LEONA
"Are you alright?" Raymond asked.
"Yes, I am. Why did you stop the car?"
"That's it, you're not fine. We are home but you didn't notice. What's wrong Leona? "
" Come on Raymond, I'm fine. I am justa little occupied. " I lied
" Occupied with? "
" The thought of my son's future and lot more. Let's go. " I opened the door and got out with Leonard.
I waited for Raymond at the door to open the door since I was holding Leo along with my bag.
I got in once he opened it.
"Has Leo taken anything yet?"
"He took cereal two hours ago but I think he'll need milk now. I'll go prepare it. Here, give him to me so you can freshen up. "
I nodded and handed him to Raymond.
When I came back from the bathroom, Leonard was sleeping peacefully on my bed.
Raymond must've brought him here after he'd slept.
But..Did I take that long in the bathroom?
I wore my oversized pajamas and got out.
"Did he finish all the bottles?" I asked and sat beside Raymond on the couch.
"Yeah, your son is one hell of a foodie. He eats a lot."
"Oh really? Don't you think he took after his uncle?"
" Hell no! I don't eat like him."
" Well then, I'll just pretend to believe that you actually don't eat." I grinned at him.
He grinned back just like how I did and we both burst into laughter.
I got up and went to the kitchen, I came back with a bowl of cornflakes.
"I'm so hungry, Ray. I can eat a whole elephant." I whined and began eating.
" Well, I now know who my nephew took after."
"Who?" I asked with my full of food.
" His mother. Just look at how you're stuffing food into your mouth."
" Well, it's because I am hungry. I'm not usually like this."
" Alright, if you say so. But I won't buy it though."
"You don't have to. It's your money anyway." I played along.
" So tell me, was Mr. Anosova mean again?"
" Nope, I'm glad he behaved normally but even if he didn't, I don't care. So far as his ugly attitude doesn't affect my salary in any way, I'm okay"
" interesting. Goodnight night,sis. I have some things to take care of." He pecks me.
" Alright, goodnight Ray."
***
The days flew by quickly and it was soon Friday.
I closed back from work early and went to Leonard's school.
Raymond and I came home together.
We spent the entire weekend together and it was so much fun.
Dave traveled on Wednesday so I didn't have to deal with him. I don't know when he'll be coming back but I pray it won't be soon.
I wished Monday won't come but it did anyway.
I found myself struggling to put my attire on and as for makeup, I didn't bother because I hardly do it.
I just applied a little foundation, blush and lip gloss.
My wig fell on my shoulders as I grabbed my signature skyscraper heels and slipped my foot in.
I grabbed my bag and got out, as usual, Raymond and Leonard were already seated in the car.
"Am I late?"
"You always are." Raymond rolled his eyes and drove out of our compound.
Soon the car pulled over in front of the tall glass building
"Take care, you two. I'll see you after.." I got out of the car and rushed into the company.
I hope I'm not late.
I greeted a few people whom I've gotten to know.
"It seems the cat is not around so the mouse chose to play anyhow."
The familiar voice I've been missing yet praying not to hear boomed.
I looked up to see Dave sitting behind my desk when I got in.
"Good morning, sir." I greeted him instead, ignoring his comment.
" Make me a cup of coffee, I'll be waiting for it in my office." He commanded, ignoring my greetings.
Is he seriously asking me to do that?
No, I don't think so.
" I'll inform your secretary" I placed my bag down and made for the door.
" Did you not understand my simple English?" He barked.
Oh, Lord. This is not happening. What was the reason for his moodiness? Now I wish he stayed longer.
"I said make a coffee for me." He yelled and got out.
What's wrong with him? He's acting like a bipolar. Is this not the work of a P.A?
"Excuse me, where is the coffee made for the boss?" I asked the secretary.
" At the cafe." She answered and went back to her work
I rolled my eyes. As if I don't know that that's where it is made. I actually wanted the location.
"Where's the cafe please?"
"Canteen"
"Wait." She stopped me while I was leaving.
"Did the boss ask you to make the coffee?"
