Hi, Khalil

HK8- Milk tea

SUNNY

“Are you not ashamed of your behavior?” He started speaking the moment the mahogany door in his office shut us off from the other people within the house. He straightened the wrinkles on his well refined navy-blue suit as he continued talking.

“Are you even listening to me young lady?”

I sat comfortably at the beige couch in front of his wooden office table and crossed my legs while sipping the hot tea that was served by the maids earlier.

“Yes. I do not have a choice.” I answered as I drink the chamomile tea and let its sweet aroma penetrate in my nostrils. After a few sips, I placed the aquamarine tea cup over the glassed wooden table.

He sat on his chair, owning it as if it is his throne. A sign of his authority and a symbol of his power over me. He gracefully placed a scarlet envelop on the top of his table, signaling me to stand up and pick it by myself which I gladly complied to.

I removed the white lace ribbon that kept the letter intact within the covers and read the letter out loud as usual. “You are invited to the Executive Party of the Callahan Enterprise which will be held at the top floor of El Grande Hotel at the Addison Boulevard. Friday, eight in the evening.”

“That’s it?” Asking him if that is the only thing that he wants me to do. Abruptly, he shook his head with amusement as he noticed that I was not shock if there are other hidden agendas that should be done within his favor.

“No. Befriend Mr. Oviedo. I’ll ask my secretary to send you the other details.” He said while taking a check from the nearby cabinet.

“Is that all?” I asked again while coolly fanning myself with the invitation on my right hand.

“Yes, here is the check. My secretary will help you buy your attire tomorrow. For now, you may take a rest in your room.” He said while he lends me the signed blank check without bothering the need to look at me.

“Okay. I’ll go.” I strode out of his office slowly feeling all the tension that I was suppressing throughout our nerve-wracking conversation. I hurriedly ran to my room and let all the salty tears fell from my eyes. Withal, I reached for my phone at the back pocket of my pants and saw that Eloise was calling me. I also saw few missed calls and text messages from my other friends which I frantically ignored. Thus, I accidentally answered a call from Samantha.

“Sunny, I got into an accident with my dad. I don’t know what to do. Help me. My mom is not here. I don’t know how to contact her. I can’t. I can’t, Sunny.” I heard her cry agitatedly. Without thinking, I wiped all of my tears a way and try to hide the shakiness from my voice.

“Calm down, Samantha.”

“Sunny, I need you. I am scared. Please come here. My dad is in the intensive care unit.” She cried.

“I can’t. I am in the city at the moment. Stay calm and listen to me. Okay?” I went to where my bag was placed and took my other phone out.

“Sunny, Sunny please.”

“Hush, listen to me. I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay? Hush, Sammy. Listen to me. I’ll call or text Eloise and asked him to assist you but for now, all you have to do is stay calm and wait for the doctor for the results.” I comforted her as I typed a text to Eloise if he can go to Samantha.

“I am scared, Sunny. What if my dad dies?”

“Don’t think too much. Everything will be alright. I already call Eloise he is coming in twenty minutes. I’ll try to contact your mom too.”

After I heard that Eloise already came, I talked to him over the phone about the things that he should do to assist Samantha. I called her mom and informed her about the accident and the other details. I lied on my bed and reached for my phone. I logged into my Click account and opened any chat, replying to anyone without bothering to check their usernames and profile pictures.

Chat

Do you like milk tea?

I don’t know why this user is asking me about this. He is weird, laugh out loud. Normally, users would chat with a boring hi, hey, or hello.

Chat

_Sunshine: Yes, why?

I am not sure why I am smiling but I am smiling for no reason at all. I was waiting for the stranger’s reply but I got bored seeing that ten minutes had already passed yet he hasn’t replied yet. Maybe, he was talking to another user. I’ll just be off. I was about to disconnect my internet connection when I saw a red notification on the message symbol. I clicked it and saw a familiar username.

KhxHal (2 messages)

Without thinking, I opened the user’s chat.

Chat

11/17/20 19:27

KhxHal: I like them too.

KhxHal: Would you like to drink some with me?

I laughed as I found him like a joke because I am sure that like the other users, he’ll ask for inappropriate photos after I agree. Maybe, I should play with him for a bit.

Chat

11/17/20 19:29

_Sunshine: Are you flirting with me?

I replied and removed my makeup with facial wipes while waiting for his answer.

Chat

11/17/20 19:29

KhxHal: What do you think? Let’s drink some together. I’ll pick you up. Send me your address.

I read his text and waited for five minutes to stall some time in order to check his responsiveness.

Chat

11/17/20 19:34

_Sunshine: Lol. Would you mind going to the other side of the planet just to drink some milk tea with me? Also, what if you are a kidnapper?

11/17/20 19:40

KhxHal: Sorry late response. I drink some water. Where you at?

KhxHal: And I am not a kinapper.

KhxHal: Kidnapper* Do I look like one?

I read his texts but I found my clothes uncomfortable so I decided to take a 20-minute shower. So, I ignored his text for a while and ran under the shower. I copied him and acted like I ignored him unintentionally.

Chat

11/17/20 20:01

_Sunshine: Sorry for the late reply, I did something important.

KhxHal: Like?

_Sunshine: You don’t have to know.

KhxHal: Answer my questions first.

_Sunshine: At our house?

11/17/20 20:02

_Sunshine: Kidnapper? Well, kind of.

KhxHal: Seriously, like where in the U.S?

11/17/20 20:04

_Sunshine: I am not in the U.S. I am in Asia.

KhxHal: That explains why you look Asian. Sadly, you are not nearby.

11/17/20 20:08

_Sunshine: Yeah, I guess. Where you at?

11/17/20 20:17

KhxHal: California. Are you talking with other users?

_Sunshine: Yes, why?

_Sunshine: I used to live there.

KhxHal: Why did you leave? You should have met me first.

_Sunshine: Complicated.

11/17/20 20:28

KhxHal: I feel sleepy. I almost dozed off.

11/17/20 20:38

_Sunshine: Why don’t you sleep? Lol. It’s probably around 4 am at your place.

I feel sleepy too. I waited for him for five minutes to see if he would reply so I could kindly end the conversation but he did not reply. I decided to log out and sleep.