Hey Rom-Cubs,

Ok so ...

Here's the fifth installation.

Please ENJOY XD

Please

Happy reading! XD

- Ang

-------

"Please, Nick will make it worth your while!" Krysta suggested, prompting me to glance at her brother, who was now casting a glare in her direction.

Was his sister insane? How could she ask that of me, of anyone, for that matter? Didn't she know her own brother?

Krysta seemed like such a sweetheart in contrast to her brother. She seemed to be of pure innocence, candour and had the gracefulness of a swan. She appeared to be younger than I was, though, in my opinion, she was mature for her age.

However, what she was asking of me warped my idea of her a bit. Was this something a sweetheart would do? I think not. For all intents and purposes, I might very well be stepping into my grave.

Besides, I had no spare time on my hands. Between taking care of my papa and working shifts, I only had time to sleep. Tionne said many times, she would take care of Papa if she didn't have a family depending on her as well. Unlike me, she had several siblings and family members whom I'd never actually met, except for her mother. The task was left to her to take care of them. It was a long story.

Anyway, even if I could have taken him out, I wouldn't. If he was so cold at work, there was no telling what lied beyond his exterior. No, I definitely won't subject myself to that.

"No ... Nick won't!" Mr. Casimiro said, bringing me back to reality.

What on earth was the matter with him?

"All you women are the same. Self-serving, good-for-nothing, careless. A waste of honest time and resources. You care about no one but yourselves."

His eyes met mine in biting anger. The likes that could scare a fierce wolf into hiding. That hurt so much, though I could not understand why. Maybe, it was his words. Somehow he knew the right words to hit all my nerves.

How dare he judge me? He didn't know one strand of hair on my body.

I couldn't stand to look at him. Especially, after what he'd just said, the weight of his words and the way it struck everything within me. I briskly made my way to the door before I could burst into tears. Luckily, no one ever came this way, giving me the opportunity to cry my eyes out.

I moved along the hallway before I realized that I was lost. Who knew a restaurant could be a labyrinth? I had to find some way out of here and quick. I couldn't stand either my boss or his sister catching me on the act of weeping. That would just add fuel to fire. I didn't want them to hear my cries.

I turned left along the hall ducking in the first door that greeted me. By God's grace, it was a bathroom, just what I needed to regain composure of myself.

I studied my reflection for a bit boring my tear-stained cheeks and puffy eyes. Why was I even crying? I knew what he assumed of me couldn't be further from the truth. I cared about a lot of things: the most important being my father. I care about every breathe he took which I was so much more grateful for every day, every minute, every hour.

I opened the tap, filling my hands with water before bringing it to my face. I looked terrible. There were bags under my eyes, an indication of the good rest I lacked. I don't wear makeup so there was not much that could be done to mask it and besides, I had no time to apply anything besides a hairband to add to my failing beauty. Thank goodness I managed to tie my hair earlier today. I didn't want to embarrass Mr. Casimiro or worse lose my job because of my outward appearance that would be a shame.

Suddenly, the door opened and I turned to behold the face of the man who'd managed to bring tears to my eyes. His eyes narrowed to slits accusingly while he studied me a moment. For a while no one did or said anything, we just stared at each other while silence hung in the small room. For some reason, I could no longer accommodate the weight of his intense gaze prompting me to look away.

"What are you still doing in this bloody wing?" Mr. Casimiro asked.

Through the mirror, I was able to study his reflection noting that he'd yet to put back on his shirt. "This may come as a surprise to you but I got lost Mr. Casimiro."

At the moment, I was particularly angry with him for what he'd said. About me. It hurt like hell and at the moment I hadn't yet gotten over it.

I finished up turning and walking in the direction of the doorway which he'd, unfortunately, blocked with his muscular body. I was expecting him to sidestep so that I could leave the restroom.

Instead, however, Mr. Casimiro took several steps forward, prompting me to back up until I could no longer step back but instead press against the sink. He moved closer, enough that I was forced to look up into his harsh eyes while he pinned my body, trapping me against the counter with his.

He stood there, offering no words but just searching my eyes, occasionally lowering his gaze. The lighting in the restroom was dimmed so I could only see the silhouette of his face when he tilted his head down. I studied his dark hair, noticing its shine of almost perfection. He caught me, staring and embarrassed I looked away yet again.

