Episode 2

Vinnie grinned at the fact they shared the same thought about that annoying woman. And for some reason, she was also pleased he wouldn’t be squandering his precious time on someone like her. Although she barely had a clue where that thought even came from. She shrugged it off.

The man shook his head as he dropped some bills on the table and headed for the exit. “This was your stupid idea, Alex. Now take responsibility for it.” He pushed the door to walk out but stepped back when an elderly woman tried to walk through. He held the door for her, earning a grateful smile from the woman.

It was the exact moment Vinnie felt herself growing desperate. Her eyes zeroed in on the young man as he returned to pushing the door and walking outside, the warm wind of the day greeting him with a gentle brush to his hair. He stood outside for a while, still talking over the phone. Shifting it from one ear to another before taking a glance at his wristwatch.

Vinnie’s eyes widened and her heart raced even faster when a sleek black car rolled up in front of him. Her legs dribbled impatiently against the floor. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Vinnie swallowed. Bit her lip. And before a second, and a more reasonable voice could rise from the back of her head, like an arrow from a bow, she scooted off through the doors, narrowly escaping from bumping into a boulder-sized man. She heard the man shout. But she didn’t have time to care. The sexy man was leaving. The chauffeur had already held the door open for him.

Unfortunately, her legs lost control over her brain. Before she could stop herself in time, she simply banged her head against his back.

Oh boy!

This man probably had a back made of mountains because while her head thrummed like a gong, he didn’t even budge. Although he paused and grew stiff for sure.

Vinnie realized she already fucked up.

Out of breath, she staggered backwards and doubled over. So much adrenaline was pumping through her veins, it got into her head and spun.

Shit! she thought. Tried to catch her breath.

Vinnie watched his shiny shoes turn around.

She exhaled through her mouth. Her eyes trailed up to his perfectly fitted pants and that suit that looked unreasonably heavenly on him and she found herself straightening up to her actual height.

His midnight blue eyes were the first to hold her captive. Vinnie had never seen an eye colour so dark, intense, and daunting before. For a second, she couldn’t even breathe, let alone remember the purpose behind the entire onslaught she caused. His lips were pushed into a thin line. The lips that looked inviting yet offended at the same time. Vinnie swallowed once again against the frown lines pinched between his thick, dark eyebrows. Her heart banging against the walls of her ribs like a stubborn child.

The man said nothing. Only lifted a brow, as if waiting for something.

Vinnie thought his reaction was understandable. After all, she was the one to smack herself against his very strong back. Probably waiting for an apology of sorts he was.

Geez! What’s with that sullen look, though? It wasn’t like she did that deliberately. Sure, perhaps she could have handled herself better, but it wasn’t like she had much time on her hands. She was in a rush because he was leaving. Speaking of leaving...

Pressing her lips, Vinnie motioned with her hands.

The man did not understand. Why else would he raise the eyebrow even higher before moving the phone away from his ear?

“Can I help you with something?” he asked, in the same heavy voice that had started to feel like his very exclusive brand of sorts. Only he could make it sound like it was meant just for him, and no man of any kind or physique could justify it.

Vinnie blinked up at him. On second thought, she motioned him to wait for a minute. Before the man could speak another word, she scurried back in and returned with a tiny notepad.

Wait, she forgot the pen. Damn!

Just then, her eyes caught sight of the silvery pen clipped to the breast pocket of his spotless suit.

Vinnie found her plain brown eyes stapled on it with a kind of longing only a puppy could rival.

The man must have noticed, as she felt his intense gaze locked on her forehead. The back of her neck prickled. With a brief hesitation (which was perfectly understandable) he plucked the pen out of the pocket and extended it to her.

Vinnie couldn’t have looked more grateful. A beautiful smile spread across her lips. Happily, she drew the pen out of his grasp and started scribbling on the paper.

Once done, she turned around the notepad for him to read.

The man dropped his gaze to the paper before appearing even more confused. His left eye almost twitched.

“You want to apply?” he repeated with a heavy frown. “For what?” He sounded beyond confused and maybe a little irritated if his tone suggested anything.

Vinnie knew she couldn’t squander more of his time. He must be a busy man.

Drawing the notepad back to herself, she scribbled again before she flipped it so he could read without having to hold the pad.

This time, the man nearly choked, his large hands moving deep into the pocket of his pants. “For the position I interviewed a few minutes ago?” Something flashed in his midnight blue eyes, some clarity of sorts. “Wait. I think you misunderstood...”

Before he could complete the sentence, Vinnie snatched the notepad back and scribbled again. When she turned the notepad around the next time, the man rubbed his clean-shaven jaw and shook her head.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think you understand. Besides, you cannot even...” he gave her a quick once-over and stopped himself before he said too much. Pursed his lips and shook his head again. “Anyway. If that’s all, I would like to leave. I have urgent matters to attend to.”

Then, without sparing a second glance, he turned around on his heels and slipped into the shiny black car. The chauffeur closed the door and rounded the front of the car before settling behind the wheel.

Vinnie’s heart dropped deep in her stomach as she watched the car disappear in the traffic ahead. He didn’t even give her a chance. She couldn’t blame him, though. That was the whole point, wasn’t it? No one risked a chance with her. No one. Just because she couldn’t speak, everyone thought of her as someone who didn’t have any potential. As if her muteness made her incompetent before she even had the chance to prove herself.

With a shake of her head, Vinnie stared down at the last thing she had scribbled on the notepad. I’m mute. A virgin. Never dated. A suitable candidate. What a waste! She thought to herself.

It was only then she noted something else, too.

The pen. He forgot about it.

Out of pure spite, she wished for him to find himself in a terrible situation where he would need to sign something important, but he couldn’t find a freaking pen.

Ugh!

With that, she kicked at the ground, spun on her heels and shoved her way back into the cafe.