The Odd Billionaire

Traizle

“I had no idea you could talk seriously.” I replied.

Somehow, his words got me.

“Of course! I want you to feel my sincerity.” he responded.

“But I have many jobs already.” I reasoned it out.

“Let’s just say that you have four jobs. You can now stop working on one-time work or here,” he replied. “You can rest and I will give you a high salary. I also have those things that can help you in the future. You can also tell your own needs and requirements.” he added.

“Don’t you think I might use you or get advantage of your offer? Are you not thinking?” I asked.

“I do not care. If it’s about money, I can give you lots. About using me, I don’t think you will do that. You can help me to increase my company and I can help you with yours. Is not it a win-win collaboration?” He answered.

My food is starting to get cold. But still, I still can not think straight about what he is offering.

He is one of the well-known multi-billionaires and even spent his time asking me to work for him.

Do not forget that he is still busy munching his sweets after explaining it.

Does billionaires acts like this?

I thought billionaires were definitely serious and did not show up everywhere. Billionaires would not bother asking someone to work for them because their personnel can do that. Billionaires are busy with their own businesses.

Billionaires.

He is odd. Is he?

Of all the billionaires’ characteristics, I can not find it in him. Aside from that, he still has the attitude of a billionaire, like he can proudly say that he can give me lots of money.

“These noodles are good!” He exclaimed, that made me go back to reality.

“That is my food!” I complained.

He is now eating my noodles. I look at his sweets, only the plastic is left.

“I asked you if I could eat, but you did not answer me.” he answered while slurping my food.

“You have yours!” I fussed.

“I finished them all,” he answered, pouting as if he was a kid. Yeah, a special one. “You still have this one.” he added, pointing at the other one.

“You can buy yours-YOU EVEN USED MY FORK!” I wailed.

“I thought you will be happy seeing me using your fork, if it someone else, they will be happy-”

“But I am not someone else!” I wailed again, cutting him off.

“Okay, okay,” he answered, raising both his hands. “How can I make you fall for my charms?”

Fall for his charms, in his dreams.

I thought he would stay for an hour, but an hour turned into hours. He stayed annoying during my work hours. I could not even rest for a few minutes, because he kept on talking.

“Traizle.” Rafa called. She works the morning shift. “You got a visitor-Matthew Zarsuelo?” she added, looking at Zarsuelo.

“Hi, please do not tell others that I am here, okay?” Zarsuelo said.

“You guys knew each other?” Rafa asked after nodding.

“No.” I answered.

“Yes, we are,” Zarsuelo insisted. “Do not believe her, we have been friends for days already.” he added, trying to explain his side.

Rafa answered, “Take care of our Traizle.” She even bowed her head to show her respect.

“I would love to! But your friend does not like it at all.” he replied.

“I will knock some sense into her. Wait for a while.” Rafa responded before pulling me inside of the storage room.

“Make some sense to me?” I asked.

“He is Matthew Zarsuelo, for Pete’s sake.” Rafa said.

“And so?” I asked.

“Does he like you?” Rafa asked me back, and that made me hit her. “Then why if not?” She added.

“He just wants me to work for him. Nothing more, nothing less.” I answered.

“Then work for him,” she replied. “You told me you wanted to take care of your younger brother. If you accept his offer, you can sleep properly and bond with your brothers without worrying about where you can find money to sustain your needs.” she added.

That hit me real hard.

I really wanted to take care of Layzen while he was growing up. Lyndon can not take care of him 24/7 because he is still studying and I also want him to enjoy his senior high school life.

I do not want to restrain Lyndon. He is still young. He can not do the things he wanted to do. He can not bond with his friends because he has to take care of Layzen.

I remove our uniform vest and get my bag, so that I can go home.

When we came out of the storage room, we saw Zarsuelo eating sweets again.

“Hey, charge this for me.” said Zarsuelo when he saw us.

“I will go now, Rafa.” I said.

“Wait for me, Traizle!” Zarsuelo commented.

I had no choice but to wait for him.

After paying, we went out of the convenience store. He wears his hoodie before looking at me.

“What?” I asked. “I am going home now.” I added.

“And?” He answered.

“You can go home as well.” I replied.

“Do you want to eat breakfast first? Let me treat you.” he offered.

“Pass, I have to buy breakfast for my siblings.” I declined.

“Oh, you have siblings? Let’s buy them too.” said Zarsuelo.

I answered, “We are not eating outside.”

“Then let’s eat it inside your house.” he replied.

“You are not coming with me.” I responded.

“Why can’t I?” He complained.

“It is not your house, so go home.” I told him.

“I will buy their favorite food. Let me come with you.” he offered.

“Why don’t you go home? Why do you want to come with me?” I asked.

“While you were inside the room together with your friend, I asked my friend how to get you as my employee. He told me to follow you and buy you things you need to get your approval.” he answered.

“And who is your dumb friend?” I asked again.

“My dumb friend’s name is Aiden. Maybe you know him. He is the only son of the owner of Brandless.” Zarsuelo said.

Wait a minute-

Brandless?

I think Lyndon mentioned that company before. I should not say anything bad. I should stop digging my own grave.

“I will think about your offer, so go home.” I told him.

“I want to meet your siblings now.” he answered.

“Why-” I stopped talking when I heard his stomach growling.

“We need to eat breakfast. I only ate sweets.” he said.

Why does it feel like I have to take care of this oddball human in front of me?

“You can eat at your own house, so why bother coming with me? Our house is not that big. You might find it uncomfortable.” I asked.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“No, I would not,” he answered quickly. “My goal for today, is to meet your family. I will ask them to let you work for me. My potential employee must be treated like this,” he added.

It seems like I can’t do anything with this oddball Zarsuelo.

“Buy your own food.” I told him.

“Okay!” He answered happily.

While walking home, Zarsuelo ordered his food. He was quiet and serious along the way about choosing his food. After ordering, he went back to his oddball self.

“Why did you stay at the convenience store?” I asked.

“Because I wanted to bug you, I did my work already. I am free from my work,” he answered. “How about you? Why are you working so hard?” He asked.

“You will see later.” I answered.

“What position do you want to take? I can kick my vice president if you want.” Zarsuelo said seriously.

I waited for a second to see if he would say the word “joke” afterward, but Zarsuelo looked too serious about it.

“Are you really dumb? Why would you kick someone who is more knowledgeable than me?” I asked.

“Just because I said so?” He asked back.