Chapter 7 (Becky's POV)
I know it's not ladylike to laugh like a maniac, but I can't help it.
Vicky's words keep ringing in my head and each time I look at Aron's face the laughter just comes again.
She actually thought that someone like Aron would fall for a girl like me.
Let's be honest.
My life was in ruins at the moment.
And first of all, I had to learn to love myself again.
This person I've become is just not me.
I wanted to be the easy-going cheerful me again.
And I was shocked once I realized I was all these things right now.
I was happy, laughing out loud, and not thinking about the facts of who might be sitting at the table nearby.
I was just enjoying a simple lunch break with my boss and his friend.
I decided it was time to introduce myself as well.
So I extended my hand in Vicky's direction before I spoke.
"Hei. My name is Rebecka, but everyone calls me Becky. And Aron really is just my boss. But I will admit, I am flattered that he brought me here today. It's a really lovely place."
Vicky's face transformed into one of pure joy.
"Oh thank you so much. This restaurant is my baby. I started right after I finished high school, bought it with the money my parents left me in a trust fund, and opened a bar. It was used for that purpose for many years, but suddenly an anonymous donor contacted me with a huge amount of money and support if I wanted to upgrade to a restaurant. I was skeptical at first because all he wanted was for one dish to be on the menu every day and a special brand of beer on tap. And that's it. I thought there must be some secret behind it, but up until today, no secret was revealed to me. So I just hope it stays that way."
When she spoke about her restaurant she was practically glowing.
But what captured my attention the most was those demands of her anonymous donor.
So I asked about it.
"What kind of food and beer did he demand to be available?"
She chuckled and pointed a finger in Aron's direction.
"He wanted lasagna and the dark beer on tap that was not doing so well and we wanted to replace it. And those are the only things that Aron ever eats and drinks here. If I didn't know any better I would suspect him, but he knows if he ever offers me that amount of money I will break his arms. "
I was just about to say that it might still be him when he suddenly kicked my leg under the table.
I looked at him accordingly but he just gave me a mischievous smile.
Damn him and his dimples.
But if he wanted to play games, we could play.
I smirked his way before I turned my attention back to Vicky.
"You know, if you have any dirt on this guy it would really come in handy. Especially if I want to get him into my bed shortly."
At the same moment, two things happened.
Aron stiffened beside and Vicky started jumping up and down while she was clapping her hands like a child.
"Give me five minutes. I will bring you guys dark beer on the house, and then Aron can pray for the ground to swallow him, and you my dear friend will get all the dirt you want."
I laughed at her quickly retrieving form.
She really was something else…
"What the hell Becky? I hope you were joking because I can't afford to have a secretary that wants to seduce me."
I looked at him with an evil smirk on my face.
"You know I would gladly tell you if it was a joke or not, but it seems that you like to keep secrets, especially from your friends so I guess I won't tell you anything."
He was starting to get nervous and it was pretty much obvious by just looking at his face.
"What do you mean by that? I don't keep any secrets."
"Really? So why does Vicky still have no clue that you are the anonymous donor?"
I could see he wanted to deny it, but I just gave him a stern look and his shoulders dropped.
"You've heard what she said Becky. She would break my legs if she knew I gave her that money. I just wanted to help her, as she helped me when I was younger. I was a boy that got into trouble at every turn, but Vicky took me under her wing and made sure I was staying out of trouble. It is probably thanks to her that I am where I am today and not rotting in prison."
His words touched me and melted another piece of my frozen heart.
I could see he really cared about her and that's something that you just don't make fun of.
"I was kidding Aron. I just want to be a good replacement for Rachel while she plans her dream wedding."
He gave me a kind smile and suddenly grabbed my hand.
He brought it to his lips and gave a gentle kiss.
This man will be the death of me.
"Thank you so much for your honesty. I swear I was freaking out there for a second."
Ouch. Now those were the words no woman ever wanted to hear.
"Why? Am I that ugly?"
His smile dropped and was replaced with shock in seconds.
"Fuck! No Becky. It's nothing like that. You are beautiful and any man that says differently is either an asshole or lying. Or maybe even both. But I just don't have time for any kind of romance in my life right now. Or either a desire for it."
Now that sounded a bit better for my bruised ego.
"It's ok. But Vicky is coming back so prepare to suffer."
A painful groan escaped him, but his trademark smile was back in its place. So I guess we were back to normal.
Now if I could only get rid of the butterflies in my stomach each time he smiled at me.
Does alcohol drown them?
Let's hope so.
Cheers.