"Tomorrow, six p.m. sharp and not a minute later." Flustered, his words couldn't yet register to me. He was so close and I was having a hard time breathing. "I'm not a man that likes to be kept waiting."

"What?" I gulped, suddenly aware of his last few words.

"Our date." He pinned me with a smouldering look. "You didn't forget already, did you?"

At first chance, I freed myself from his intimidating chiselled form, manoeuvring to the doorway. I studied him from behind, noting how every moment was his own. It was now his turn to take in my reflection. He scanned my form, lazily making me nervous in a way I hadn't been before.

"N-No!" I shook my head, catching the breath I didn't even know I'd lost. "I did not forget."

"Good. Wear something pretty now." He said, dipping his head to splash water on his face, finally breaking eye contact via the mirror.

"Uh-um ... M-Mr. Casimiro!" I began, fearful that he would erupt at the slightest inquisition.

"What?" He nearly growled.

"Can I maybe get some directions?" I turned, not waiting to see his reaction. For some time, I heard nothing but I almost jumped at the feel of a slight breeze atop my head.

I felt his presence even before I heard him intake a breath. I didn't open my eyes for fear of what I might see. I heard the opening of a door and peeked through one eye to see the muscular hand that had clutched the doorknob.

He beckoned me to follow him and I was quite relieved, to say the least. Relieve to get away from him, to not be in the tension-filled room with him against me. My heart raced, and I was beside myself as he kindly escorted me back the way we'd originally come. His gait oozed charisma that I hadn't noticed before and not to mention, he walked upright as though nothing had happened. Almost as though, he hadn't been scolded.

Once we'd made it. I opened the wooden door, not once looking back as I could feel his eyes burning into me. Instead, I kept walking through the kitchen as though the ground had been covered in hot coals, ignoring my urge to turn around to confirm my suspicions.

[___________________________________________________]

Adaramola Malia John - Dari's 20 years old. She's been through quite a lot in her few years. Her mother left them years about a decade ago. Her papa suffers from Post-traumatic Amnesia and that's the hardest thing she's ever had to deal with. Her time was mostly spent taking care of her papa so it's only natural that she'd worry about him. She's afraid that he's not getting the best care he needs because she isn't working hard enough. She's never really had time to date and even if, she fears no one would stick around once they learnt of her papa's condition. Dari likes to sing, loves to worship and fellowship and dance.

Niccolo Marcelo Casimiro - Nick a 28-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Niccolo's Chocolate House. He's never had time to slack off since his father died when Krysta was much younger. Being 'Man of the House' at a tender age he feels as though he's never had a childhood. His views towards women stemmed from the abrupt abandonment of him and his younger sister by their mother and the mere fact that she left on Krysta's birthday. He's never had time to date working on his restaurant business and taking care of Krysta. Not that he'd jump at the chance anyway. He has no intentions of becoming attached to anyone. He loves his sister more than anything.

Krysta Valentina Casimiro - Sister of Niccolo Casimiro. She's almost 16 years old and she's a hopeless romantic. Their mother left on her birthday years ago and she's not forgiven her or gotten over it. But that doesn't mean that she wouldn't love to see her again. She loves her older brother. He's her best friend and the father she often needed. She loved that she could tell him anything. She watched him work hard to make sure that she was comfortable and didn't much want for anything. She has this insatiable love for Chocolate and is a sweetheart by nature. She loved to watch Nick while he creates his masterpieces and loves to help out at the restaurant at any chance she got.

Jaden John - Dari's papa. 50 years old. He's quite a flirt but he has a heart of gold. He loves his daughter deeply and cherishes her so much. He hates that she has to see him go through something so painful. He hates to see a piece of her slip away each day at his condition and prays every day that if he were to kick the bucket that there would be someone to take care of her. He wants for her to blossom to her fullest potential and stop worrying about him though he appreciates every single thing she does to make him more comfortable.

Stephan Mills - Dari's crush. 25 years old. He's charismatic and has a way of making you melt with a simple smile. He is a fellow waiter and a real catch among the ladies.

Tionne Banks - Dari's best friend. 22 years old. The one person who has her back no matter what the world throws at her. She loves her and considers her a sister though she has enough siblings to take care of. She's tough and not easily approachable. She would've given the boss a piece of her mind already had it not been for Dari. She's her conscience and keeps her grounded when she's about to do something crazy or stupid or both.

- Floor manager. 27 years old. A womanizer. Everything Nick isn't.