Bonded

|1|

Jasmine Garcia

__________________

There I was. Dressed as casually as I could, attempting to blend in with the summer tourists strolling across the arterial streets of Sydney in the late evening. But it was difficult to blend in and stay inconspicuous when there was a strikingly handsome man in the background.

I stole multiple glances of him from behind the glossy menu. My eyes couldn't help but bask in his glory, constantly falling unto him like magnets. And it made me wonder... what exactly was it about him that caused goose bumps to make themselves evident all over my naturally tanned skin?

There was something about him, there had to be. I just couldn't quite lay my finger on it. Was is because of the fact that he had soft dark hair that juxtaposed with his snow white skin giving him a grim reaper vibe.

Or that he looked like the kind of guy you could count on for hot sweaty s*x- not that I knew that was a guarantee but he looked particularly immaculate right now.

Could it have been his knowing eyes? Eyes that could tell all. I would have lurched straight into them if they weren't so cold and so guarded. A tiny part of me begged to look away. But I couldn't.

I had an urge to decipher what set the dark haired man apart. His whole demeanour made him stand out from the rest.

I had been aware of him for the past half an hour. I think he had noticed me too because I had been casual. Too casual.

Trying way too hard not to look at him. Whenever I did turn to look at him, he was looking straight back at me.

And it wasn't too hard to keep track of him, considering he was followed around by a hulk-like burly man in all black clothing and a dark expression that could kill.

My eyes lingered on them more than I'd like to admit. In an instant, he turned his eyes at me. Dark, alluring eyes that stared straight into my soul. I could barely make it out but I swore I saw a ghost of a smile as he looked at me. He knew that he had an affect on me.

I stared back just as intensely. I refused turning into a pool of mud under his gaze. I tugged at the corner of my lips to mirror the feint cockiness he had under the ghost smile. Two could certainly play that game.

The grim reaper broke eye contact first.

It could have been that I managed to fluster him— instead a confident smile fell effortlessly on his lips before he leaned into hulk beside him. He slipped demanding, instructive words into hulks ears, his guarded eyes never leaving mine.

That gaze alone was enough to make the hairs at the back of my neck stand up.

The large man with the bulging chest and dark expression began proceeding towards me. I stared back at my menu, pretending not to acknowledge his presence.

"Excuse me ma'am, can I talk to you?" The man asked.

"Yes." I replied without giving him as much as a glance.

"The man I work for would like to have dinner with you."

"Who?"

"The gentleman over there. My boss." He elaborated.

"Why would I have dinner with a stranger?" I asked, with one eyebrow raised. My eyes still focused on the menu.

"Look." He huffed, evidently frustrated. Clearly he was not a patient man. Or was he frustrated that I hadn't ran into the strangers arms yet. "My boss is very generous. He has a yacht and he needs company."

"What does he take me for? A one dollar w***e?"

The man took out a wad of hundred dollar bills. He pushed five into my hand. His hooded eyes waiting for an answer. I went through a series of emotions. Indignation, curiosity and above all interest at the sight of the money.

In spite of the warnings I've been given all my life to avoid strangers, I couldn't help but allow myself to be convinced. I mean, he has a yacht for crying out loud.

"I don't know..." I smiled. "But it wouldn't hurt to have dinner with your friend."

What should I have said? No? I'm not insane. I might not be a one dollar w***e but I know five hundred dollars was definitely a good start.

"Good. He'll be pleased."

"Where is he?" I ask as though I hadn't been eyeing him for the last thirty minutes.

"Right over there." He pointed towards a table located in the VIP section of the restaurant.

__________________

"Mr Bang, your guest." The hulk announced.

"Jasmine Garcia, charmed to meet you." I introduced. He stood up from his seat and gave a little bow.

"Bang. Bang Christopher Chan. I think you might be familiar with the name?"

I figured he must be a cocky bastard with good home training. I tilted my head with a frown. "I'm disappointed to say I haven't heard of the name. But there's a first time for everything, no?"

"You're right. Please, do have a seat." He looked at me with an unreadable twinkle in his eyes, his strong hands on my hip as he led me to a seat beside him. In that very moment, there was an abrupt electricity that sparked between us.

