Chapter 6 He won't take no for an answer!

• It made me frown hard at her. I had no idea what they were talking about, but whatever they were up to, I wasn't going to give in, no matter how much they were willing to pay me to have someone travel with them who could be a part-time accidental party planner/bartender/cook at the same time. That would be too much to ask for, and I didn't intend to be everyone's Genie.
• I could be a genie for my sister if she asked me to, but never for those unscrupulous wealthy socialites or whatever they were.
• But that woman. . .she looked like she was about to break down. And that intense gaze I was getting from Mr. Kennedy, the owner, didn't help me a bit. That star looked heartbroken. . .as if he could feel his woman's pain. Let's not talk about my manager. I sometimes can't decide whether to be grateful to have a mentor like him or weep over my luck to find someone who. . .was like my late mother.
• While I was glowering at my manager, with me trying to tell him I wasn't going anywhere with those people, the superstar consoled Madeline by saying calmly, "Let me talk to him, Eline. Everything will happen according to your plans."
• My head snapped toward Bash, but he again left me stunned, asking, "When is your test?"
• "What?"
• I looked at him in bewilderment.
• Of course, I talked in my manly tone, even though I was now panicking about him bringing the college here. What worse could happen if I couldn't tell him the name of the college I wrote in my resume before submitting it to my manager's email?
• "You are studying, aren't you?"
• My throat dried up in fear when Bash leaned forward and held the edge of the desk to the other side. "You work here mostly on the day shift. Sometimes at night and even for the whole day. You barely miss your work here, and then you are an art student. Culinary, I mean, as per what your resume says." I felt my jaw hanging low when he told me, narrowing his eyes, "No, don't take me wrong. I may sound like I am judging you, but it is far from that. I just wanted to tell you that I was a student once. And I am an Arts Grad too. So, buddy. Would you have pressure on attending classes, internships, or practicals from your college this month?"
• "I- " I was beyond flustered by then. Raising my chin in defiance, I defended myself, " -but this is my first year!"
• I heard stifled laughter around me.
• Did I say anything funny? My blood boiled in rage, but I had to keep my cool. In other circumstances, my cheeks would have looked cherry red because of this embarrassing situation, and I couldn't forget that I was a man now, and they don't blush. How was I supposed to know what a first-year student does in college when I couldn't go to college because of the tragedy in my life?
• "That's what I wanted to hear from you." I nearly jumped on my feet when Bash banged the table with a glint in his eyes. "You reminded me of our school days." Laughing, he laughed with Kennedy, which must be by recalling the good old days and memories.
• But he made it sound like I was some bunk star or last bencher who I never was.
• I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out one and barely passed the final test in school before leaving for his dream Arts college.
• "Eline isn't just my girlfriend, but my mentor, partner, and everything." I snapped out of my daze when I heard Bash. "When there was no one for me, she was the only person who had faith in me. Every day I tell her how grateful I am to have her in my life, but I know it isn't enough. She knows now what she means to me but never asked me for anything before in my life until today."
• Bash had his eyes on the woman at his side now. What he couldn't put in words, his eyes expressed it all, and he wanted it that way and only for her to read it as their secret. He had that look in his orbs that said Madeline was the one for him. For her, he could bring the whole world to her feet like a kind of power he held to make it happen. It was just for her. And always would be. That woman blushed under his gaze. That sweet gesture and devoted look reminded me of someone I no longer wish to remember and miss again.
• "Now, Elias. Can we expect that your college won't be a problem for you to join your team on this one-month trip with my crew?"
• Mr. Kennedy asked, breaking the air of romance between the oh-so-in-love couple, yet Bash looked at me with expectation, unlike his Eline, who didn't look like she belonged to this world, seeing how hard her expression turned when Bash wasn't looking at her.
• Is it me seeing things? Or I am getting so frustrated with my life that I have started to see unnoticeable cracks in the relationship.
• Shaking my head, I cleared my mind and lied to them, "I am sorry, sir, but I have to attend a fall camp to attend overseas for a week."
• "Can't you cancel that?" Madeline questioned me for the first time, and did I hear the rage in her tone? I became even more confused when she kept that mild look on her face when she said with an angelic smile that hypnotized even a complete sociopath, "I get that this camp is important to you for your career, but you will get to experience more if you join the tour with Bash. You will meet chefs and learn more from international chefs about the kinds of ingredients and exotic cuisine you have never heard of, Elias. But as a fresher of the culinary branch, you shouldn't miss this opportunity, where you can visit a few Northern and Western United States."
• "We will pay you a good amount." Bash joined in the conversation, and I fell silent with pursed lips. I knew they would bring the money talk here, and I couldn't help but shot a dagging glare at my manager from the corner of my eyes, and he looked apologetic. "You don't need to spend a cent during your stay there, except to pay for your own money if you go sightseeing. I believe your family wouldn't be a problem for you if you get to support them well. About the certificate, I can arrange something for you if you- "
• "It's still a no, sir." They could be professionally persuasive, but I was legally adamant. I have a family, and I love my privacy and freedom to do whatever I please. I wanted to say to his face but resisted the urge to do that. "My mentor in college chose me for the internship for a reason. It is related to something on my course that is highly confidential, and she couldn't trust anyone more than me." Politely, I said before turning my attention to Kennedy, "Sir, I am new here, still learning from my co-workers. You have many other talented and more experienced employees in the rest of the branches in this city who you can recommend. I will forever be grateful to you and our manager for trusting me with this, but I can't keep your word this time. I hope you will consider my request."
• Bash's expression darkened once again, but it was lethal this time. I felt my blood turn cold at his maniacal stare. My throat parched in terror when his dark eyes gazed down at my uniform, and he licked his dry pale lips! What the- ?
• "That's fine, Elias." Mr. Kennedy straightened up in his seat before the couple could get a chance to refute or bribe me again. His expression was neutral, but I didn't feel burdened with guilt. "You are the younger one here, still studying, and as we promised you before your joining, we wouldn't force you on something you can't be available for, so I won't hold you accountable for that this time. And you guys," Shifting his attention to my co-workers, he said, "The manager will send you an excel file. Please check on them before filling up your details as early as possible. If you have any queries or issues related to this trip, feel free to ask them."
• Letting out a breath, I thought about sneaking out when others started asking about the trip to Bash and froze in my place for a moment, feeling Madeline's eyes on me. Chills ran down my spine, and the darkness in her eyes made the hair on the back of my neck stand up, and I wasted no time in leaving that office instantly, but, of course, putting that uncaring expression on my face.
• I strode towards the elevator, holding my breath, but a massive built-up man blocked my way. In an instant, I recognized him, who was none other than the guy who rode the bus with Bash that day. Swallowing hard, I asked, "Y-yes?"
• "Mr. Fernandez asked me to give you this card." I frowned at the card as I couldn't decide whether to take it or throw it away. Then why should I have to take this stranger's contact? As if the man read my mind, he said, "It's Bash I am talking about, don't worry. My boss wants you to call him to have you change the route after your camping to fly to LA at the beginning of the third week."
• "What?" I looked at him in anger. "I have already told him in the office that I am not coming with them."
• The bodyguard looked casual with the tone I used on him. "It's an order, Elias." My mouth went ajar when he said that. I thought I should be careful with that woman, but I didn't know her partner would be a dangerous man himself. His eyes held no remorse as he told me, smiling, "It doesn't matter what condition you will be in then, but you have to come. He won't take no for an answer."