I hide in Starbucks across the building from where The Quartet has occupied. It's a tall establishment where its glass walls reflect the ocean-blue sky. It stands among the row of buildings where a narrow and busy street separates the arcade that houses the coffee shop where I am sitting from. Luckily, the coffee shop is a two-storey building where dining is also available on the second floor. I choose the table close to the glass wall that overlooks The Quartet Haven because I can still see anyone entering the main entrance.
I'm not sure if I'm successful in concealing myself from James' stalker. I hitched a ride from a truck that delivered frozen goods to our building's cafeteria. The truck took the separate entrance the building administrator designates for deliveries of whatever kind. When it's not food, it's laundry or construction materials.
And to further disguise myself, I changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt, then hid my bun underneath a man's wig. I also covered the third quarter of my face with extra-huge pair of sunglasses which I ordered through Facebook's marketplace. Looking at myself through the reflection on the wall, my lips twist into a thin line. There, I get it right. I can't almost recognize myself!
Not long after, I see Miss Aliyah Torres stepping out of the door. She's wearing a black and sleeveless business suit, her chestnut-dyed hair falling freely on her back. Despite the distance, the porcelain-like skin on her arms and legs shines against the dark shade of her dress. She even looks prettier and more dazzling than her photos in magazines.
My eyes pop wide, and my heart stops when Zed suddenly appears at the entrance. Miss Aliyah Torres almost bumps into him, probably because of the sun's glare, blurring her vision. She laughs as Zed's strong pair of arms steadies her. But then Zed bends down to kiss her on the cheek.
My heart then burns as I see how beautiful a pair they can make together. They are business partners – often bump into each other – but more than that, Miss Aliyah has apparent feelings for him. I saw it in her eyes when I first met her during the founding anniversary. The possibility of them being together in the future is just too high. The mere thought of that already hurts me, but I have to accept that. It's my fault that I choose a different path.
My phone rings, snapping me back into reality. I pick it up from the table and check the screen. My bad, here's Miss Aliyah Torres already! Why am I not watching?
I glance and see her standing not far from me, so I rise from my seat and smile at her.
"Miss Torres?"
She frowns as she looks at me. I also squint, feeling insulted.
"Is that you, Miss- "she stops as if she remembers something.
Right, she recalls that this meeting should be discreet. But why does it seem she doesn't recognize me?
She paces fast towards me and whispers in my ear, "Sorry, I didn't recognize you."
I freeze for a while, then laugh as the realization hits me. How did I easily forget that I was disguising?
"It's an honor to have met you," she says as we both get seated across from each other.
I smile. "It's the other way around, but thanks for the kind words."
"Coffee?"
"Something refreshing?" I ask, referring to the humid air and the hot sun outside.
"Please. Java Chip Frappuccino," she smiles, eyeing the delicious whipped cream and mocha drizzle on top of the cup in front of me.
I smile back, picking up my phone beside the cup. Then, I press the attendant's name, whose number I have saved on my phone. We have already agreed that I will just send a message or call her for my next order. She knows that I'm waiting for someone and will order whatever she prefers.
"Same order, Miss. Thank you," I speak; my phone is in loudspeaker mode.
"You beat me to that." I hear Miss Aliyah chuckle, so I look at her, wondering what she means. She points a finger at my phone.
"I've held meetings here but never once thought of getting the attendant's phone number."
I laugh softly.
"By the way, Zed is at the office."
"Happy to know that." I let out a weak smile.
"By the way, what is it that you want to talk about?"
"I've heard you want to expand to other countries. So what holds you back at the moment?"
Miss Torres smiles shyly. I never expect there's that part of her. She's always proud and confident in my eyes. "It's the lack of funds. We still haven't got the right investor."
"I can provide," I tell her. Firmly and confidently.
Her gaze on me freezes for a second, but then it turns to a confused and questioning look.
"But on the condition that you will send Zed for the project and let him stay there for a long time."
Miss Aliyah blinks, trying to fathom my intention. I give her the leisure of time.
"You want Zed out of the country."
"Yes."
"But why?" she whispers, apparently still shocked.
"He's not safe here, Miss Torres. Something can happen to him anytime."
I explain it to her briefly. I may not be sure that Zed has confessed this part to them, but it's the only way she will understand better. And trusting on her silent feelings for him, I'm sure it will fuel her instinct to act faster. Her love may be the unrequited type, but a woman in love is always willing to go the extra mile.
"Will you let him know about this investment?"
"I will do it under JM Corporation."
Miss Torres nods silently while my mind whispers an apology to my father. If he's here, he won't approve of this. And he won't be happy to know that his daughter is willing to risk an inheritance, an immensely desperate move to save a man!
"Miss Torres, may I ask another favor?"
"If my heart could handle that, why not?" she smiled reassuringly. I smile back at her while the thought of what I'm going to say slices my heart in two.
"Can we spread the news that Zed is going to marry you instead of me?"