CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 120: Get to Know

Monday is always a busy day in Bellory cafe even though it is not in the heart of the city. The people entering the city to work, usually make their stops in the coffee shop to buy their favorite coffee and pastry to help keep them awake the whole day.

This is also the day that Mary usually helps out in the front of the house since everybody seems to be in a hurry on a Monday. Good thing that the chaos will only last in the morning during the peak hours.

It was already ten in the morning when Mary was able to rest, or that’s what she thought.

"Boss, the customer at table seven is looking for you," one of her staff called out when she was about to start to eat her early lunch.

"What is it this time? You, people, should get your acts together, I cannot always take your customer’s compla – Anton!" Mary was surprised that the customer her staff is talking about is none other than Anton Park.

"What are you doing here? Did I forget that we have a meeting today? I am sure I didn’t," Mary had her index finger and thumb on her chin as she thinks hard if did she forget something.

"Do I need to set up a meeting with you to come here?" Anton beamed at Mary and gestured for her to sit on the chair opposite his.

Mary sat in front of him still confused about what was going on, "N-No, you can go here anytime, any day you want. Are you here for inspection?"

"No, I am not here for work. I am here for an early lunch. Have you eaten yet?"

"Oh, you could have called first so I could have reserved the best seat for you. And no I haven’t eaten yet. Did you order already?" Mary then asked for a menu from one of the staff.

"I haven’t I was hoping you will help me with which one is the best on the menu and perhaps you can join me since you haven’t eaten yet."

Mary paused checking the menu and looked at Anton with a blank face.

’Now why would he want to eat with me, is this a date?’ Mary asked herself inwardly.

"Okay, let me show you the best sellers then you can choose from there," she then handed Anton the menu while pointing out which dishes are good.

It is a cafe so they don’t have a long list of dishes for lunch but it is enough to cater to both meat lovers and vegetarians.

Anton ordered the seafood pasta and cappuccino, plus banoffee pie for dessert. Mary ordered four-cheese pizza and caesar salad so that Anton can try it too.

While waiting for their order, Mary can’t help but notice that Anton kept looking at her, as if he wanted to say something.

"What is it, Anton? You look like you’ve got something to say. Did you go here because of some bad news? Say it, I can take it," now that she had said it, she started to get nervous. She just realized that what if he was really here because of bad news?

She frowned and even before Anton could answer her question, she spoke again.

"Did something bad happen to Amy? Or perhaps in one of the branches? Are you going to void our contract?" Mary talked too fast that Anton was not able to butt in between. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Whoa, whoa, relax Mary, there’s no bad news. I told you I just wanted to have lunch with yo –" Anton then cleared his throat while pretending to be coughing. "... here, I wanted to have lunch here."

"Really? But why here? This is far from your office," Mary asked.

"Oh, I was out. I was in an early meeting near here," Anton wiped the non-existent sweat on his temple and forehead.

"So you are not following me? Or want to see me?" Mary boldly asks, making Anton cough for real this time.

Mary pat Anton’s back as she gives him a glass of water to drink, "Are you ok?"

"Y-Yes, I’m ok. Well, since we will be working a lot from now on. I just want to get to know you better. Henry has big plans for Bellory, so I just want to, you know, get on your good side."

"And here I thought you said you are not here for work?" Mary said in a challenging tone.

"W-Well yes, because I was not tasked to do this. I did it on my own accord."

Mary’s eyes squinted at Anton, she is not believing his excuses and explanation. She is sure that something is up and she will find that out.

Anton feels cold sweat forming all over his body even though the temperature of the place is perfectly well maintained. He can see that Mary is not buying whatever nonsense he is blurting out.

Fortunately for him, their order arrived and they both started eating.

To his luck, Mary started talking about the food and drinks in Bellory and anything that she can think of about the cafe. She told him the history of the place and how it became a popular cafe outside the city.

Mary on the other hand was trying her best to come up with a story to tell to kill the awkwardness between them. Until she can no longer stop her curious self.

"You said you wanted to get to know more about me because we will be working more together from now on right?" Anton nodded at her and she continues, "So it is ok if I get to know you as well?"

"Yes, of course, it would only be fair if you do the same," Anton stated before drinking his coffee.

Mary smiled and thought that this is her chance to get to know him better. She would use this opportunity to get close to him and make him like her if he doesn’t yet.

She paused eating and looked at the ceiling to think of a question and when she does, she fired away.

"Great. So do you have a girlfriend?"