Yes. I used sign language to answer him and to introduce myself as well.
And yes, I am a mute person.
I did not hesitate to hijack him with another wave which he thought was just a normal hand signal to level his intimidating aura. Curiosity flickered across his face. I saw his brows furrow.
I pinpointed with my index finger the pen and the scrap paper beside him. This time, he offered them politely. I smiled warmly— not a fake one. I just felt that he was gradually realizing how deliberate, more patterned the gestures are.
Sign language.
I picked up the scrap paper, and with quick strokes of the pen, I wrote. "Hello. I'm mute. I was saying 'Hi!'" highlighting the last word.
Finally, I was able to stare at him. For a moment, he sat still, I was so sure that he was unsure if he should respond with words or gestures.
I noticed how broad his shoulders are, how tall he was— enough to draw glances without meaning to, his dark hair was tousled from the wind outside, strands falling across sharp brows that framed eyes the color of an elliptical galaxy of deep purple— intense, restless, and searching. A faint scar traced the edge of his sculpted jaw, softened only by the warmth of the café's ambiance. I scanned the sophisticated yet VIP room we were in.
His gaze finally landed on her. He wrote back, "My apologies for my rudeness. I am Regan. What would you like to order?"
I automatically raise an eyebrow due to the choice of his words.
Seriously? It's definitely not the expected personality I was introduced to.
My friend Alouette, favorably 'declining' things that were associated with "destiny manipulation" by her parents which is why she forcedly 'eloped' with me to taste the freedom she had been dreaming of ever since. She is not into this kind of entanglement wherein 'marriage' was a huge blockage to her life— a chain to locked her down to their generational wealth and power.
I pity her more than I envy the things she has.
I sympathize with her struggles because I have been there too— not with the same problem but with the same wavelength.
And he— Regan Rancere, is a potential threat to my friend's freedom.
I replied, "Why don't you try picking the most expensive yet tasteful menu item? Will it hurt your ego to be this ungallant towards me?"
I swear. I undoubtedly saw him flash a grin on his lips yet fired back a piercing stare at me. His manor presented how dare yet dauntless my words are.
But I sat firmly, I followed up with, "I am Alouette, you know me right? No more formalities, cut to the chase. I don't want you to use me as an accessory to your pursuits, you can hound my family's business or whatever and I'll do mine.
Your business is not my business. Got that?"
I firmly conveyed my friend's motive for this encounter as I am impersonating her, might as well act sanguinely yet with the glimpse of pomposity.
After handing him the piece of paper, I crossed my arms to announce intimidation, sitting arrogantly, I looked away, wanting to end this wholesome drama.
I heard a chuckle. To my surprise, I saw his lips curled... not a sight I was expecting to see.
His name is Regan Rancere. My friend told me that he was a successful businessman, he established a massive reputation in the corporate world in his late 20s— not totally her type which is why I am here, being dumbfounded at this moment since she did not even elaborate on who this man was and who he really 'was' besides the descriptions I was informed about.
I am starting to feel this strange yet familiar scenario I had been in since the last time I took a side job for my friend.
Goddang it!
He then mimicked the same motion I made earlier— attempting to reproduce the message for saying a 'hi'.
I can't believe him!
What is happening?
"Don't try so hard to get a score from me. I'm not buying that. Are you even seeing these dangling things on me? I will make your balance run dry to zero.
Also, I can't speak but I can hear you so don't act foolish in front of me."
I aggressively noted this message, clearly to end this rendezvous. With a frantic expression, I looked at my watch repeatedly and started tapping the floor with my heels— obviously projecting that I don't want to be here any longer.
I heard his small yet deep and smooth laughter for the second time.
This goddamn scene again!
I felt like I was being trapped inside a cage— wherein I was pre-captured... being observed and being played first in his claws before being eaten a whole.
His lips twitch.
"Fine, I'll cut to the chase too, Missy. I never thought that the distinguished Llorente does have a daughter that is befitted to be my partner this well.
I will make the Llorente Household eminent without a feign for 10 decades. From your roots down to your grandest successor..."
He enunciated firmly, carrying the authority without a faltering expression, just a pure proposal.
I contemplated at that moment on, I clearly enacted the total opposite of being "liked," not even the term being proposed was there. I lost my composure.
I gradually shook my head to my disbelief— fortunately, the moment was interrupted with the ringing of a phone. It was mine!
Luckily and panickedly, I took the chance and answered the video call. Angel sent, it is Alouette on the screen!
I grabbed my things and mouthed, "Oops! Sorry... emergency!" trying to leave him there...
He casually grabbed my arm enough to make me stop taking another step. He tapped the end button swiftly.
I jolted when he murmured to my ears, "You thought you can deceived me?"
I looked at him straight to his eyes, I gulped...
"Keep safe and enjoy your day, it's a pleasure having a conversation with you, Little Llorente." he added with a warning yet calm tone... at that moment, I pulled my arm back and immediately stormed out of the café. I left him, not wanting to look back but I did. I saw him displayed his menace... smitten, filled with an ironclad mask of an expression you wish you might never going to meet again.
Oh god! Oh god!
Consciously asking all the saints to help me was the only thing that is registering to my system right after that incident... that I totally forgotten my friend was left hanging on the call earlier. I texted her first.
She then texted back, "Thank you so much, Serahtti! Thank you for covering up for me! I already sent the bills to your account!"
I lied with a smile... faking the truth.
My friend has joyously celebrated her extended freedom, will I... was being consumed of the encounter.
What will happen to my friend?
If fate says otherwise, then so be it.
But again, what will happen to me?