn't you just throw me out just now?" I asked. The chair slowly faced me, revealing Cole wearing that same black polished coat—
Except he had nothing underneath.
I gulped and immediately turned my eyes away from his bare chest. He placed his palms on the desk and stood up, slowly walking towards me. My eyes widened as I backed away, but I realized,
I was sitting on a chair with hands tied behind my back.
Wait, my hands are tied?
Why are they frickin' tied?!
Sweat dropped on my forehead, "Wha…why are you—no stop just stay there!" His face was barely inches away from mine. Cole placed a hand on my chin, forcing me to meet his deep brown eyes.
"My lovely escort…" He called in that deep sultry tone.
My breath hitched, eyes widening as I squirmed. His lips went closer, "Now kneel and bend over~"
"NOOOO!" I screamed in horror, and the cat suddenly jumped. The trees on the sidewalks were in front of me again. "Why the heck did I imagine that? Stop imagining, stop imagining shit, Jay!" I talked to myself, gently slapping my cheeks.
I covered my face in absurdity and dismay, feeling my cheeks heating up. My eyes darted my pants, feeling something hard on my zipper. "Haa…what the fuck."
'drip
'drop
Droplets of water touched my coat, the fabric becoming damp with little holes. I looked up, and the sky was getting darker, slowly dominating with gray hues.
"It's raining, huh?" I uttered to myself and leaned against the wall of El Glamour.
"Haa. Wow. Care to somehow brighten my mood?" I uttered, looking up. "No? Okay, fine." A sigh came out of me, and an old lady walking with her dog looked at me from head to toe.
"Who's that guy talking to?"
As I was about to defend myself from blabbering, she quickly ran and picked up her dog.
Damn, I'm not crazy. Yet.
I smirked. At least I lost the police and the vendor of that art shop who were chasing me earlier—wait.
Shit.
The canvas.
I looked to my right and left, quickly flipping my coat. It was light. Too suspiciously light. I bit my lip and stood up from the concrete floor that I was sitting on.
There was nothing there.
Shit, I think I left it in that prick's office.
My fingers touched my temple. Jay you have one job to keep something you stole and you—
KRAKOOM!
"Eeep!" I jumped at the sound of thunder. My throat bobbed, deciding to sit on the floor again. My knees folded and I hugged them together, squeezing tightly. A sigh left me as I stare at the falling rain against the streets, "How do I go home now?" I uttered to myself as the weather became heavier, drops became louder as they grew.
"Pftt it's fine, I'm homeless anyway." I chuckled at my own words, wiggling on the corner outside El Glamour's building. I don't know if that's a problem or a much bigger problem to be honest.
My lips curved into a small smile, so where do I go now?
'Clack
'Tap
Footsteps suddenly rush near the lobby as I felt murmurs grew behind me.
"Sir Williams must be in a good mood to dismiss us early!"
"I know right, let's drink later? My treat!"
"Haa…it's good that it rained so we can finally rest."
Ahh, so the people in El Glamour were dismissed early today. Lucky them. I didn't bother to look from behind. Not in my situation right now—drenched in sweat and rained on in this coat from the thrift shop. They're lucky that they can rest while it rains….while me?
I chuckled—"Ah fuck!" I jumped as lightning glistened over the sky. The rain loudly dripped from the ceilings, and my coat became even wetter. Clacks and shuffles left the entrance the building, while I sat there silently.
My head turned to the right…then to the left, haa. Anything just something to distract me from the mess I made. The leaves were swept away by the rain, they're falling in the side canals on the street.
I sighed and stared at the people on the street. Some are in restaurants and others sit next to the windows, watching how the rain falls, like me. My lips curved into a grin when I saw someone putting their bag on top to shield them from the rain.
At least someone was having a worse day than their designer bag.
Huh, a Gucci Bag?
My eyes followed it as the lady ran with it on top of her head, its khaki color, the shine on the corners and the red stripes along with green…looks like a legit one. I saw the drenched woman walking in a bakery, finally finding shelter.
At least I'm not the only one who looks miserable.
The lady shoved the bag near one of the flower pots of the bakery, shaking the bag and sprinkling the plant's lavender petals. They suddenly twisted the handle and more water squelched out. Pftt, won't the owner be mad?
