Chapter 14
As what Czarielle expected, clients came in on their Photo Studio the next day since the famous rude singer Druin Henley announced to his fans on one of his social media that he will shoot a music video from their store.
In a business woman's perspective, mentioning a small store from a famous personality would be a great idea but on the other hand, Druin's bashers are even questioning their credibility! How rude!
As Czarielle scanned her eyes around their full-packed studio of clients, whose eyes are scanning everywhere, she sighed deeply and went to her position as Freeda's secretary. Her task that day is to set up appointments for all of them and have at least two to four appointments for the following days.
She should be thankful now since their small business is starting to get other people's attention.
Czarielle sat across their makeshift receptionist table with her old computer on top of it, her small country view calendar with her pile of sticky notes and different kinds and colors of pencil and ballpen which came from her own personal collection. Its a good thing that Freeda arranged everything yesterday and they don't need to reject customers' requests today.With a fake smile on her lips, she urges the first customer to sit parallel to her with the table in between them.
"Can you please write your name, contact number, what type of photo shoot and which date you want to do it." Czarielle showed the mother of a thirteen year old girl their log book and she will encode it directly on the computer afterwards. When she had the log book back, she continued explaining. "I have successfully set up your daughter's thirteenth birthday tomorrow at exactly ten in the morning and if you need to cancel, there will be a cancellation fee of two hundred and fifty pesos. You can transfer any payments just by calling us from Monday to Friday with this number from the office hours listed here."
Gradually, their log book schedule that has a few written schedules for the last couple of years is now filled with appointments for the next three weeks!
The clients are still coming in even though they called it lunch time. Freeda provided numbers on the clients who patiently waited earlier that day that are still waiting on the line.
Freeda bounced back on her bed when they entered the tiny pantry at last. "Woah! That is one hell of a half day today, haha! It's a good thing that Druin my loves mention our PhotoStudio to his fans!"
Czarielle handed her a plastic bag full of sandwiches she had made five in the morning earlier because she is also expecting the jam packed clients anytime. "Sadly, I won't be able to eat rice today. " She took a long and deep audible breath as she arranged two mugs of hot chocolate in her small kitchen table and slowly lift it near her best friend's spot.
"Is there anything wrong? I knew there was, but I didn't ask you yesterday since you were in a bad mood."
"I--actually I don't know what got into me. I shouldn't plan to get revenge on someone when I know from the start that I will get lost to that revenge eventually." Czarielle frowned and put a piece of sandwich on her mouth. The sweet and sour sandwich spread on the bread makes it even sour in her pallet.
After eating a sandwich and drinking half of her chocolate drink, she just sits there and gazes at the small window pane where the sun is striking at the silver house roofs near their building.
"Okay, if you don't want to tell me right now, maybe we can talk about it this coming Friday night? You know I won't leave you alone until you tell me about it." Freeda showed her deadly smirk and gave her a flying kiss before she left the room.
Why do I get jealous in the first place when I'm not part of Laxton Hendrix life?
Why am I thinking about him when we have customers lined up outside? Damn you jerk billionaire!
*****
Laxton Hendrix is pacing back and forth inside his soundproof office while his hands are inside on both of his pockets.
His best friend Billy is unexpectedly quiet for the past eight hours. He is working silently today up to the point that he will only went inside his office if he ask him to bring some papers that needs to be signed urgently. For the last half day, he spent the entire time sitting on his swivel chair with both feet settled on his glass desk--thinking what had gone wrong with Czarielle the other day and Billy's attitude on that day.
"Did I do something wrong for her to leave me alone with Mercy yesterday? She didn't even say anything when we were eating at the Steak House but why did she leave without saying anything to me afterwards?" He washed his hands on his face as he restlessly walked back behind his desk and sit comfortably.
"Is a woman making your mind crazy right now? I guess it's Mercy, right?" Margarita Vanderveide suddenly showed up and made him jump out of his seat.
"Jesus, Mom! Don't you know how to knock? You should ask Billy to say it from the intercom before you come inside! What's the use of my secretary if you will bypass him?!"
"Oh, my poor baby! I know you wouldn't say it but I knew how to resolve your problem." Margarita walked towards him, guiding him back to his seat as she massaged his shoulders.
"How would you know it when you didn't even know what my problem is?" Laxton Hendrix brows furrow in a thin line.
"Just call that woman and arrange for a second date! Easy peasy, son! Are you losing your touch on women? Well, I set you up for blind dates so that you don't need to go to a bar and have someone you don't personally knew that will be eventually on your bed the next morning!" Margarita exaggeratedly threw her hands in the air before rolling her eyeballs.
"You're not helping, Mom. Will you just leave me alone?!"
"Show that woman who makes the great Laxton Hendrix mind went crazy and I won't set up any more blind dates for you. Its a promise and you know I honored my words." Her hips swayed side by side as she walked out of his office gracefully like in a fashion show.
Laxton Hendrix rushed out of his office only to see Billy busy typing a document on his desk while sipping continuously from his tumbler. Billy took a glance at him and just went back to typing--that made him more mad.
While standing there, watching him doing his work, he remembered that food makes women feel comforted. Laxton Hendrix rushed back inside his office to gather his cellphone, wallet and bluish black coat. Instead of ordering some food online, why doesn't he order it himself and clear things out with Czarielle, right? She will definitely entertain him since he brought something to bribe her.