Chapter 5

Mari Kristine

I am staring at the two movie tickets wondering what happened when Dos arrived. He is wearing a wide smile. As we both looked at the movie tickets, he winked at me.

What a flirt!

Behind him are two of the theater staff – one is holding a key while the other is holding one double order of popcorn and two soda cans for drink. Oh! So, he is really serious about watching a movie with me.

I awkwardly smiled at him. You know what? I didn’t expect him to be so cheesy just now. He was recently listed as one of the young bachelors. I was there too when the Lamiers threw a celebration party for him.

“You look like you don’t believe your eyes, Miss Rossier.” He teased in his deep husky voice.

I never have heard that voice of his. Is it possible that his voice can be like that? I think I am spacing out just by listening to it.

I only looked at him when he smirked, “Seems like you really do. Funny how you are spacing out.”

I heard him laugh. But I was so embarrassed that I needed to shift my gaze to the door entrance. The same moment the door of the room opened. He looked at me before giving a slight nod.

“Shall we go inside, Miss Rossier?” Dos asked me in his oh-so gentleman approach.

“You can just call me Mari.” I suggested.

“Mari? Don’t you have any other name? I will prefer calling you Miss Rossier.” Dos replied to me, thinking that my name is so common.

“My name is Mari Kristine. Just think of a better way for you to address me. I don’t like you calling me by my surname, it’s too formal.” I retorted.

Dos frowned before he stated, “Oh? Looks like I have no other choice but to give you a nickname then.”

“Your choice,” I laughed as she entered the movie theater hall. “Whatever, Mister Lamier.”

“And here, someone who does not want anyone to call her by the last of her name because she thinks it is too formal called someone else by their surname. What a talent!” Dos sarcastically said.

I did not reply to his statement. But I picked a good spot in the middle of the hall and sat there instead. Dos followed behind and sat beside me.

He clapped his hands and the doors closed. The whole place darkened and the big screen opened. The movie started. The same movie indicated on the tickets I bought.

I sneaked a look at him but Dos caught me staring. He suits himself, feeling a bit concerned about his looks. Yeah, he wanted to always look good in front of others. That’s his personality everyone is aware of. The same with me.

“Popcorn?” He offered.

“Thanks!” I happily reached out for popcorn and shoved it into my mouth.

Dos opened a can of soda and passed it to me. I stared at his hand holding the soda can he opened. Then, I shifted my gaze to Dos who was smiling widely.

“What? Is there any problem you’ve got, little kitty?” He smiled and moved nearer.

“What the heck is that nickname? Little kitty… Are you not done teasing me?” I asked him with disgust and even acted out like I was puking.

“Hey! Don’t you dare make that disgusted face again. I’m just in the mood to joke around. Not that you can find me like this every single day, you know?” Dos stopped and said in a matter of fact.

Arguing with him won’t do any good. Moreover, he is a bit good with debating. If that happens, I will just drain myself and can’t enjoy the rest of the movie. So, I decided to ignore him and focus to the show. This movie is a horror-thriller. Just my cup of tea.

He comfortably sat and stretched his arms. He placed it above my chair while I was too focused on the movie they were watching. I felt a hand above my shoulders that tickled my back neck. I looked angrily at Dos.

He raised both of his hands in defeat. I rolled my eyes and pouted. I grabbed a handful of the popcorn and reached for my drink in a soda can. I immediately drank everything inside as he watched me full of curiosity. Don’t care about him at all.

Moments later, I feel like munching popcorn. But I suddenly remembered that I finished my soda quickly some moments ago when I was upset with the man sitting beside me. I look at him meaningfully.

Dos frowned upon my meaningful stares and raised one of his eyebrows. He displayed an irritated look before he stood up. I followed his steps by looking at him when he opened the door of the movie theater hall.

I nervously stood to follow him but he turned to me. He is now holding another two soda cans, probably for us. We sat down and focused on the movie.

“Did not hear you say ‘Thank you.’ for the drinks.” He murmured softly.

“Oh well… that! Thank you for bringing me here. As well as the food and drinks.” I exclaimed but he just shrugged his shoulders.

“You paid for the tickets, I paid for your food and soda drinks. Nothing much.” He replied, which made me frown in annoyance. What the heck?

“So why are you requesting me to say thanks to you?” I asked Dos.

“Shhh… the movie is in its climax. Shut up for a while.” He hushed as he winked at me.

The movie ended. We left the theater hall with him protesting at me that I drank three soda cans and ate most of the popcorn. Well, that’s a fact I cannot deny either. I asked for his second soda can as he was not done drinking his first.

“Where do you want to eat, Mari? It’s almost lunch and we haven’t filled our stomachs with anything yet other than the popcorn and soda.” Dos asked me as we left the mall.

“Good thing you are now calling me by my name. But I’m going home and cooking my lunch there. I still have something else to do later.” I replied.

“It’s my treat. Are you that busy to turn down my once in a blue moon offer?” He blinked his eyes, acting cute as if saying I should not turn him down.

“Fine. It’s just lunch outside anyway. Besides, I am already hungry just by you mentioning a meal.” I agreed.

“Then let’s go and eat each other. It’s just a meal anyway and I am dead hungry.” He laughed and teased me so I kicked his knee.

“That hurts, you little wild cat!” He groaned holding his left knee, I just kicked.

Ugh… serve you right, Mr. Lamier. So annoying!

They spend the whole day winding up. Both of them drove to the outskirts of town which was a two hours ride and ended up in a windy plateau. It was three o’clock in the afternoon when they got out of the car to enjoy the view.

“Why is it that the Dos Lamier the media portrays to be cold and serious is actually a playful and jolly one? Looks like they have a misjudgment of your behavior.” I asked him which he replied with a smile.

“Well, it’s true. I mean, both of your statements are true. I am serious at work, yes. But that does not mean I will be serious all throughout my life.” He proudly said.

“So much with separating work from personal.” I mumbled under my breath.

He just stared at me. Longer than I expected him to look at, I started getting uncomfortable. He probably noticed it so he shifted his gaze to the view down the plateau.

“What about you? You did not expect Alex to be cheating on you, right?” He asked out of the blue.

“You know about it? I did not know that you have a side that likes gossip.” I was shocked by his question.

He nodded before he seriously said, “Hmm… yeah. I just found out about it earlier. He was with my girlfriend and I guess they are together. Then, I remembered who you were after the speed off the road so I approached you.”

“I’m a bit okay. Although I was really uneasy a while ago. Thanks for bringing me here by the way.” I honestly answered Dos.

“Well, you are always welcome, Miss Rossier. Oh, look! It’s already getting dark. We should head back home now.” He cheerfully said.

The direction of his home is the same as mine. I was wondering back then who owns the two story glass house. I didn’t know he owned that house if he did not tell me about it. He was obliged to drive me home so we passed off his luxurious glass house.

“Why is the old man’s car outside my house?” He wondered which made me look at him.