Blackmailed or not, You are mine

Chapter 4 –What do you want?–

**Ethan POV**

It’s been a week since the incident where I acted not so manly happened. I apologized to Mrs. Wood once again and she just gave me a smile. Saying not to worry about it since it’s rare for me to be tardy and that it’s not my fault that I caused a little mishap. It was hard for me to face my co-workers and some of our regular customers on the first two days after that, but thank goodness, now it seems like they have forgotten about that already. And I haven’t seen Handsome since then, so it’s a good thing. Cause I don’t know how to face him after that humiliation.

Today is Friday and I don’t have work tomorrow. Ivan won’t be home early due to their pre-victory party on their football team, they’re assuming they’ll win though the game haven’t started so whatever. And mom will be home early so there’ll be someone to look after Jeanine. That means I could work over time today. I’ll be working until 12 MN, that’s 30 minutes after closing of the store, so the remaining 30 minutes is for cleaning. It’s already ten and there’s only few customer’s left. I just want the time to go faster so that I could go home, relax, and sleep. Tomorrow is my off so I could sleep as late as I want. Since Ivan and Jeanine don’t have school also.

I heard the ding of the bell at the door indicating that a customer came in. I didn’t pay any attention to it knowing Rachel, my co-worker, will attend to them. I proceeded and went to the counter to wipe it out and start cleaning up the store, since we only have an hour and a half left before we close.

A minute has passed when Rachel approach me to tell me that the customers that just arrived are looking for me and wants me to serve them. Confused, I took my pad and pen to write their order at and move towards the table Rachel directed me. There are three gentlemen seated at the table that requested for my presence. I’m a few steps away from them when I recognized one of the three gentlemen. His deep blue eyes piercing at me almost made me stop halt and drop the pad I am holding.

Sitting not too far from where I stand is none other Handsome. Dining with him are two gentlemen that’s also wearing expensive suits like he do. The one in front of him is another good looking gentleman, though not as handsome as he is, and they look to be in the same age. He has an amused smile on his face while staring at me. Maybe I could call him Joker, since I don’t like what’s probably behind his smile. Sitting beside Joker is another gentleman that closely resemble the image of Handsome, just an older version of him. He has a warm smile in him as he looks at me that made me remember how my dad look at me and my siblings when he was still alive.

I feel like there is something missing in this picture. Wait, Hulk is missing. I don’t know how he is related to Handsome but it feels like he should always be around. I heard another ding of the bell on the door and when I looked at it, yup, I’m right. There goes Hulk walking towards them. It’s a little odd that he sat beside Joker and left Handsome side vacant. Doesn’t anyone wants to sit beside him?

I lowered my gaze at the table when I reached them to get their orders. I could still feel Handsome burning stare on my skin but I tried to brush it off. “Good evening gentlemen. My name is Ethan and I’ll be serving you tonight. Are you ready to order?” I asked as politely as I could though I’m really nervous. I don’t know why they’re here and why they specifically asked for me and that made me uncomfortable. Is it because of what happened a week before? Are they going to humiliate me for what I did to them? I can feel my hand trembling and my forehead sweating hard because of that thought.

“What would you like to recommend?” came the soft voice of Handsome. I peek at him but turn my gaze back at the table when I saw him still staring at me.

“I-If you want to eat some seafood I would recommend the fried prawns dipped in tamarind sauce or the steamed salmon with tofu. If you want some meat, our grilled barbeque bacon burger and spareribs steak are highly recommended.” I explained recalling what our customer’s always buy. And all those four are our best buy. So I guess I could recommend them all.

“And what would you want to eat?” I was startled a little and looked at him with widen eyes when he asked me that question. Why does he want to know what I want? I don’t know how those taste since I have no money to buy them but I’ll suggest what I’m curious to eat. “Ah, um, maybe the fried prawns dipped in tamarind sauce?” I answered but was actually sound like a question.

I felt flustered when he once again smile his sweet smile directed at me. “Then give me two of those.” So his order is fried prawns dipped in tamarind sauce since I said I want that? But why order two? Is he that hungry?

“I’ll have the grilled barbeque bacon burger, I’m famished and I want meat,” ordered Joker, still with that amused smile on his face.

“Make that two,” requested Hulk.

“And I’ll have the spareribs steak,” ordered Handsome older version.

I took their favored drinks and recall them their order before I left to the kitchen and gave our chef their set of choices. I hid at the kitchen while waiting for their order. I don’t know why they’re here and why is he looking at me like that. But one thing is for sure, I feel strange with the way he gaze at me. That’s the way you usually look at the girl you desire.

Shawn Collins.

That’s the name he told me before he left last time. And I did my research. According to news and articles, he’s a well known business man, a tycoon at that. And he’s a well known bachelor that many ladies want to catch the eye of. I heard he’s somewhat cold with strangers. And that’s the exact opposite if what he is showing me. What is he on about? Is he plotting his revenge for me causing him trouble? Oh my! Oh my! My family is poor. Compared to him, I’m a trash. A dirt. I can’t afford to have an enemy like him. He could crush me anytime he want.

A few minutes later and I’m on my way back to their table delivering their meal. I can feel my hands shake a little but I do hope it’s not that obvious. I don’t want to be seen as weak again. Especially not in front of the same man that could crush my life.

They stopped their conversation when they saw me coming. I timidly place their plates in front of them and was about to leave when I felt a hand clasp mine. I felt a shot of electricity ran up from that hand and flitch away. I looked at the person responsible for that and saw Handsome looking at me with a satisfaction in his eyes. I dropped my eyes on the floor to avoid his stare. Did he felt it too? The electricity I mean.

