Unluckily Fated With the Billionaire

Encounter 7: Meet... His Mother?

“I want a homemade meal to be brought to my office.”

HUH?

“A… what? Y-your office?” I asked, stuttering because of the shock from absorbing what he had just said.

“Yeah. You know our company address, right? Remember that card I gave you when we first met—oh wait, you also have a debt from what you did to me that day, hmm? Anyway, the location is indicated there.” He stated with such a big, innocent smile. If you’re just a bystander, you’ll think that he’s sharing something very happy― like an angel, but no. This man is Satan reincarnate.

“F*ck it,” I mumbled inaudibly. I wanted to say it straight into his face, but I guess it was enough already. It was payback time. “Ha, alright. Do you have allergies or something?” I asked.

“Potatoes,” He said sheepishly. Damn, it must be hard not being able to eat french fries and any other potato dish itself― they’re like one of the best things ever.

“Alright, I’ll bring you a Baked Potato Casserole,” I smirked, then immediately stood up, preparing to leave. He looked like he malfunctioned for a while before he tugged at my wrist.

“What? That is not very cool, Dr. Mendez.” He said, pouting. Why is he acting cute?

Or maybe he isn’t, you just really found him cute.

“When you come, just tell them 'Code Red', they’ll know what to do. If they ask further, tell them you’re an acquaintance of mine.” What he said felt something like being given a VIP pass, but what? “What does 'Code Red' mean and you need something so cryptic? And when did I become an acquaintance of yours?”

“Well, aren’t you? Should I just tell them that you’re a delivery personnel who came to bring a meal I orde—“

“Shut up! Alright, alright. Acquaintance it is. Make sure you’re in your office when I come or you’re never going to get your food.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He exclaimed teasingly while showing a salute. The nerve, really.

“Do you know that your arrival here is famous? Rumors had circulated and everyone’s been whispering about you.” I said while we were walking back to where the event was commencing.

“I’m used to it. My life’s tough, huh?” He smirked once again and put his hands in his pockets. One more smirk from him, I’ll slap him on the spot. While I was busy ignoring his remarks as we walked, I spotted Charlotte and Lucas from a distance. I was just about to shout at them but I immediately halted my steps.

Even though I couldn’t hear them from our current position, I could tell that both of them were fighting, and I was sure that there was a point where Charlotte was shouting at Lucas. It seemed very serious.

Shit, what happened that they’re furiously fighting each other? The three of us have been together for many years now and, sure, there were fights, but we were still quite immature back then. But now, it’s different. Aside from the fact that we're already grownups, I’m sure we had no problems yesterday. I was just about to go to them when Liam held my wrist and stopped me.

“Do you know them?” He asked. My brows furrowed at what he just did, but I had no time to give in to his shenanigans, so I just nodded. “I think it’s not the time for you to barge in. The fight seems pretty bad and you might just get entangled with them, don’t you think?”

“Whether I get tangled with them or not, that’s my own business to mind. I’ll see you, Mr. Mirren.” I angrily said and forcefully freed my wrist from his grasp. When I finally caught up with them, the situation was still the same, but the look of shock on their faces when they saw me was very obvious.

“Lucas? Charlotte? What’s happening here?”

“Z-Zairiel…”

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“Ella! I’m going for an early lunch break. You can manage here, right? See you later!”

“Noted, doctor!”

It’s been two days since I met Liam at the university and two days since we decided on the repayment of debt. It’s only 11:00 AM, but I had already gone out of the clinic to get ready to go home and cook his homemade meal. Seriously, if he hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve just got him a restaurant-made meal or if he had got me more irritated, fast-food would be his only choice.

I first stopped by a grocery near my house and bought necessary ingredients, such as meat, seasonings, vegetables, sauces, and more. What I was going to cook was something not that hard, but it is one of my specialties. After I'd got everything done, I put the meal in a lunch box and went for the address indicated on the calling card Liam gave me back then. Luckily, it wasn’t that far and is actually quite close to where my office is.

When I got there, I was astonished by the design and size of the company. It’s like a very modern-looking skyscraper with a sleek design. They really are filthy rich, huh?

As I got a little intimidated, I nervously walked inside the lobby, and honestly, it was like I had stepped into a five-star hotel instead of a business company. There were high walls and windows and state-of-the-art looking sculptures and structures everywhere. When you enter, a very wide screen will greet you where the company name is intricately showcased. As I got carried away by the design, the clinking of shoes and heels started to get me out of my reverie and I went straight to the reception.

