Chapter - 7

Isabella's p.o.v;

Saturday early morning,

"What are you doing here, Belle?" Sophia was taken aback when she discovered me in her room.

"Shouldn't I pay my friend a visit? Do I need anyone's permission to meet you?"

"That is not the case. You know how my brother reacted the last time he saw you in my place?"

"I'm not interested in him. I came because I wanted to see you. So, what exactly are you doing here?" Asked after seeing her room in a mess.

I broke into Sophia's room through a window since his brother despises me because we battled in middle school for... I don't remember the reason for the argument because it's been years, but he does, I believe because he despises me anytime I'm with his sister. I leaped through the window to see Sophia not because I'm afraid of him, but because I don't want to make trouble for Sophia, therefore I visit her surreptitiously.

"Every time you leap through my window, it feels like you and I are dating," Sophia said as she sorted through her belongings.

I laughed and went on, "By the way, what are you doing? Why's your room a mess?"

"Because I'm cleaning it, I'm throwing out all the old books and stuff which I don't use anymore."

"Garage sale?"

"Nope! Because selling something takes a long time, I'm considering donating them."

"Okay. Do you want my assistance?"

"Yes, please assist me with tying this up!"

While she was sifting through the volumes, I assisted her in tying them together.

"What about your homework? Did you complete your task?"

"Yeah, Liam assisted me."

"How are things between you two?"

"What about Liam and I? There isn't anything. He's just making fun of me."

"I don't believe he's playing. He's been stalking you for nearly since middle school I guess. He appears to be quite interested in you."

"I'm not sure. I have nothing more than a friendly relationship with him."

"Then inform him that you dislike him. Why aren't you doing this?"

"He's a friend of mine. How am I going to tell him I don't like him? Duh! ... He'll get used to it and eventually let go."

"Given how much he's into you, I don't think he'll let go quickly."

When someone knocked on the door while we were conversing, I turned to Sophia and asked, "Is it your brother?"

"Sophia, did you finish packing all the books?" said the voice behind the door.

"Why didn't you tell me your brother is home?" I asked Sophia.

"You never asked me." She replied in hushed tones.

"All right, I'll get going."

I stood up and climbed to the window. Sophia grabbed my hand as I was going to open the window.

I asked her, "What is it?"

"A-Are you available tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Sure, I am. Why?"

"I was invited to a party by a buddy. I don't want to go by myself. Will you accompany me?"

I touched her on the head and said, "I'll be there. Please text me the location and time."

I jumped out the window, landed on a tree branch, and climbed down. It's useful for me now because I started climbing trees as a child. Haha.

I have few plans for the weekend. I go to Sophia's or Noah's house, see my mother at work, do assignments if I get them, and take hourly jobs. I can't work conventional jobs because I have school, so I took positions that pay by the hour. I worked in a variety of settings, including assisting with heavy lifting, serving as a server in cafes and clubs, and assisting people in orphanages, hair salons, spas, and on construction sites. I'm a little stronger than the other girls in my class since I play basketball. Taking a walk while looking at businesses to see if there's any notification concerning hourly payments has become a habit during my weekends.

After a while, I came across a shop that was giving a position that was just what I was looking for. After taking a closer look at the advertisement outside the shop, I discovered that the salary is twenty dollars per hour. Good.

I walked into the cafe. Wow, when I looked inside! The atmosphere here is quite soothing. I enjoy the setting.

"I saw the notification saying you're paying hourly payments," I said to the barista.

"Over there, there'll be a person reading a book. You can approach him about the job. He is the proprietor of this establishment." He pointed to a guy and asked me to go to him.

"Thank you."

As I strolled around the cafe, I recognised the man the barista had mentioned.

"Hello, good morning."

He nodded, as though he encouraged me to continue.

"I saw the advertisement for a waitress outside your shop. I'd like to apply for the position."

"It's not a permanent position."

"Yes, I am aware. That's why, as a senior in high school, I applied for the position."

"Okay. Tomorrow is the interview. You may depart at this time."

"Um... Could I have the interview now because I have an appointment tomorrow?"

He stood up and stepped away from his seat. Did he just walk away?

I stood up and yelled at him, drawing the attention of everyone in the cafe "Did you really just walk away? Do you treat everyone who comes to you for a job in this manner?"

He didn't respond and instead conversed with the barista.

I approached him and said, "I've worked in a variety of cafes and witnessed a wide range of attitudes. So I'm not interested in yours."

I walked out of the store. I'm very irritated. Why does my day have to be this way?