"Yes"
Her eyes widened.
" Alright don't make a mistake." She cautioned. " He's very particular about his coffee."
"Thanks", I nodded and left.
I went to the canteen and had his coffee made.
"Come in." He said when I knocked.
I walked in and place the tray in front of him. "Here's your coffee."
He didn't even look at me, it was as if I was invisible.
"Your coffee," I repeated.
"I'm not deaf, I heard you the first time."
I was about to roll my eyes but he looked up at me that moment and I stopped.
I looked away. "If you heard, then I'll be going."
"No no, not yet." He said and looked at the coffee I brought. He made a disgusting face before smiling.
"What coffee is that?"
I looked at the coffee I just brought. I don't really know much about coffees and I just ordered for it to be made without asking which type it is.
"Take the coffee and have a sip, I won't take it if you don't." He said when I didn't answer him.
" What?"
" Just do as I say." He shouted.
I grabbed the coffee mug and brought it to my lips, he was watching me closely.
Once the warm liquid touched my tongue, I threw it away. Fuck, it's horrible.
What kind of coffee is this?
"This is horrible, is this what you've been taking?" I asked with a scrunched up face.
" How do you expect me to take it when I don't even like it. Go get me another cup." He replied and focused on his laptop.
" What?"
He raised his brows and eyed me.
I took the cup wordlessly and left the office.
I went to the cafe once more and tried another recipe.
I don't even know the names. I usually prefer tea so I have little to no knowledge about them.
"Please the previous coffee was bad and bitter, make this sweet," I instructed.
After some minutes, it was ready.
I knocked again and got in.
"Here, your coffee," I announced.
He looked at the coffee again with that same disgusting face. "Have a sip Miss Grande."
"Not again!" I groaned
"Really?" He Seethed.
I took the coffee cup and leveled it to my lips again and took a sip. It was horrible but better than before.
"Why do you keep bringing bitter coffee to me?" He questioned.
" How did you know? You didn't take any of them did you?"
" I don't need to take them before I know what it will taste like." He snapped.
Okay, he must really be an expert in coffees.
"Now go get another cup for me." He ordered in that deep English accent of his.
Who does he think he is?
'Your boss of course.' My subconscious reminded me.
Well, I guess that will be the only reason why I am going.
As I walked back to the cafe, my colleagues stared at me strangely.
They must probably be thinking Dave and I are having a coffee experiment with my constant going and coming or just watching history repeat.
"Which type of coffee do you want madam." A lady asked me sweetly.
Sweetly? She talked sweetly and I liked it, unlike the previous person who was here.
Maybe sweet is actually what Dave wants.
"Please I'll like it sweet," I said with a smile.
"Okay."
After some minutes, it was ready.
"Thanks," I said.
The coffee looked delicious, it has a lot of foam with chocolate sprinkled on top and the smell was heavenly.
I didn't have to taste it to know how delicious it'll be.
For the first time, I was happy when I knocked on the door and got in. I had this smile on my face.
If he rejects this one too then I'll conclude that he actually doesn't take coffee at all and is doing this just to piss me on purpose.
I took a sip before giving it to him because I knew he'd tell me to do so.
Well, this coffee was very sweet and delicious. I almost pulled it back to take another sip before he eyed me.
What's up with his constant eyeing?
He took the cup and studied it just like a scientist will do to a lab rat.
His eyes roamed the lid of the cup before he brought it to his lips and it was the exact position I took mine from. The lipstick stain was evident on it.
I tried not to blush to his perverted gesture.
I have the feeling that it was my lip mark on the cup that moved him to take the cup.
He didn't taste the previous ones so why this?
But why would he do that?
His lips lingered there before he tilted the cup to take a sip.
"Yuck!" He slammed the cup down causing the coffee to spill over the desk.
What's wrong? Is it too hot?
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I was okay but now I am not. Take it away, I don't wanna be a diabetic patient."
" I won't do that!" I didn't know where I got the braveness from.
