Lara could not stop blushing because of what Joaquin said.
But because she didn't want others to see her reaction, she hurriedly bowed her head and then invited the young man into her office.
Inside, Cynthia could no longer hide her excitement when she saw and introduced the newcomer to her friend. And since it was time for her to go home, she didn't make Joaquin wait long.
“You know, I wanted to ask you this before. But three or maybe four years ago, where did you work?” the young man when they were already inside his car.
Astonished, she turned to Joaquin who at that moment noticed that he was looking at her. As usual, the car's engine is open.
"Why did you ask?" she wondered.
"Nothing," Joaquin replied with a shrug.
“It's still in that branch. At that time, I was just a saleslady. I was only promoted when I graduated,” she replied.
Lara saw the sudden lit of brightness of the handsome face of the man in front of her because of what she said. She didn't know why but she still chose not to ask.
“I think I've seen you before. When you said you were still a sales clerk,” Joaquin told her as he started to drive the car.
What the young man said left a big question and confusion in Lara's mind. This time the girl could no longer restrain herself from asking questions.
"What do you mean?" her eyebrows met when she asked the question.
“It’s a very long story. But I’m sure about that. Anyway, what is Callie's favorite?” Joaquin further changes the topic.
"Oh no, Papa must have cooked dinner already so there is no need for that," she said with a smile.
What Joaquin said she could say released the curiosity she felt in those moments.
“How about ice cream? What do you think?" the young man again.
At that moment Lara thought she couldn't seem to change what Joaquin wanted. A typical habit of a parent. Well, she is like that many times when it comes to her child.
"Yeah, she'll like that," she replied.
*****
JUST as she told Joaquin, their daughter was happy to meet him with ice cream. And because dinner was ready, his father also invited the young man to eat there.
Joaquin did not refuse his father's offer. As for him, compared to before, she feels more okay. She meant; she was no longer disgusted with the young man. Maybe it's because they're friends now.
"Where do you work?" that's what she thought to ask Joaquin when they were on the terrace.
She had made him a cup of coffee after taking care of the dishes they used at dinner. While at that moment her father was busy watching TV in the living room with Callie.
“I am a Regional Manager in a paper company. Why did you ask?" the young man asked her then sipped coffee from its cup.
"Nothing, I still don't know what your job is, so I just asked," she said with a smile afterward.
"It's okay," Joaquin replied to her. “Are you really not in a relationship right now? You know, just to make sure that no one would get mad at me for visiting here,” the young man followed what he said with a weak laugh.
“No, I don't know why. But I have suitors and one of them is very loyal, actually,” she would tell the truth.
Lara saw Joaquin's thick eyebrows rise because of what she said. Then he picked up his cup of coffee again and sipped it.
"Really?" Joaquin asked amused.
“Yes, and Dad likes him because he's kind. But I don't really feel any special feelings for him. So I told him to stop courting me. But he’s still really persistent,” she said.
Joaquin did not speak and instead just kept staring at her.
At that moment Lara immediately felt the strange viscosity in the young man's stare at her. Something she knew caused her chest to swell quickly.
“I also can't blame him just in case. You already have everything a man can want from a woman,” he said, sipping his coffee again.
The young man's words had an effect on Lara again.
"Are you okay?" Joaquin asked after a while as he stared into her face.
The young lady was immediately surprised by that question.
The light on the terrace was on but she didn't notice that Joaquin noticed the discomfort she felt even just by staring at her.
“Y-Yeah, I am okay. Why?” she asked trying to steady the tone of her speech.
Joaquin shook his head as he smiled and finished the coffee in his cup.
She knew the man was not convinced by what she said. But that didn't matter anymore, and she didn't want to worry either.
"I'm leaving," he said goodbye to her when she recovered.
From sitting in the chair opposite the one she was occupying, the young man stood up and she followed.
"I'll pick you up again tomorrow, is it okay?" he asked when they were at the gate.
“Oh, there is no need. I'm fine,” Lara refused.
Joaquin was immediately taken aback by what she said. "I insist," he said.
Even though they just met, Lara knew that in the tone of Joaquin's speech, she could not change what he wanted. She knew that even if he insisted on not picking her up tomorrow, she still wouldn't listen. So in the end she just let it go.
"Good night," Joaquin said before driving the sedan he was carrying.
Lara just followed the young man's moving car with her gaze. She was about to enter and was about to close the gate when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.
"Lara," the voice said.
"Ramil?" she replied.
The bitter smile was what she saw flashed on her lips before he got out of the car he was carrying.
“Can I come inside? It's been a long time since I last saw and talked to you,” the young man asked her in a pleading tone. "By the way, this is for you," she added and then handed her a bouquet of red roses.
The truth of those moments was that she really wanted to rest. She didn't want to admit it but she had to do it. At least to herself.
Joaquin just left when she suddenly felt tired.
That was true but she also just laughed to herself in the end.
However, she knew it would not be fair for Ramil if she would not entertain him. Especially when he saw her with Joaquin earlier. Even though she didn't feel any special feelings for him, she still didn't want to hurt him.
"Of course, come in," she replied to the young man.
Ramil just nodded but sadness still remained on his face. Lara knew why but she didn't want to think about it anymore.
"Who is he?" his immediate question to her after she put down the cup of coffee, she had brewed for him.
Ramil now occupies the chair that Joaquin used to sit in. She left him for a while to brew coffee and when she came back that was the first thing, he asked her.