PEARL

                                    

                                          
Mister Massimiliano didn't come today.
I know I shouldn't be this disappointed at not being able to see him.
It's not that he's so handsome and that I feel giddy and excited whenever I see him. He's a valued customer, that's all and today is my last day at Chen's. I wanted to say goodbye before I leave Achivell.
Mister Chen had let me off earlier than usual today to go and celebrate my birthday. Nevertheless, I did make an effort to wait a little while longer for Mister Massimiliano, however, he was still a no-show.
I make my way to the bus stop with my head down, staring at my feet and contemplating if I should make a cake or just buy one.
I dread going back home this early. Mom's not home, although she'd called me earlier to wish me a happy birthday. I'm a little hurt and disappointed that she would not be spending my birthday with me.
But I need to get used to it now that she's getting married in a few days.
Coming back to an empty house. It's cold and silent. Lately, I've been turning on the television just so there's noise to fill the vacuum.
I take out my phone, my thumb hovering over Mom's contact number, deciding against it and exiting the app before taking out my headphones and connecting them to distract myself with some music.
I let out a long sigh and leaned back against the bench, soft music playing in my ears.
I smooth out the skirt of my dress. And suddenly I feel stupid. I'd put on the dress today, especially for Mister Massimiliano. I hope, just maybe he can spend my birthday with me.
I know I shouldn't be disappointed but I am.
What a fool.
I'm always both excited and apprehensive about seeing Mister Massimiliano. There's this unexplained feeling I have whenever he's around.
He has invaded my dreams since the day he walked into the restaurant. In all my quiet moments, all I have been able to think about is him. I don't understand why.
It must be my hormone-driven infatuation. But Mister Massimiliano is one of those dark and dangerous kinds of men parents always warn you to steer clear of. There's no way I could be involved with Mister Massimiliano.
I hunch up my shoulders and stare down at the ground self-depreciatingly.
Mister Massimiliano is a very attractive man, his face is beautiful, too beautiful. And he's a very successful man. There's no way he would chance a second look at little old plain me, let alone talk to her if he wasn't eating at Chen's.
Whilst occupied by my thoughts, a sleek black car stops by the side of the road. I don't pay much heed to it until a man steps out.
He's here.
Mister Massimiliano.
I sit up with a strained smile.
Is he here for me? He couldn't be. At least five other people are waiting at the bus stop. Though I have to admit I'm a little excited at seeing him again. My eyes brighten instantly as I watch the man approach me with a smile.
As he walks toward me he beams, his eyes glinting.
"Here you are." He says, coming to stand just a few inches from me I could feel the heat radiating from his body. I hold my breath feeling the electricity ripple between us.
I falter for a moment, completely awestruck. He looks like a finely carved statue. The custom three-piece black suit on him was painstakingly tailored to his tall, lean and muscular frame, accentuating his broad shoulders and perfect silhouette.