Fifty Seven

"If my parents were still alive, Mr. Salazar, they would not agree with what you're saying. Why? Because that fixed marriage will only happen if a company needs a merger due to bankruptcy. Let me tell you this, my company will gain the trust of other companies, and I will not have to compromise my entire life to engage in that fixed marriage thing. If you mean that you can discuss your plans with my relatives, you're mistaken because I'm the one who makes my own life decisions. You are welcome to approach me about investing in your company, but you are not required to endorse your son in front of me," Elodie responded.

The elderly man laughs.

"You made a mistake, Miss Carlton; I haven't said anything yet," the old man said.

"That's also the point of your words, Mr. Salazar, so I preceded you. And one more thing, my attitude didn't fit the character of your son. Look at him, he's looking down instead of at my face. He's no longer passed in my taste buds," she explained.

Zander burst out laughing. Because he noticed the old man's sour expression.

"You're too arrogant, Miss Vergara, and you're not even beautiful," the old man's son said.
Zander rolled his eyes. This man was full of himself.

"Oh, that was a nice compliment from you, Luigi, but I see something different in your eyes; what do you just see in me? That I'm not beautiful in your eyes but meat to be eaten?"

They all remained silent.

"And by the way, this man beside me is Mr. Augusto Mondragon. He is a wealthy businessman as well. Maybe you want to invest in his company as well. But he doesn't have a daughter. This guy beside Mr. Tan is his son. So what do you think?" She asked of the older man.


Zander gave a nod. Elodie's tongue is sharp, so perhaps she hasn't had a boyfriend until now. The elderly man and his son walked away without saying goodbye. She drank the water as she leaned over.

"Wow, that was something," Uncle Agusto said.

"Hmmm, that's why I hate gatherings like this, Uncle, I'm running out of air in reasoning," she responded.

"All right, you two stay here first, and Nathan and I just need to socialize with other businessmen," Uncle August explained.

"All right, Uncle."

She noticed Zander was drowsy after the two had left. As a result, she drew closer to him.

"Are you all right? You wouldn't have come here if you weren't feeling well."

Zander let out a small laugh.

"You could also be a nurse; my head hurts, and I'm not sure when this party will end," Zander responded.

"Let's go, let's go out first; we can eat at the restaurant," Zaneska says.

"Why are you still going out when there's food here?" Zander asked.

"I'd rather pay than eat at an event like this because I try to avoid associating with toxic people," she responded.


Zander was taken aback when Elodie took his hand in hers and drew him out. His head is hurting even more now.

"Just call Uncle Agusto after the party and tell him we're going somewhere else; I'll be the driver," she told him.

He hopped into the driver's seat before she could start the car and drive away. He noticed they stopped in front of a pharmacy.

"Get out, Zander, we'll buy medicine in there," Zaneska orders.

He went outside and followed Zaneska into the pharmacy.

"Hello, miss, I bought some headache medicine," she said to the saleswoman.

The woman took the medicine, but her gaze remained fixed on him.

"Ma'am, Is he your boyfriend?" the woman asked her, but Zander could hear her.

"No, he is my brother, are you attracted to him?" she asked.

The saleswoman gave him a friendly smile.

"But he's a single father, Miss, and he has seven children; if you're willing to care for seven children, you can be his wife at any time," she responded.

The saleswoman was left speechless. Zander burst out laughing. she and Zander re-entered the car and drove away from the pharmacy.

"Did you know the saleswoman believed what I said?" she asked.

"Who wouldn't believe what you said? Your face is so serious that the woman's eyes almost popped out," Zander responded.

"So, what's the big deal?"

"Of course, you mention seven children; it's just nice if someone gets a nice job so that children have a nice life; if it's you, I know seven children aren't enough for you because you have too much wealth," he says.


She gave him a sidelong glance.


"What do you think of me, pig? Am I capable of bearing seven children?"


"After five years, you only release one at a time, not all seven in one day, and you were called a pig then," Zander replied.

"I'm not sure, Zander, whether I should release a child," she admitted.

Zander was taken aback. Why did Elodie and he bring up the subject of children? This is an unusual conversation. He used to avoid this woman, but now they always cross paths.
They stopped in front of the restaurant.

"Let's go, I'm hungry," she suggested.

He went out of the car and go inside after her. They chose a seat in the right corner. A waiter came over.

"Can I please have a glass of water?" she asked the waiter.

"All right, ma'am."


The waiter walked away and returned a few seconds later, carrying the menu. She took a glass of water and handed it to him, along with some medicine.

"Drink some medicine first, Zander, so your headache doesn't get worse," she advised.

Zander accepted the medication, and the waiter left with their order. The waiter unloaded their food a minute later. They ate after that. She fixed her gaze on him.

"By the way, Zander, I have a question for you,"
"What is it?" he asked.

"How come you avoided me in the first place?" she asked.

Zander fell silent all of a sudden.

"I guess you're too comfortable with me to ask that question?" he asked.

"Isn't it appropriate for me to ask?"

"I don't have anything to say," Zander responded.

"OK, I won't force you; I already have an answer; since we're done eating, maybe we can go home; call Uncle Agusto first," Elodie says.

After that, Elodie paid and we exited the restaurant.

"Are you full?"

"Yes, by the way, thank you for the clothes you sent me when I slept in your condo unit; I'll wash them first before returning them to you," Zander explained.

"Silly, who will wear it when you return it to me? I bought it for you, so wear it; if you're shy, buy me as well so we're both fair," Elodie responded.

Zander was taken aback. Did they already be friends? What can he give her when she already has everything?

"What can I give you if you can buy whatever you want?" Zander asked.

Zander is stopped in his tracks when he notices Elodie's genuine smile. She gave him a look.

"Are you okay, and why did you stop?" she asked.

"Nothing, I just had a thought."

She nodded and went up into her car.

"Come in, Zander; I'll take you there so I can go home; I'm so tired I can see my bed and blanket," Elodie said.

Zander agreed and went up into the car.

"I'll drive, Elodie; you could doze off and we'll collide."

"I'm not going to be able to do it any longer."

Elodie was already on her way to the party location. Uncle Agusto and Uncle Nathan have left the house. He just walked out, and she just waved. And proceeded to drive away from them. They returned home after that.

Duke arrived early on Monday because today is the day they go house to house. Zander had no choice but to get up early as well. When he came out of his room, he was already dressed and taking a bath.

"Dude, I thought you were still sleeping?" Duke asked.

"It's humiliating for our co-teachers if they're still waiting for us," he responded.


"Your mother told me you went to a business party last night; did you meet a woman there?" Duke asked.

"Stupid, I didn't go there looking for a woman; you're just thinking a woman, thanks to the power of your radar," Zander explained.