The Odd Billionaire

Traizle

As soon as they couldn’t see Zarsuelo, my seatmates approached me. “Hi, I am Claire! I am the one who talked to you when we ate at the snack bar,” she introduced herself. “Our boss really went with you.” she added, laughing.

I turned to him. “Why?” I asked.

She tapped my hands and said, “When he sets his eyes on someone, he will definitely ask them to work for him. He can also double your last salary just for working for him.” Claire explained.

“We guessed he gave you trouble, didn’t he?” said the girl next to Claire. “I am Sonia, by the way.” she added.

I sighed and nodded. “He really is,” I replied. “Did he also do this to you?” I asked them back.

“Some of us went the same way as you did.” they answered.

“Oho, stop talking for now,” Zarsuelo interrupted. “Here, learn this for now. I will call you if I need anything, okay?” He added, giving me the folders.

I bobbed my head. “Got it,” I answered. “Go back to your office now and do some work.” I added.

He smiled. “Done with them already.” he replied in a sing-song manner.

I arched my eyebrows at him. “You were just playing with your phone when we came in.” I responded.

“Oh? Am I?” He asked. “But I don’t have someone to talk to.” he added.

Looking at him, he was only wearing a plain white shirt paired with black jeans. He does not look like the owner of a big company, even with his employees.

He folded his arms and wiggled his eyebrows. “I know I am handsome. Feel free to stare at me.” he quipped.

I rolled my eyes at him. “Want me to whack your so-called handsome face or go back to your office?” I warned him.

I don’t care if my co-workers can hear me. I think they know Zarsuelo’s odd attitude because they’ve worked with him for so long. There is no uniform basis in this company, no high qualifications are required, and the owner is an oddball. It is so weird. I don’t know why, but it really is.

While reading the folders that were full of files, my co-workers kept on asking me everything about how I really met him. What did he do to make me accept his offer and so on? “Wait!” I butted in. “It is my turn to ask some questions now.” I added.

They finally stopped talking. “What is it?” they asked.

I put down the files I am holding. “Do you guys not wear uniforms at all?” I asked.

Alex shook his head. “No, we just brought one. If the boss tells us to dress up, we’ll change.” He replied.

I nod my head, trying to understand it. “How about him?” I asked, regarding Zarsuelo.

“He only wears a formal suit if he is in a meeting outside or if we have special events with visitors,” That answered my question. “He doesn’t really wear a formal one because he told us it was not needed.” he added.

“How about his character?” I asked again.

Alessa smiled. “Although Mr. Zarsuelo is like that, if he is in a work mode, he acts like one. After working, he will turn to himself. We know it is weird, but we just have to accept it as long as he is normal.” she answered.

While working, all we did was talk about things and Zarsuelo, making them let me understand their weird boss, who will be my boss from now on.

“Yuhoo! Traizle, I am hungry already. Let’s eat first,” Zarsuelo invited from our entrance. “You guys can take your lunch as well.” he added.

I turned to Alessa. “I will go for now. You can also have your lunch, as what he said.” I said before, following Zarsuelo.

“Let’s go!” He said excitedly. I followed him, walking beside him. “How’s your work as of now?” Zarsuelo asked.

I nodded. “It’s okay,” I answered. “Where are we going?” I asked.

Pointing down, and said, “Cafeteria.” Zarsuelo answered.

When we got down to the cafeteria, some workers were already crowding around the cafeteria. I was about to fall in line when Zarsuelo pulled me to the front. Somehow, when they saw Zarsuelo, they immediately made a way for us to go in front.

“Hi! Where is my order?” Zarsuelo asked the old woman, who was giving some food to the other workers.

“Wait, Sir.” the old woman answered before she went inside of a room.

When I look at the foods in front of me, they are all delicious in my eyes. I want to eat the crispy pork belly too.

The old woman came back with a box of chocolates in her hands. “Here, Sir.” she said, and handed it over to Zarsuelo.

I turned to Zarsuelo. “Are you just going to eat that for lunch?” I asked.