" I'm freaking tired of moving up and down just to make you a simple coffee. Why can't you be pleased with any of them?" I fumed.
" Did you ask me what I wanted? " He asked calmly.
My tongue got tied. He's right. I should have just asked him.
"Well... I.. it's slipped my mind." I stuttered.
" Okay, now go get another one for me.."
"Again?" I cut him off.
"Why don't you let your secretary or assistant do that for you? Is that not their job? This is definitely not my job!"
" You dare not tell me what I should and shouldn't do in my company young lady." His voice was still calm but intimidating and harsh.
"Likewise you can't force me to do something I'll never get paid for." I stared at him with fury.
" I just asked you to make a simple coffee Leona Grande. Is that too much to ask?"
Where did the 'miss' disappear to?
I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves. "It's not."
I took the cup back and without looking at him, I walked to the door.
I stopped when I remembered that I still haven't asked him what type of coffee he wanted.
I turned to him and asked
"What coffee..."
" Piccolo Latte."
I nodded and went out.
What is even piccolo latte? I've never heard of it. I think it's time I start researching on coffees.
I placed the fourth cup down beside the previous ones and the lady who gave me the fourth cup raised an eyebrow.
"Give me...Pico... Lat..." Gosh, I forgot.
What the heck is wrong with me?
"I mean pico latee." I tried again.
"Oh, you mean Piccolo Latte? "
" Yeah yeah, please make me that one. " I said, glad that she knows what am talking about.
"Mr. Anosova sent you?"
"Yes please."
"No way! Don't tell me you sent that coffee I just made to him and you came out alive!" She shrieked.
My face molded into confusion.
" Am sure you're already fired. I'm so sorry for that my dear. I made Cappuccino and he hates it like hell"
What is she going on about?
"I'm not fired, he asked me to make erm... Piccolo Latte instead and that's why I am here." I corrected her false assumptions.
" What! Are you serious?" She asked on top of her voice.
I got irritated with her nosy nature. All I want to do now is shut her up.
My feet hurt a lot from walking on those heels I am less used to. I thought of ways to shut her down nicely.
" Yes I am but I am afraid I'll be fired for real if you don't hurry up." I think this will do.
" Oh yes yes.. I am sorry." She apologized but spoke anyway.
" You seem to have very little knowledge about Coffees, don't you? Well, I'll tell you a few things about this coffee." She spoke as she began to prepare it.
" To make a Piccolo latte, you add one shot of espresso in an espresso cup. Just like this."
She showed me the cup and the espresso before taking a shot.
"Add steamed milk and a small amount of micro-foam to help reduce the strong and harsh taste." She explained.
" There, it's ready."
I smiled and she placed it on the tray before giving it to me.
I thanked her and walked the long corridor to Dave's office.
I knocked and got in.
"Have a seat." He said immediately.
I did and placed the coffee in front of him.
He took it and as if he was about to drink it but placed it in front of me...
Goodness! Not again!
"You have it, it'll calm your nerves."
Nonsense! How can he make me go through this stress just for him to refuse even a sip?
"Just so you know, I am not refusing to take it. I just want you to see the reason why I chose it over the others." He muttered much calmer.
I was rendered speechless again. I took the cup to my lips and had a sip.
My eyes lit up and am sure he saw it because he chuckled.
My face broke into a pure unadulterated blissful smile and I muttered. "Awesome."
I understand why he prefers this type of coffee now. It wasn't sweet and neither was it bitter but it had this taste and there's this incredible feeling you get after every sip. It's so smooth.
I took a long gulp, emptying the content completely.
I made a sad face.
Why did it finish so quickly? I studied the cup and realized that it was small.
"The woman cheated me, I'll go get another cup." I made to get up but his sudden laughter stopped me.
I watched him roll back a bit in his seat with closed eyes as he laughed into the silence that once enveloped us.
His eyes opened and one look at me and he was laughing again.
His laughter was infectious and didn't know when I joined without knowing his reason for the laughter.
Once the laughter died, he spoke.