I entered the alley and checked both sides to make sure no one was nearby. After making sure there weren't any, I removed the cigarette from my pocket and lit it with the lighter. I exhaled and relieved myself. I'm not a frequent smoker, but I do enjoy a cigarette now and then. And no one except me is aware of this. I developed this habit after smoking from a stranger while working at a nightclub.

I stepped out after completing the cigarette and throwing it into the alley. What should I do next?

I checked my watch to see what time it was. It's 12 p.m.

Should I hunt for work or return to my hometown? After some consideration, an idea occurred to me.

Let us go to Mr. Martinez's place. It's not like going to his place solely on the days they specified is a rule, is it?

I caught the bus and walked for a while until I arrived at Mr Martinez's house. I went over to his house. Why is it that every time I come here, it looks brand new? I entered the building and proceeded to the front door. What happened to everyone? Why does the house look deserted? Weird.

I walked around the house after ringing the doorbell several times in an attempt to find another way in.

When viewed from this angle, the garden appears to be quite large. Woah!

"What exactly are you doing here?"

When I glanced in the direction of the voice, I noticed a figure inside the garden.

"Who's there?"

I entered the garden to see who it was.

"Martinez, Mr? Is it you?"

I was astonished to find Mr Martinez dressed as a gardener.

"What brings you here?" While mowing the grass, he inquired.

"And what exactly are you doing here? In these outfits? And where has everyone gone? Why is the front door shut?"

"Do you always talk like this?"

"What am I saying? You are the only one who says that. People always ask me, 'Why are you always speaking less? ', 'Do you feel shy?' You should listen to them!"

"I believe they are stupid."

I chuckled, squatted alongside him, and inquired, "So, what exactly are you doing here? Can I assist you?"

He got to his feet and walked away. I'm not sure why, but it felt different.

"Are you not assisting?" He called.

I stood up and approached him, asking with a bright smile on my face, "What do you want me to do?"

"Take these." I strolled into the garden and handed out a large bag of rubbish. "Follow."

'Why is he only using two or three words?' I wondered as I followed him. Is he unable to construct a sentence?' and laughed.

"Open and drop it inside," he stated as he came to a halt in front of a large pit.

I kept the sack down, opened the top knot, pushed it a little, and tossed whatever was inside into the pit.

"What is this place for?" I questioned after emptying the bag.

"Have you never seen a compost pit?"

"Oh, yes. That's the one! We made one for a school project. So you're preparing compost for the garden? That's incredible. Now I see why your garden is so beautiful. Organic fertiliser. That's a good idea."

"I'll take you with me."

"What are we going to do now?"

"Can you see the pit there? Is it full?"

"No..."

"We'll get it filled."

"What!? Are you serious? We have to dump a lot of times to fill it."

"Yes. Don't you want to assist?"

I kept my mouth shut.

"You are free to go at any time."

He kept gathering dried leaves from the garden. Why is he doing this by himself? If there are a lot of people here, the work should be simple, right? Let's help him since I don't have anything else to do today, and I'm the one who offered him my assistance.

I joined him in collecting the leaves.

He presented me with a garden shovel and added, "Take advantage of this. It'll be a lot easier."

"Okay."

I tied my hair back and began collecting the dried leaves with the garden shovel.

I became exhausted after a while of dropping the leaves into the pit, so I took a rest and sat in the shade. Mr. Martinez was still gathering dry leaves. I took some water and went back to work with him.

We sat together beneath the shade once we finished.

"Why are you not wearing a mask right now?"

"There's no one around."

"So you put on your mask when you're with people around?"

He ignored my question and said, "You've got really strong stamina there," he added with a nod.

"Ah! That… Because I've worked on construction sites, tossing rubbish into the pit was second nature to me."

"Your physique does not suggest that you work hard."

I laughed and went on, "Mr Martinez, I get that a lot. But, as the adage goes, "don't judge a book by its cover." That quote speaks to me. Mr Martinez, I do a lot of things."

"When no one is around, you can call me Alex."

"O-Okay. What are your plans after this?"

"You are free to go."

"Before that, by the way, where is everyone?"

"On weekends, maids and butlers do not work."

"Ohhh."

"Aren't you really leaving?"

"Why are you in such a hurry to get me out of here? Are you planning on doing something illegal while I'm away?"

"You can do whatever you want." He walked away.

I followed him to the front door.

Martinez, Mr... I mean, Alex went in after opening the main door. I followed him into the house and looked about.

"What happened to him?"

