Chapter 4 At the Restaurant (1)

The siblings decided to head back to their hotel and just have lunch at the cafe in their hotel. After checking all of their emails and calling the office for any updates, they took a quick nap afterward, so they would have enough energy for their nighttime activity.

'Hey guys, I want to be there at 6:30, so we can take pictures. I want to show those foos back home where we're going,' Max reminds them.

He acted like he was still in college, hanging out with his friends. At SST, everyone was required to dress business casual most days, but being partial owners, afforded them the opportunity to occasionally break the rules.

The rule was, as long as they didn't come in their pajamas, and beach attire, the staff, could dress as casually as they wanted. Clara wanted it to be in an environment where everyone felt comfortable and didn't need to put on airs.

This was because most of the people working for them were from local orphanages or student workers. Their salaries usually went to their studies or lodgings, and she did not want them to feel pressured to spend hard-earned money on fancy clothing.

She only had one exception. When there were presentations, everyone involved in that project was required to dress their best, that way people do not underestimate them.

As for the rest, the technicians and other people who visit the sites have uniforms provided, to eliminate the confusion of them being mistaken for intruders.

Clara's personal philosophy was that clothes do not make the person. SST employees give it their all, no matter what background they came from.

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The Johnson siblings got to the 'V' at exactly 6:30 so they would have time to take pictures and have a drink before 'The President,' sarcastically termed by Clara, came to ruin their supposedly lovely evening together as siblings. They seldom go out these days, being too busy with launching their product and developing their technology. It left them tired all the time. It was like the more money they were taking in, the more drained they became. Some days, they don't even see one another at home.

The 'V' had an outdoor balcony where people were hanging out as they waited for their reservations. So the siblings chose this as their selfie spot. Yeah, selfies seem foolish to some people, but when you have no pictures from when you were younger, you tend to compensate by taking lots of pictures of your activities and places that you visit in the present, so when you grow older, you can have something to look back on.

To thwart Sebastian's advances, she decided against wearing the off-shoulder black dress that she brought just for the occasion saying, 'I don't want him to think I was dressing up to impress him. Plus, I don't like the way he stares at me. I feel like his prey.

I'm a grown woman, and I will not be a subject of anybody's fantasies.'

'Whoa, whoa, whoa... When did this happen?' Max reacted, 'What is going on here? I thought he was a very nice guy. Very handsome if you ask me.' Max chided. He was pretending not to know what was happening. He winks at Jeremy.

'Maybe, it's time you thought about someone that way, sis. You are not getting any younger. You know, biological clock and all, plus you don't want to end up as a cougar, preying on the young, do you?' Max added, smiling to himself.

'Oh shut up! Cougar? You think I'm a cougar?' she slaps Max in the arm.

'I think you look lovely Clara. We both know what you're talking about. This idiot here is just teasing you," Jeremy pointed to Max.

'Heeey! I'm not an idiot. I'm a matchmaker!' Max said, forming a heart with his hands. 'I love you, Clara,' she shook her head and laughed.

'If you do not want his attention or his comments, let me know. I'm here. I will protect you,' said the ever-loyal Jeremy. Being the youngest, he had always been protective when it came to his siblings. He would do anything for them to always be together. No CEO would be stealing his sister any time with his sweet words, just to play with her feelings.

'Thank you, my dearest,' she says as she holds his face in her hands and kisses him on both sides of his cheek, 'See, this is why you are my favorite.'

'Hey!' Max pouts, 'Why is he your favorite? I'm much more handsome than he is.'

'You are such a kid Max. Just stop it.' she glared at him. 'But kidding aside, I'm glad you guys came with me today. It wouldn't have been the same without you. Remember when we did these installations a lot in the beginning? Those were memorable.

And for the record, I love both of you equally. I am so lucky to have you in my life,' she says as she kisses Max's cheek. And gives them both a hug. Then she proceeded to wipe the lipstick off their faces. 'We just need a little more patience, and all our hard work will pay off soon. This is it, guys. I think this calls for a drink,' she says, looking around for the bar.

Sebastian came ahead of time just so he could have drinks with them before dinner. He overheard them saying they were going to be at the bar at 6:30, so they could take pictures. He wanted in on their activity and thought of volunteering to take pictures for them, to get closer to Clara.

As he tries to find their location, he witnesses the touching moment between them.

Suddenly there was something primal within him that seemed to have awoken, and he felt a little angry.

'What is happening here? Are they that close? Why are they hugging?

Jeremy seems too young for her, but Max? Are they in a relationship?" He frowned,

"I checked her files, it said nothing about a boyfriend or a husband. She was supposed to be single, that's why I'm actively pursuing her.

This can't be happening, I just found her.

She's mine!' his head roared. He was taken aback by the thoughts screaming at him, so he decided to take a few minutes to calm down and regroup.