Chapter 3: Say what now?

Butt hitting the car seat ungracefully, I glared at the two bodyguards until they slammed the door in my face. What the fuck is this shit? Lifting my hand, I was about to aim for the glass window, hoping it would break when my name was mentioned. Sharply turning around, I came eye to eye contact with a keen pair of brown eyes. His brown hair—well, what's left of it—was silver due to aging, and strands of his hair's original color were scarce. Other than that, he looked handsome for a man who was old. I could say he's around fifty to sixty years old.

"Miss Skylar, right?"

Calming down, I sat properly and gave the man in front of me an accusing glare. So this is their boss? What does he even want from me? I don't even know him! I saw him wearing an expensive-looking suit and a gold wedding band on his finger. Not only that, his shoes were gleaming and screamed expensive as well. Biting my lower lip, I mentally shook my head at the ridiculous thought of the man purchasing expensive shoes that could probably feed the poor.

Damn, rich people.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, itching to buy the groceries and go home as soon as possible. "If you want to sell something to me, I don't want it! As you can tell I'm broke—I still need to buy food!"

The bulky rich man laughed, head rolling back. Hand slapping his thigh. I raised an eyebrow at him in concern. What did I say that was so funny? That I'm broke? I gritted my teeth, glaring at him. These rich people's humor isn't amusing at all...

"Excuse me," I grumbled. It made him stop and stare at me. "If you're laughing because I'm broke, don't worry. I will get a decent job soon so I don't need any of your concerns. Just let me go and buy food."

Ha! Show him, Elise! I'm sure he got the point now!

The man shook his head at me, amusement on his face. "No, I'm laughing because you think I'm going to sell you something—do I look like a salesman? I can assure you, I'm not. I have salesmen at my mall though." His accent was kind of familiar, having heard it in movies sometimes. Is he Spanish?

Wait, did he say he has a mall?!

He sat up straight, crossing his arms across his chest and grinned at me. "I'm here because of your audition. My mother likes you. Out of the women she saw today—it's not even over yet and she has already chosen one."

"P-pardon?"

My ears were probably tricking me. Confusion was written all over my face. His mother? "What do you mean, Sir? The audition?" The fresh memory flashed before my eyes and I nodded softly. "Ah... the audition. Yeah, what about it? Was your mom one of the judges?"

Will I get the role? Maybe if I do this right, I won't have to go to another audition tomorrow. But what if the role is ugly? Well, money is more important and to get chosen is already a blessing...

He gave me another funny look and chuckled. "No, she wasn't. However, she saw you and wants to meet you. See if you could have what it takes to be Aiden's wife." His head tilted to the side, eying me. "To be honest, there were other girls who are... better than you, but I don't know why she took a shine on you right away—"

I shot my hand up, signaling for him to stop. "Wait, hold on a minute! Women earlier also mentioned this Aiden guy. Who is he? And why his wife? What does this have to do with your mother liking me?" Panic then settled in me. "Is this some sort of scam? Are you here to kidnap me—"

"Miss Skylar, please calm down. This is not a kidnapping or any of the sort. I'm only here because my mother is so persistent." he sighed tiredly. Shaking his head, the man then pulled out a business card and handed it to me. "Do go to this address tomorrow morning. Please don't hesitate to call if you have any concerns, Miss Skylar."

Reaching out, I took the card from him and nodded softly. "Alright..." I read the name printed above the address and I couldn't help but feel like I'd heard about him before. "Leandro Salvador?"

"Yes, that's me." he smiled confidently, reaching out a hand for me to shake. "I'm Leandro Salvador, former head of the Savador Enterprise."

I shot up from my seat, only for my head to hit the car's ceiling, and got down on my seat again. Ow...Wincing in pain, I rubbed my head. Even the man in front of me was shocked by my reaction. However, that was not the case. A mixture of awe, annoyance, and humiliation settled in me.

"S-Savador?! You mean to say... Do you own the mall? The mall near that fancy hotel that's too expensive for shit?"

The man didn't mind my language like most people his age would and merely nodded. "Yes, in fact, that hotel is ours as well. We built it so that when guests needed to buy something, the mall was nearer. You could say it's a nice setup, don't you think?"