At first, I was hesitating whether I should just straightforwardly state why I came here or actually say that ridiculous codeword by Liam. When I got to decide, I took a deep breath first, and then put on a business casual smile.

“Code Red.”

Silence.

Well, not really silent since we were in the lobby, but the receptionist just stared at me for a while before she eventually snapped out of it. She collected herself and then showed a smile similar to mine, then called someone.

“Please wait here for a little while, ma’am. Someone is going to come and guide you to your destination.” She said and I just nodded. After a few seconds, a woman dressed in formal attire came and bowed to me.

Bow? Was that really necessary? What was Liam up to this time?

“This way, Miss Mendez. The CEO is waiting for you.” The woman said and gestured to the elevator near the reception. When we got in, it was only the two of us inside and I saw her click the 40th-floor button. That must be the top of this skyscraper-like building, where the highest-ranking officials like Liam and his parents’ office are located. And turns out I was right. The topmost floor didn’t have the same cubicles as the other floors, and instead, there were only a few big offices for the executives. As we were walking in the hallway, I felt intimidated again. It’s no wonder since the company itself is on top of its game.

Once we were in front of a door with the signage saying ‘Liam Aidan Mirren, Chief Executive Officer,’ the woman knocked a few times.

“Sir, your guest has arrived.” She called and gave way to me, and there was a faint voice saying ‘let her in.’

His office itself was astonishing and had a very modern design. The furniture seemed to be velvety and expensive, there were high glass windows instead of walls, and the geometric structures inside were very sleek-looking. In the middle of the room was a glass table and a swivel chair, and there sat a devil on his throne—I mean the recipient of my homemade meal.

“I thought it was gonna be breakfast so I haven’t been eating for two mornings already, you know?” He welcomed, his mouth frowning while his arms were crossed.

“Good noon to you too, CEO.” I nonchalantly said, but the truth was I was a little worried and guilty since I never informed him as to when I'd be bringing the meal and because of it, he was skipping breakfast.

“Sorry about that,” I said while I hung my head low. I heard him sigh and muttered ‘it’s alright, I was just kidding.’

“Take a seat, doctor. So, what’s on today’s menu?” He asked and personally took the lunch box from me. Hungry much?

“Spicy stir-fried pork, seasoned rice, and some side dishes. Rest assured there are no potatoes in there.” I proudly said and watched him open the box. As he did, the aroma filled our surroundings and I saw him smile.

What a rare sight.

It’s not that he’s somewhat cold and never brightens up, he’s even the total opposite of that. It’s just that when I see him, he’s either grinning, snickering, chuckling, and smirking. A typical devil’s expression.

“There’s no poison here, right? Well, even if there is, I’d still gladly eat such a great meal.” He said, then went to immediately dig in. I tried to observe his expressions and I was relieved that he found it to be delicious. He even tried to offer me some, but I refused since all of that was his. Late on, he called his secretary and ordered desserts and beverages.

“Doctor, you’re welcome anytime to do something bad to me, then pile up your debt, I’d always be glad to receive these meals as payment.” He said while wiping his mouth and then went to clean up his table.

“No, thank you. I assume it was alright with your liking?”

“Yes. We may be quite enemies, but I’ll be more than willing to set aside our differences and compliment your cooking.” I blushed a little at his statement since I really am weak for compliments. But of course, he didn't need to see and know that. “By the way, what happened to that man who was chasing you the other day? Did you report to the police?”

“I did, but since there were no CCTV cameras in there and the witnesses didn’t get to see his face, they said that it might be hard to pin him. But I tried describing some of his physical features to help, though.” I said. After Irene and I ate, we went to the police station to make a report. I already had a hunch that it would happen, but we still tried our luck.

“Is that all? They didn’t put any patrols near you in case something happens again?” He asked, eyebrows furrowing.

“They didn’t. But, believe me or not, I am trained for self-defense and I have a gun in my bag. You’ve seen and experienced it back then firsthand, didn’t you?” I said, and this time, it was my turn to smirk at him. He just shook his head at what I said and raised his hands in surrender. I figured that it was already time for me to leave and go back to the clinic when suddenly, the door to his office opened.

“Wow. No wonder my son has only visited me once since he came back, he already had such a beautiful lady with him!”