Works like a Charm

Ding! the elevator chimed to announce the presence of another set of persons.

The doors opened and Thai stepped out.

The bar was bustling with activities, A live band was performing on stage, waiters and waitresses scurried about taking and returning orders.

Oh my God is that Thai Rivera... one lady squealed and nudged her friend.

Suddenly the whole room was full of murmuring and gasps all around.

Thai looked around quickly, luckily he sighted Fernandez. just like him all his teammates were muscular with a distinct body stature that made them easy to identify.

He started walking towards him but was intercepted by some undeterred fan girls.

Oh my God... ahhh.. Mr Rivera... Please sign my shirt... can I have a selfie... Thai was bombarded left, right and center.

Woah... easy ladies, There's plenty of Thai to go around.. he winked at them.

ahhh.. they screamed as they pushed again each other just to get closer to him and touch.

Luckily the security were at hand and quickly dispersed the girls.

So sorry about this Mr Rivera.. one of the security men apologized.

It's okay. he waved away the officers apology. I'm used to it already. luckily the hotel didn't allow paparazzi of any kind.

Yo man, he shook Fernandez's hand.

Looks like you needed a little saving back there, he mocked.

Man of the match

You know the saying, wherever Thai Rivera goes girls follow, Thai laughed.

okay nobody says that

Thai grabbed the nearest barstool and sat on it.

The bartender came to attend to him immediately, no waiting for the great Thai Rivera.

one glass of Ice tea please

coming right up sir, the bartender replied.

How about the others, Thai asked as he adjusted his watch.

The others left this morning. I told coach that I'll wait for you so we would fly up to new York together. All your tickets and boarding passes are all available and ready.

Thanks man, Thai grinned.

Fernandez was Thai's best friend, he knew him like the back of this hand. They were practically brothers, Fernandez lost his parents in a plane crash when he was in highschool so Thai's parents took him in and adopted him as their son. They both chose careers in football and turned out to be one of the best footballers out there.

Here's your iced tea sir, the bartender handed it over to Thai who gulped it down almost immediately.

another one?

Yes please Thai piped. Christ, I shouldn't have had do many shots of tequila, my throat is on fire.

A Blonde waitress walked over to them with a clipboard in her hand.

Hello sirs, what can I get for you today?

Thai glanced at Fernandez questionly

I already had something earlier, you order .. Fernandez replied.

Alright then, he turned the force of his blue eyes to the waitress.

She blushed as if on cue

How are you today? Can I have the menu?

of.. ff course sir, she stuttered and clumsily handed it to him.

He opened it and peered at it.

I'll have a Caesar salad with a side of fries please he murmured and handed it back to her.

Better make that to go man, our flight leaves in 15 minutes and our Car is already here.

I'll have it to go then.. he smiled at the waitress as he ran his fingers through his hair.

co... coming right up sir, she stuttered. The woman almost literally melted into a puddle.

She turned around and left.

Here's your drink sir, the bartender interrupted.

ohhh thank you Phil, Thai winked and slipped some dollar bills into his hand.

Thank you sir, the bartender grinned. I have a T-shirt I want you to sign if it's not too much trouble...he stammered looking down.

Thai laughed and stood up.

Not at all, he took the shirt from the man and signed at the back and handed it to Fernandez to sign as well.

Thank you so much sir.

No problem Phil, he smiled as he gulped down the drink.

Here's my card, feel free to call me anytime you are in new York, we can catch up... Thai winked.

Common Fern let's bounce.

Thai Rivera the ladies man, Fernandez teased.

Don't start with me, Thai laughed as he shook hands with the bartender.

Later man.

You go on down and I'll get my food.

Thai walked up to the counter.

The brunette burst into smiles the moment she saw Thai, it was just too easy. one could say that it works like a charm.

How can I help you Mr Rivera?

ermm, I would like to collect my to go order, Thai answered.

Alright sir, coming right up.

she went to the back to sort out his order.

Thai glanced at his watch. It's was already

10: 31am.

The woman came with a customized Hotel to go bag. Here's your food Mr Rivera, blinking her eyelashes flirtatiously.

Thank you very much love.

You know I'm such a big fan of your work sir, I was wondering whether I could get a selfie.

Why not? come over here.

The woman's grin grew so wide that her face almost split into two.

She handed him her phone and she moved closer to him for a selfie, Thai wrapped his hand around her waist and drew her closer.

Smile...

click click the camera shutters sounded.

Thank you so much Mr Rivera.

Please call me Thai, he countered, waving away her thanks.

Alright then thank you very much Thai replied as he gave the woman his signature smirk.

peace..

He clicked on the exclusive elevator call button.

He stepped into the elevator and the door closed.

When the elevator opened on the last floor, Thai got out and walked across the lobby, ignoring all the gasps and murmurs all around him. He went out through the revolving doors into the snowy outdoors.

Here sir! The chaffeur called as he opened the car door for Thai. Frenandez was already sitting at the back. Thai got in and sat down as well. it was a limousine.

The chaffeur closed the door gently and got in the driver's seat.

The car ignited soundlessly to life and shot forward.

The back glass blocking the front from the back seat rolled up and gentle oschestra music cascaded them.

Thai leaned back and rested his head on the car seat.

Took you long enough, Fernandez commented.

All your stuff has been moved from your room and put in the trunk.

Thai sighed tiredly in response and closed his eyes.

one more thing, your mother called, Fernandez added casually as he whipped out his phone from his back pocket.

Thai's eyes shot open immediately.