Staring at the man, I couldn't help but feel scared. What if he knows—don't be silly, Elise! There are a lot of businessmen around the area and that man... he's nowhere near to this man in front of me right now. I sat up straight, feigning bravery. I should still get out of this mess. Getting involved with rich people? It's just going to bring me a lot of trouble. A lot.

"Thank you, Mr. S-Salvador." I cursed mentally at my stutter. "I'll make sure to be there early in the morning. So early that you won't have to trouble yourself."

My response pleased the old man, his eyes wrinkled as he smiled in glee. "Wonderful! And please don't call me Mr. Salvador, mi hija. Call me Leandro or Papa. You'll be in the family soon... if you do pass our standards, of course."

Mi hija? What on earth is that? I don't know Spanish or any other language. I fell asleep most of the time during that class. And I'll be in the family soon? What the heck does he mean? What...

I nervously chuckled, hand ready to open the car door and run. "I-is that so? Oh, look at the time! I need to go and buy groceries... if that's okay with you." I whispered the last part, not sure if he wanted to hear that. But damn it, can't he just let me go? What if his mother found a better candidate? I hope she will; I don't want to get involved any longer!

"Of course, Elise."

His words were music to my ears. Finally! My smile reached my ears as I waved goodbye. "Thank you, Mr. Salvador. See you tomorrow, okay?"

Definitely won't go.

He returned the same sentiment as he signaled to his bodyguards to open the door for me. "Nos vemos mañana, Elise. Can't wait for you to meet my madre." The smell of the city's air filled my nostrils as I got out of the car. Giving Mr. Salvador one last wave, I turned my back and ran towards the grocery shop.

Oh god, I thought I'd be in there forever with his Spanish words. I don't even understand a single thing!

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I pushed the glass door open. I got one of the pushcarts and the hunt for the ingredients I needed began. It didn't take me long and once I paid for the groceries, I walked out of the building. What made my eyes go wide was when I saw the limousine still there.

Huh, so that rich man hasn't left yet.

Ignoring it, I went on my way. Walking down the sidewalk. Looking back, the car didn't move an inch. Alright then... A smile made its way to my face and I happily walked away. That man is so weird. And his last name is Salvador, right? Why not name his company Salvador and not Savador? I laughed softly at the thought of him spelling his last name wrong when asked to put down his company's name.

Seriously? Salvador is his last name... Unless he placed Savador instead so it would be unique.

Shaking my head, I focused on where I was going. Why bother, Elise? You're just going to forget them—they're just another rich family in this city. They... don't care about people like me. Brushing back a stray hair away from my face, I stopped in my tracks. I turned around to see the limousine already a few feet away from me.

What the fuck? Is it... is it following me? Convinced that it was, I hurriedly went on my way, my legs going faster and faster. The sound of a car following behind me continued to reach my ears until I paused and signaled to the taxi speeding by. It stopped just in front of the limousine.

"Where to, Miss?"

"Anywhere. Just lose that limousine behind us!" I said with urgency. The old man behind the wheel stared at me in shock before doing what he was told.

~ ✼ ~

"You did what?"

I scratched my head, sheepishly giggling at Alex who stared at me with those monolid brown eyes of hers as if I grew a second head. She looked tired most of the time due to college and her part-time job. Other than that, she keeps worrying about me.

"Sorry..." I mumbled. "But that limousine was following me! So, instead of taking the taxi all the way home, I got off the nearest hospital and walked all the way home."

Alex heaved a heavy sigh and flopped down on the chair. "You know, you could've just taken the taxi. Walk from the hospital to the apartment? Are you crazy? It's a long way!"

"It's better than that man finding out where we live!" I countered back. "He could be some mafia boss or something!"

"What did you do for that man to take interest in your address?" she questioned, standing up. Alex is taller than me by two inches which slightly annoyed me. Whenever we made jokes, she'd always point at my height and how she could just throw me out the window.

Such a nice best friend...

