Loving Don Julio

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

She looked away. She can’t stare too long at him. One, she’s embarrassed. Two, he’s just too handsome… and perfect. “Please, let me help you,” he gently offered his hand.

With lowered head, she took it. Silence enveloped them. His eyes glued at her. “I’m sorry for using my mobile while walking. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone,” he apologized.

She sniffled, taking back her hand. And gently bobbed her head. “I-It’s fine,” she replied. “I should go now,” she added. Turned her back and started walking away.

He chased him. And held her wrist. “Hey, woah,” she turned back around. “Did I hurt you that much… to make you cry?” he was bewildered.

Sasha shook her head. “No. It’s not you,” she said. He contemplated. And felt like she needed someone to talk to. “There’s a café nearby that’s still open,” he announced.

She lifted her head. Their gazes met. “Don’t worry. My treat!” he said. “Let’s go?” before Sasha could utter a response, the man started walking while holding her hand.

And because she had nothing else to do, she decided to follow his lead. Sasha didn’t feel anything off for him. She was beyond stunned to see his car.

“Are you a drug lord or something?” she innocently asked while one of his butlers opened the car door for them. He chuckled.

“If I tell you, promise me you’d keep it a secret?” he jokingly answered. They went inside. And the driver started the engine. “At the café down the street, Thom,” he instructed the driver.

“Cars like this are expensive,” she mumbled underneath her breath. For a moment, Sasha forgot why she was crying on the campus.

He followed her gaze. Which was all over the interior of the car. He nodded his head in agreement. “I know, right. Only the mafias and drug lords can buy cars like this. Limited,” he said.

Somehow, it made her smile.

As they arrived at the café, it was still up and running. There are still customers there. They found a table. And ordered food. While waiting for it, he decided to break the silence.

“So, who made you cry?” he asked genuinely. It shook him most when she began sobbing quietly. “H-hey. I-I’m sorry,” he frantically said.

He sat next to her. And caressed her back. “Sorry for being insensitive. I didn’t mean to,” he felt bad. Not knowing the depth of her situation.

Sasha cried on her shoulders. “I’ll be here to listen. Let it all out,” said the gentleman. The waiter arrived. She stared at him. He smiled sheepishly.

And assumed that the waiter judged him for making her cry. Which, technically speaking, his question triggered her. He mouthed thank you after the waiter delivered their food and left.

“Why does he keep on doing this?” she asked through her cries. The man didn’t speak. Yet allowed her to use his suit as a tissue to wipe her tears and snot.

“Let it all out, dear,” he said. And so, he listened to her as she started to summarize their love story. “A-All I did was to love him. He was my first,” she’s getting very emotional.

He heaved a sigh. Noticing the glances of strangers at their table. But he cared less. It feels like it was his mission to comfort her that midnight.

And for her, she felt safe in his arms. “From what I heard, he’s a jerk,” he scoffed. “But just so you know, no one deserved to be in your position. Not even you,” he said.

“Forgiveness isn’t an infinite loop, lady,” he added. “Sometimes it’s best to let go rather than hold on if it’s hurting you,” their gazes met.

His eyes fell on her cherry lips. And her gaze remained at her face. At the moment, it felt right. She closed her eyes upon seeing him closing the gap between their faces.

And she awaited for his lips to touch hers. But a blaring sound of his phone woke them up back to reality. Their eyes widened.

Her cheeks were as red as crimson. The tension is too high and quick. Even the gentleman’s forehead became sweaty. “I-I should take this call first. Excuse me,” he said.

Through her peripheral vision, she saw him go outside. “What are you doing, Sasha? You’re not even single yet but you— argh!” she talked to herself.

Her stomach churned. So, she began devouring the food they ordered. Meanwhile, the gentleman appeared back on the scene.

From afar, he saw how hungry she was. And as much as he wanted to have a late dinner with him, another emergency meeting at his Japan headquarters needed his attention.

“Hey,” he caught her attention. Sasha froze in the middle of chewing a steak. He scratched the back of his head. And smiled shyly.

“I have to go now,” he shoved his hands into his pockets. Her shoulders dropped. And he noticed it. “It wasn’t because of our… you know,” he chuckled awkwardly.

Sasha understood that he meant their ‘almost kiss’. “Then why would you leave me without eating your food if it wasn’t about that?”

“It’s an emergency. You know, me being a drug lord. Cops chasing my illegal business,” he joked. She smiled. And chuckled.

She felt relieved. “Well, should I wait for your face on the TV as the feds arrest you?” she asked. He chortled. And bobbed his head. “See you when I see you, gorgeous,” he winked at her.

Knowing too well that it’ll make her blush. He turned around. And was about to set one foot forward. Sasha stood up. “Wait!” she loudly said.

Gathering some attention at their spot. He smirked. And turned back. “Yes?” he asked. Sasha cleared her throat. And walked closer to him.

“My name is Sasha,” she introduced him. Offering her hand to shake. “Tell me yours before you leave,” she said. He smiled. And took his wallet.

They shook hands. And he gave his business card to her. “Nice to meet you, Sasha,” he said. And charmingly walked out of the café.

Leaving Sasha staring at his back. “Don Julio,” she uttered the name printed on the card he gave to her. “Am I falling in love with him, or I’m just broken-hearted?”