Tangled Poor Heart

CHAPTER 3

“Are you even listening to me?” I am brought back to reality by Tris’ voice.

“Yes? You were saying?” I ask mindlessly.

“Okay, what is going on with you? You’ve been on and off during the past few days. This is the fourth time I will be asking you the same question while getting the same mindless answer from you. Spill whatever it is!” Tris states as a matter of fact.

And she is right. I have not been able to keep my mind off the situation that happened in the bar five days ago. I cannot get the Alex guy off my mind, especially not with the little note he attach to the card.

“You need a good lawyer whom I can provide for you, I need a special help that only you can offer. I think we would make good business partners. Call me when you make up your mind.

Alex Winston.”

Even the content of the card is enough for me to worry about. I feel like there is something familiar about him, but I cannot quite place it. I know I’ve heard his name before, I just don't know where.

“Okay, Cyn. You are doing it again. You’re zoning out again! What is the issue?” Beatrice asks, curiosity evident on her pretty oval face.

We are currently at our place of work. It is still pretty much earlier, so there are not many customers in the bar. I was able to get away from Mrs. Clinton early today after dropping Anabel with her, so I came to work early. People only come around to drink in the evening and at night. The afternoon is mostly stress-free for us, so we normally have a lot of time to discuss.

“Does the name Alex Winston ring any bell with you?” I ask Tris instinctively about the name on the card given to me.

Beatrice looks at me like she is trying to read my mind and what is going through my head at the moment. She raises her right eyebrow as she answers.

“What changed?” She asks randomly, getting me confused.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you normally don’t care about all these popular juicy news, especially after Mr. 'you-know-who' dumped you.” She says bluntly with an eye roll.

“George didn’t dump me. I’m sure he has his reasons.” I defend my ex, whom I am hoping will become my boyfriend again, instantly.

“Oh, yeah right. Only you would think that.”

“You still haven’t answered my question. You seem to know who this person is.” I say, redirecting the conversation back to what has been on my mind.

“Oh, right. That! I am surprised that you don’t remember the name. If not the ‘Alex’, the ‘Winston’ should ring a bell.” She begins, but before I could comment, she continues.

“Although, you do live under a rock most of the time. So I will not judge you.” She jokes, making me nudge her side jokingly.

“Is he a celebrity? A model?” I ask.

He did look like a model actually. If it wasn’t because I was already in a bad mood when he walked up to me, I would have discreetly admired his beauty. His perfectly gelled hair made him look like a smoking hot prince, and his nice scent saturated my surroundings the moment he came around; even his deep calming voice seemed so amazing.

“No, he’s not. Why would you think that?” Beatrice's voice brings me out of my reminiscing.

“Um, he kind of looks like one.”

I don’t know if it is what I said, but the way Beatrice whips her head in my direction with her eyes wide as if they will pop out of her eye sockets is alarming.

“You saw Alex Winston?” She exclaims.

“Okay, easy there, young lady. You seem way more concerned than I am. Yes, I saw him the other night when Mr. Aiden came to the place.” I explain.

“Oh, my God. The man you were talking with when he left? That was Alex Winston?” She asks again, although I do not know where she is going with this.

“Um, yeah?”

“Oh, you lucky girl. You have fulfilled many ladies’ dreams without even realizing it.”

She gushes, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks instantly, making me let out a chuckle. If there is anyone who can make me forget about my worries by being cute, that would be Beatrice. She looks down shyly when she realizes how red her face has turned just by thinking about one guy.

“Shut up!” She shyly says making me laugh harder.

“But seriously, I thought you would remember the name.” Tris says after the joke.

“Should I?”

“Think about the last name for a moment. You haven’t seen it anywhere?” She asks.

I purse my lips, thinking about it, but I can’t remember.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Do you remember the fancy restaurant you took Anabel to for her second birthday?”

“Of course! How could I forget?” I say fondly as I remember the memory.

“Do you remember the name of the restaurant?”

“Winston’s Food? How could I forget the details of my princess’ birthday?” My jaw nearly drops when I finally place the connection.

No wonder everything about him that night was screaming expensive. The gold wristwatch I saw on his wrist, or was it his expensive-looking tuxedo that was obviously tailor-made for him the way it fitted him perfectly. I should have known he’s a billionaire.

If I do not know anything, I know the restaurant is one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. Everything about their meal and customer service was exquisite the day I went there with Anabel and Beatrice. That was even the main reason I chose to celebrate my girl’s second birthday there; I’ve heard that their customer service is top-notch. How did I not remember that?

“Wait, why are you interested in him?” Beatrice asks before she exclaims happily.

“Oh, my God. Did Alex manage to win you over with his charms? Did he manage to make you forget Mr. Ex?”

“You wish!” I roll my eyes at her.

“Why are you asking about him then?”

“Well, the thing is…” I begin as I pull out the card he gave me the other night.

“He gave me his card, offering to help with my court issue. But it feels off with me, so I’m just trying to find out if he really is the type that can help me out. I don’t know what to do with Uncle Jacobs’ situation again.”

I explain to Beatrice, but she seems to have zoned out the moment I pulled out the card from my pocket. Her eyes zero in on the card as she looks up at me happily.

“Aww, he must have liked you so much. I hear he doesn’t give out his card easily.” Beatrice says with a bright smile.

“Yeah, right!” I roll my eyes at her before I continue.

“So do you think I should accept his help?”

“Why not?”

“What if he’s not trustworthy?” I ask again.

“Hello? He’s a billionaire. His word is money. And again, what have you got to lose from trusting him?” Beatrice says, which makes me agree with her.

Indeed, there is nothing for me to lose in this. So I decide not to dilly-dally on it anymore. I need any help I can get as soon as possible.

I pick up my phone and dial the number on the card while Beatrice’s watchful gaze never leaves my face as she watches with a smile to see how things will unfold.

The line doesn’t ring for more than four seconds when I hear a beep followed by his deep, calm voice.

“Hello, you are speaking with Alex Winston. Who is this?”

His voice asks politely from the other side of the phone, making my heart flutter a little at his humility despite his wealth. Maybe I was wrong for assuming a lot of bad things about him during the past few days.

Realizing that I may have been overthinking things, I clear my throat and reply to him.

“Hello! Um, this is Cynthia!”