Antonio De Isquierda: The Rise of Rich CEO

Chapter 9 The Night is Long

Antonio already has its path of independence. Right after the chaos in his university, he decided to book a fancy restaurant away from the downtown; the dark nights twinkling with the light of hope and opportunity of getting drunk with life-- must be the truth he always wanted to have. 

The manager of the said pub guided him to the reserved table, prepared a rum and glasses of expensive finger bites. Antonio seated, crossed legs and gazing at the manager who seems anxious and waiting for his orders. Antonio thinks that the other employees in the said pub seem curious of sudden changes of their manager's personality. 

The manager spoke to him in a calm tone which Antonio seemed shocked. Antonio noticed that it sounded so scripted and he wanted to put an end to his blabbering mouth, but he can't because he don;t want to have a reputation of being rude to the manager, even to employees who are eyeing him with death glare, as if he can buy them. I mean, he can but he won't. 

“How does a dashing young man visit my pub?” the manager asked while looking at Antonio with a hint of malice. 

Antonio just shrugged off the manager’s intense gazed and answered. “I just want to drink,” 

“What do you prefer? A light rhum or a local rhum?’ the manager enumerated the bestsellers of their pub. 

“What do you recommend?’ Antonio asked, while he comfortably gazed at the window, overlooking the city's bright lights. 

“Light rhum,” the manager stated. 

“Sure. Can I have it now?” 

The manager immediately called his employees by clapping his hand. Antonio quickly glanced at one of the female staff who clumsily put a glass and cold lemon water on his table. He gazed at the female employee in which he’s quite intrigued because she’s so familiar. 

The manager scolded the female staff for being clumsy and when the manager noticed that Antonio gazed at his inappropriate behavior, he immediately apologized for the sudden commotion of their clumsy employees. 

“No, it’s fine. It doesn’t bother me at all,” I said. He flashes a smile that makes the whole employees sighed dreamily. The manager caught off guard, even the female staff. 

The female staff excused herself whereas the manager still scrutinized the other staff, preparing Antonio’s table. 

When the manager seemed satisfied, he left Antonio and had a private moment. Antonio thanked them for their service. He chugged down a whole glass of light rhum. When Antonio immediately noticed a pair of eyes, gazing at him, he tried to look as calm as possible. 

The female staff hurriedly went to the other side. Antonio missed the night of living and talking to a woman. When he caught Sarah cheating during her birthday, he knew for sure that he would have an empty hole within him. 

Antonio spent all of his hours drinking, he didn't even check his phone for updates. Next week, he will be the next CEO of that said goddamn company. And everything will be under his control and maybe, protection. One thing he’s anxious about, how can he do that with less experience on managing a company? 

The doubt consumes him but nevertheless he’s hopeful that other people would guide him. When Antonio noticed that he almost emptied the bottle of rum, he called a staff to get him another one. 

Antonio waved his hand, he looked shit but he just wanted to have another bottle of light rhum. 

“You want another bottle of light rhum,Sir?’ a female voice asked. 

“Yeah, thank you.” 

“Is that all, Sir?” 

“Do I need another?” 

“It depends,” 

“I want you,” Antonio said without hesitation. 

The female staff didn’t even flinch. She just listed down all of his orders and pour his glass with cold water. 

“Sir, I suggest you drink this first so that you can think straight,” the female staff suggested. 

Antonio looked up to her, curious about the caring voice that she produces in her mouth. He knew that this female staff member was familiar, he didn't know where he could possibly see her. She’s so pale with almond hair and freckles. Antonio’s curious on how a beautiful lady is working as a crew. 

“Excuse me, Sir,” the female said, and she went to the cashier to put all Antonio’s orders. He must be catered at all times, he’s a very important person for the pub. 

Antonio just gazed at the glass, staring at it, as if there’s an interesting thing that could happen within the cold water. Without a doubt, he drank the cold water, it spilled and made the corners of his mouth wet, even his shirt. 

Antonio cursed. He even unbuttoned his shirt and wiped it with the tissue paper. He groaned when he realized that it would be wet and he couldn't do anything about it. He let his back lean and his head hang on the other side of the sofa. 

“Here’s your light rhum, Sir.” the female staff said. She poured the glass of Antonio’s half-empty glass. 

The female staff wipe the remains of water on the table. She noticed Antonio's position, she went a closer look to examine Antonio and help him to stay put in a normal state. The female staff combed Antonio’s hair by using her fingers. Antonio, on the other hand, almost leaned on the female’s chest. 

“Can I kiss you?” Antonio slurred. He even faced the female staff who remained calm and collected. 

“You want to kiss me just to ease the tension? Or because you’re drunk?’ the female staff said. Antonio didn’t get what she said since a glass of rum is right in front of his face; the female staff handed him to drink even more. 

“I see no denial,” Antonio said. He noticed that she wanted the reason for his sudden request. 

“I always get that indecent question all the time,” the female staff member said. She stands in front of Antonio now, leaving the space of the couch. 

“You’re so professional,” Antonio complimented her. 

“I just do my best at my job,” she said, while she got Antonio’s wallet and got his card. “You can leave now after I swipe your card,” 

The female staff scan Antonio’s credit card, and she whispered his name. Antonio heard his whisper and he couldn't help but ask her. 

“What’s your name?” Antonio said, barely audible. 

The female staff ignored him and continued to walk away from his table and swipe his card to get him out of this pub. She’s worried that Antonio might poison himself through rhum. After that, the female staff called all Antonio’s bodyguards to let him vacate the premises. 

When all the employees gathered to bid farewell to Antonio, the manager whispered to the female staff, and the female staff just gazed at the manager with a deadpan look. When Antonio is in the back seat of his car, the female staff put his credit card in his pockets. Antonio’s eyes are shut. 

“Rest well, Antonio!” the female staff said. “I’m Elyse,” 

Then, she shut the car door so loud. She acknowledged one of Antonio’s bodyguards before they started the engine and drive. It’s been a long night, they both concluded.