Chapter 10

I can't believe you did this.

"I didn't do it. I just wanted to come to work because I was very angry about your attitude this morning."

"Now everyone thinks I'm cheating on you."

"Why do you care about what others think?"

"That's what this charade is for, isn't it? To pretend."

Aileen was slightly disappointed but managed to hide it.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll fix it."

"How?"

"You'll see."

Aileen noticed that the paparazzi was still around, documenting everything that was happening. She went to call Zac so that the three of them would be outside. The paparazzi wondered what was happening when he saw the three of them embracing each other. He didn't understand anything. Nevertheless, he took the photos. Aileen approached the paparazzi, and when he realized it, he tried to escape, but Oliver wouldn't let him. Oliver grabbed him by the shirt.

"So, you're the one spreading false news."

"Me? I just comment on what I see."

"Yeah, like when you saw me with Zac hugging each other. We're friends."

Zac appeared behind them.

"I was just congratulating her on her engagement because I couldn't attend her party last night," Zac told him. "Is it wrong to give a hug to your friend?"

The paparazzi shook his head.

"Now open your notebook, and you're going to write exactly what I tell you," demanded Oliver. And the paparazzi, being a good understanding person, did just that.

Al parecer, todo había sido un malentendido causado por el periodista. El chico llamado Zac es simplemente amigo de Aileen y solo la estaba felicitando por su compromiso. Oliver Price está muy feliz y enamorado de Aileen.

That's what the new magazine article stated, where the three of them did everything possible to put everything in the past. Oliver was feeling more at ease. He had also apologized to Aileen for the morning incident, but she told him that she forgave him on the condition that he continued working to earn his salary.

"Why do you want to stay there?" he questioned her. It was her quitting time, and Oliver decided to take her out for dinner wherever she wanted. Aileen's eyes sparkled because she really wanted to go to the mall with Oliver, watch a movie in the cinema, and grab a bite to eat.

"I feel useful when I'm working. Besides, it doesn't affect you at all," Aileen smiled as she got into the car at the same time as him.

"It doesn't, but we agreed that you would do an internship in my company. With a salary."

"Well, until that happens, I'll keep working there," Aileen smiled at him. Oliver shook his head, feeling that Aileen was a very stubborn yet beautiful girl. Her eyes, her nose, her mouth—everything about her was perfectly imperfect. He didn't need to have the most beautiful woman in the world; he just wanted someone who was beautiful in his eyes. And that's what Aileen meant to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked because he couldn't stop looking at her.

"Nothing," he replied, starting the car.

Zac had stayed behind at the restaurant, arranging the chairs and cleaning up everything.

"Still here, Zac?" Ines, the cook, asked him.

"I'm almost leaving," he responded.

Ines shook her head and left the premises. Zac stayed, thinking about Aileen and everything that had happened today. For a moment, he wished that the magazine article had been true. Why doesn't she notice me? he thought incredulously. If only he had wealth, power, maybe Aileen would take notice of him. If he continued to be a delivery guy at that restaurant, he wouldn't get ahead. He took off his apron and searched for his backpack with his belongings. He had a plan, in fact, he would do anything to make Aileen fall in love with him. He closed up the restaurant and took his bicycle, riding home to search for his university things.

Aileen and Oliver got out of the car when they arrived at the mall.

"What should we do first?" she asked, smiling. Oliver liked seeing her smile. But what was happening to him? He couldn't behave this way with this girl. He was supposed to be cold and not romantic.

"Whatever you want," he replied curtly.

"Oh no, the boring Oliver is back," she said.

"What?"

"Yes, sometimes you're carefree and yourself, and other times, like now, you're stiff and serious. Lighten up a bit," she said, seeming full of life and dreams. He wanted to do as she said, but it was impossible for him.

"Well, let's see what movies are playing, don't you think?"

The mall was bustling at night. It had five floors, with clothing stores, shoe shops, jewelry stores, electronics, pharmacies, food courts, and a little bit of everything on every corner. The cinema was located on the top floor, so they took the elevator to the last floor. The cinema had a long line.

"Hmm, it seems there's a horror movie at ten," Aileen read.

—Do you want to watch a horror movie?" he inquired.

—Hmm, maybe. What about you?

—Any movie you choose is fine.

—Don't you have any preferences of your own?

—I'm not good with movies, Aileen.

—Hmm, okay! Let's watch the one at 8:30, it's a romance.

—Sure. And in the meantime, we can have dinner at a proper restaurant.

—As you wish, Mr. Price.

Oliver and Aileen headed to one of the most expensive and luxurious restaurants in the area. Oliver ordered wine for both of them and their respective meals.

There was silence. Uncomfortable silence.

"What are you thinking?" Oliver asked.

"Nothing."

"Liar. You're always thinking. Tell me what you're thinking."

"Nothing, it's just that... I look back a week ago, and I hate you like never before. I don't know why I'm here with you about to watch a romantic movie and having dinner together."

"The twists and turns of life," he muttered sarcastically.

"Yes, all because I went to that bar on my birthday."

"It was your birthday?"

Aileen nodded, remembering that night. That bar.

"Why do you have that place so far from the city?"

"For privacy."

"I see."

"And why did you want to celebrate your birthday at my bar?"

"I don't know, my friends took me there. If I had known it was yours, I wouldn't have gone," she half-lied because she knew more or less whose place it was. But she didn't want to make it longer. The weather outside was pleasant, there were stars in the sky and a full moon. There wasn't much noise from cars; it was calmer that day. She liked days like that. "I'd like to live in a small town," she smiled.

Oliver furrowed his brow.

"Why?"

She shook her head.

"I don't know. A town with forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls. A town that's somewhat big but still wholesome, with everything you need. Like this mall, with shops, tourist spots. I don't know, a place where everything is in one small location. I think it would be beautiful. You wouldn't be surrounded by buildings, paparazzi, or... bad people. I'm not saying there aren't bad people in small towns, but in big cities, everything is more complicated. People are more judgmental."

"Sounds nice. I think it would be a good place to take a break. Do you have a specific town in mind?"

Aileen thought but couldn't come up with a town that fit the description.

"No," she said. Just in my imagination," she continued, eating without any shame.

"Perhaps there's one out there that you haven't discovered yet."

"Maybe."

The dinner was light, filled with conversations and dreams. They had finished eating as it was almost 8 o'clock, so they got up and walked to the movie theater. But not before buying popcorn, hotdogs, and french fries. Of course, with a large Coke.