"Um... Alex?" I yelled his name.

"In the kitchen." He yelled back.

I went into the kitchen and found him getting ready to cook.

"What would you like for lunch?"

"Will you be cooking? Do you have any cooking skills?"

He nodded and appeared to be waiting for my menu response. I shouldn't serve him a difficult menu.

"How about vegetable soup?" I said as I looked around the room and noticed some vegetables on the kitchen counter.

"Is soup enough for you?"

"Um... really, I'm at a loss for words." I can lift and move heavy objects, yet I struggle when it comes to cooking. I'm terrible at it."

"I'll make pho." "Do you like pho soup?"

"I'm not choosy, so make me whatever veggie you want as long as it's edible."

He gave a small smile.

"Mr Martinez, please!" "Did you just laugh?"

"No." Continued preparing the items for cooking.

"I just noticed you smiling. With this physique, attitude, and face, I'm sure you'll look great when you grin. If you come to my school, the entire female population will be looking for you. And when you came for that lecture, my buddy, Sophia, was already a fan of yours. Do you recall when you caught me in the bathroom?"

"Don't sound like I'm a pervert."

"I wonder how you're still single when you're like this," I chuckled. "Why are you remaining silent? It's as if I'm speaking to a brick wall."

"Then you should leave some space for someone to talk to."

"Oops! Hahaha. I've always been this talkative."

"What was it before?"

"Before coming here, meeting you, and signing the deal. Hahaha. By the way, Do you want my assistance in the kitchen?"

"It's all right. "I'm capable."

I entered the kitchen and noticed the vegetables he kept beside the sink.

"I used to work as a garbage girl in restaurants, so cleaning vegetables isn't a thing for me."

While he was doing something in the pot, I began cleaning the vegetables.

I handed him the vegetables and inquired, "What do you want them to be like? Chopped? Sliced? Minced?"

"Chopped"

"Got it!" And began slicing the vegetables one by one.

"What do you get paid as a garbage girl?"

"Um... It varies from restaurant to restaurant, but it's usually between $20 and $30."

"How about a month?"

"No! I only work for a few hours per day. Did you forget I'm in high school?"

"Oh."

We finished cooking in no time. "Wait, I'll do that," I.said as he attempted to lift the pot.

"No. It'll be scorching."

He took the saucepan and set it on the kitchen table. "You're going to sit with me?" I questioned as he was ready to sit.

"Don't you want me to sit here?"

"That is not the case. You are the owner of this house, and I am a worker here. Is it alright for us to sit together like this?"

"How come you suddenly sound like everyone else?"

"I... I..."

He began eating the food casually, adding, "The food won't taste good if it's cold."

I started eating the food he had prepared. After I chewed into it, "Wow! It's delectable. I've never had anything like this in my life, believe it or not. This is delicious. Yummy! I'm sure Mom will enjoy this! Can I have some delivered to my house?"

He nodded and continued to devour the food on his plate.

"You are gifted. What do you think? Every lady dreams of having you as her spouse. You're a husband material?"

"Husband material?"

"Yeah, the one who cooks well, is protective and kind, is gorgeous and muscular, and is, of course, wealthy and, more importantly, a CEO! Duh!"

He chuckled once more.

"Woah! That's what I was referring to! See! When you smile like that, you look fantastic! Why are you hiding behind a mask? Don't you enjoy the spotlight? If I were like you, I'd have enough girlfriends to fill this house and have a party every night."

"Do you identify as a lesbian?"

I laughed out loud and went on, "When I'm like you, I mean. A guy... with all of the characteristics I mentioned."

"Oh."

We finished eating after a while.

I assisted him in dumping the vessels by adding, "Aren't you concerned about being alone in this house? With all of those rooms, this house appears to be quite large. If you leave me alone in this house, I'll be terrified."

"I'm a grown-up."

"By the way, how old are you?"

"Here, the servants gossip a lot. Didn't you hear anything from them?"

"Yes, I learned a lot from them, but I neglected to ask your age. So, what exactly is it? What age are you? You don't appear to be that elderly for a CEO. You have the appearance of a CEO straight out of a manga."

"Twenty three."

"What? You're still young. We're just eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, and twenty-three years old..."

"Six years."

"Yeah! We've been apart for six years?"

He nodded and handed me a package, saying, "Take this to your house."

"Thank you so much. I'll get started then. My mother would have returned this time because it was the weekend, she generally arrives early from work on weekends."

He answered with a nod.

I left Mr Martinez's office after obtaining the box of food he prepared for mom.