"I went to this audition, said that his mother took a shine on me and wanted me to come over to their house tomorrow morning." I leaned on the kitchen counter, just waiting for the chicken to be finished so we could eat dinner. "And I pretended that I would go. After I bought the groceries, I was about to go home when I found out that he was following me—and it wasn't even discreet!"

"You could've just turned him down, woman." Alex rolled her eyes and stretched her arms. "If I weren't in college and was with you during that time, maybe I would've punched him."

I stayed silent, just watching the chicken submerged in oil start floating. She took notice and went near me, her tone turned serious. "Elise, you don't think that man is connected to your—"

"No," I answered instantly. "That man, Mr. Salvador, is at a higher level. There's no way they could be connected."

"Wait, hold the fuck up! Mr. Salvador? Salvador? The owner of that huge mall and that hotel that my ass can't afford to go to?"

I nodded softly. "Yep. That's him, Leandro Salvador."

"Fuck..." she mumbled to herself. "I can't believe you met that man. He's loaded with a lot of money—he and his family are practically well-known. Don't tell me you forgot about the Salvadors!"

I frowned at her. "Don't also tell me you forgot how I dislike rich people. They don't concern me as long as they don't touch me."

"Alright, sorry woman," she said. "Anyways, what did you audition for that made his mother like you? Catherine Salvador is not a woman that's easily impressed. That old woman is harder than a rock."

I blinked at her. "I'm surprised that you know this family very well."

She groaned. "We have the internet as a source, Elise. Last time I checked, we lived in a decent apartment and not in a cave. Enough about why I know—answer my question damn it!"

"Ugh... as Aiden's wife."

At my reply, Alex could only stare at me in shock. My frown deepened. "What? What's wrong? Is this some hit book turned movie? Is it a book that Catherine Salvador wrote? Woman, answer me!" I shook her shoulder and that snapped her out of her trance.

"W-what else did he say?"

I crossed my arms across my chest. "He also said some Spanish words that I didn't understand like mi hija and nos vemos mañana. I don't know what the hell it means."

Alex gave me a sarcastic smile. "That's what you get for sleeping during that class. Mi hija means my daughter. Nos vemos mañana means see you tomorrow, dummy."

"The teacher was so boring! Of course, I'd fall asleep." I complained softly. "And Alex, don't you know Korean already? Why bother learning Spanish?"

"Woman, I may be half-Korean, but I'm still having a hard time understanding whenever I watch Kdramas." she pointed out. "And I studied hard to learn Spanish because of that huge test while you were just waiting to go home and complaining about life."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "So what? English is the only language I know best."

It was silent for a few minutes. I took the chicken out of the oil one by one; to see if it was cooked properly when Alex asked another question.

"About that audition of yours... is it really serious? About you becoming Aiden's wife?"

"I don't know," I answered, not taking my eyes off my task. "Whoever this Aiden character is, women seem to love him so much. I'm not even interested in the role. I'll just go to another audition tomorrow..."

I could see Alex freeze beside me for a second before she burst. "Woman! How could you be so dumb?! Aiden is a rea—"

The doorbell rang, the sound resonating around the place. I handed Alex the tongs. "Please take the chicken out while I answer the door. It's probably the bills." I wiped my hands on the apron and went to answer the door.

"Yes? What is it?"

It was the delivery man, which surprised me. "Are you Miss Elise Skylar?" At his inquiry, I nodded. "You got a package, Miss." he gestured to a white box on the floor which I frowned at. Package? I brushed it off. It's probably from Mom... I don't remember her telling me she'll send something though.

"Please sign here, Miss Skylar."

"What is it?" Alex asked once I was finished, carrying the box with me. It wasn't light but it wasn't heavy either. "Is it from your mother?"

"I don't know. The delivery man didn't say." Slightly worried that it might be a mistake or a bomb—I fucking hope it isn't—I opened the box.

Both of our eyes went wide at the content. I took it and pulled it up, the beautiful scarlet gown shiny under the light.

"What the fuck is this?" Alex and I wondered aloud at the same time. Seeing a card underneath, I grabbed it and read the five words printed on it.

Wear it tomorrow, Elise Skylar.