He ordered about $ 300 worth of food in total. At that moment, I grilled while serving him skewers one after another.
By the time I was done, I was sweating profusely and he'd devoured it all in a flash.
"The grilling is good. How's your cooking?"
I was taken aback and pointed at myself. "Are you asking me? Well, I'm pretty decent. I even trained as a chef before starting this stall!"
Hearing that, the CEO immediately pulled a business card from his suit pocket and handed it to me.
"Are you interested in becoming my personal chef?"
I picked up the business card, then read the letters. James Howard, CEO of HD Group.
I looked at him with a strange expression. "Sir, you're not thinking of ... keeping me as a mistress, are you?"
"For your information, the monthly salary is one hundred thousand," he said.
"Of course, I know Mr. Howard is absolutely not that kind of man! One hundred thousand, you say? I can start tomorrow!"
It wasn't that I wanted to give in; it was that he offered far too much!
To buy a house in a place like this city, where every inch of land is as precious as gold, with my meagre street stall income, I'd probably have to work until I die.
The next day, I clutched the business card and went to the Howard residence for the 'interview.'
James opened the door himself. The young man was wearing a grey tracksuit, probably having just returned from a run.
Seeing me standing before the carved iron gate, he unlocked it himself and led me inside.
Tall and long-legged, he strode ahead, forcing me to jog to keep pace.
The Howard residence was huge. It took us seven or eight minutes to walk from the main gate to the living room.
As I walked, I kept checking my surroundings, staying on guard in case he tried to take advantage of me.
Then, with a bang, I slammed right into his broad back. The pain made my eyes see stars.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Howard! I ... I didn't mean to!" I apologized, clutching my sore nose.
James turned around, clearly exasperated and glared at me. "Did you think I was going to do something to you?"
I couldn't hide my disappointment. "Didn't you?"
James laughed in exasperation, raising a hand as if to strike me, but he restrained himself and only said, "Stop calling me Mr. Howard. Take a good look. Do you really not know who I am?"
I leaned in for a closer inspection, then shook my head. "No, I don't."
"Tsk."