Frank stepped out of the small restaurant, walking aimlessly, lost in his thoughts.
"What am I supposed to do now…?" he muttered to himself.
From the outside, he probably looked like a drunk guy rambling in the middle of the night.
But that couldn't be further from the truth.
He was actually trying to deal with the consequences of something he had said without thinking.
As he walked toward his car, barely paying attention, he noticed a small bar nearby. He hesitated for a few seconds before stepping inside.
Maybe a cold drink would help him regain some color.
He sat at the counter.
"One cold beer, please," he said, his voice low and drained.
The waitress nodded and started pouring the drink, but she couldn't help noticing the defeated look on his face.
"Excuse me, sir," she said, a bit hesitant. "I know it's none of my business, but… are you okay? You look… well… kind of pale."
Frank slowly lifted his head and looked at her for the first time.
For a brief moment, a thought crossed his mind.
She'd be an easy target.
It could be a quick way to win the bet.
But after observing her disinterested expression and slightly sharp attitude, he shook his head before answering.
"Well… I think I did something stupid."
The waitress raised an eyebrow.
"A bet?"
Then she casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well, before we keep talking, I should introduce myself. My name is Elisa."
Frank let out a sigh.
"Nice to meet you, Elisa…"
He looked down at his beer.
"This might sound a bit childish, but I made a bet I'm not sure I can win."
He avoided mentioning the actual conditions… and definitely what would happen if he lost.
Just thinking about those summer photos sent a chill down his spine.
Elisa watched him with curiosity.
"But… who makes a bet they already know they can't win?"
Frank dropped his forehead onto the counter, leaving a faint ring from a wet coaster on his skin.
"I DON'T KNOW, I'M AN IDIOT!" he shouted, in a dramatic and slightly pathetic outburst.
Elisa let out a small laugh.
"Well… are you going to tell me what it's about, or do I have to guess?"
She leaned slightly over the counter, clearly interested.
Frank looked at her, nervous.
"Well… uh…"
He took a deep breath.
And blurted it out.
"I bet I could make any girl fall in love with me in just thirty days!"
His face turned red with embarrassment.
Elisa stared at him, eyes wide.
A second later, she burst out laughing.
"That's the most ridiculous and pathetic thing I've heard in years!" she said between laughs.
Frank frowned, offended.
"Hey… do you even know who I am? How dare you laugh in my face like that? My family could buy this place and leave you jobless. Don't push me."
The threat sounded weak.
Elisa looked at him carefully… until something clicked in her mind.
"Wait…" she said. "Don't tell me you're Frank from the Miller family."
She covered her mouth, surprised.
One of the three most influential families in the country.
But instead of being intimidated… a sly smile appeared on her face.
"Well… if you really think you could buy this entire place," she continued, "then let me make you an offer."
Frank raised an eyebrow.
"If I help you win that bet… you help me."
"Help you?"
"Yes," Elisa said. "You're going to help me open my own business."
She crossed her arms.
"I may be an employee… but I have dreams too, you know?"
She looked straight at him.
"You win your bet, impress your friends… and I get to fulfill my dream."
She smiled.
"Win-win."
There was a brief, awkward silence.
Then Frank burst out laughing.
He grabbed his jacket and stood up.
"Are you crazy?" he said, pointing at his own face with exaggerated pride. "Just look at me. I can do it on my own—with this handsome face."
He left some money on the counter and walked toward the door, his arrogance clearly forced.
His ego wouldn't allow him to accept help.
Just before he stepped out, Elisa called after him:
"If you change your mind, you know where to find me!"
The door closed.
Elisa grabbed a cloth and calmly started wiping the counter.
Then she smiled to herself.
"He'll be back."