LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 26: Curiosity Doesn't Bring Anything Good - Part 1

*NO ONE POV*

Barbie entered an expensive restaurant, just a few meters away from the shop. The girl did not know that the curious workmates followed her.

"Not bad, Barbie. Seems like she is meeting a rich guy." Jess said.

"Of course. Her godly beauty will be a waste if she can't hook a rich man." Anica seconded. "What? Don't hustle there." Anica scolded the four colleagues when she realized they were huddling behind her as they hid in the car.

"What are we hiding? We look like perverts on the corner in what we are doing." Kris snorted as she came out of hiding. "Why don't we just go in."

"Are you thinking? If we could just enter I would have entered first. Why would I put up with the heat and dust on the outside if I could cool myself inside? Furthermore, can you afford that restaurant? Just so you know, the only ones who can enter there are VIP customers who have already reserved a table." Anica explained, still hiding in the car. The five ladies did not notice that there was someone inside and was obviously enjoying watching them, especially Anica.

Meanwhile, Barbie's eyes immediately found the table where Angelo was patiently and calmly waiting while reading the magazine. It was in a corner that was not very noticeable by eaters and even by people outside. 

Angelo was very handsome in a blue shirt and navy chinos. This was still the one he was wearing in the shop. Others who had seen him wearing it earlier were not able to notice if they didn't look closely or had a poor observation because he covered it with a petrol blue jacket. 

Barbie was starstruck and glued on the floor while staring at the angelic beauty of Angelo.

The guard noticed her and approached her. "Excuse me, Miss. Do you have a reservation here?"

Barbie did not reveal that she was ashamed of herself, "Yes sir." She answered shortly.

"What table ma'am and so I can lead you there."

"You don't need to, thank you. He already saw me."

The guard looked in the direction where Barbie was looking and that was it, Angelo waved at her. 

"How did you make it?" Barbie immediately asked Angelo when she got closer to him. The young man stood up and pulled her a chair.

"Secret!" Angelo smiled and returned to his own chair. He snapped his fingers close to Barbie's face when he saw her stunned as she stared at him.

Barbie was startled. At the same time, she uttered, "You are really handsome."

"Is that just a compliment or a bribe, so that I will pay the bill?" Angelo said temptingly.

The girl blushed but calmed herself then replied, "If that will work then I am fine. I am sure this restaurant is not a casual type."

"Well, I am in a good mood today. I will let you off. This lunch is on me."

"Are you serious? I am just joking. I have money now. I will pay. I promise to treat you, how could I let you pay." Barbie leaned slightly over the table and whispered to the man, "Besides, where did you get the money?"

"Well, I have my own ways."

"Like?"

Now, Angelo also moved forward over the table in which their faces were too close to each other, he whispered too, "I robbed a bank last night."

"Angelo, you--" They giggled at each other. 

At the same time, back from the five outside the restaurant, the five ladies outside who were watching to the inside, thrilled. Even though they couldn't see the man's face, Barbie's bright and happy face was enough for them to feel excited. It was very clear from the outside because they could see it from the crystal glass wall.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! They are going to kiss. They are going to kiss." Jess exclaimed as she shook her other companions badly. 

"Don't push me, I can see it." Anica said as she turned around. Unexpectedly, unable to control the thrill, Jess accidentally pushed Anica, causing her to almost fall if she could not hold her hand in the outside mirror of the car. She regained her balance but unfortunately she broke the mirror. 

"We are screwed." The four screamed at the same time while covering their mouths.

Anica looked sharply at Jess while Jess immediately signaled an apology to her. 

Anica sighed as she dropped the mirror to the ground. "Girls, what are we waiting for, let's run away now."

The five girls were about to run when the car door suddenly opened and the model-like man was released.

"Where do you think you can run away from me?" Its smooth voice thundered. "I dare you all to stop right there."

Five girls nailed automatically with their eyes wide open. 

"Are you just leaving after you broke my car?" The guy smirked. "But don't worry, I'm not cruel especially to beautiful women, so, face me and let's talk calmly."

At once, the five women confronted the man who was leaning against the car. The hands were in the pocket and one of his feet laid backward on the footstep of the opened door. He was wearing a bold jacket, gray shirt underneath, white trousers and white shoes with a clean haircut. 

The five women smiled awkwardly at him. "Brother, I'm sorry we didn't mean to break your car." Said Nelia.

The four nodded with funny expressions on their faces.

The man's thick eyebrows rose. "Just sorry? You have no intention to compensate me?"

"Then, how much is that? We'll pay." Jess replied.

"Right, Jess will pay for that." The four pointed at Jess.

Jess looked around at the four, frowning. "Why just me?"

The four did not answer.

The man giggled. "You pay? Are you sure? Do you know how much it costs?"

"Then do you have any other suggestions, Sir?" Anica asked coldly. 

"Of course, and it's too easy." The man replied with a smile.

"What?" Anica was nervous at the man's stare at her.

"I only want you." He said seriously without blinking his deep dark eyes. 

"What?" Everyone exclaimed in surprise. 

"No way!" Anica hugged herself. "I won't sell my body."

The man's eyes widened and laughed again. "Who told you that I want your body? I am impressed with your self-esteem. For you to know, you are not my type."

"Then, what do you really want from me?" The girl blushed.

"Just simple. Pretend as my girlfriend just for today. I have a blind date inside and I want her to let me go after this meeting. So I will introduce you to her as my girlfriend. That's all. Besides, didn't you guys want to go inside. The owner of this restaurant is my good friend, so I can let them in. What do you think?"

"Just that? We are even after? There is no more compensation thing for your car?"

The man nodded.

"I agree. But we will have a job soon. We won't be staying long here because no one will take care of our shop."

"No problem. I only need your ten minutes. No, maybe five minutes if you are an excellent actor."