“I understand,” I mumbled, looking away. He seldom stayed in the house, so he must have poured out his time to his wife. Maezy was still young and sexually active—to the extent of using the art of sex toys.
“What do you understand?” Mr. Kim turned to me, and I suddenly got dumbfounded. How could I tell him what was in my mind?
“That you are busy, of course. With so many companies to handle, how could you sleep well?”
“Really?” Kim gave out a teasing smile, and I almost fainted.
“That’s why I need you in my company,” he added, and I got relieved.
A click on his seatbelt diverted my attention, so I also unfastened mine. Before he could walk around to open the door for me, I stepped down from the car right away. I didn’t deserve any of his special treatment; he was soon becoming my boss.
He led me to a table at the corner, and an attendant came over as soon as we pulled out our seats.
“Good morning, sir, ma’am,” the attendant greeted with a smile and a slight bow. “Breakfast set, again?”
“Yes, please,” Mr. Kim chuckled. It seemed that Kim knew this woman and that this cafe was one of his favorite places.
“The usual one?” she chuckled. I saw no sense of intimidation in her eyes. It only affirmed my guess that Mr. Kim was a usual client in this café.
I let my eyes roamed around. The café had a high ceiling in modern lighting and design. Aside from the elegant overall interior design, the floral frosted glass walls looked into a well-crafted garden landscape outside. There were only a few people around, but most of them seemed to be in business meetings.
“Two servings of my favorite Filipino breakfast set, Ciara. And two cups of strong house blend coffee.”
I watched them with a smile on my lips, especially when I realized Mr. Kim never wore the usual intimidating and domineering aura. I just witnessed how he blended well with people from different walks of life.
“Yen, if you wish to order something else, please do.”
“No, sir. I’m fine with it.”
Mr. Kim nodded, then gazed at me. “Yen, whenever you want to discuss something with me, we can do it here.”
“This café seems one of your favorite places, sir.” I traced my finger on the logo printed on the side of the table. It had the name of this café at the bottom. Jakara Blue Café.
“Kim.”
“Kim,” I repeated with a stutter and an awkward smile.
“I owned this place, but none of my family knows about it. Not even Maezy.”
“You own this chain of café and restaurants?” All of the big malls I knew always had an outlet for this luxurious café.
“Keep it between us only.”
“Promise,” I said, but I couldn’t help wondering why he kept it confidential.
“It was because of my love for Jakara, the woman I love. If I tell Maezy the reason behind it, she'll die of jealousy and will start launching a search party for Jakara. I don't want this to happen.
“Where is she now?”
“Long story. Maybe someday, I might tell you about it.”
I stared into his eyes, and I saw glints of sorrows lurking inside. Before I could gather my thoughts on what to say next, the attendant came with our order.
“Here; let’s start eating,” Mr. Kim said as he handed me a set of cutleries.
I nodded and looked at the food. My mouth watered instantly, and my stomach growled. Because of my anxiety over this job offer, I ate only a little this morning.
“Try this one. We have the best gourmet coffee in town.” I looked up, and I saw Mr. Kim stirring my coffee before placing it in front of me.
“I’ve also heard about it, sir.”
“Kim.”
“Okay,” I giggled softly.
“You become more beautiful when you smile. Do you know that?” he said, fixing his gaze at me.
I got tongue-tied.
“Don’t be shy. Eat fast.”
We ate in silence until we both put down our sets of spoons and forks. I finished my coffee, savoring its taste until the last drop.
“You love it?” Kim asked. I felt like melting in shame when I realized he was watching me.
“Don’t worry. You’re going to have it every day when you'll start working for me.”
I smiled, and he also smiled back; my world seemed to stop spinning for a moment.
“Let’s go,” he said, pulling my thoughts away from my trance.
Once we were on the road again, I couldn’t think of something else to break the awkwardness, so I brought up my surprise at his presence.
“I thought you are on vacation with your wife.”
“Yes, but I need to do something more important.”
“I see.” I presumed it’s something about business.
“You don’t want to ask?”
“It’s a private matter, Kim, but if you tell me, I will listen,” I uttered his name without the awkwardness for the first time.
He laughed softly and glanced sideways. “First, it’s you. Second, I’m on a mission.”
“Me?” My heart rate accelerated faster than the engine’s car.
“Of course. Talking to you is important because you will be handling three of my branches.”
My facial expression perhaps sank, and my face turned red. I got so ashamed of my foolish presumption.
“Second, I’m on a mission. You’ll see what I mean later.” He suddenly turned serious, and I was not wrong; I sensed anger in his sharp gaze.
“Where are we going?”
“To a beach resort in the north. I want to prove that I am right with my suspicion.”
And I was also afraid that we had the same suspicions about Tim and Maezy. I thought he would start talking about it, but Kim started discussing the company instead and the scope of my responsibility.
“I don’t know, Yen, but the first time I saw you, I know I can trust you on this.”
“When did you first see me?” I asked, and my heart began to pound louder than Kim’s answer. I whispered a prayer that may he wouldn’t remember that intimate moment I had with him.
He suddenly pulled off at the side of the road, then looked at me. He smiled, then stared at the distance.
“I know you had been asking in your mind that question. And I want you to know that, yes, I remember.”