Chapter 8: Chapter Seven

After they'd done eating he asked for their bill and Reese paid it. After he paid it, he held her hands so tightly as they went out of that old French restaurant. She was shocked. Her eyes shivered as she looked at their hands. She felt the warmth of his palm, it was like she was sitting near the fireplace, and it was enough to arouse her little emotion and the beating of her chest became even faster and drumming inside her head. She could hear every beat of her heart. She listened to it, unlike her brain that was protesting, her heart seems dancing in glee.

She was timidly following him. Zev was ashamed of the people whose eyes were on them, who wouldn't be surprised especially since he was holding her hands, it might lead them to ask a question if she is the lady of the unico hijo of a worldwide billionaire, Don Carlos.

She swallowed repeatedly and tried to put a smile on her lips. She can't let go of his hand because he grips her hand tightly, and with each passing second she feels the heat of his palm even more.

Zev was unable to spurn or complain, instead, she just shrugged with Reese dulce's gentleness. Perhaps he wanted her too close to him that's why he cannot let go of her hand. Zev was considered bisexual by those who met her and that thing was just a normal thing. Her outlook on things is modern but when it comes to guarding her dignity, she is still reserved. In short, she's still a virgin damn.

But each people they met were looking at them with the thought that the two were in a relationship. Zev can read people based on their expressive faces. She can read them easily and if it is like exploring their brain or mind. She has the ability because she read a lot of books.

They're looking at their faces and their hands. She breathed a sigh of relief when they left the place. She shook her hand. She's felt a little bit of pain caused by his tight grip, her palm's red.

When they passed the Aijaxlife bar he stopped the car. He turned to her asking, "please wait for me here." He was kind, he always used Please.

She nodded in response to what he was just said. Reese moved quickly. He get out of the car and quickly went inside the bar.

She let out a sigh and looked at her palm. Oh heaven. Her fingers trembled. But even though she was hurt a bit, there was also a part of her system that was in favor of it. She loved the way that their skin pressed together.

Three minutes later he returned, carrying twenty beers in a can. Zev had no idea what those were for. Will he invite her to drink or what? Is it like a kind of party for a new friend? Well, they're not living in the USA and certainly not in the western countries.

He restarted the car's engine and drove away from the place. He stopped the car in a relatively dark place a few meters away from the bar. She knew what he wants. Conversation, yes, the young man needs a sensible interlocutor who is willing to listen to the frustrations and pains that consume him. If he favors her to listen to him she would not let him finish asking a favor, she's willing to listen.

She was the one he chose and she was willing to listen to Reese. Whatever the young man wanted to bring out she had to listen carefully and understand him.

Even back then. Zev knew that Reese is a depressant and a people like him needs a piece of overwhelming advice. Or it's her who can fill that loneliness, or is it her who can bring joy to this man's grief life? Not now, it's not a good place and time to embrace the feelings she had a hundred times back then.

She looked at his quiet face, she could see the sadness on the young man's face.

Later, he handed her a can of beer and it was already open. If he wants to talk to her why there's beer involved? At first, she refused to accept the beer, except for the reason that she was not used to drinking, she was scared since she did not know Reese very well and he might have something to do with her while she was drunk. But he seems gentle and kind, hence she accepts the beer, and she also doesn't want to be called 'Killjoy' so she took it. She smiled. "Thanks," she said.

She tried to taste it but she accidentally drank too much so she vomited the bitter liquid. It soars and bitters in her throat.

He laughed at her as he nuzzled her back.

"Lo siento (Sorry) But you'll get used to that later."

Reese was right, the second time she tried it she enjoyed the taste of the beer so she gulped the beer again. The last drop is always good.

Reese clapped his hands. "See? I told you!"

"Yup," she replied.

"Are you from Las Piñas am I right?" he asked.

"Yeah. How did you find out?"

"Find out isn't the right word, stupid. I'm not an Investigator."

"How did you even know, that is what I mean."

"Matt told me."

"One more por favor," she pleads when her can is empty.

"So you guys are related?" He used to ask that question to Matt.

"Neighbors"

"Since you're from Las Piñas, why did you get an apartment here?" He remembered to ask it.

"I'm a third-year Medical Student at Bezos International University. But I often go home to Las Piñas." She explained.

This is not the conversation she wants. She'd expected him to open something, something like can sting her heart. Why the conversation was all about her?

"Wow, rich kid?" He commented. Bezos International University is the most expensive University in the country.

She just smiled in response to what he said.

"Are you lesbian?" He asked.

"Is this an interview?" She grinned.

"Just answer my question." Reese insisted.

"Questions"

"Just answer it then"

"I have a lot of male friends. It's nice to make friends with men they aren't ah—Plastic is the term, men are good" she said.

"You dirty cocoon."

Zev suddenly remembered something. "I read an article, an article that talks about you as the youngest billionaire, the youngest CEO and I'm not against it. But honestly, you don't look like a billionaire, Bro. I mean you're very simple," she stated sincerely. One thing she liked about Reese, was his humility, down to earth.

"Darkhorse. I bet to stay simple." He blurted out.

"So how about Patterson's direct attack on MMCs? I think the Patterson Airlines CEO is trying 'to ruin the company's reputation." She recalled Patterson Airlines, which was based in San Francisco California USA, and was owned by the Patterson family. She was sitting there like a news anchor or a journalist interviewing an influential individual.

"Speaking of that. Yes, Patterson tries all the means, Hard. We didn't oppose Patterson Airlines, were good to them. By the way, Clyde Patterson the CEO of Patterson Airlines is my stepbrother." He sounded as if he didn't care.

"W-what your stepbrother? Is what I hear right?" She wanted an explanation from Reese.

"Yes, he is the son of Mom to an American businessman who ruined our family. Soy Hijo Unico, I was just a child when Mom left Dad for another man. Every day I was suffering, electrified by insecurities and envy when I saw a complete family. Dad loves Mom very much and he can't believe Mommy was cheating on him. " He stopped and wiped away the tears that were beginning to drip. "I'm very unfortunate. Dad and Mom ends up badly and that left a deep scar and negative viewpoint on my personality. I'm wounded, left scarred and broken."

"Go ahead I'm listening," he said with all his heart.

"I hope before Mom did that she would have thought about my situation. Money can't buy true happiness. I never wish to be known in the world. I never aspired to my life now. I never wanted to be a billionaire. All I want is enough and a complete family, a complete family is what I'm wishing for. All over the Philippines I know I'm not alone. I'm not the only one who is a product of a broken family. Can you imagine young people being products of a broken family? In my case I'm fine. I have a lot of money. But how about them? You can't imagine how they lived their lives. They live in the dark. Their parents separate and they don't think about the condition of their child anymore. But I know every parent has a reason. But we can't deny that their children will have a hard time and they will be forced to work at an early age." His voice broke in lament.

"You know I'm so proud of you. You're a strong man. You're a man." She coaxed.

He smiled bitterly.

"I know it's sad to be a product of a broken family. It's sad, especially from what you mentioned. Super depressing for a child. Youth who are still dependent on their parent. Parents separate their ways, and the child is left alone with all the suffering. And for your part, Yeah, I know your problem isn't just being the product of a broken family, I know a lot more, it's natural in human life. But you overcome all. How strong and resilient you are." She pointed out and raise the beer of the can. She gulped the content.

"That's what it should be. I'm embarrassed but I have to say that women cheat on me almost twice." He says. Reese had no idea she knew all that. "Groom without bride twice."

She smiled at what he said and reopened a can of beer.

"Estaba muy Rico." (It was really good) she mentioned after he dropped the empty can.

"But I warned you not to drink alone. It's not a woman's habit." He blurted.

She laughed. "I'm not a woman." Her speech is a bit slang.

"That's disgusting. Do you even know that you're beautiful?"

She shook her head "One more Mr. Medel." She no longer knew how many beers she had consumed. Seven or nine? She can't remember. All she could feel was the pain in his head and the gradual rotation around him.

"Are you drunk yet?" Reese asked when he noticed her cheeks were red.

"Hhindi pha." (Not yet) she babbled even though the truth was that she had been dizzy for a while. "Hhindi pha akho lashing." (Am not yet drunk) she added and she looked sharply at the Reese, her eyes very narrow.

"Oh so fierce like a tiger crouching ready for a bound and surprising the innocent victim." Reese deadpanned.

"Flee for your life if you don't want to dhie. Leave mhe ahlonne." She hissed in a slang tone.

Reese grinned.

"You know Reese-" She smiled slightly and was unable to add another word again. She gulped down the content of the last beer. Then without a word, she laid her head on Reese's shoulder, and in a moment she hugged him.

"Zev?" He tried to wake her up. He was gazing at her lips and it seemed that there was a magnet and he couldn't take his gaze away from her lips. Such a mesmerizing panorama. She murmured something like a magic spell and Reese close his eyes and kissed her on her lips.

He gives her a mouthful kiss. He did not know what pushed him to kiss her. His only defense is that he is out of his mind. He's under alcohol influence. But his kiss was full of love, so intimate.