Chapter 4: The Newbie I

FERNANDO

"HERE’S YOUR PAYMENT," Carmelita said rudely as she handed me the five hundred pesos. Although hesitating, I just reached for it. "Thank you for the help even though you are very slow," she added.

I just scratched the back of my neck. This girl is very strict. They say I'm still slow, I've even hauled more than Cole. I didn't answer, but she was looking at me intently.

Is she checking me out? Well, that's good. I know she can’t resist my handsome face.

I also looked at her and smiled at her. She looked up and turned away. That's when I panicked and decided to chase her before she could get away further.

"Carmelita," I grabbed her elbow. She stopped, looked at my hand holding her elbow, and looked at my face. "Sorry," I apologized, seeing the evil look she was giving me.

"Why?" The irritation in her voice was obvious. Why is she always angry?

"Ah, eh... I'm new to the island." She just raised an eyebrow at me and said, "Perhaps you need a helper. I just need a job, ma'am. Any job, porter, or just whatever you can give me."

The woman frowned upon hearing this. This girl is beautiful but always frowns. Maybe it's because I'm a beggar; that's why she treats me like this. If only she knew the truth, she might have cried and begged me to go with her.

"So, you just got here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow again.

"Ah, yes," I admitted.

"Hmm... you smell like alcohol, you look like a hermit because of your gigantic beard, you look like a beggar, and you look like a bad person." I squinted even more. Carmelita is not only a gold-digger, she is so judgmental too. I became even more determined about my plan.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm just going through something, but don't worry, I'll make sure I'm trustworthy and hardworking. I promise I won't drink while at work," I convinced her. If she is not really convinced, let me do my plan B.

But I was surprised by what she said, "Okay. I'll accept you as long as you keep your promise. I also need another helper and a waiter. Cole and Dylan can no longer handle the resort's work."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you very much, ma'am. You can count on me." In my joy, I held both of her hands. In fairness, her hands are so soft. But I don't like the tickle my body feels every time I touch her.

"O-okay…" Is she blushing? I smiled successfully. I thought my good looks were useless here. She simply removed her hands from my grip. I secretly smiled.

"What's your name?"

"Ando." That's really my nickname.

"D-do you know how to drive?"

"With a car?"

"No, with a buffalo," she said sarcastically.

"Ma'am, you are so funny." I smiled at her while scratching the back of my neck.

I made sure to flex my biceps. I caught her looking at it and gulped. Aha, girls are all the same.

"Aish. Do you know how to drive me? I mean, this car?" The fish was caught in its own mouth. I wanted to laugh out loud, but I just pretended to be cute.

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Okay, good. You can be more useful to me. You start driving now." She handed me the key. That girl is quick to trust. She seems really easy to get caught. "You may be handsome and macho, but don't get your hopes up, I don't hit poor men," she added before getting into the back seat of the car.

Those words turned the table. I clenched my fist where I was holding the car keys. She's obviously attracted to me, physically. But she is also firm in what she wants. What a challenging woman. I am so thrilled. Right now, I feel like I'm going to enjoy my vacation.

I just smiled at that thought and climbed into the driver's seat of the pickup.

"Welcome to the team, Brother Newbie," Cole said as soon as I got inside the car. "I'm Cole, by the way." He shook hands with me. I accepted it and smiled at him. "Don't be shy about asking about the activities at the resort or any help you need."

"Thank you, Cole. I'm Ando, by the way," I introduced myself. I looked at the woman behind me. Carmelita was already sitting in the backseat. She was disinterestedly looking out the window with folded arms.

"Welcome to the team, Brother Ando," Cole said, smiling. His two dimples came out on both cheeks. I could see the face of Aga Muhlach at him when the famous artist was young.

"That’s enough," said the madam behind us. "We still have a long way to go. Just show Ando the direction to the resort, Cole," added the woman.

"Yes, Sister Car," I heard Cole answer.

I started the car after putting on the seatbelt. For now, I need to impress this tigress. I will make sure that before I finish my vacation on this island, Carmelita will be in tears and heartbroken.

Yes, that's my goal. I will pretend to be poor and be her helper at her resort. I will make her fall in love with me, and after she falls for me completely, I will dump her. After all, if she's going to use me, I'll just use her as well. I will not feel guilty about what I will do because I will only take revenge on all the men she used. I will also teach her a lesson. So basically, I am giving her a favor.

Besides, I'm a double winner because, look at her, she's really beautiful, sexy, and just the right height. No wonder the men on the island are trying to get her.

I feel the excitement in my whole body. I can't stop my smile, especially when the woman and I meet in the rear-view mirror. She will only glare at me after I smile at her. Of course, I'm starting to seduce her. The sooner she falls for me, the better.

After two hours, we arrived at Carmelita's resort. The name of her resort is also strange. Because of the resort's name, it doesn't sound like a resort, it sounds like a strip club. It was dark when we got there.

Mairaos Resort. Pft. I tried not to laugh.

But when we entered the resort, I saw that it had potential. The facilities are quite decent and modernized. It's obvious that the woman invested a lot. Or, to put it another way, she gets a lot of money from the DOMs for being their harlot. She was doing a good job then.

"Just park there, Brother," Cole said, pointing to the area near the entrance of the resort's restaurant/bar. I followed him and parked there properly.

I saw that there were quite a lot of customers inside, and Carmelita's staff was quite busy. In fairness, the woman’s business is doing well.

I saw Carmelita come down quietly. Cole also got down, and after I turned off the engine of the car, I also got down to help Cole with the hauling.

"Brother Cole!" I heard a young woman called Cole.

Cole and I turned around at the same time. The little girl is cute and chubby. I think she is only four or five years old. She came close to us when she stopped and returned inside the restaurant, crying.

"What happened to her?" I asked Cole.

"Let it go, Brother. Talitha is really weird." The child's name is Talitha. Beautiful name. "Just help me get these chairs into the warehouse. The place will be crowded soon. We have to hurry." Cole and I started hauling.