Chapter 5 SO TROUBLESOME

Lhan was pacing back and forth in a mini garden outside the mall near the parking lot when Dunce saw her. She was still in deep thought as to why would the CEO would come to the mall. Lhan doesn't want to be with him longer than a minute because of her impression towards him, being arrogant and bossy. Also, there's something weird that she felt every time she's with him but she could not exactly tell. She wasn't afraid of anyone except for men who worked as government officials or police officers. With Ardunce case, she doesn't feel afraid but she somehow became agitated when he's around.

"What are you doing here walking around? You should've waited for us inside." Dunce scolded her as he got closer to her.

She snapped back to her senses when she heard the familiar overbearing voice. She turned her focus to where it came from and there, she saw two men in business suit walking towards her, slightly out of place. 'Who would come to Mall in business suit? And it is summer time. Doesn't he feel hot?' She kept those question to herself. The one in black, probably his secretary she thought, while the one in front of him, Dunce, was wearing a dark grey suit and he was, admittedly, strikingly handsome.

Lhan was a web novel author, and the man who popped was the exact embodiment of the male lead: gorgeous, tall and fit, also overbearing and arrogant.

Women who passed by looked at Dunce full of adulation. But no matter how gorgeous he was, Lhan was not swayed. She was a typical bookworm and a computer geek so physical appearance does not flatter her nor gave her jitters just like the women around him. But there was something in him that she could not explain. Like the fact that she liked looking at him despite that fact that he gave off an unexplainable aura. Weird, she thought.

"Why did you come here?" Lhan asked him objectionably.

"To buy shirt." His answer was short and authoritative as usual.

"Hello Miss. My name is Leif Max, Mr. Dunce' Personal Assistant." Leif, introduced himself smilingly. He raised his right hand for a handshake but Dunce swat his dorsal hand.

Leif embarrassingly withdrew his hand but Lhan reached out and successfully made a handshake. "My name's Lhan. Nice meeting you Mr. Leif."

Leif looked at his boss with slight fear. 'Miss you should not do that. My dear master just showed a sense of possession.' He thought. Leif, being with Ardunce for almost six years had never seen him so possessive with anyone else. 'Ahh, my boss is now evolving, coming out of the cocoon.'

Dunce' eyes were focused on their hands so Leif released it urgently.

"Mr. Ardunce You should have not bothered. I can snap photos and send it to you. Then you can just choose." Lhan casually said without a hint of intimidation.

"No. I don't trust photos. How much is your budget?"

Lief couldn't help but asked himself, 'didn't he usually orders online instead of going to malls or ask for a couture?' but of course, he dared not to expose his master.

"My limit today is 5000." She answered with her fingers were spread in air showing a number five.

Dunce lead their walked and paced into the mall. Lhan followed him closely.

Leif decided to stay on the spot, found a place to sit and opened his phone when the two got inside the mall. Although it was new to him seeing his master interested in a girl, he knew that his master doesn't like him to be with them.

Dunce and Lhan visited several stores and checked different styles of shirt. As Lhan was busy checking the shirt Dunce was busy observing her secretly.

"Do you think this one suits me?" Dunce asked lifting the shirt closed to him when finally he saw a shirt that suited his taste. They need to buy a shirt so Lhan would not suspect his main reason of going with her, and that was to observe her.

The saleslady assisting them answered, "You look like a model, sir. Actually, almost all look good on you!"

"Yeah, I know! But I am asking her not you." Dunce was irritated at the saleslady's words. The lady shut up because of embarrassment.

"So, what do you think? What is your favorite color?" He again looked at Lhan.

"Ahm, any shades of blue especially the darker ones." She unconsciously answered.

"This one?" He raised the shirt in his left arm a bit higher for confirmation.

"Yep. That's what I like the most." Lhan spontaneously answered referring to a Prussian polo shirt.

"I'll get this then." Said Dunce.

Lhan took the shirt and went to the cashier and paid for it. She queued for almost 3 minutes. Dunce sat on the couch and waited for her. When she was done paying and head towards him, Dunce stood up.

"Here. So...ahm, I paid 2098php. Will this suffice?" Lhan asked.

"Of course not. Every pay day you have to buy me something for five months." He then grabbed the paper bag and they walked out of the store side by side. The salesladies were left envious at Lhan. They all could see how gentle Dunce looked at her the moment he took the paper bag.

"Ha?! We can look for another one today and I can buy you another one on my next payout."

"I'm tired. Maybe some other days. Who knows the shirt may come out again. Let's go I'm hungry."

Lhan stopped her steps for a moment still trying to let his words sink in.

"What? Are you just gonna stand there? I'm starving. I didn't eat lunch." Dunce turned back when he noticed that Lhan was not beside him.

Lhan ran and stopped in front of him. "Wait! What kind of charade are we playing? I just don't get it. Can we just go home? Why do I have to accompany you to eat? Don't you have work? It's only Wednesday. I have to perform tonight so I want to take a rest or sleep for a while. If we are not going to look for a shirt we better go home."

"Ah right!" Dunce snapped his finger as if he was in a midst of Eureka moment. "Then we can just buy some ingredients and cook. Anyway, I don't really eat at fast food!" Then he passed her and continued walking.

"What?!" Lhan was distressed as if she was in a whammy moment. She walked to catch up with him.

Dunce ignored her question and walk towards the parking lot to where they are parked. He called Leif to inform him to start the engine.

Once they arrived, Dunce opened the door at the back seat ushering Lhan to get in. Inside the car Dunce and Lhan sat together. As soon as the car moved she turned sideways to look at Dunce.

"Mr. Ardunce..." she was cut mid-sentence.

"Call me Dunce." He glanced at her for a bit and looked forward.

"No! Mr. Ardunce, can we seriously talk?" Lhan was running out of patience.

"Then call me Dunce." He insisted then talked to Leif, "Leif, buy some meat, fruits and vegies at the nearest supermarket and drive to Destiny Street.

Leif went out for a bit to buy ingredients for dinner as instructed by Ardunce. While he went to the grocery, the two continued their conversation. For Lhan it was an awkward situation but for Dunce, it was somehow fun.

'Is this guy for real?' Lhan shook her head annoyingly. "Look, I know I owe you but you can't just order me to do unreasonable things."

"Listen. Do you think I am so generous that I would just give away such amount that you owe me? Don't get me wrong. All you have to do is just buy me something for 5 months. If you will buy me things worth 2000 a month, it would only cost you at most 10000 roughly. To suffice, cook me some homely meal twice a week for 5 months. Don't worry I'll buy the ingredients. You will be in charge of the labor as fee for the balance of your debt. Don't you think I'm kind enough to consider your situation? You get free food and you can pay me without spending too much. And it is more convenient. How is that unreasonable?" Dunce explained.

"How is that convenient. That's so troublesome. Being your company janitress is more convenient to me. Plus, I told you I can pay you full after 3months." She tried her best to object.

"I already have janitress in the company. Are you trying to snatch that poor lady's job? Where's your conscience?" Trying to look reasonable.

"Why do I feel like I lost too much energy just by talking with you?" Feeling dejected, Lhan slouched on her seat.

"That's why stop arguing. Let's go!" Dunce smirked. He felt a little proud when Lhan gave up.