It's just three days now before Diana's parents arrive, and Diana still hadn't figured out who would play the role of her fake husband. Of course, this has left her with racing thoughts.
Sitting behind her office desk, her arms crossed before her chest, she stares at the empty air. The once business-driven space had now turned into a refuge for her lost mind...a place where she was contemplating her life so far.
After what seemed like eternity, she sighed. Opening her eyes, the city lights were beginning to shine, and she realized it... she had obviously spent the entire day thinking about her own death.
Mere looking at Diana, she's ready to offer anything to live, but there's nothing. Fate is fate.
Checking her wristwatch, her eyes widened.
"Jeez... It's already 7:00 PM."
She stood up immediately, listening to see if she could hear any voices in the building, but just faint voices coming from a far distance.
Had she really sat here all day without knowing? Not even one among her staff checked in on her.
She quickly grabbed her two phones from the desk, put on her long jacket with ease and stepped out of her office. As she drove past the company premises, the security guard on duty who opened the gate for her stared at her surprisingly.
"Good evening, ma'am...ah, goodnight ma'am," he greeted, looking confused.
Diana nodded without a word and drove off with speed, taking a remote street for a faster route home since it was already late.
But just as she was speeding her way home, she barely noticed the presence of a boy in the middle of the road.
Already too late and... screech!
Her car came to a screeching halt as her heart beat heavily in her chest.
Had she killed someone?
The boy she almost ran through fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Diana's breath faltered, her body trembling.
Did she actually hit him?
Diana quickly jumped out of her car, rushing towards the boy.
"Oh my God! Are you hurt?"
The boy kept on groaning, holding his legs.
"Ahhh! My leg, my leg! You hit my leg!"
"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you on time. Let me take you to the hospital."
Before she could finish, a voice echoed behind her.
"You don't need to bother yourself."
Turning around to find out who it was, three more teenage boys emerged from the shadows, walking closer to her.
Diana stood up quietly and stared at them, her instinct telling her these boys were up to no good.
"And who exactly are you people?"
The boy claiming to have been hit by Diana quietly stood up and replied to Diana.
"You don't need to know, Madam. Just do as you're told."
Diana turned back immediately, her gaze fixed on the boy. She now realized that this was a set-up.
One of the boys pulled out a small gun and aimed it at Diana's face.
"Give us all your money and phones, lady."
Diana smiled, she couldn't find herself to be afraid.
"She's laughing at us. Maybe we're just kids to her."
Then another among them spoke out.
"Well, I like killing those that aren't afraid of me."
He said, as he grabbed the gun from the other's hand.
Just then, Diana's pulse rose.
"Wait... I don't have much cash on me, but..."
"Shut up, lady!" One of them yelled at her.
"Just give us what we asked for, or I will blow your head off with my little toy. Hope you like my toy?"
Diana raised her hand, nodding her head. She turned back to her car, took out all the money from her bag, and she handed it over to them along with her two phones. The boys snatched the items from her greedily, exchanging glances at each other.
"Damn, these phones are just...wow," one of them chuckled.
"We caught a big fish today."
Just as they were taking turns, gazing at Diana's phones, a deep voice echoed from the other roadside.
"Ken... What the hell?
The boys froze, their eyes gazing in the direction of the voice.
Diana also turned too, her gaze lingered on a man walking towards them. He looked rough, dirty, unkept, with a torn shirt, and a tired face. His presence alone sent a deep fear into the teenage boys.
"It's not... nothing... not exactly what you think," one of the boys stammered.
The man approached them; his facial appearance seemed angry.
"How many times have I warned you three not to do this ever again? Huh?"
He stared at them but none of them dared to respond.
"Put them to me now!" he ordered.
The boys gave him those items immediately, and he snatched them from them angrily. Turning to Diana, he stretched out his arm, handing her the phones and money.
Diana hesitated, nodding in appreciation.
"You..."
"Take it," the man said, not bothering to meet her gaze.
"Forgive them. They're just the victims of the poor economy."
Slowly, Diana took the phones and left the money.
"Let them have the money."
Then, the man glanced at her for the first time.
"You mean I should let them keep it."
She nodded.
"Yeah. They should keep it and find themselves something to eat with eat."
He turned back to the boys and tossed the cash at them.
"Leave and let this be the last time I find you three in an act like this."
Without any hesitation, the boys zoomed off, running far away from the man.
Diana exhaled sharply, still holding her phone tight. As the man turned to leave, she found herself speaking out.
"Do you mind telling me your name?"
The man stopped for a second before turning back, his eyes meeting hers.
"I'm Alex."
Diana nodded, and before she could tell him her name, he was already leaving.
"Wait!"
She called out.
Alex stopped but didn't turn immediately. He hesitated for some moments, and by the time he turned to face her, there was this coldness in his tone.
"What?"
Diana took a deep breath and stepped closer to him.
"I just wanted to say thank you."
"There's no need for that. Get yourself going."
He replied calmly, already turning again to leave.
Diana frowned. She wasn't used to being dismissed so easily.
"At least, let me..."
"Look here, young lady," Alex cut in, his tone quite impatient.
"I don't need your thanks. You got your stuff back except the ones you decided to let go. Just go home, it's already late."
Diana stood frozen, staring at him. But Alex turned and started walking away.
Diana hesitated for some moments and then followed him. Shortly, she was already walking beside him.
"Hey, I just need a few minutes of your time, please."
Alex exhaled sharply and stopped. He gradually turned and faced her, his gaze piercing.
"Is there a problem?"
Diana hesitated.
"Nothing much. I noticed from your dress that you're a waste bin remover. Just wanted to ask if you have any other job aside from this?"
Alex's eyes narrowed.
"Is that a problem for you?"
His tone was quick and defensive.
But Diana shook her head.
"No, no. I was just wondering."
She took a deep breath and decided to be direct.
"Well, I have a business proposal for you."
Alex glanced at her, suspicion creeping in.
"A business proposal?"
"Yes."
She replied, pulling out a business card from her long jacket's pocket.
"Maybe, if you're interested... you will meet me at my office tomorrow. Then, we'll talk about it."
Alex stared at the card for a few seconds before taking it. Having a closer look at the card, before he looked back at her.
"What kind of business?"
Diana smiled lightly.
"Don't worry about that. It's something you can actually do. Come tomorrow and we'll discuss it."
Alex stared at her for a long time before finally giving her a quick nod.
"It's alright. I'll be there."
Diana nodded back at him, looking satisfied. Without another word, she headed back to her car. As she drove off, she glanced at Alex through the rearview mirror.
She then exhaled, making a relieved sigh.
"I just hope he suits in well for this job."