“You look like shit, just so you know,” he says casually.
“I don’t see how you can see me while I have sunglasses on and a hat. So, how could you possibly know I look like shit?” I raise my eyebrow at him.
“Because your vibe is all wrong. You might be covering it up, but I see through people. It’s my job, and you are the definition of transparent.”
“If only you knew.” I give him a glare that he can’t see under my glasses for my own satisfaction.
“I couldn’t care less what other people think, much less you.”
“Exactly. My point made,” he responds.
“You didn’t answer my first question,” his tone is filled with annoyance and a hint of care.
“I’m fine, just feel like death is upon me.”
He chuckles.
“Well, if you need anything, ask the flight attendant. She will assist you. As long as you don’t have the same conversation with her that you just had with me.”
He walks back into his dungeon of doom, and I scowl. I bring the blanket close to my face and put my headphones back on, trying to fall asleep.
Feeling someone shove me a little, I slowly open my eyes to see the flight attendant waking me up. “We just landed.” She smiles at me with the fake customer service toothy grin. I nod as I get up, realizing that right in front of me, Mr. Donatello is waiting with Xavier at his side. Packing all my things up, I take my glasses off and rub my eyes, then reapply my baseball cap so my hair isn’t everywhere.
Getting out of my seat, I grab my backpack and the small duffel bag where I keep my pillow and blanket. Walking out of the seat aisle, I’m met with both men looking at me. Seeing I’m ready, they walk down the steps. My stomach grumbles out loud.
I am hungry.
Both Xavier and Mr. Donatello turn back around and look at me after they hear the sound. I just stare at them innocently, like I didn’t hear anything.
“I think we should get something to eat, I know a good Mediterranean place close to where we are staying,” Mr. Donatello suddenly suggests. Xavier agrees with a nod.
“I’m making a reservation now,” Mr. Donatello confirms while pressing things on his phone.
“Done. We have a table in ten minutes, let’s go.”
They both start walking, and I just stand there dumbfounded, but I will never say no to food. I go after them, running in anticipation.
We finally make it to the restaurant that Mr. Donatello was talking about. It’s overlooking the beach and the food smells incredible. I’m drooling in my seat.
I haven’t eaten anything since I woke up with my hangover this morning, which says a lot because after every hangover I’m usually hungry. I love food in general, so when my head is crushing my skull, I eat more than normal.
Grabbing some of the pita bread, I spread hummus on it so fast I probably look like I’ve been starved. Taking a bite of the bread, I groan in satisfaction. When I finish, I look at Mr. Donatello right in front of me. He’s staring at me.
“What?”
“You have something here.” He points at the side of my lip. I try to wipe it off, nothing transfers onto my finger. I lift my head up at him confused.
“It’s not that hard to wipe food off your lip. Of course you can’t do a simple task,” mid-sentence, he stands up and looks at the spot where I apparently had hummus. He takes his thumb and wipes it off, his thumb folding my lower lip. I stare him straight in the eye and gawk, breaking eye contact to look down at his lips before he says something.
“It’s gone now.” He breaks the stare and looks down at his napkin, wiping the residue off his finger.
“You know I’m sitting right here.” Xavier gives us a mischievous look.
“Anyway, we have a gala tonight at ten. It’s important that you guys walk around and charm the investors. Dress your best. It’s an F1 event, meaning there will be a red carpet and other teams will be stalking investors trying to entrap them before us. You both need to be on your A-game,” Mr. Donatello says.
Xavier and I nod as we both keep eating our food.
“Who do we have to seduce tonight? Give us a pregame of sorts,” Xavier mutters with his mouth still full. Enjoying my food, I pick and choose from what Mr. Donatello says, lifting my head up and nodding as he keeps going on about potential investors.