He nodded. “We are going to eat this for lunch.” Zarsuelo answered, emphasizing we in his answer.

I shook my head in disagreement. “No,” I opposed. “Choose from here. Eat those sweets after eating some food.” I added and pointed to the delicious foods in front of us.

His forehead creased. “But why?” He asked, pouting his lips as if he was a freaking child.

“Don’t ask why, or I will throw those sweets of yours out.” I answered. He immediately asked the woman to get a beefsteak and two pieces of pizza with coke. “I want crispy pork belly and water, please.” I added.

After serving us our food, we went to the available vacant table.

I showed him my palm. “Give me your chocolates.” I asked.

His face quickly distorted. “Why? Are you going to throw it for real?” He couldn’t help but exclaim.

“I won’t,” I answered. “Finish your food first before this.” I added, pertaining to his sweets. He immediately pouted before giving his chocolates to me. “Do you always eat chocolates rather than this?” I asked him, and he nodded slowly. “Really? I know you like this one too much, but you have to eat something healthy first.” I told him.

“But chocolates can make me full too.” he answered back.

I snorted. “Full your a*s,” I replied. “I won’t let you eat this if you don’t finish that food.” I said before eating my food.

I can’t believe he doesn’t eat food at lunch. He acts and thinks like Layzen’s age. After we finished the food we brought, I let him eat his sweets.

“Do you want?” He even asked me.

I shook my head. “I am full,” I answered. “When did you do that?” I asked curiously.

“Since I was young.” he answered as he ate his sweets.

“Don’t your parents restrain you from overeating sweets?” I asked him again.

He stopped eating. His eyes became sad after mentioning his parents. “They are gone already, probably partying in hell with the money they brought with them.” he answered before drinking his coke.

He also has a problem with his family.

I slowly nodded and stared far away. “Sorry about that,” I replied. “Are you living alone now?” I asked again.

“Yes, currently living alone,” he answered. “My grandparents are in the state for their one year vacation.” he added.

“Good thing you still have your grandparents.” I said, relieved.

“My grandmother always restrains me from eating sweets, but my grandfather does not. Yeah, we rock.” Zarsuelo continued, smiling widely.

He is still alone. Unlike me, I still have Lyndon and Layzen. “Don’t worry, you are not alone. Our parents left us years ago. That is why I had to make a living for us.” I shared this with him so he would not feel down.

He glanced at me and said, “That is why. May I know if they are still alive?” He asked back.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess so. My father has another family, while my mother left us saying nothing. We have heard no news from her either.” I answered.

“That must be hard for you.” he replied, before continuing to eat his sweets.

“It is with work. But if it’s about taking care of my brothers, it is not. It is my responsibility to take care of them, since I am their oldest sister.” I responded. “How about you? Is it hard?” I asked him.

“Hmm.” he said, thinking if it was or not. “The work is not hard. The hard thing is that I don’t have anyone to talk to in my house.” he answered.

It may really be. Living alone can already make you feel sad. No one to talk to can make you sadder.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

I sighed and look at him. “You can talk to Lyndon if you want.” I offered.

His face lit up. “Can I also sleep over at your house? I heard it was fun.” Zarsuelo said excitedly.

Stuttering, I answered, “No. It is not appropriate to sleep in our house, don’t you know?” I added, opposing his idea.

He shook his head. “Then sleep at my house. You guys are all welcome and it is appropriate.” he now offered.

“No way. If someone hears about this, they will think that-”

“Should I buy a new house and name it after you or after Lyndon and Layzen? So that I can sleep over there without them knowing? I will make sure to go there secretly.” He interrupted, giving his high-paying ideas.

I shook my head again. “That’s totally useless. You can just visit them.” I told him.

He pouted. “Nah, the visit is too short,” he replied. “Let’s do what I mentioned a while ago. That is much better than yours.” he insisted.

I glared at him. “Try that and I will tear your ears out afterwards.” I warned him.

“Not fair.” he said, pouting again while holding his ears.

Am I his secretary or babysitter?

I think the latter one is the answer.