Chapter 8

“Franklin?" Franklin muttered to himself, immediately reminded of a certain woman. Who else could it be but the owner of the package that made Franklin hesitant to deliver it?

However, Franklin shook his head, trying to push that thought away. It seemed impossible for her to have his phone number.

Soon, another notification popped up, but this time it wasn't from an unknown number. It was from his boss.

Mr. Tio [The client whose package you're going to deliver, named Clara, asked for the courier's number. So, if you receive a call from an unknown number, it's likely Clara, Franklin.]

Damn it!

Now, there was no more doubt. Franklin immediately replied to his boss, confirming his understanding.

As Franklin exited the chat with his boss, he noticed the unnamed contact was typing.

"[Don't just read it. At least reply so I know where you are right now.]"

Franklin decided to ignore the message, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"It's okay! Just deliver the package and then I'll leave, never to appear in front of her again," Franklin reassured himself. He then put on his helmet, retrieved his motorcycle from the parking lot, and set off towards the mentioned apartment.

As he rode through the busy streets, Franklin couldn't shake off the feeling of apprehension about what awaited him at Clara's apartment.

Franklin thought, "It's okay. Just take it easy. Just give her this package, take her picture, and then I'll leave and never see her again.”

Before Franklin could even knock on the apartment door, Clara was already waiting for him, as if she knew when he would arrive. She opened the door just before Franklin could knock.

"Hi, Franklin! I knew you would come!" Clara greeted him cheerfully, appearing completely different from the woman he had met last night. She seemed so lively now that even Franklin felt taken aback.

"Come on in!" Clara invited him inside. Franklin noticed two other women, whom he assumed were Clara's friends, inside the apartment.

"No, I'm just here to deliver your package. After that, I have to go back to continue my work," Franklin replied.

Clara smirked, seemingly belittling Franklin's words. "Are you sure? Still have work? I just asked about you to your boss. He said there are no more packages for you to deliver. See!"

Clara showed her phone to Franklin, leaving him speechless.

"So, you need a photo of me with this package, right? If you want it, it means you have to come in and sit with us," Clara declared, taking the package from Franklin before he could take a photo.

Franklin let out a long sigh. He had no other choice. He had to enter the apartment.

Click! The sound of the bedroom door closing echoed as Clara shut it behind them. She smiled, turning on the lights in the room.

"Come here. Have a seat. I'll get you a cold drink," Clara guided Franklin to sit on one of the sofas in the room. The atmosphere felt awkward, and Franklin felt out of place being with two unfamiliar women.

Franklin felt uncomfortable as the two women looked at him with gazes that were difficult to interpret.

"Bella! Aura! Stop doing that! Can't you see, Franklin  feels uncomfortable with your stares!" Clara reprimanded them, causing Franklin to look at her.

Clara then served Franklin a glass of cold soda and sat right beside him.

"Drink up. Delivering packages in the scorching heat must be exhausting. So, just drink up for now," she insisted.

Although Franklin seemed hesitant, Clara's eye signals made him comply with her request.

"Good boy!" Clara gently patted the top of his head. Her sweet smile momentarily mesmerized Franklin.

"So, here he is, guys! His name is Franklin. You can call him whatever you want, but only I can call him Franklin," Clara asserted firmly.

"Hi, Franklin! I'm Bella! Nice to meet you," Bella introduced herself, extending her hand, which Aura promptly imitated.

"Enough with the introductions!" Clara interrupted.

The flirtatious glances exchanged between her two friends annoyed Clara. She quickly shifted the conversation, breaking the physical contact by withdrawing their extended hands.

"So, Franklin here was the one who saved me yesterday. I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't arrived on time. Maybe you wouldn't have been able to meet me again," Clara said, smiling at Franklin, grateful that he was her rescuer.

"So, do you know why he did that, Fran?" she asked him.

Bella suddenly started rambling, winking as if they were hiding something.

Without hesitation, Clara grabbed a sofa pillow and threw it right at Bella's face.

"There's no more room for your nonsense, Bella!" Clara exclaimed, her actions driven purely by frustration.

Franklin furrowed his brow, turning to Clara, silently urging her to explain.

"What do you mean, Miss Clara? Why did you have to hit her like that?" Franklin asked softly, his curiosity reaching its peak.

Clara shook her head, indicating that there was nothing more to discuss.

"Let it go, Franklin. She was just talking nonsense. I don't like people who pretend to know everything," Clara replied dismissively.

Not wanting to escalate the situation further, Franklin simply nodded in agreement.

"So, what do you do for work now? Just a courier?" Aura, with her piercing gaze, took her turn to question Franklin.

"Yes. I work as a courier," Franklin nodded.

In an environment filled with glamour and luxury, Franklin couldn't help but feel insignificant. If only he didn't have to think about his job. He wouldn't care, let alone have to mingle with these women.

For a moment, Franklin noticed an exchange of glances among the three women. They seemed to communicate silently through eye contact alone.

"Are you sure you want to keep working like this forever?" Aura asked Franklin, her gaze penetrating deeply into his eyes.

"Everyone wants a better job than what they have now, Miss," Franklin replied shortly, acknowledging Aura's question.

"Good. That means, are you willing to work with me?" Clara offered to Franklin.

Franklin furrowed his brow, not understanding Clara's intentions.

"I'll make sure your salary is higher than what you earn as a courier," Clara added.

Although Franklin desired a different job, he couldn't shake off his doubts about working with Clara. After wrestling with his feelings, Franklin made a firm decision.

"I'm sorry, Miss Clara. I can't accept it. I'd rather stick to my current profession," Franklin refused firmly.