“Is there anything else you need, sir?” I asked politely when I was able to compose myself.

H reached out for my hand again and hold it tight when I tried to take it back. “Actually there is. Why won’t you come sit here and eat with us. I already ordered for you and you look like you haven’t eaten dinner yet.” So that’s the extra order is for. But why invite me?

“I have to refuse your offer sir. I’m still working.” I tried to reason out. I cannot sit and dine with a customer when I’m still on my shift. He smiled at me and raised his hand calling for other assistant. “What are you doing?” I asked him alarmed but he just ignore my question.

Rachel approached us with uncertainty written all over her face, probably asking me in her mind what is the commotion about. “Yes sir? Is there anything I could assist you with?” she questioned politely, but still with a hint of confusion.

“Actually, there is. I want to have Ethan here to dine with us but he’s rejecting my offer. Is there any way that he could stay here with me?” Handsome asked Rachel, which caused the latter to look taken back. She shot me a questioning look that I only answered by raising both my hands gesturing that I have nothing to do with that. She turned her attention back to Handsome and also tried to reason out to him saying I’m still on my shift and cannot dine with a customer. “But I really want him to eat with me,” came the soft voice of Handsome with a hint of sadness while still clinging into my hands.

That tone seemed to affect and softened Rachel caused she gave in to Handsome saying that maybe I could take a break since we’re about to close anyways. I looked at her in horror. How could she let it? She is suppose to refuse Handsome, not give in to him. I cannot take my break, I already did that hours ago. But Rachel just gave me an encouraging smile before she left me in the presence of the strangers that are staring at me.

Handsome look happy with the result and pulled me in to sit beside him. The other three strangers that’s sitting in front of us are smiling with amusement on their eye, except Hulk. He could be the grumpy one in this group of gentlemen.

“What do you want?” I questioned with a soft frightened voice. I feel inferior surrounded by all this rich gentlemen. Handsome hand that’s clutching my own went around my waist that made me stiffen. However, he just pulled me in closer to him like he did before, almost hugging me to his side. “What do you mean?” he asked with a confusion. I start fidgeting once again and lowered my gaze. “I-I’m sorry for causing you trouble last week. I already apologized. I don’t know what can you still want from me. I’m poor. You won’t get anything from me. So please, just forgive me.” I started trembling as I voice my thoughts out.

I felt Handsome embrace me completely. It feels awkward since we’re both guys but at the same time it’s comforting since his hug feels warm and comfy. “Don’t worry. I told you its fine. I just want to spend some time with you,” he whispered in my ear. I felt shiver run through body due to his warm breath touching my skin. Slowly, I leaned into him and felt my body loosen up.

A loud clearing of throat made me snap my head up and look at the other three gentlemen watching us. Joker smiled at me and reached his hand out for a shake. “Before you both forget that you have company, let us please introduce ourselves. I’m Shawn’s best of best of friends. The name’s Matthew Myer, but you could call me Matt or whatever.”

“Hi whatever!” I greeted back taking his hand for a shake. Joker-I mean Matthew, throw a laughing pit on what I called him. He seemed so pleased with me right now. Because of that, Handsome hugged me firmer and closer to him while whispering something that made my face so red with embarrassment. How could he say those words to me? To a guy no less.

The older version of Handsome chuckled at us. “And I’m Shawn’s father. You could call me Leon or uncle. But I think Dad is better. I’ll really like that,” he introduced himself giving me the same smile that reminds me of my father.

“D-D-Dad?” I hesitantly asked. Could I really call him Dad? He reminds me of my own father so I don’t really mind calling him that. But isn’t it rude to call someone that even though we just met?

Matthew stopped laughing and looked at me surprised. Even Hulk and Handsome looked taken aback. Handsome moved back a little though he’s still holding me and looked at my face with adoration in his eyes. But Leon just have this solemn look in his face and seem content with what I have called him. Should I really call him that? Isn’t it too much? “Yes, you could call me Dad,” he told me.

Handsome embrace me once again whispering that I should call him “Love” if I’ll call his father Dad. Of course I couldn’t call him that. Why would I? Who calls another guy “Love” when they’re also a guy? And not gay? And definitely not in a relationship.

Trying to change the topic, I waited for Hulk to introduce himself just like the others but he did not. What am I suppose to call him? I can’t call him Hulk, can I? I tap Handsome in his shoulder and whispered a question. “What is Hulk’s name? What am I suppose to call him?” Handsome looked at me astonished before he himself laugh loud that made the others look at us in question. And that’s when I realized what I did. I called him Hulk! I asked Handsome Hulk’s name while referring to him as Hulk. Oh my goodness! That’s embarrassing.

“I believe you’re mentioning him,” he said still giggling pointing at Hulk. I looked down embarrassed but still nod my head. “He’s Bob, my driver bodyguard.” He introduced Hulk who just nodded at me. “But you could still call him Hulk if you want to,” he teasingly whispered at me. I rapidly shook my head at that. Nope. I won’t call him Hulk again. And I won’t call Handsome “Handsome” in my head anymore. It might slip from my tongue again and I might call him that. And that would be more embarrassing.

We started eating and I really like the taste of the food I’ve chosen. It taste good and the taste of the tamarind are not that sour. We’re almost done with our food when Han-Shawn suddenly asked a question that I never expected he would ask. “Could I ask you out on a date?”