Chapter 122

122 122- Gerard’s Shirt

t

Marissa was sitting quietly in the car, just looking ahead. She couldn’t get Rafael out of her mind.

If he had been polite in their two–year marriage, now he had become the gentlest, treating her like she was made of glass.

“You are too quiet, Gerard remarked keeping his eyes ahead while driving.

“Nah. Just… maybe job problems…” she glanced sideways and then started playing with her purse straps.

“Being in the job is the hardest thing,” he said while glancing at the rearview mirror, “It doesn’t give you the liberty of making your own choices. You always have to act according to your boss’s mood swings. I used to admire you so much when you started this home–based cooking. And now look at you. Stuck like me.”

He pushed the brakes when he noticed the traffic jam ahead.

“But I’m enjoying my job, G. It does give me liberty…”

“I don’t think so, Marissa, he argued holding the steering wheel tightly, “I also used to think like that. I thought I enjoyed my job but nah. I really want to plan my start–up and get rid of this daily slavery.”

Marissa stayed quiet. Gerard looked upset and she didn’t want to negate his feelings. How to tell him that she almost felt like an owner at MSin?

“When you own a business and you are sick or someone from your family needs you, you don’t need to take permission from your boss. Because you are the boss, and you don’t give a damn if someone marks your leave or doesn’t tell lies against you on your back. Moreover, if the boss is an as*shole then you are in deep shit.”

Kate.

She was the one who always tried to malign Marissa’s reputation.

Maybe Gerard was right, and she wasn’t ready to accept it..

She took the job because they were offering attractive perks, and she could never earn this much in her home–based business.

“What if the job is for a few months?” she twisted in her seat to look at his face, “The permanent job might affect your mental health but here they just hired me for a few months. Once the job is done, I’m free to walk away. How about that?” she asked him with seriousness on her face, and he nodded.

“Point noted, milord, he threw a glance at her, “by the way, you look beautiful.”

Marissa was taken aback by the sudden, unexpected compliment.

“Thank you,

“And you look different too. You never let your hair down. Is it a good hair day or am I lucky

122 122–Gerard’s Shirt

None, Gerard. It was Rafael who wanted it….

Her thoughts were interrupted by him, “Here we are, Gerard said slowing down the car.

He had brought her to a Chinese restaurant, Golden Dragon. It was known for authentic cuisine and elegant décor.

After handing over the car to the valet, he guided her inside. They were taken to a quiet table shielded partially with an ornate screen, offering them some privacy.

Marissa quickly opened her menu glancing through the dishes. She wanted to get done with the meal as she was getting heart palpitations.

“I’ve heard their Peking duck is amazing, Gerard looked up from his menu, “And the dim sum here is to die for.”

Marissa nodded, trying hard to focus on the menu despite her wandering thoughts about the man who said she looked beautiful before sending her here.

“What do you think? Or is there anything else you are interested in ordering?” His eyes were scanning her face, and she felt a little uneasy.

“I think I’ll start with hot and sour soup then I might go for Kung pao chicken,” she tried to smile when saw him still staring at her.

Maybe she had ordered less and shouldn’t give him the impression that she wasn’t interested in coming here.

“That’s it?” he asked, “Are you on a diet or something?”

“No!”

“Good. Then eat! Forget about your weight tonight, this was the best thing about him. He never made fun of her weight and always encouraged her to eat a healthy diet.

“Ok” she again scanned the menu, “Maybe a mango pudding before I leave?” she asked him, and his nodding face told her that he had approved it.

“Excellent,” he turned to the waiter and gave their orders. The water left them a pot of steaming Jasmine tea. Gerard poured them each a cup, then raised his cup for a toast.

“To the wonderful evening for two people who are silly enough to slave for someone else!”

Marissa laughed at the toast and raised her cup to clink against his, “To a wonderful evening!”

While sipping their tea, Gerard told her about his latest projects and more negative things about his bosses who thought of him as their donkey.

Poor him was sharing his worries with her while Marissa was imagining him with a shit load of work on his back like a donkey.

“Why are you smiling?” his words drew her from her thoughts.

“Huh! What?”

“I’m asking, why you are smiling. Do you find my pain funny?”

122 122–Gerard’s Shirt

carelessly in the air, “It’s just that…” she was looking for perfect words and the horrible thing was she couldn’t find any. What to tell him?

That I was imagining you as a donkey…

He was still waiting for the explanation, she realized.

“I just realized that we… are meeting after such a long time… we should keep catching up. Now, see?” she raised her hands to show him around, “You are telling me about your office problems. At least we are sharing our burdens.”

He nodded in agreement and got up from his scat, “You are so right.” Pulling her

a hug and rubbed her back, “It’s so good to talk to you… like always.”

Marissa took a sigh of relief.

up, he gave her

He went back to his seat and more office talk had started. The bosses might be scoundrels, but the Gerard was a chatterbox.

He and Marissa shared a good bond because she had always been a good listener.

After having tea, they were waiting for their order. Marissa was being served with the soup. when a girl in a skimpy skirt approached their table with a sultry smile on her face.

“Look who we have got here. Our very own Gerard!”

The girl wasn’t slim but her every body part was round and perky. Her boobs and ass weren’t too happy to stay behind those insufficient tight clothing and were spilling out, maybe they wanted. to jump out of there.

Her hand landed on Gerard’s shirt and started stroking his chest as if she wanted to tear the garment.