Chapter 8: Her Name Is

Ram's POV.

"Damn it!" I mumbled as I tossed the documents I tried to read, but no matter what I did, nothing registered in my head. Only her image was racing through my mind.

I'm still not sure how a simple prostitute can have such an impact on me. Come on, she's lovely, all right, but I've slept with a lot prettier ladies before her. Why has only she been able to completely disrupt my well-organized thought? I didn't even get this kind of reaction from Janine, with whom I spent a year. What does that prostitute have that could mess with my mind?

We last spoke three days ago, and as of right now, I still haven't heard from her. It makes me crazy to think about her with Henry, and the thing they were probably doing right at this very moment.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I pondered, gazing out the window of my office.

My office was on the top floor, so I could see the huge buildings that surrounded it. I didn't continue reading the papers I should have been focusing on because I knew nothing would register in my mind.

After a few minutes of staring into nothingness, I decided to leave the office and go for a stroll, hoping that would take my mind off her. But I guess I was mistaken since, just like previously, I could see her face wherever I looked.

I even pondered seeing a psychiatrist, thinking there might be something wrong with me, but I didn't go through with it since I knew I was fine.

I chose to go to the mall rather than roam around aimlessly. As I went, I noticed the constant stares of the women I passed, but I disregarded them because I was used to being the focus of attention, not just from women but also from men.

Some people told me I had a remarkable personality that made people glance at me more than once, and that women would want to get my attention, which I laughed off since, to me, I'm simply being myself.

When I saw some new shoes, I decided to go into a luxury store. As soon as I walked in, a woman who kept trying to be charming greeted me, and I just smiled. at her, and told her what I wanted.

I don't normally go to the mall to shop because I have my own stylist who chooses what I wear, but I did like shopping this time since it helped me to get my mind off that prostitute.

It's no wonder ladies love shopping so much. Aside from the shoes, I bought a few pairs of casual wear to wear when I didn't have any meetings or appointments or was not working in the office.

I opted to go to a nearby American restaurant, and as soon as I got inside, a waiter immediately guided me to an empty table at the far end of the restaurant.

"I will have Jack Daniel's Salmon and a glass of iced tea," I said, and after repeating it, the waiter immediately relayed it to the counter.

I looked about while waiting for my order. It was lunchtime, so there were a lot of people in the restaurant. As I looked around, I noticed a woman who had recently passed by. I was going to get up, but I stopped myself since I knew I was simply seeing things. I didn't want to embarrass myself by approaching that woman just to find out she wasn't who I was looking for.

After thirty minutes, my order was served, and I didn't have any meetings, so I didn't have to rush. I loved my meal, and I believe I made the right choice to leave my office to clear my head.

I enjoyed the competitive world of business, but there were times, that it was nice just to slow down, and enjoy life.

I walked after eating until I was exhausted, at which point I returned to my office. I didn't have to wait until five o'clock to get home because it was almost four.

I was still thinking whether to return to my condo or my dad's place.

"Welcome back, Sir Ram. How was your lunch?" Tricia smiled as I spotted her in the office.

"Not bad. Anything good happened while I was away?" I asked, focusing on gathering all of my stuff.

She responded, "Nothing; however, someone called your private line, introducing herself as Atilla; when I told her you weren't available, she hung up."

I tried to remember whether I knew someone with that name, but I couldn't think of anyone, so I assumed it was some random ladies I hooked up with before Janine.

It also occurred to me that the prostitute might be the one, but I chose to rule that out because the pimp had told me her name was Jocelyn, not Atilla.

I wanted to check on Dad, so I decided to just go to his place, I needed to make sure that he was doing ok.

When I arrived, one of the maids took my things after she greeted me.

"Thank you, is dad in his room or the study?" I asked, looking upstairs.

I was surprised however when I looked back at her and saw her shaking her head in response, before speaking.

"Your dad left," she answered.

"What do you mean he left? Where?"

"He said he would go to the US, but he didn't say why or when he would return," she answered.

"Damn it!" I silently muttered.

He made sure I wasn't home before leaving because I had told him that he was not allowed to leave the country due to his doctor's advice.

"You may leave," I told her, and after she left, I grabbed my phone and dialed my dad's number.

I wasn't able to get a hold of him when I tried calling him but managed to talk to him around seven pm.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I couldn't help but yell when he picked up my call.

"Calm down, Ram. I talked to my doctor before leaving and they told me that my health was already stable and that I could already leave the country, I would only be gone for a week, so you don't have to worry," he said.

I couldn't stop worrying about him, even though the doctor had already given him approval, and since I couldn't do anything else, I might as well agree to him leaving and telling him to take care of himself and to call me if something happened.

"What now?" I asked myself.

Now that Dad has left for the United States, there is no reason for me to stay here, so I chose to go to my condo unit in BGC, despite the fact that it was past eight p.m.

I can't explain why I feel compelled to go to my condo unit as if a voice inside my head urging me to go.

I went ahead and returned to my car and drove to my place after speaking with Agnes, the head maid to contact me if something urgent happened.

"Weird."

I was unable to explain why my heart was beating so quickly; usually, I would experience this if I was going to get something I truly wanted or perhaps succeeded in something I had worked extremely hard for.

The night guard said, "Good evening, sir. You have a very special guest waiting for you."

"Thank you," I said, bewildered because I hadn't expected any visitors, but a surprising thought made me excited all at once.

"Maybe it's her!"

With that thought in mind, I dashed to the elevator and boarded it, not caring whether I appeared like a child opening presents on his birthday.

I was taken aback to see the door to my unit open, but I just shrugged it off. I was too excited to hear Jocelyn's response, but that smile disappeared as soon as I saw who was waiting for me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a cold voice.

I expected our final meeting to be in my office, and I had previously told her that I did not want to see her again. But then again, I should thank her because if she hadn't broken up with me, I wouldn't have met that prostitute.

"I miss you, Ram," she murmured, with sincerity in her expressive eyes.

"It's over between us, Janine. Did Jeffrey know you were here?" I asked.

I noticed her eyes twitching, indicating that her fiancé was unaware she was there. What type of boyfriend would allow his girlfriend to meet her ex-boyfriend late at night, in his condo unit, of all places?

It crossed my mind to call Jeffrey right now, but decided against it.

"Please, Ram, I'm ready to stand up for our relationship with Dad; now I realize you're more important than my inheritance, so please, give me another chance; I love you," she pleaded while staring at me.

If it had been before, I might have considered it, but right now, nothing is clearer than what I desire, and unfortunately, it's not her.

When she didn't hear anything from me, she started walking towards me and didn't stop until we were only a few inches apart.

Her face moved closer to mine, and she kissed me, teasing me as if waiting for a response, but no matter what she did, I didn't feel anything from that kiss.

"Give me another chance, Ram; I promise, you won't regret it," she said when she finally let my lips go after not responding at all.

"Sorry, Janine, but for me, it's over, so please leave," I said.

She did not leave immediately and looked at my face as if trying to discern my expression, but she eventually left with limp shoulders.

After closing the door, I sat down on the sofa in the living room, feeling very disappointed because all along I thought it was that prostitute waiting for me, but I guess I was wrong.

A few minutes later, I decided to get inside my room, but I stopped when I heard a knock on my door.

I felt annoyed when I thought that it may be Janine who came back just to beg for another chance, but one of my rules in getting into a relationship is that once it's over, it's done, and I don't believe in second chances.

The knocking continued, so I had no choice but to walk aggressively up to the door and forcefully open it.

"What do you want this..."

I was stunned when I opened the door and saw who it was—and it wasn't Janine at all.

"Can I come in?" She asked hesitantly.

I tried to say something, but it felt like there was something stuck in my throat, so I just held her hand and guided her inside.

I still can't believe that she came back, and now she's sitting on the couch opposite me.

She looks very different now than when I last saw her with Henry Cervantes.

Compared to the last time when she was wearing a very sophisticated dress, she's now wearing a simple shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a pair of Chuck Taylor shoes.

After clearing my throat, I finally managed to speak again.

"Would you like anything to drink, or maybe you're hungry?" I asked, and I couldn't stop myself from reprimanding myself for rattling.

"Is your offer still available?" She asked, and I almost yelled yes when I heard that.

Good thing I managed to keep the excitement to myself; I didn't want her to think that I was so eager to have her as my girl.

"Yes, my offer still stands, Jocelyn," I answered nonchalantly.

I couldn't help but feel nervous even though I could already guess her answer. What if she changes her mind? It's better to hear it from her.

It also made me wonder what made her change her mind, because, like I said, Henry Cervantes is far richer than me. I guess my being single made her decide to see me again.

"I will open a bank account under my name, and I want you to give me ten million pesos, which I will deposit in that account," she said in a challenging voice, making me raise my eyebrows in amusement.

I'm not sure if she was challenging me or maybe doubting that I could produce that kind of money, but that small amount is nothing to me; I'm Romano Santiago for crying out loud.

Instead of answering, I decided to get inside my room and grab my checkbook, and instead of ten million pesos, which is what she was asking for, I decided to write down twenty million pesos instead.

"Here is a check worth twenty million pesos; if you want, you can withdraw it tomorrow or deposit it, whichever suits you," I said.

I was disappointed when I didn't notice any changes in her reaction because honestly, I was expecting her to be thrilled about having this kind of money, but maybe, Henry had already given her a large amount of money before.

"When do I need to move in?" She asked.

Her question caught me off guard, making me tongue-tied, and when she didn't hear any reply from me, she went ahead and called my attention.

"Ram?" she said.

Hearing my name come out of her lips brought a sense of joy inside me, which I quickly dismissed.

"I want you to move into my condo as soon as possible, Jocelyn," I said in a serious tone after clearing my throat.

"Give me five days, so I can take care of some things I need to take care of," she said.

"Okay."

After that, she decided to leave, and I stopped myself from telling her to stay; she said she needed five days, and then I would be willing to give her that time.

I was not worried that she would just run away with my money after she left; I could tell that she was serious about being my woman.

She didn't say anything as she exited the door, but before she could totally close the door, her head suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"By the way, my name is not Jocelyn; it's Atilla, Atilla Salvador." And with that, she finally left.

I suddenly remembered the call I missed when I was at the mall. I remembered my secretary mentioning the name Atilla.

"Atilla," I muttered, liking how her name rolled on my tongue.