"Piccolo is an Italian word meaning small. So it's 'small' Latte and it's taken in small quantities."
I gasped as embarrassment washed over me.
He went on.
" You know the saying; Great things come in small packages, right? That's exactly what piccolo latte is. Don't underestimate. It might make you think you've been cheated.
So you weren't cheated after all but if you intend on getting filled up with it, then we can make a special cup for you. Just you alone." He made a sweet face but the mockery was evident in his voice.
Sweet Jesus!
I just laughed at my own expense. I should've known the reason why he was laughing.
"Hey but that's not the reason why I laughed okay?."
" Then?" I asked.
" It has to do with that face you made when you realized that the coffee has finished. Gosh! You should've seen it for yourself." He tried to stifle the laughter that was threatening to bubble out.
He's not going to stop.
I remembered the accusation Raymond made that Leonard took after me in terms of eating and realized that what I did just now shows just how much of a foodie I am.
But why didn't I notice before?
I thought Raymond was joking but somehow he's right. One look at the amused face of my boss and I was back to laughing.
He also joined and soon our laughter has mixed up making a fine-tune.
It's amazing how a while ago he was shouting at me and then I also shouted at him for sending me but here we are laughing at my foolishness together.
How crazy!
"Come let's go have lunch." He stopped laughing and took my hand.
My eyes traced to where his hand was and he quickly left my hand.
I guess he didn't do that on purpose, reflex action.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to." He added and rubbed his neck.
" I will come with," I said and his blue eyes twinkled. " But.."
His blue eyes dimmed. I wanted to see it twinkle so I added.
"If only there'll be more cups of piccolo latte for me"
" Sure Hermosa...erm, miss Grande."
I'll pretend not to have heard what he just said to avoid the awkward moment that will come after I've asked him what he meant by referring to me as 'Hermosa'
A lot of attention was on us as we walked the long hall but one look from the boss was just the right antidote to make them swipe their curious eyes from us.
He led me to the private parking lot of the company and to a Mercedes Benz.
When he said lunch, I was actually thinking that it will be the canteen forgetting that it was a millionaire in the form of my boss I was going to dine with.
He opened the door for me and I sat in.
"Don't you think it's too early for lunch?" I asked when he got in beside me.
" Make use of your watch miss Grande. You bought it for a purpose." He answered curtly.
Are we back to that? Maybe he regrets proposing lunch.
I looked at the time and it was almost 12 pm.
What? How's that possible?
I just came to work and I haven't cleared any task yet and it's already twelve? I need a second opinion. My wristwatch must be faulty.
I decided to take my bag and get my phone but realized I forgot to pick it.
He tossed his iPhone 11pro on my lap.
How does he manage to read my mind all the time?
I tapped on the screen and the screen displayed the exact time.
"It's not a bad thing to seek second opinion. " He gave me a distant look before driving from the parking lot and into the road.
After 10 minutes, he parked into a five-star restaurant and we got out.
People acknowledged him as we entered.
All the ladies I saw were looking nothing than fashionistas.
I looked down at my dress and wished I had worn something more classy.
With this dress I was wearing, I looked like his handmaid.
"This way sir." A man in uniform directed him.
I doubled my steps because he was walking too fast.
We reached a table set for two and he pulled the chair for me to sit while his was done by the man who directed us here.
"Shall we start with something?" He asked me. He was facing me directly so there was no way I could avoid his gaze.
"Sure." I clapped my palms together in anticipation.
He nodded to the man and two waitresses appeared with the appetizers which were baked chicken spiced wings and Pickled Shrimp with Creamy Spinach Dip.
It looks great and I am sure it's gonna be yummy as well. Well, let me have a taste first.
It sure was yummy and especially the wings. Nothing can be better than them.
After the appetizers, we waited for the real meal.
As I was relishing on the appetizers, he broke the silence.
I took that moment to tuck my fake hair strands behind my ear.
His eyes stayed glued on my hair for a minute.
"How's your baby, Miss Grande?"
God, not again!
My head snapped up and met with his eyes.
.
**