It could be compared to the kind I learnt about in chemistry class. A jolting spark of static that comes about from friction. The kind you get an a daily basis when you're opening the door and sitting on a mat, combing damaged hair, expect this one was...

Different.

This single act of contact sent an adrenaline fuelled spark to dance up my spine and spread throughout my entire body. My legs lost feeling and it was eerily similar to having a sugar high after a life of being deprived of dessert.

I could tell he felt it too because of the way he jolted away and looked at me as though he drew blood from me at the contact. He's guarded eyes were exposed and I saw shock, wonder— a slither of fear.

I stared unashamed until the moment the curtains that covered the windows to his soul flew back up. His eyes were opaque and the atmosphere was suddenly thick. To that we pushed it aside with a laugh.

"Any updates, Changbin?" He asked, clearly he was distracting from the tension.

Changbin shook his head. "None." I didn't have a clue what they were going on about.

He replied in another language. I didn't recognize it and I didn't want to make an assumption either.

"Seems like we'll have those investments rolling in before Monday. Keep me updated. You may be excused." He nodded.

Business talk? Every aspect I learn about him interested me more and more.

"Shall I order for you?" He asked. "They have some specialties here that I think you might enjoy."

"I'm quite familiar with this place. Some of the men I... work with take me here often. For business."

"Is it? Your profession, if you don't mind?"

"My profession? I'm an event planner and manager. I'm more skilled in the entertainment industry." I say, my voice crystal clear as though I hadn't just uttered a lie to him.

"With a pretty smile like that I imagine you have no problem attracting clients at all."

"Oh please, flattery will get you nowhere. How about you, you seem like a little bit of a bigshot." I teased.

"Well, its nothing like that. I'm just work in a little financial organisation."

My eyes fell at his expensive raven suit, to his deep brown eyes which stared back intensely at me. He gave me a small smile. Overall, he looked expensive, from the gold casually laying on his wrist and neck, where I notice a couple of buttons undone. "You're lying?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Okay fine, it certainly isn't little, but it's not the biggest either."

"You're a bad liar. I hope you are aware of that fact Chris."

"Then consider that a green flag. Transparency is my policy and with that fact placed on the table, I formally request your, presence with me for dinner. I'd prefer that I ask you myself now that I realise that you're such a delight."

"Since you asked so nicely, and without the aid of your friend, I'd love to."

"And you said flattery would get me nowhere." He teased as he signalled a waiter to their table. I was about to give him a cheeky reply but the presence of a younger man distracted me.

"Afternoon Mr Wallace." The waiter greeted in a way that shows that he's quite familiar with seeing his face here. "How can I help you today?"

"Yes, can I have the Chicken Cordon Bleu, and the red wine and for the lady—"

"I'd like the Flamiche, can I have one at room temperature and please place the salad separately, that would be lovely."

"Good choice," the young blonde waitress in glasses smiled. "Any drinks?"

"Can I get the Chateau Margaux sir?" I asked Christopher with subtle doe eyes knowing how much that must cost to which he nodded without hesitation. The man must be swimming in money to let me have that one.

So we sat here, in a caricature of a French restaurant in Sydney, on a late Friday afternoon. The dinner was delicious, the interesting conversation added spice to my meal. It was simply nice to watch him dressed in a suit as suit that is probably worth more than my life. And watched him grow pleased when I addressed him as sir.

The sun was soon setting, and long after our meal we were still talking about everything and nothing. But mostly about the ups and down of Sydney. I looked out into the orange sky as I nonchalantly fiddled with the table decor.

"What's got you bothered, you got a curfew I don't know about?"

"What if I do? Will I get to see you again after today?"

"I don't know. I guess this might be the last time I see you in a while Jasmine. I could give my personal number. We could plan to meet another day. I think that would be romantic."

I pouted playfully and shook my head no. He looked into my eyes in a way that scared me. He gave a soft smile and mine faded.

"Do you like to travel, Jasmine?" It came out of nowhere.

"I adore it."

"I know this is unexpected but can I borrow you for the weekend? Let's go to Tasmania."

"Wh– now?"

"Yes now. If not now, then when? Afterall, I think it beats the whole number exchanging process on being romantic."