"W-what are you doing here?" I stuttered to ask him.
I can't believe he is here!
"I came here to talk to you," he said.
This is what I'm saying, yesterday we met again and now he's here.
What is he doing here? How did he know where I was going to work?
Who will be next? What will Halle and my friends see before? Or that annoying Aira?
"Why? For what?" I questioned him. Kian turned to us, giving the order. He noticed that I knew the man in front of me.
"Can we talk somewhere else, Celiza?" he asked.
"We're talking Toci."
Is he going to collect the debt of my family from his?
"Please?" He pleaded.
"What town, why did you take so long to order !? Please hurry, I have a walk!" Shout of one in line.
"Here's your number, you can sit while waiting for your order," I said then took a customer's order.
People around him stare, perhaps because of his eyes. He also took off his hat and let his blonde hair shine in the sun. There he stood on the side, where the sunlight hit him.
Miranda came over to the counter and helped quite a lot of people because it was noon. "The man is familiar? Was he there last night? Do you know him?"
I just ignored it and focused on work. I have also been at the counter for over an hour.
"Hey! That yummy guy is looking at you!" Miranda. I turned my gaze to it.
Miranda's right. He's staring at me.
So it hasn't left since before?
"Go ahead, Celiza. All right, then make a scene here in the coffee shop. You're mad at Mrs. Hernandez!" He threatened.
No. I will not talk to him. I'm not bitter about our past relationship. I just don't really understand why he's here.
"Hey! That's Architect and Model oh! I saw it here in my news feed on fb. Tommy Christmas Alberson! International model! It says here that there is a project in the Philippines so it's here. Maybe you're visiting Celiza? Or is that waiting for you, are you sweet?" He said angrily.
If so, is he also a model? It's okay with him because he's handsome and tall.
I can't live to always avoid him. The world is small for me because everything in my past is coming back.
"Miranda, you're here first. I'll just talk." I promise. I saw the smile on Miranda's lips.
"What do you need?" I asked straight. I just sat down but that's what I did.
"We can't pay the debt to your family yet. But I'll try to pay it off soon ---"
He cut me off. "I want to help you."
"I don't need your help Toci." Because there is definitely a replacement I.
"Look, I know it's been years since your scandal. People won't notice. Come on Celiza, I want to help you."
"Why are you doing this Toci?"
"I heard what happened to Bliss and Tito Alfredo."
"What if you found out what happened to my family? We're done years ago Toci."
"I know ... Even if we're done you're still a friend to me. We grew up together. I want to get back to you Celiza... Aunt Agnes is yours."
"I can't see you working in a cheap ---"
"Don't you dare Toci."
"Oh come on, Celiza! I want to help you, okay! I feel bad for you. It's my fault, I taught you to be like that! I ruined you. I ruined your life! If I hadn't forced you to use that nerd --- "
"Shut it Toci. i-I forgot all that. I moved on already. I'm happy with a simple life---"
"No you're not. You're not fit for this job."
I am silent. Waiting for what he would say next.
"I heard you do modeling. I also saw your shampoo commercial," he said.
My forehead furrowed. "What have those got to do with it?" I asked.
"I have a big opportunity for you. It's a photoshoot for a major international brand." It's a promise.
"This is all you're going to say?" I asked him.
"Celiza, please take it. I know you need it ..." I was about to leave when he spoke.
"Your father and sister need it. Think about them. Do it for they're sake." He said. I was shocked when he said that.
"No." I shook my head.
"I don't want to be indebted to you or your family again," I said.
He sighed in defeat.
"Here's my calling card if you changed your mind." He laid the calling card on the table.
I ignored that. I saw Miranda take it. "It's just mine if you don't want to, I'll save his number! You're still handsome!" she said then typed Toci's number.
I rolled my eyes.
"Ugh. Many people have been tired before. It's a good thing he is gone," Kian said to the side.
The shop was crowded earlier, because there were snacks so there were so many people. This coffee shop is famous. The coffee and cake were delicious so many came back.
"Celiza!"
"Oh?" I glared at Miranda.
"No phone ringing!"
I immediately took the cellphone out of my pocket.
Unknown number.
Who is this?
"Hello?"
"Is this Ms. Maria Celiza Carosca?"
"Yes. It's me. Why?"
Wouldn't it also collect the debt?
Shit! I wish I hadn't answered! I wish I could say this.
"Congratulations you're hired!"
My eyes widened.
Is it serious? What did I receive?
But what company is this? With the amount I applied last week, I can't remember everything.
"T-is that true?"
"Of course. You can start tomorrow. I'll email you the contract. Just look for Ms. Belinda at the front desk. Welcome to MR&S company Ms. Carosca."