A LOVE THAT IS FOREIGN

Hired

In a swift move, Mr. Hussain dodge the attack of his opponent in fencing sports. Beneath the safety gear he is wearing, hides a smile caused by the satisfying game he is playing with his sports buddy, Mr. Colt Harrington. After evading Mr. Harrington's sword, Rufus uses the opportunity to strike while Colt's defense is weak and his position is open. Instead of dodging away, Rufus attacked the opponent. Waving his sword left and right, Colt was able to catch his attacks but that didn't last too long because Rufus saw a flaw to his defense.

Colt is backing away while Rufus keep on striking forward and much to his advantage, after one last strong strike, Colt's sword flew in the air dropping straight to the ground.

While his blade is pointed at Colt's neck, Rufus removed the safety gear for his head and let it drop to the ground. His friend did the exact same thing. Smiling, admitting his defeating, Colt praises Rufus. "Still the same agressive and skillful Mr. Hussain that I knew."

After an inward laugh, Rufus dropped his hand to side then tossed the blade joining the first two materials.

"I've had a hard time winning, thanks to you."

"Are you justifying my swordsmanship?"

"That am I, my friend." Rufus turn his heels and he started walking away. Approaching the bench where towels are folded into four, waiting to be used. He picked up one towel which he uses to dry his droplets of moistures around his face and neck.

A staff of the Fencing Hall approached, bottled waters in his hands, offering them to the both gentleman. Rufus refused to get a water while Colt had one.

"You seem inspired." Colt commented after consuming half of the water on his bottle.

Colt Harrington, just like Rufus, a young businessman who's continuing the legacy of their family. A Latin-American guy who stood as tall as Rufus. His hair pure black, his skin were lighter compared to Mr. Hussain's and his eyes were hazel nut. They met each other in the university where they went for college for a degree in Business Management. Both gentlemen shared same interests, they're almost at the same age, they also get along so well during college. One day, they started hanging out. Their friendship lasted for eight years already and still counting.

"I wonder if its because of a woman," Colt added.

Done drying his face and neck, Rufus abandoned the towel, throwing it carelessly back to the bench. He then faces his friend. "Woman? You think so?"

"At least that was what my guts were saying." Colt shrugged.

"Well, there is one woman that catches my interest lately. And I'm still trying to trap her tho."

"You think she'll be the one?"

"That never crossed my mind, Colt. I'm too busy enjoying my bachelor life. Commitments, that is not my thing."

Colt sway his head side-to-side, showing his disapproval to Rufus' last statement about commitment. "Say that all you want for now, Rufus. But we both know one day we'll get there."

"Sure. One day, but not now."

Out of words for another conversation, they decided to remain in comforting silence while removing the fencing safety uniforms. While busy with his own business, Rupper, Mr. Hussain's chauffeur and butler came in holding his blackberry phone.

"Mr. Hussain, you got a call." Rupper informed while his hand stretched out, handing over the device that's ringing at the very moment.

It was unregistered number that is why Rufus have a feeling that this is going to be the call he's been waiting since yesterday after his brief interaction with the woman he laid his eyes with. He grabbed his phone, excuses himself from Colt and move just few feet away to answer his caller. He's still inside the satefy uniform with his back being unzipped.

After pressing the green button, he put his device just above his ear.

"Hello?"

He's not expecting any calls aside from this woman named Asia. The whole hiring a part-timer cook is nothing but a made up story, a bait which looks like she have bitten.

"Hi! Good evening, sir! I am Asia Ybañez and uhm, I... I saw in the today's issued newspaper of NYC Bulletin that you are looking for a part-time cook?"

He have to restrain his urge to laugh because there was no such thing in the bulletin. It was never been published nor been disclosed to public. Only to hers.

"Yes,"

Rufus heard a sharp breath on the other lline before it was followed. "Uhmn, I-I would like to apply for it, sir... What documents should I prepare...? Well, that's only if you haven't hired anybody...?"

"You can start tomorrow." He said boldly and straight to the point.

"W-what?"

"I will send the location. Work starts at six o'clock dusk."

"Oh my God. Thank you! I will be there before six! Thank you! Thank you so much, sir!"

"See you." It was his final words before cutting off the call.

Rufus open his call history to save Asia's number. He decided to save her contact in the name she introduced when they first met.

"Hermosa."

"Oh my goodness, yes. Yes! Yes!! I got it! $500, I got you! I got you!!" As soon as Asia was hired just like that, she started jumping up and down, punching the air in total euphoria.

Humming, she rushed to her room, prepared a good pair of casual dress, iron them into perfection and hung them up.

She checked her messages again. A different phone number texted her this time. The complete address of the household she'll work for was indicated. It wasn't completely a "house" because it's a condominium unit located at the finest neighbourhood in New York City.

"Tomorrow is going to be a good day." She cheered.

Before going to sleep, she send a quick message to Tamira. Informing her best friend that she got the part-time. Even Tamira is glad with her news.

Asia welcomed all of her clients politely and with a high spirit. Same things happen for a usual day; wake up as early as four thirty, cook her meals, prepare to work, once on the TC building, deliver her breakfast quickly, do her job, had a lunch with Tamira at Macey's then back to work. By 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Asia was summoned by their managing supervisor. Informing her that there will be few changes with her schedule.

"What do you mean, Miss Lucy?" Asia asked, she's sitting in front of her boss's desk.

"For some unknown reason, your schedule have changed. Working hours still start seven in the morning and you will be free by five afternoon."

"Really?" She couldn't hide the bliss on her voice. That is exactly what she needed! An early dismissal, much fewer loads for her part-time job as a cook.

"Really. And that starts today. You're off to go."

Miss Lucy sends her off and Asia is glad she was dismissed with a good news.

I knew it! This really is a good day!!

Through text message, Asia informed Tamira with the changes of her schedule.

Cheerfully, Asia go back to her work until the clock dropped to five in the afternoon. She shut down all the devices in her cubicle, collected her stuffs then stands up. Her eyes and Tamira's locked together.

"I'll go first." She mumbled. Tamira nodded as a respond.

Asia grab a cab, stated the address indicated on the message she received last night and from the TeleConcreté to the condominium, it was approximately half hour ride.

The lobby of the exclusive condominium give her a different sentiment. As if it wasn't the first time she set foot on that place. She tried to shrugged it off but the feeling is still there even when now that she's riding the elevator.

The lift stopped at the top floor and when it slides open, Asia muttered, "what is with all this de javù feeling?"

The single door has cracked open and an old woman appeared.

"Asia Ybañez?" Her name escaped from the woman's lips.

"T-that's me."

"I'm Carlie. Come on in."

The woman who introduced herself as Carlie open the door widely, inviting Asia into Rufus Hussain's penthouse.