Maybe they can afford another expensive bag just to put on top of their head.
I stretched my hands, raising them in the air. My back stung after sitting for a while.
Or maybe they just don't care 'cause no matter how expensive it is,
It's just a bag.
Just a bag. People are worth more than just a bag.
Then the leaves rustled, falling from a tree to my left.
Then why do I feel so worthless and shitty?
The leaves fell once more, some were orange but many were still green.
Maybe I'm only meant to be a streetsweeper.
I chuckled bitterly and leaned my head on the side of the wall.
I should've just been content with that job.
My jaw clenched and my grin dropped. A familiar stinging feeling on my nose starts to blurry my vision. I gulped, holding back this miserable feeling.
Where do I go from here?
I turned to the right, where the direction of the thriftshop of Madame Beautiful welcomed me with open arms. But she already did so much for me in a month. Gave me food, shelter, allowance…treated me like her own son but,
I don't wanna be a burden to anyone.
^-^
Third Person's POV
The men gathered in suits, walking out of the CEO's office. Cole walked in a calm but hurried manner, an attaché case on his shoulder and the small canvas in his hand. His eyes darted straight on his way down stairs, passing by the employees who were walking with him.
Some were staring, and the others are quietly murmuring closely about him. He reached the elevator, stepping in until it closed. Cole stared at the silver metal that reflected the people in the elevator, including him. He could see ladies whispering to each other and keep on glancing at him.
"Ahem." he cleared his throat and pulled his tie slightly. The women suddenly straightened their posture and the others looked away.
Suddenly, Cole felt a vibration in his pocket and found his phone. He quickly picked it up, placing it near his ear.
"Mother, why did you call—"
"You ruckus! I scheduled you a date with Clara today!" Cole flinched and pulled the phone away slightly as an old man shouted on the other end of the line. "Why didn't you come? Find her in the building and take her to a nice restaurant!"
"Ah, hello, Mr. Williams." His gaze dropped as he addressed his grandpa on the phone, "How are yo–"
'Bleep!
The call ended and his grip on the phone tightened. The elevator opened, revealing employees walking out the lobby with a smile on their faces. Suddenly, a lady wearing a white suit walked past the elevator, but unlike Cole, she did not have bodyguards around her.
Her steps were joyful hops as the pearl necklace on her neck danced in every move. She greeted the people with a polite smile, creating an invisible halo around her.
"Find her in the building and take her to a nice restaurant!"
Cole's jaw clenched as he continued to walk. The lady was several steps ahead of him.
But he stopped when she reached the lobby's automatic doors, disappearing from sight. The men looked back at him and the lobby's entrance.
"Sir?" One of his guards asked. "why did you stop?" Cole didn't answer, his gaze fixed beyond the glass doors where rain and thunder was present.
"Should we call Ms. Clara for you?" He raised his hand, which silenced the men.
Cole brushed his fingers through his polished hair, "Haa…I must be crazy."
Jay's POV
But why does it seem so hard to fight for life?
I stared at the buildings and the restaurants outside, the rain never stopping the heavy fall along with thunder. "I just wish I don't get struck by lightning—eep!"
'Ayayay, I'm your little butterfly~
My phone buzzed and I quickly took it out from my coat. Huhu the screen's all soaked!
I pulled my shirt and wiped away the surrounding wetness around my screen. Ahh, mom's calling. I answered and it quickly buzzed when she requested a video call. I bit my lip and wiped my tears before tapping yes.
"Hi, ma!" I smiled widely, squinting my eyes cheerfully and waving my hand enthusiastically.
"Hello, dear! How are you? Have you eaten dinner yet?" Mom raised a spoon and sipped from it.
Oh, right, dinner. It's 5:30.
I smiled, watching her eat the braised pork on her spoon. "Is the soup good, ma?" She smiled and turned to the screen, but then her joyful grin faded.
"Jay, why are you so drenched? Change clothes quickly!" Her eyes squinted at the screen. I scratched the back of my head, "I'll dine later in a bit, hehe, I still don't know what to eat 'cause there's sooo many restaurants here!" I smiled and paused—
Brrrr'
My stomach rumbled. I hope she didn't hear any of it. "By the way, what are you eating? Is it good?" Her eyes were fixed on the screen with a worried expression. "Mom, I'm really fine—"
"Jay, just go home, please." Mom dropped the spoon on the plate and started to sniff.
