"What are you doing here?" Yazmine and Aiden asked in unison. They both stared at each other afterward with different thoughts running through their heads.
"I'm here to see someone" She spoke first, breaking the long silence between them. "What about you? Do you live around here?" She asked.
"I.. yeah, I live around here" He replied. Could she be looking for him?
"I should leave now," She said, walking past him.
"I'll walk with you," He suggested.
"Oh, I'm fine. You shouldn't."
"This street is pretty dangerous at night," He said but she turned away.
"You don't have to worry," She said stubbornly, walking down the street. Just then a strange man lurking around the corner suddenly snatched her purse. Yazmine wasn't fast enough to react.
The man ran but had no idea of the figure standing before him. His face was hit, sending him down to the floor, and a loud groan escaped his lips.
Aiden stepped on the hand holding Yazmine's purse, putting pressure enough to make the man groan again. Yazmine took a deep breath as she watched Aiden take her purse from the man.
"Let go of me!" The man snapped but got a kick on his face in return.
"Scram before I'll kill you" Aiden's warning made the man scurry away.
"Here, I insist on walking with you," He said gently, handing the purse to her.
"Thanks" Yasmine's voice almost broke, but she managed to compose herself. Her sight observed Aiden and she couldn't deny the man's beauty.
Aiden touched his face. "Do I have something on my face?" His question snapped Yazmine back to reality and she scolded herself for staring too much.
"Huh? No" she shook her head and then spoke again. "About how cold I was to you at work. I'm sorry about it" She answered.
"Oh no, it's fine. I honestly understood why you did that. I should be the one sorry here" He smiled and asked. "Can we start all over?"
"Start what over?" Yazmine eyelashes batted severally.
"I wish to be your friend. That's if it's okay with you. I would be hurt if you say no though" He requested. She stared at him for a while making him wonder if he shouldn't have said that.
"Sure, we can be friends," She replied.
Aiden walked her down the street while discussing himself. Aiden is the third son of his family, his parents stayed out of the country while he lived here alone. He didn't reveal the reason but told her how much he enjoyed his stay here even though it seemed dangerous.
Yazmine also told him a little about herself and with this, they got to her car in no time.
"It's nice chatting with you Aiden" She smiled.
"It's my pleasure" He replied and watched her enter the car and zoom off.
___
Candy returned to work the next morning, ready to face the curious gaze of the other workers. It made her uncomfortable but she ignored it.
Someone cleared her throat behind her. Without looking back at the person, she knew who it. Slowly, her eyes met with Yazmine's intense gaze on hers.
She paused not knowing what to say. Yazmine 's face loosened up all of a sudden and pouted.
"Gosh Candy" She stepped forward and pulled her for a tight hug. Can dy blinked severally.
"You have no idea how that night had scared me and how much I missed you. Please don't scare me like that again" She broke the hug and chuckled. "The president must have taken care of you a lot"
"Huh?"
"I meant how he dealt with Alexa," Yazmine said and Candy breathed out.
"I know you're married to the president" She stated and Candy's eyes flew wide open. "I want to get mad at you but I can't. You had a good reason to hide the secret but should have told me. I'm so jealous only my brother knew"
"Sorry, I was planning to tell you. I never wanted you to find out that way" She said.
"Hm, you both look good. I'm sure you're going to melt that cold heart of his" Yazmine whispered.
"Candy," Jameson called from a distance.
"Hey, wow you grew taller" Candy chuckled and Jameson smiled so brightly.
"You're the one who became shorter," Jameson commented. Yasmine fist flew directly to his chest.
"Urgh, what was that for?" He asked.
"You should be nice to her, she just resumed," Yazmine said, then returned her gaze to Candy. "We have a lot to cover up Candy. We'll be traveling soon.. also, I bet you're preparing for tomorrow"
"Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?" Candy asked with a frown.
"Wait, Candy? You really have no idea what tomorrow is?" Yazmine inquired. Candy gulped nervously, realizing she had completely lost track of the days – she couldn't even recall today's date. Maybe because of the crazy things happening around her.
"Tomorrow is Diego's birthday" Jameson broke the news causing Candy's eyes to open wide.
"R.. really?" she stuttered.
"Yeah, how come you didn't know the president's birthday? Your husband's birthday" Yazmine whispered.
"I don't know, he never mentioned it or anything. Why didn't you tell me?" Candy directed the question to Jameson.
"It doesn't change anything, Candy. Diego hates birthdays so much" Jameson replied.
"But why?" Candy inquired.
"Remember that story I told you. The first time I meant Diego?" He asked and Candy nodded.
"It happened on his birthday. That was how I even got to know his age" Jameson said recalling how the nurses whispered among themselves. A nine-year-old boy was Poisoned on his birthday.
Candy's face contorted to a shocked one. That was so cruel! She badly wishes to know the person behind such a thing and rip the person's head off.
"We should make this one special then" She suggested.
"I agree with that," Yazmine said. Jameson only stayed silent. He just hoped Diego wouldn't act cold and crazy tomorrow. But he trusts Candy.
"I haven't prepared anything yet, I'm going to need your help" Candy freaked out.
"After today's work then. Jameson, we'll need your help too" Yazmine said.
Sighing, Jameson agreed.
___
The work turned out to be hectic as Candy had predicted. Getting home, she prepared dinner and waited for him.
When he came back, his face was devoid of emotion. He sat gently while she stared.
"How was today?" She started a conversation.
"Good," He replied in a hoarse voice.
Candy tried lightening up his mood but it wasn't working. He must have known what tomorrow is and she is going to change the way he views it.
___
On the next morning, Diego stepped into the company with a hard face. The workers could only greet with a bow. On a day like this, they would wish him and he would just shrug them off.
But none of them did except say good morning President..
Maybe they were tired of the useless wishes.
Getting to the office Jameson gave him his usual updates. Diego found it strange Jameson also didn't wish him as usual. He would tease and annoy him on a day like this but he didn't.
Jameson simply gave him all he needed for the day and left.
Hours passed by, and Diego buried himself in his work. His jaw clenched as he wished this day could just fucking end.
After the working hour, Jameson entered his office.
"Mr. Callus is in town already and wanted to meet you tonight sir," He said politely.
"Callus. Isn't our meeting tomorrow?" He asked.
"Something actually came up with his daughter so he had to arrive a bit early. It's really important Diego, we need to see him"
Diego needed a distraction anyway so agreed. He had planned to bury himself into work a little more before heading home. Discussing business shits isn't a bad idea too.
The car pulled before the comfortable restaurant with beautiful lights surrounding it.
Jameson came down with Diego and they both headed towards the restaurant.
Diego saw the slight hesitation on Jameson before entering the restaurant with him.
Stepping in, Diego saw the familiar faces of his employees.. not all though but they were much.
"Happy birthday Mr. President!!" They all chorused and clapped.