Rise Up

CHAPTER TWO

“Chai!!!” I looked at Cara who is now waiving at me.

            Today is Monday and our first day of internship. Together with some students we waited in front of the H.Co building waiting for our supervisor. We will be introduced to our departments, where we will work as interns. I hope things will happen smoothly and nicely. Cross fingers.

            Cara was assigned at the secretary’s office and me? I was assigned at the marketing department. Lord, help me. My fist day went fine except that I don’t know how to use the photocopying machine in the office, one of the female employees must find me funny that she handed me a hand and taught me how to do it. I look so stupid hahahaha.

I heard alight knock at our office door. It’s already past five, and all my department employees are already readying to leave the office.

“pssst, Chai. Let’s go.” Cara smiled at me and she also greeted our superiors. I also bid my goodbye to them

“Ahmmmm, Chai…favour please. Let’s have dinner together.”

“What’s with you?” I looked at her full of doubt. She doesn’t usually ask for favours like that.

            Anyway, I don’t have any part time tonight so maybe I can spare time for that so-called dinner that she offers. Plus its free food.

“Okay, treat me.” I linked my arms around her.

“woah, are you serious? Here? We are having our dinner here? I mean.” I’m still in awe as I look around at the restaurant.

We are actually in a five star hotel. The hotel has an ocean feel, painted with ocean blue. Some corners are glass containers with is different types of fishes, I even saw nemo, I mean clown fish. Hanging at the centre is big, a very big, aqua cylinder. The world’s largest cylindrical aquarium contains many, many tropical fishes. Is it safe? It will not fall, right?

“Yeah, I’m serious. Actually I’m here to meet someone. Where is he?” she looked around

“wait, You’re here to meet someone? Then, You shouldn’t have dragged me here.”

“Dragged? I didn’t. You come with me voluntarily thinking of free food Hahaha” she keeps on looking around.

“Wow, You really are something Cara.” I can’t believe this lady beside me.

“I don’t think he is already here. Let’s sit, I know you’re hungry. I can hear your stomach grumbling you know.” She laughed at me.

“Aissh.” She’s right I’m hungry. We need to order now ASAP, for I know that in this type of restaurants, you have to wait for more than thirty minutes to get your food.

            We are about to order, when someone sat beside Cara. And I was dumb founded, just to realized, that we are meeting Patrick Gonzales. Okay, this is awkward. I don’t know what to do. Like, dude! He is my boss at my internship but at the same time he is my best friend’s cousin. Should I stand up or just smile while sitting. I throw dagger looks at Cara who is now smiling at me.

“Cara, I’m sorry I’m late. You ordered already?” He didn’t notice me, I think?

“We are about to. So Chai, what do you want?” Now he notices me. He slowly faced me, and all I did was to smile.

“Oh. Chai Lucas, I’m Patrick Gonzales. I hope you still remember me.” He handed me his hands and smiled at me

Yeah, definitely, I still remember you. Like I said, I already met him when Cara invited me to their family gathering a year ago. And he looks more dashing and handsome than the last time I saw him. His wavy hair is rested in his defined face, his eyes were dark brown, framed by graceful eyebrows. He had prominent cheekbones and a well-defined chin and nose. Did I just drooled over this man in front of me?

“Ahhhmm, Chai!” I didn’t notice that I’m already staring at him not until when Cara kicked my knees behind the thick table cloth.

Ouch!

“I’m sorry” I arranged my composure. Seriously Chai, get a grip.

“No, it’s okay. I usually get that.” He said and he took the menu from the waiter, which by the way I didn’t even notice.

“Excuse me?” What does he mean? He get what?

“No, I mean, those kinds of looks. Staring. Drooling. I mean, with this looks it’s unavoidable…hahaha” did he just laughed at his arrogance?

“Hey, coz’ you better stop now.” Cara frowned at his cousin’s statement and she faced the waiter to tell her order. Since I don’t know what to order and Cara’s order sounds deliciously might as well…

“The same as hers please.” I smile at the waiter

“Mine as well.” Patrick, I mean, Sir Patrick handed the menu to the waiter. The waiter repeated our order and he left.

“Excuse my cousin’s rudeness Chai. He sound so conceited but actually he is not, just narcissistic” He teasingly smiled at her cousin. How should I call him?

“Hey, aren’t those two having the same meaning? By the way, enough of me. So how is your first day at the company? I didn’t get the chance to visit you ladies. I did a lot of site visitation today.” He looks so sorry looking at Cara.

“Well, I’m fine. The office is nice, also the secretariat department head is actually kind to me. Dis you Did you mentioned that I am your cousin? Everyone is so nice to me, very suspicious” again, her eyebrows meet…waiting for Sir Patricks’ answer before it relax.

“Of course I haven’t told anyone. How about you, Chai? How is your day?” He looked at me and smiled.

“Ahmm, It’s actually fine sir. Thank you.” I showed my most genuine smile because I am really thankful of this man. His face frowned, what? Did I say something wrong?

“No need to call me sir outside the office Chai.”  

“How should call you then? I have been arguing with myself on how to address you.” I stared again on his beautiful face. He is really good-looking, too bad he is a little big-headed. I mentally laughed at the idea

“You can call me Yours, so I can call you Mine.” He stared at me AGAIN. I got the chance to glance at his almond-shaped eye, again his eyes are dark brown that pulls my eyes to keep on staring. His thin lips suddenly formed a smile.

“Hey coz’ I told you, you better stop now.” Cara said between our staring game and when I looked at her, there is this small grin that she is controlling. I don’t like that.