The video got slightly blurred as the wind gushed stronger. "D-don't worry about your dad! I'll take care of him and what he'll gonna say." My hand slightly lowered, the strength I gathered earlier suddenly dropped. I gulped and placed my phone upright to the floor, where she can't see my face.
Tears fell and began a downpour on my cheeks, like the rain that kept falling heavily.
"Mama…misses….ha…bleep.." The signal of my phone must have weakened because of the weather. I looked up at the sky, and the rain didn't stop. "Fuckin' hell." I wiped my face with my wet arm, but tears kept on falling.
I'm so ugly when I cry.
Maybe I shouldn't have dreamed to be an artist.
I hugged my knees tightly.
Was I too ambitious? Too unrealistic?
My eyes went to the street again. Shiny cars drove over, back and forth, unbothered despite how strong the weather was.
Maybe dreams are only for the lucky and privileged.
I huffed and gulped—but then I blinked twice.
A small canvas suddenly blocked my view. It was covered with a plastic cover and has two holes on the side. My eyes widened when I saw the price tag of ten bucks.
W-wha…it's the canvas that I stole!
A beat skipped over my chest.
Oh wait, shit did the police finally catch me?
I slowly looked up, horrified by that thought.
"GAH!" I jumped and flinched. Why is this asshole here?
Cole looks down at me while holding the canvas. "This is yours, right?" I blinked and nodded, snatching it away from his grip.
I quickly stood up and held the canvas to my chest, facing him at eye-level, "W-why are you here?"
He lifted an eyebrow, "I wanted to return that thing." Cole eyed the canvas, and I held it tighter.
I stared at him as his gaze fixed on me, never backing down.
Cole cleared his throat and looked away. "Careful not to poke too many holes on that." He stood up straight, pulling his tie and turning to the black shiny car with a tiny golden horse in front, parked near the entrance.
"W-wait! Uhm…" Cole stopped his steps and faced me. The men gathered around him with an umbrella, observing every movement I made.
Why the heck did I call him?!
"T-thank you." I said and cleared my throat.
"For what?" Cole asked and my brows furrowed. Is he dumb or is he teasing me?
"For…for this, of course! Are you du—" Oops, I almost my voice at him again. I lifted the canvas in my hand, "This…means a lot to me."
He nodded, heading to the car.
"Oh and!" I gulped. He stopped and fully turned to me, staring with his arms crossed. The men around him looked at me, and the others looked at Cole in confusion.
"I-is….is there a place you know nearby…that…that…is quite…."
What's a less desperate word for 'cheap'?
"Uh…affordable?" I winced and shut my eyes at what I splurted out. A sigh was heard, which made me open my eyes.
"No." Cole's answer made my shoulders drop, making me realize how it seems like I carried the weight of the world. Right. I shouldn't let my guard down even if he returned something important to me.
After all, maybe he's just one of those corporate hypocrites.
His eyes slowly swept over my head down my toes. Cole's brows slightly furrowed.
Haa. I smirked bitterly and my fists clenched. Even at this moment he'll judge me?
I'm fully aware on how fuckin' miserable I look so don't you dare ridicule me with those eyes or I'll take 'em outta your head!
"Ahh.." I nodded, staying calm as possible. My gaze turned at him bitterly. "I see…thanks for answerin—achoo!"
Well maybe taking his eyes out of his head was a bit too much.
"In my house." My brows furrowed at what he said, rain still rumbles along with footsteps from employees in the lobby. "Huh?" I blinked twice, looking at him as if he grew two heads.
I scoffed, "What?"
"It's cheaper in my house."
Damn this guy's nuts
My face contorted with a mix of confusion and offense, "Are you really flaunting right now—"
I froze when his feet hovered quickly towards me. "Sir?" One of his men called, but he didn't stop as the guards didn't dare to stand in his way. Cole wrapped his hand around mine.
Little did I know, I find myself being pulled along to the car.
He pushed me slightly inside until my butt drop to the cushion of the seat. Then he went to the other side and opened the door, sitting next to me. "Sir, isn't this the person you asked go drag out—"
"To the Verlae Suite."