Chapter 23
“MRS. Ocampo, what kind of condominium are you looking for?” Caroline asked the middle-aged woman with short blonde-bleached hair.
The woman’s pink floral shawl gave her a stunning mademoiselle look. But, she was also looking at Caroline so intently that she’s starting to feel uncomfortable in her seat.
“I want a penthouse,” she said, arching one brow. “What can you recommend, Miss Valdez? And, may I ask what your waistline measurement is? You looked as if you can’t breathe in that tight red dress.”
Caroline chuckled. She unmindfully touched her flat stomach. “My waistline is twenty-four as of this moment. But, after lunch, it will turn to twenty-five.”
The woman raised both her brows in surprise. She looked at her from head to toe. “You’re so slim! What are your vital statistics?”
Caroline plastered a smile in her face. It wasn’t the first time that a client asked things that aren’t part of their discussion, and Caroline learned to get used to it. To close a deal, you have to be exceptionally conversant with clients. You need to at least make them comfortable while talking to you, and being a little bit personal is the all-time key.
“It’s thirty five-twenty four-thirty four,” she replied with a shy smile. “Actually, you’re right, Mrs. Ocampo, I can hardly breathe in this tight dress.”
Mrs. Ocampo laughed. The fine lines around her eyes revealed her real age. “You got a nice body, woman. You must be surrounded by boys. Tell me, you got a celebrity boyfriend?””
Caroline giggled. “I am currently single,” she said and took out her penthouse portfolio. “Back to our topic, Mrs. Ocampo—”
“You must date my nephew. His name is Clenon, and he’s a chemist. He owns the ‘Scentsual’ perfume line, have you heard about that product?”
Caroline was surprised. ‘Scentsual’ perfume in ‘Princess Frost’ scent was her favorite perfume. “I’m a user of that perfume!” She took out the small perfume bottle in her handbag and showed it to her client. “Here, my favorite scent is Princess Frost.”
The woman’s smile widened. “What a coincidence!” she exclaimed. “And that means that you really must date and meet my handsome nephew. I’m certain that you’ll really look good together.”
Caroline awkwardly smiled. As far as she can remember, this client called her to buy a penthouse, not to talk about her blind date with her nephew. “Then, you must get a penthouse in my company so that we have active communication with each other, Mrs. Ocampo.”
The middle-aged woman knotted her forehead to her swift change of topic. “Let me see your portfolio first.”
With a curt nod, Caroline showed her the portfolio of multiple penthouses in Makati and Ortigas. She patiently explained to her the details on each actual photo, but to her dismay, none of them suits the taste of the woman.
“I don’t want the ones in the rooftop. As you can see, I’m not younger anymore. I don’t think my legs can still manage to take the stairs if the elevator went off,” she commented while looking at the photos. “Do you have a penthouse that wasn’t at the top of the building?”
Caroline tried her best not to roll her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Ocampo—” her phone in the table vibrated. She glanced at the screen and saw Benjamin’s name flashed on the screen. She quickly picked up her phone. “Excuse me, I have to take this call.”
As soon as she got out of the coffee shop’s glass door, Caroline answered her phone. Benjamin’s unsteady and still groggy voice spoke her name from the other line. The sound of his voice brought back the butterflies in her stomach.
“What is it, Benjamin? Have you changed your mind, or you just miss me?” Caroline said in a flirtatious way.
A petite woman in faded skinny jeans and a white cotton tee shirt got out of the café. She looked at her and smiled, her name tag says that she’s Janessa, the head barista. Caroline smiled back at the woman.
“Are you busy right now, Caroline?” Benjamin asked from the other line. Completely ignoring what she just said.
“Nope,” she replied while rolling her eyes. “I’m just having my brunch at the cafeteria, why?” she lied without hesitation. “Is there something wrong, Benjamin? You sounded bothered.”
Benjamin took seconds to answer. “Caroline, I need you here at the café.” She heard him heaved a sigh before he spoke again. “Antonette just got her first menstruation.”
Caroline covered her mouth in shock—and excitement. “Okay, wait for me. I’ll be there in an hour.”
Gotcha! She said in her mind and ended their call. She then dialed Hyacinth’s contact number. On the third ring, her best friend picked up.
“What’s up, Ross?”
“Hyacinth, be my substitute here at Espresso Your Love. Benjamin called me, and he needs me—”
“Caroline, calm down. My goodness! I don’t understand what you’re saying!” Hyacinth frustratingly yelled from the other line. “Slow down!”
“I said, come here at Espresso Your Love and be my substitute in a client’s meeting,” Caroline repeated slowly.
“And why would I do that? I’m currently having my first free coffee at the office—”
“Hyacinth, this is an emergency! Benjamin called me just a few minutes ago, and he said that he needs me now. This is my time to impress him and to get his heart—”
“That’s it! I knew that this is just another scheme of yours, Caroline!” Hyacinth made a ‘tss’ sound. “You do crazy things when you’re madly in love, and that includes leaving your client in the middle of the meeting.”
“Hyacinth, can you just please hurry up?” Caroline couldn’t help but annoyed. Every second count and every second that will pass might change Benjamin’s mind. “Are you driving now?”
“I’m on my way,” Hyacinth grunted, and Caroline can see in her mind that she’s rolling her eyes while saying it. “If you aren’t my best friend, I won’t do this.”
Caroline chuckled. “You know that I love you, Hyacinth.”
“Whatever,” she muttered before she ended their call.
Caroline’s heart started to beat in a rhythm that she knew made of excitement. Benjamin will see now how important her role was in their life.
***
