Bab 38: THIRTY SEVEN( Be my date)
Mia and Tracey sat next to each other, while Betty sat on the other side of the table, so it was really easy to see who was approaching.
"Oh, hey ladies." He greeted with a small smile. "You don't mind if I sit do you?"
"No, off course not, it's a free world." Betty grinned as Christian grabbed a chair and sat next to Mia.
"Hey Mia." He smiled,
"Good evening Sir." Mia smiled back.
The entire table suddenly went silent till Betty decided to break the ice.
"So Mr. Oh—"
"Oh, just call me Christian, I feel old." He chuckled,
"Right… Christian, how's the preparation for the event coming together?"
"It's hard, I'll admit." He chuckled, "Everyone's talking about it, and I'm under a lot of pressure." He added,
"Under a lot of pressure?" Mia finally spoke,
"Yeah…The thought of feeding a bunch of wealthy folks who hold destructive critism at their fingertips is quite overwhelming, especially after Mr. Colin's review—"
"Ugh!!" Mia sighed as she dropped her head on the table,
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No…It's just that I feel responsible right now…You see I was the " insider" in Mr. Colin's review….That's why we were suspended—"
"Oh…I didn't know that." He mumbled softly,
"Yeah…But just so you know Sir, you're an admirable chef, and although I haven't tasted your meals first hands, but I believe the guests usually ask for an extra plate." Mia smiled,
Christian stared at her for a while and a small smile tugged his lips,
"Somehow…That made me feel a whole lot better. Thanks."
Mia nodded.
"So Christian, what brings you here in the first place?" Tracey suddenly questioned,
"…Um, well I'm glad I met you guys…I asked the kitchen staffs if they wanted to celebrate after the event and they all agreed and event suggested this place, I just came to—"
"Make sure it was up to your standard?" Mia cut in,
Christian laughed,
"No Mia, I came to see if I could have it reserved for those few hours."
"Oh." Mia mumbled with embarrassment.
"You're coming right?" Christian questioned," Your friends can tag along too." He grinned,
"Sure! As long as we get off work on time."
"…Cool, so is there a dress code or—"
"Shoot! I nearly forgot, most of the chefs said they'd invite their partners and spouses, so we agreed to be formal and fancy."
"Ooh! You hear that Mia?" She added as she turned in Mia's direction.
"I'm not deaf Betty." She snapped.
Christian chuckled as he saw the frown on Mia's face.
"You look really cute when you frown." He told her,
"Huh?" She replied vaguely,
"With that being said, I'd like you to be my date for the night, Mia?" He asked instead.
Mia stared at him blankly, till Ashley nudged her elbows.
"B-But, the chefs and everyone else—"
"They'd all be there with their significant other." He smirked,
Mia was hesitant for a while, meanwhile Betty's eyes told her to say yes, Ashley's too. So she turned to Christian who was eagerly waiting for a replied and told him yes.
"Great, so the event's by 11, two hours after the hotel party's is done with, so everyone can go home freshen up and return."
"This is so exciting, we're on morning duty tomorrow, we could go shopping in the evening." Betty squealed,
"Oh no, no shopping for me, I have these dresses my aunt's boyfriend got for me and I only wore them once, I'll just wear them again." Mia smiled,
"…Um, that won't be necessary, let's go shopping together." Christian told her,
Mia chuckled nervously,
"Didn't you listen to what I just said—"
"I did, but it'll hurt my pride to see you in the dress another man got you."
At the moment, Betty and Ashley "Oooh'ed."
"Let me rephrase that, "my aunt's boyfriend," not my boyfriend?—"
"Don't matter, a man is a man, irrespective of his relationship to you." He smiled.
"Tch!" Mia tutted as she folded her arms, "Are all men always like this."
"A man's pride is everything…And besides, you'd require a work suit for your role as a waitress that night." Christian replied,
"Fine, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then…Good night." Mia replied as she got on her feet and walked away.
Once she was out of earshot, Betty turned to Christian and told him,
"She's just playing hard to get, we're going to help you win her over."
---
The following evening, Christian kept to his words and took Mia shopping after work. They ordered an Uber to one of the most expensive boutiques in town, Mia refused to enter the first one though due to personal reasons. It was the one George brought her to, some weeks ago to shop for Noel's talent show and after that incident, Mia was sure her face was still imprinted in the Manager's head."
So they went to another one, and when they got in, Christian told her,
"Pick whatever you want, and I'll pay for it. "
"Unlike that jerk Ethan, this guy isn't that pushy at all." She thought.
After shopping, he took her for a drink, where they talked at length, it turned out that they had a lot of things in common, and they both were interested in the same subjects.
Christian was glad he had made her smile. She had been having a hard time at work and somehow, he felt his presence made it even worse. But now sitting here, talking and laughing together made him happy. He made sure she was satisfied before sending her home in another Uber.
"That was a turn of events this week." Mia sighed happily as she entered her apartment, threw her shoes and gently climbed her bed before slowly drifted into La -La land.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone