"Gurll!! Be careful!"
Her accent sounded just like Freya's.
I immediately turned around to look at the person who had just saved me from embarrassing myself..or possibly getting myself killed.
MY SAVIOUR!!
Standing in front of me was a girl who looked like a mixture of Filipino and American, just like Percy. She looked around twenty-four, with warm peachy skin, long brown wavy hair loosely tied at the back, and quiet, dark eyes that seemed to hold a thousand untold stories.
She wore a simple white shirt paired with jeans, a delicate silver anklet around her foot, and a few tiny ink marks on her fingers. Her lips curved into a small, distant smile, as if half of her mind was somewhere else.
"Are you okay?" she asked, looking at me with concern.
"Yes!! Thanks!" I replied, giving her a quick smile.
Looks like she doesn't know Tagalog.
Well, congratulations, Jay Jay! You've finally found someone who might understand your English without making you feel like you swallowed a dictionary.
"By the way, myself Evelyn Joe D'Cruz."
I blinked.
"Jasper Jean Mariano. You can call me Jay Jay po!"
"Oh! Come on, call me Eva. Nice to meet you, Jay Jay."
I nodded enthusiastically.
"Nice to meet you too!"
And just like that, our little introduction was over.
I was about to leave when she suddenly spoke again.
"By the way, can you accompany me today?"
I stopped.
Slowly, I turned my head towards her.
Huh?!
WHY?!
WHY WOULD YOU ASK A COMPLETE STRANGER TO ACCOMPANY YOU?!
we literally met two minutes ago. For all you know, I could be a serial killer.
Okay, fine. I couldn't even kill a cockroach without screaming, but SHE DOESN'T KNOW THAT.
I studied her face for a moment, wondering why on earth she wanted my company.
But then again…
I was hungry.
And who knows? Maybe she'd take me somewhere nice.
"Sige!" I replied immediately.
DON'T JUDGE ME. A HUNGRY PERSON HAS TO DO WHAT A HUNGRY PERSON HAS TO DO.
We walked towards the parking lot, and I was mentally preparing myself to ask her whether she knew any good restaurants nearby.
But the moment we reached the parking area, I stopped dead in my tracks.
A NEW PORSCHE?!
I stared at the car.
Then at Eva.
Then back at the car.
WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THE RICH PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD?!
I suddenly felt like my entire financial status was laughing at me.
Looks like I'm going to have a meal at a luxury hotel today.
THANK YOU, JESUS. YOU NEVER DISAPPOINT YOUR FAVOURITE CHILD.
Eva, meanwhile, seemed completely unbothered by my reaction. She pulled out her phone and answered an incoming call, walking a little away from me.
From the way she spoke, it seemed like something related to work.
I stood beside the car, admiring it as if I had personally designed it.
But then, my eyes fell on the steering wheel, and for some ridiculous reason, the car reminded me of my king of Ulupong.
That GAGO!
He's taking FOREVER to come back.
WHEN IS HE PLANNING TO RETURN FROM LONDON?!
Does he think London is some kind of permanent residence? Or has he decided to become the king of England now?
I huffed and crossed my arms.
Fine. Let him stay there.
WHO CARES?!
Definitely not me.
Not even a little bit.
Okay, maybe a little.
Just then, Eva's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Mariano, I have someone else accompanying me for dinner tonight!"
I looked up from the car.
Wait.
WHAT?
I pointed towards myself.
"Me?"
She glanced at me and nodded while continuing her conversation on the phone.
"Who?" she asked the person on the other end.
I raised my eyebrows.
Ohhh.
So someone else was joining us for dinner.
Interesting.
Not that I cared, obviously.
I was only interested in the food.
"Don't worry," Eva continued. "I'll introduce him to you."
HIM?!
I immediately became a little more attentive.
A man?
A rich man?
A rich man who apparently had something to do with this Porsche?
OH, MY GOODNESS.
PLEASE LET HIM BE GENEROUS.
I might even pray for his long life if he orders enough food.
"And yes," Eva added casually, "this car belongs to him."
I froze.
OH!
OH, MY GOD.
THE PORSCHE BELONGS TO HIM?!
Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming amount of respect for this mysterious stranger.
Whoever you are, sir, I hope you know that I already appreciate you.
Not for your personality, obviously. I haven't even met you.
But for your car?
ABSOLUTELY.
Eva finally ended her call and turned towards me.
"Let's go, Mariano. He's waiting for me!"
I nodded and hurried towards the passenger seat before she could change her mind and leave me stranded in the parking lot.
We settled into our seats and fastened our seat belts.
I glanced at Eva as she adjusted the mirrors and placed her hands on the steering wheel.
"Eva?"
"Hmm?"
"Is the hotel expensive?"
She turned to look at me.
For a second, she simply stared.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Jay Jay! That's the first thing you're asking me?"
I smiled innocently.
"What? I'm just curious po!"
"Don't worry," she said, shaking her head with amusement. "You'll get something to eat."
SOMETHING?!
GIRL, I NEED DETAILS.
But before I could interrogate her further, she started the engine.
The Porsche roared to life.
I gripped my seat belt.
And just like that, we drove out of the parking lot, heading towards a dinner that I was sure would be memorable.