The Odd Billionaire

Traizle

“Do not worry about the payment, it is still the same as I offered yesterday. It is too hot today. You guys might die from the heat inside,” the owner said, as he was concerned. “Do you know Mr. Matthew?” He asked me.

I looked at Zarsuelo, and he was already smiling at me.

Why am I seeing him lately?

I shook my head. “I do not really know him that much.” I answered, causing him to grimace.

“Is that so?” the owner replied, reading the awkward atmosphere. “Anyway, your job is done. Come to my office so that I can pay you.” he added.

The owner and Zarsuelo talked for a while before we went to his office. After paying us, we went out to remove the costume.

“Traizle, did you not know the man a while back?” Jake asked me while I was inside the comfort room.

“We have met a few times, but I do not really know him. Aside from that, he is the owner of a big company.” I answered as I changed my shirt.

I heard him laugh. “You do not really watch the news or what?” Jake said.

“Why? Is he that well-known?” I asked.

“He is,” he answered. “You should try to watch the news and entertainment. And also, use social media. I think Lyndon knows it better than you.” he added with a hint of teasing.

Is he my friend or what?

I opened the door and saw him tying his shoes. I drew near him and…

“Ah! What was that for?” He complained.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

I smacked him.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I feel like I want to.” I answered as I walked to the door.

When I opened the door, I saw Zarsuelo standing in front of it.

“You came out at last.” he said, as he fixed his eye on me.

“What do you need?” I asked.

“I am inviting you for lunch. You can bring your friend too.” he replied, referring to Jake.

“I told Ella that we would eat lunch together.” Jake answered while shaking his hands, saying he had an appointment with his girlfriend.

I sighed. “Do I really need to come with you?” I asked Zarsuelo.

He nodded. “Of course.” he answered eagerly.

Jake is already on his way while we stay at the store. I am done working and am now waiting for our order. Zarsuelo said he was a gentleman, but so what?

“You do not really know me, do you not?” Zarsuelo suddenly asked me because I was not looking or talking to him.

“Your-”

“Here is your order, Ma’am and Sir.” the waitress said, cutting me off.

As the waitress places our order, she smiles sweetly at Zarsuelo. Unlike me, she was faking her smile at me.

“Enjoy your dessert, Sir.” the waitress said before leaving.

She did not bother to tell me to enjoy my dessert. What a wicked one.

I rove my eyes, seeing a group of people looking at our place. They are even holding their phones. Are they taking a picture of us?

I look at Zarsuelo and see he is eating already. “Zarsuelo.” I called him.

“Zarsuelo? Are we on a surname basis?” He asked. “Isn’t it too boring? I am Matthew, so call me one.”

Matthew? I heard that name a while ago.

“You are the celebrity they were talking about a while ago?” I asked immediately. “You are not just the owner of a company?” I added.

Is this idiot-looking man in front of me really big time?

He stopped eating the dessert and looked at me.

“The question I asked a while ago is answered,” he answered before sipping his drink. “I thought you already knew me, since we met a few times. But seeing you today got me thinking that you are still not.” He added.

“I did not expect that we would meet again, so why would I bother?” I answered.

“Well, I am a famous celebrity that you do not know. But how did you know I own a company?” He asked.

“I was about to tell you a while ago, but was interrupted by the waitress. One of your employees told me when you invited them to eat at the snack bar. I did not know that you were so famous. I should not have accepted your invitation to eat lunch with you. Your lovely fans are scaring me.” I shared as I ate my dessert.

He laughed. “Well, I became famous because of my work. As long as my fans do not harm you, then you are good. Let them watch me eat handsomely.” So self-assured, he remarked.

“Funny.” I said, faking a laugh.

“You work as his store mascot?” He started asking.

I shook my head. “Nope,” I said. “One-time work. They need a mascot man for their newly opened store.” I added, then continued eating the dessert.

“You are really cool in my eyes now.” he complimented. That made me choke.

I gobbled the lemonade. This man knows how to flatter someone.

“I am sorry about that.” he said, while handing me a tissue.

“I did not know that there was still someone like you,” he explained. “Having many jobs is very difficult, but you can still manage.” He added.

“Because I need to.” I responded.

He stopped eating and looked at me. “You are in a tight situation.” He asked.

I nodded. “We are.” I answered.

“Want to work with my company? I pay high,” he said, and ate again. “Sweets are really awesome.” He even complimented us after eating some.

He really likes sweets.

Wait a minute.

“You are the man on table fifteen?” I asked.

“Exactly.” he answered happily.

“I also thought that you were weird that time.” I added.

“Hey! That is mean, you know?” He was complaining about my remarks.

“And that did not change my impression until today.” I told him.

He nodded. “Nah, it is okay. I wouldn’t stop eating sweets just because you said so,” he answered. “Is it really weird to see?” He asked, not removing his gaze from me.

I agreed. “Yes, it is. But it is your life. You can do anything you want. I have too many tasks to do, and you have your own way of living,” I explained. “Anyway, what are you doing here?” I asked.

We should care for our own lives, not theirs, but only ours. I see him as weird, but that does not change who he is.

“Nice type of thinking,” he answered. “I helped him to build his business, and since his business is about sweets, I insisted on going here.” he explained.

He must really like sweets.

After finishing our dessert lunch, which was paid for by him. Going out of the store makes me nervous already. There are still people who are waiting for him.

A while ago, the waitress could not help herself be wicked. How could the others react as well, right?

“Let’s go.” he initiates.

I slowly distance myself from him while we are walking towards the exit.

As soon as he went out of the door, his fans approached him.

While they were crowding the other side, I used the chance to go out and went to the other side of the store.

How can I say thank you to him? Why did I not say it when we were still inside? Such an idiot, Traizle.

As I tried to search for him and tell him my gratitude so that I could go, our eyes met. I did what I had to do. I even gave him a signal that I would go on my way.

I need to go home and see if they ate already. I can still rest before my shift at the convenience store.

“Hey! We are still not done,” Zarsuelo shouted, so I had to look back. “Work for me.” he urged.

“And why would I?” I asked.

“Because I want to.” He answered, unsure of his own answer.

“What if I do not want to?” I replied.

“I will surely mess you up.” he answered, smiling widely.

“I do not want to be your toy. Go and find someone else.” I answered and started walking on my way.

“Hey, wait-I do not even know your name. How can I address you?” Said Zarsuelo.

“You do not need to know my name. I do not think that we will see each other again after this. We have different ways of living, so we do not have any reasons to meet.” I uttered.

He waved his hands. “About making you my toy. Of course, I would not do that. It will affect my reputation, and especially my work.” he said, explaining.

“But I do not want to see you or have any connections with you.” I replied.

“And I want to have a connection with you,” he responded. “It was your fault for making me interested in you.” he added. That made me stop walking.

“You are now being totally weird.” I answered as I faced him.

“I know I am and will be more in the future.” he retorted.

“You can find someone who wants to work for you. I have too many things on my plate already, so please do not join in.” I replied, almost pleading.

“I can give you a bunch of money.” he answered.

He can give me what?

This big idiot.

“Fuck you, a*shole.” I cursed at him and showed him both my middle fingers.

Serves you right.

I started walking again without looking at him.

“Do not say bad words; it is bad!” He replied. “But where and when? What hotel? I am always ready, not always busy.” he added, laughing.

Thank God he did not plan to follow and pester me.