The meeting went well and Martina felt sudden relief because of Randell. But still, she can't ignore what happened earlier, when Randell confronted Gwendolyn inside the office building.
“Hey, let’s talk about what you did to Ms. Gwendolyn,” Martina said in a serious tone which made Randell stop from walking within the hallway.
“What have I done to her? I just reminded her that her attitude is worse,” Randell replied while rolling his eyes. “ Are you just letting her insult you just because you’re in her territory? Like what you did to me?”
Martina sighed. “Gwendolyn is an important client to us, if she didn't become our client, our accounting firm probably dissolved a long time ago. She’s also the reason why we got more transactions. We owe a lot to her,” she explained.
“But I think you paid more than enough. Please don’t disregard the fact that you have dignity too. A woman like her shouldn’t act unprofessional,” Randell stressed.
“I have nothing to do with that. I have to accept that I’m lost and I just need more time to adjust. That’s the reason why I’m getting nervous earlier. She’s too strict and she might complain to my business partner and she would probably use my past as a reason that I failed my tasks with her,” Martina yelped. She slightly flipped her hair when they reached the parking area. “Anyway, thank you for helping me deal with her but please, just keep your mouth shut when no one asks you to speak.”
Randell shook her head out of his sudden disappointment. “I just can’t keep silent, knowing that you feel uncomfortable when she says those words.”
“But Randell, she’s only telling the truth because we used to hop in bars before and I met some guys there who became my boyfriends. I just have to accept that my embarrassing past will always come after me even in my profession,” Martina replied with a fake smile. She was about to start the engine of her car but Randell slowly grabbed her wrist. “Wait, Ms. Martina, before we leave this place I just want to tell you something.”
Martina slightly arched her brow as she removed her hands in the steering wheel. “We’re in a hurry, what is it?”
“Your past won’t matter as long as you know that you’re not hurting other people,” Randell reminded with all sincerity.
Martina didn't know how to react because Randell mostly spoke to her harshly but this time, his words were quite encouraging. “Tell Nanay Remmy that it’s very unnecessary of you to give me inspiring words because it sounds insincere and more like sarcasm,” she mouthed.
“Well, she didn’t tell me to say that to you. Let’s just say that I watched many motivational videos before that I couldn't erase them in my mind,” Randell lied. Honestly, he just wanted to make Martina ease her tension earlier and even until now, she’s very affected when it’s all about her past to the point that she’s already belittling herself.
“Well, because of that, I think I have to treat you to lunch,” Martina smirked. “As you should,” Randell agreed.
They drove to the nearest restaurant. Martina let Randell decide on the menu dishes. “I think chicken wings would be enough for me. Are you okay with that?”
Martina nodded.
Randell ordered and temporarily left Martina on their table. While Martina was sitting alone, a familiar man approached her, wearing a gray suit. “Martina, that’s you right?” the guy confidently asked.
This was awkward for Martina because he recognized the guy.
“Donny?” Martina tilted her head down and she felt scared because of the man who tried to sit beside her. “What a small world, I didn't expect to see you here. It's been a long time since we made—”
“Stop, that's ages ago. I couldn't even remember who you are,” Martina uttered with a shaky voice. She tried to stand but the guy named Donny grabbed her hand. “If you don't remember me, why can't you look me in the eyes? Are you afraid that someone you know might see us here? And it also came from you that our affair was done ages ago but why do you seem scared when you see me?” Donny aggressively asked.
“Because I don't want to see you anymore,” Martina angrily replied, while raising her brows. In her mind, she really prayed that Randell already finished ordering their meal so he would see the commotion between her and Donny, who was her ex boyfriend and also the one who's really in love with her until now. Donny is one of her crazy exes who loves to get pleasured by women in different ways and Martina didn't like him being a sex addict and Donny also likes to manhandle any women he's in a relationship with.
“Why can't we go back to where we stopped? I'm single now and I know you too,” Donny insisted.
Martina frowned. “Actually, being with you again is like having another nightmare, Donny. I can't take being with you like I did before.”
“But, admit it—I made you happy in bed and you made me happy too. I missed those times when we—”
“I said stop!”
Martina made Donny shut his mouth because she slapped him twice. “Keep telling those things or I'll report you to the police and gonna sue you for harassment!” she yelled.
“Is there any problem Ms. Martina?” Randell rushed to meddle with Martina and Donny. They already got everyone's attention.
“Oh? So is that your new guy? Your new toy to be exact?” Donny grinned like an evil down the hell.
“Yes I am!” Randell shouted. “And I don't want my owner to get upset because of you who looks like a fried squid!”
“What are you saying?” Martina almost burst out laughing because of how Randell described her ex boyfriend. But still, she can't imagine that Randell would lie to Donny that he's a fling of her. The tension is rising up.
“So how is it? Is Martina still good at pleasuring men? Are you satisfied?” Donny rudely asked.
“You know what? Better go away or else, I'm gonna report this to the police!” Randell challenges Donny while acting like he was about to punch him on the face.
Donny walked backwards and shook his head. “Okay okay! I'm leaving. Now, I'm already convinced that Martina already found a new one. I won't bother her anymore, just don't report me to the authorities because I might lose my job.”
“You should think about the possibility of you being on the verge of unemployment before harassing a woman!” Randell yelled and he carefully held Martina's hands as they went to the counter.
“I'm sorry Ms., Our food would be for take out. I'm sorry too for what happened here,” Randell apologetically told the cashier.






****





Martina immediately shook her head just as when she already got back inside her car with Randell.
She took a glimpse of their food and sighed. “So, we are going to eat here? My car would get messy after this!” she screamed.
“It doesn't matter. Can you eat in a place like that? With a guy who looks like a fried squid?” Randell asked while opening a box of their food. “We should eat before it gets cold.”
“Anyway, thank you for saving me again. Please don't tell this to grandma because I know she might get upset with me. And that guy earlier, he's my crazy ex boyfriend named Donny.” Martina looked at the side mirror and tried to hide her tears.
“That guy who's always proud every time he gets different women. Like, having an intercourse with different women is already a big achievement for him,” she whimpered.
Randell easily noticed that Martina was crying. He just heaved a sigh and gently tapped her shoulder. “I couldn't believe it.”
“Huh? You couldn't believe that you guys are proud womanizers?” Martina asked while trying to normalize her voice just to hide that she's already in tears.
“I just couldn't believe that your standard was too low way back then, so you ended up with— a proud womanizer but really looked like a fried squid.” Randell tried not to laugh at his own joke but he failed because he heard Martina's little laugh after that. He felt relieved knowing that he made everything less complicated.
“Anyway, I won't tell that to Nanay Remmy. Because I'm not a gossiper,” Randell assured and he continues what he's doing with their meal. “We should eat Ms. Martina, or else you would pass out and when you wake up, the fried squid might show up in front of you as he tries his best to win your heart again.”
“Randell, stop being my assistant. Just look for a job at the comedy bar, I think they will surely hire you there,” Martina jokes. She finally wiped her own tears and then showed a hopeful kind of smile. “Again, thank you.”
“I don't accept a simple ‘thank you’ for your gratitude, a higher salary would do like before when you tried to give me money for helping your beloved grandma.” Randell laughs.