It's Ken Montero

Smile: Chapter V: It's Ken Montero

Dainty's Point of View

I was surprised that I could not open the door of RD's house. The gate is not closed, but the door is locked. "Oh my gosh. Why is it locked? That guy! He didn't even visit me in the hospital, and he even locked the door, wow, just wow." I whispered. I could do nothing but just call RD and squat here outside, it was already late at night, also, the mosquitoes are partying here outside.

"RD, where are you?" I asked when he answered my call.

[Wait, I'm just going through some traffic. I'm already there, just wait for me.] He answered on the other line.

"Really? You're driving? Then I'll simply wait for you here. Be careful," I said as I hung off. Perhaps RD worked overtime in the office again, and as a result, he was caught in heavy traffic tonight. And I pity him for that sometimes hahaha.

Even though it was cold and the biting bugs were buzzing around my ears, I was still waiting for RD outside his house. It's quite exhausting. Sir Adrian and I have also been working in the field for three days in a row as part of our Restaurant Project. I've been with our client for three days, but we only speak when it's about work or when she wants to change something about the layout. Something else I've noticed about Ms. Andraste is that she's always with us. And I'm afraid I'm going to fail this assignment because she's always watching. She was, after all, a daily observer of the continuing effort. Yes, she can observe, but it's best if she just sees the real process once or twice a week so she is surprised by the project's development. But it's difficult in her case because I know she'll be with us every single day. Then I passed out for a time. Sir Adrian is overacting, so I have rushed to the hospital right away. That's a bit humiliating. But since it has already occurred, everything is good.

I checked the time on my watch, it was already ten-thirty in the evening. I guess RD is taking too long? I have been waiting for an hour now.

Then at the same time RD called so I answered my phone.

[The heck Dainty, I am here in the hospital. Where are you right now?] He asked in an angry voice from the other line.

What?!

"What? What are you doing there? I've been waiting for you here outside of your house since I called you." I think my head will hurt even more.

[For how long? Why didn't you tell me right away, huh?!]

"I didn't know that you were going to the hospital! You said you were on your way so I thought that you will be going home."

[Is that it? I'm going home now then.] He answered in a calm voice now.

"Don't be in a hurry, you'll probably get home later because of the traffic hahaha. I'll just go straight to the nearby hotel." I think I'm cursed right now because I am so unlucky today.

['Don't, you're already there. I already told Jake that you will stay at his house now. I'll just pick you up when I get home.] He added.

"Really? Will that be fine with him?"

[Of course, and you should go there now rather than waiting for me outside.]

I ended the call and immediately walked to Jake's house which is only three houses away from RD's house. Jake is a close friend to RD so it's okay with me to stay in his house temporarily.

***

RD's Point of View

"Wow! This building is so beautiful and big! the owner must be super-rich, huh?" I shouldn't have taken Dainty with me here. She couldn't stop talking and most of the time, she just repeats what she says! "Shut your mouth, a lot of people are looking at you," I said, irritated because she didn't listen and kept talking. So, I glared at her.

Then she abruptly put one hand over her lips. However, I could see in her eyes that she finds me amusing, and her shoulders were slightly moving, indicating that she was laughing. I merely shook my head and dragged her here to a quiet spot. Heck, I look like a babysitter here because of her. Well, I am not her guardian but I have a reason to do this.

"Sit down here. Just here, I'm going to Mr. Montero's office to talk with him." I said and gave her a 'do you get me look'. I'm worried that she might go somewhere later. "Okay, go ahead. I'll just stroll around here." She replied that’s why I gritted my teeth and glared at her for the second time.

"Wait for me here. As in, here in this place. I'll be right back after I finish talking to Mr. Montero. Do you understand what I said?"

"No, I don't." She replied.

"The hell? Stop being so stubborn Dainty!"

"Then why did you bring me here when you'll just make me wait for you. You know I couldn't understand you since last night. You look so bothered; do you have a problem? And did you know what the doctor told me yesterday? He said I can't be stressed but you're the one who stresses me the most right now!" She shouted in her frustrated voice. I couldn't answer right away because some people were already looking at us.

"Excuse me, Mr. Bautista. Mr. Montero is waiting for you inside." Suddenly a woman called me. "Wait for me here." That's all I said to Dainty before I walked towards Ken's office. When I entered, Ken immediately motioned his secretary that assist me to leave first. So, Ken and I were left inside. "Where did you see him?" Ken asked. Not new and surprising, he's always straight to the point. "At the hospital, last night," I answered. Ken just nodded and drank the wine on his table. He's like an old and strict boss with the way he acts and behaves when in reality, he's just the same age as me.

"Well, if they meant to show his self from you then we will consider it as a threat. If not, we still need to be careful."

"Will our lives not be peaceful anymore? I mean, just my life. You look okay anyway." My response was a bit sarcastic.

"I told you again and again from the beginning, didn't I? But you didn't follow, you walked away from me. You even joined an engineering company, it wouldn't matter if you come back here and join me again, so I can give you protection 24/7 but you always refuse." I gasped at his straightforward statement. "You don't understand me and my situation, Ken," I replied.

"Sure, maybe I don't. But can't you see? We both know that this time will come. And this is it. So, I told you to stay away or else even the people around you will be affected. Just --- just let me fix this."

"I'm not leaving, I can handle this." I insisted. I don't like people to dictate to me about the decisions I have to make. I have already stopped obeying the commands of others a long time ago.

"Well, that's your decision, not mine. If that is the case then I will send three of my men to guard you against afar just like the old times."

"I do not need your protection," I answered stubbornly. "Are you sure? You don't want my offer? Well then." I didn't answer and just walked out. He's annoying every time but I can't hate him. I can somewhat see myself in him, so I can't blame him for having this attitude. When I came out, I could no longer see Dainty. Heck, now really? So, I immediately called her.

[Hello RD...]

"Where are you?" I immediately asked.

[Here in the café near the Montero's building. Xariya and I met, my client. We're just having coffee, hehe.]

"You can have coffee at home." I want to be angry with her but I can't do it so I'm just angry with myself.

[Are you crazy? We are not at home, we're here outside.]

"Then you should have brought coffee." I was pissed when I heard her laughing. "Don't go away. I'll be there." I said calmly, now I am pissed with myself. I can't get mad at her ever since. The heck. Why can't I be angry at her just once, huh?

[Huh? You don't have to! This is a girl’s talk, just go to work or go home.]

"Dainty, if you don't want to be seen in the news floating in the Pacific Ocean, then stop being so naughty and also stop pissing me off!" I even heard her laughing so loud on the other line before turning off the call. Heck? You even have the guts to laugh at me, huh? Let's just see.

What should I do now? Dainty has become so stubborn right now. Disappointed and frustrated at the same time, I cursed inside my head. I shake my head and saw Ken's office. I look at it and sighed heavily. I guess I don't have a choice now. I immediately ran back to Ken's office and found him sitting there as if he was expecting me to come back and I did!

"Hmm? You want something now?" He asked me in a teasing tone and opened another bottle of wine and poured it on his glass. "I'll accept the offer," I said. He smiled and nodded continuously like he won a grand prize. I can’t believe that I just suddenly changed my mind in just a snap of the hand.

"Nice decision, I'll send them right away."

"I also can't bear to just leave you alone. I have the power to protect you even if you don't want me to. Right, cousin?" Ken added and smiled. I smiled too.

"Thank you, Kendrix Montero."

____

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Montero Anthology