"And, why would I do that? I didn't even say yes." I stubbornly stomped my feet on the ground to prove my point.
With a defeated sigh, he finally closed the distance between us and grabbed my arm. I staggered a little as he tugged me towards the car. My body froze in shock at his impatient action.
"Wait! Wait!" I finally snapped out of it and pulled my arm away from his hold. "Could you wait for a second? You don't have to be so pushy."
"Are you seriously trying to test me right now?"
"No, not really. I'm only reacting instinctively from your freaking arrogant attitude," I replied in a dead tone as I glared at him in challenge.
For a second, we stood chest to chest, a centimeter apart with our eyes lock on each other. The tension had become palpable by the minute. Finally, I had to break the chain or we'll be standing there for hours and I don't want that to happen. My stomach had already growled from hunger.
"You're buying me two burgers and fries. I don't want to eat anything classy tonight," I almost growled the words out from the still lingering anger that bubbled inside of me.
He raised his eyebrow but otherwise didn't say anything to my suggestion. He nodded and took a small step back to give me space to enter the car. I couldn't believe I'm letting him take me to dinner tonight. After all the things we been through, I should be slapping and kicking the man into a pulp. But no, I was stupid.
I was glad that the drive was short even though it's rush hour. When we reached the fast food chain, Mark parked the car near the entrance. I didn't wait for anyone to open my door. As Mark turned off the ignition, I opened the door and jumped down. I caught a glimpse of William's startled face before I closed the door.
"If you're going to sit there all night, I'm just going to go in and eat by myself," I called as I eyed the dark tinted window, only seeing William's silhouette.
I didn't wait for his reply and quickly made my way inside. The fast food chain wasn't as packed as I expected it to be, which was a good thing. The last time I brought William with me, he was having a hard time blending in.
I studied the short line in front of the counter and stood towards the queue that only had one person. While I waited for the person in front to finish ordering, I studied to overhead menu.
"You could have waited a few seconds … " William suddenly murmured behind me, making me turn around at the sound of his voice.
I didn't give him the pleasure of arguing and turned around to study the overhead menu board.
"What's good to eat here?" he softly asked beside me after a short pause.
"The menu is right there. You can pick anything you like," I replied sarcastically.
"I can see that … But I haven't really eaten something like this before … " he admitted shyly.
I looked at him with wide eyes. It wasn't a surprise to know that this might be his first time here but hearing him say it is another thing.
"You can have the salad and the chicken burger … if you like. They're good," I suggested as the man in front of me finished ordering and paid to the cashier.
"Okay, I'll have those then … " He nodded.
I gave the cashier our order when it was our turn. It took her a moment to register what I said after her eyes landed on William. When I got back her attention, her stare towards me became less welcoming when I approached her.
"How much would that be?" William asked after I finished telling her our order.
The girl cashier turned towards William with a beaming smile and willingly gave him a reply. I watched them interact for a second until she gave us a number to wait on. I got it and walked away from the counter, not waiting for William to get the receipt and his change.
I found a good place to seat, which was by a window. William followed a few second later. I didn't glance up when he sat down across from me.
"So, you're just going to start ignoring me?" he asked in a conversational manner.
I looked at him from the tone of voice, shocked to hear that he didn't sound pissed at all. But before I could give him a reply, a waiter approached us and placed our order in the table. From then on, it was hard to start a conversation with him as the place slowly started to pack with people. I was glad that no one seemed to notice us.
"I think we should get going … " I stated and scanned the busy room.
William nodded in agreement and slid out of the booth awkwardly. I watched with amusement but didn't comment. As we got out, I remembered the two other men with us. I froze for a second as I watched the driver's door open.
"Have you guys eaten?" I asked worriedly and looked back at the interior of the fast food chain, the line in the register wasn't that long.
"We are good, Ms. Peterson." Mark replied with a small smile.
"Shall we go now?" William interjected and opened the door for me.
I gave him a grim smile yet didn't comment on his hasten actions. Since, I was also impatient for this night to end.
On our drive back to my place, which I involuntarily informed that I would be staying at Terry's place, William's silence grew more uncomfortable for me. He had been hounding me for these past few days up until this morning and now he had gone radio silence.
"Would you just spit it out?" I asked in annoyance.
He turned towards me in surprise, but otherwise didn't weaver his calm demeanor. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, please. I know you are thinking of something … You've been silent for a while now," I pointed out sarcastically.
"Right … I'm just thinking of ways on how to make this sound less intrusive than it already is … "
"Intrusive?"
"Well, I don't want you to quit and move away. And, I want you to give me a chance. So, I'm thinking of ways on how to do that without being too controlling."
"What do you mean?"
"I want you to work for me."
"There is no way that is going to happen," I stated sternly with conviction. If I were going to work for him, it would give him more leverage on taking control of my life. And I'm not letting another man dictating me on what I should do with my life.
"I knew you would say that."
I studied him under guarded eyes, a little surprised that he would resort to something like this. Why did he want me so close to him at all times? So, what if I quit? Did he have the same mindset as me? Maybe he thought that when I quit, it means that I was going away. But I wasn't. I would still be living in this city and look for another job, since I was insane enough to quit my current, perfect job.
"We are here, Ms. Peterson," Mark announced as he slowly parked the car in front of Terry's apartment, breaking another thick tension inside the car.
"Thank you," I said towards him and turned sideways to open the door.
I felt his glare on my back but I waited until I was out of the car before looking at him. When I finally glanced up, I saw a slightly sad expression to his blank face.
"Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow," he said in his monotonously.
"See you," I reciprocate in the same tone before closing the door. But this time, I didn't slam it.
As I walked up towards the building, I didn't dare myself look back at the car, which I knew was still there. I continued walking until I reached the main door to Terry's apartment. I let out a strained sigh before unlocking the door. When I got in, the first thing I did was crash on the sofa and stay there for as long as I can. I couldn't believe what had become of today.
That night, I wanted to wait for Terry to arrive but my eyelids had won. So, I had to wait until morning to vent out on all of my frustrations. Though just thinking about it, I might burden him. But if I don't do it, I knew I would go crazy.
The next morning, I was a little grumpy but manageable. I had woken up before my alarm, which was a miracle since I slept late last night. I got off the couch to get ready for work. As I walked to and from the bathroom and kitchen, I didn't notice the fancy envelope on the kitchen counter. It was when I ate my breakfast I noticed it. I was hesitant to grab and read it until Terry's voice surface behind me.
"That came in yesterday. I forgot to give it to you," He stated with a thick raspy, sleepy voice.
I turned around the sound and eyed him in surprise. "You're up."
"I think it's a letter for a job, since it look a little different from all the rejection letter you've had a few months ago … " he added, ignoring my words.
"What?" I asked dumb-founded and glanced down towards the letter.
I reached for it and check the back, making sure it was under my name before opening it unceremoniously. I almost tore the whole top of the envelope as I opened the letter. Then with quick hands, I unfolded it and scanned my eyes down as I read the content. I gasped aloud, not really in the mood on filtering my emotions.
"They hired me … " I whispered in surprise. "I can't believe they hired me … I have a job!" I continued and exclaimed with enthusiasm as I jumped out of the stool chair.