“I know, Mrs. Paola…” He sighed. He didn’t know how to explain. “…but I just cannot accept your proposal and I cannot tell you the reason. However, I would have loved to work with you and…”
“Welcome to Juan Martinez Chocolate Hive!” A voice spoke, a distance from where they sat.
Everyone abruptly moved their eyes to the direction of the voice and saw him standing there, staring at the table. He looked breathtaking beautiful in a black and white attire with his hair tied in a ponytail. David’s stomach immediately contracted into a tight ball and he felt a sudden stab of anxiety in his gut. He wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers as the boy got closer, his nerves betraying him in tiny droplets of perspiration, a visible sign of his inner unease.
Ben walked towards them with a smile. He didn’t miss the shock on Jim and Claudia’s face, but he loved it like that.
“I thought…”
“It’s okay.” Ben reassured, staring into the man’s handsome face. “Mr. Martinez only refused your offer because he didn’t have a discussion with me. And honestly, I have refused all of the offers in the past so I am sure that he thought I’d refuse this one too. But I wouldn’t mind working with a very reputable company.”
David’s heart pounded like a wild drum, the rapid beats reverberating through his chest as adrenaline surged through his veins fueling his anticipation.
“Wow!” He gasped, literally covering his mouth in excitement. Guess I am very lucky. It will be an honor to work with you, Mr…” He paused, waiting for Ben to finish.
Ben glanced at Jim who stared at him wide eyed, his face pale. He knew the moment Ben opened his mouth, it was gonna be over.
“Ben!” He said with a mocking smile. “You can call me Ben, Mr. Paola.”
“David!” He extended his hand excitedly. “My name is David. Mr. Paola makes me seem like an old man.”
“David!”
Ben extended his hand and shook David’s. The moment their hands touched, David felt something again just like at the party, a connection that he couldn’t explain. It was more than a handshake for David. It meant something that he couldn’t understand. His heart was racing and he felt like he was on fire.
“Ahem!” Carlos cleared his voice, getting the two out of the day dream.
Ben withdrew his hand, leaving the man yearning for more of that touch. Carlos smiled and pulled Ben close to him, giving him a tight hug.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He whispered, pretending to kiss his cheek. “We’re doing this for you and now you just allowed him into the company.”
“I know.” Ben chuckled, kissing his cheek back. “But I have my reasons for doing what I am doing. You will soon understand.”
He pulled away and smiled at Carlos, taking a seat beside him. He didn’t miss the yearning eyes from the man that sat across the table and the murderous eyes that the two devils were giving him. But he didn’t care.
“Mr. Martinez, please, make me understand something.” Claudia said with a raised eyebrow. “How is it that you told us that you cannot accept our proposal but this boy here just opposed you. I thought you were the owner of the company. I don’t mean to be ungrateful but the Gustavo that I have heard of is a man that rules his empire with an iron fist. Since when did he start accepting orders from little boys?” She asked, eyeing Ben from head to toe in disgust.
Gustavo gave a chuckle.
“You’ve heard very well, Mrs. Paola, I am a very tough businessman.” He moved his hand and wrapped it around Ben’s shoulder. “But this young man whom you’re calling is a boy is tougher than he looks. He’s made so many business decisions that have saved my company the last years I have been with him and I don’t make many important decisions without his consultation. I don’t see the future of my company without him.”
Ben gave a mocking smile at Claudia and he saw the woman frown.
“It’s okay.” Ben spoke fiercely. “I know it’s hard to believe but I am actually tougher than I look. My experiences in life have taught me to be tough and smart.” He slowly diverted his eyes to the man that never tore his eyes away from him. “So, David, I have heard a lot about Villa Paola and it’s one of the most famous Villas in the country and I have just been curious about it.”
“Yeah!” He took a harsh breath, licking his lips. “It is a family gem and it has grown so much over the years.” He began explaining about how beautiful it was, showing Ben some pictures of the villa. The two would burst into laughter. At some point, David totally forgot that there were people there with them.
“Wow! So what I have heard is true.”
“It is actually much better in person.” David commented. “I could give you a tour of the villa if you want.”
“Errr…. I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Jim said abruptly, clinging tightly to David’s arm. “Pretty sure that he’s a very busy man. Aren’t you?” He asked with a frown on his face.
“Not at all.” Ben answered to Jim’s annoyance. “Tomorrow morning around 10. I will meet you there.”
With those words, he rose from the chair. “Once again, Welcome to the company.”
“It is my pleasure.”
“Excuse me. I have to be somewhere.”
He quickly turned and lost the smile on his face. He began rushing out of there because he felt suffocated.
“Excuse me!” Claudia slowly got up. “I need to use the ladies room.”
She too left.
Carlos cleared his throat, his eyes directed at David. “Mr. Paola, just out of curiosity, are you a loyal guy? Do you consider yourself as the type of man that would die for something that he loves?”
David blinked rapidly, trying to process the question he was asked. “Well… I consider myself as not only a loyal person but a trustworthy person. I never make promises that I cannot keep. My family can attest to that. I would never betray the people that are close to me because when I love something, I love it whole heartedly.”
“Is that so?” Carlos raised an eyebrow. “What would you say to a guy that abandoned someone that he claimed to love? Somebody that sacrificed his life and his family just to be with him? But when all hope seemed lost, he left him on his death bed and married someone else.”
Jim’s skin prickled with a clammy cold sweat, goosebumps rising like a constellation of fear, as if his body sought to shield itself from impending danger. His heart throbbed so hard that he thought he was gonna have a heart attack.
David on the other hand felt like a fist was slowly closing over his heart. He suddenly got weak and didn’t even know when the sadness took over him or where it came from. Carlos’ made him emotional.
“He’s a coward!” He said simply, his voice low and cold. “Such men do not deserve to live. They don’t deserve anything good in their lives. Someone who sacrifices his life for you deserves to be happy. If I was in his shoes, I would do anything to ensure that my love gets better even if I have to sacrifice myself. He sacrificed himself once for me and the least I could do is ensure his happiness.”
Carlos nodded, smiling at the man. “You couldn’t have put it in a better way.” He raised a glass to him. “Cheers!”