“What are you doing here?” Sierra asked Josh in annoyance. “We have a deal.”

“What deal?” Ella asked but Sierra ignored her and kept staring angrily at Josh.

“He's here because of the bet I made with Ella,” Renzo answered and all the attention shifted to him and Ella. “I defeated her in a tennis game,” he continued, taking a seat beside Ella who looked pissed. “She told me that Josh, Dan, and I can have lunch with the three of you if I win.”

“I’m sorry,” Ella guiltily whispered.

“It’s okay,” Sierra sighed. “But this should be the last. They will not fight you fairly, Ella.”

“But it’s a fair fight,” Ella admitted, embarrassed and upset.

“You're good,” Renzo consoled Ella. “My only advantage is experience. I have way more experience in sports than you, Ella,” he said those words with annoying confidence. “But now that you agreed to have lunch with us until our graduation day and accepted me as your trainer, everything that I know, you will also know.”

Until graduation?! Sierra glared at Ella who only mumbled another apology.

“Okay,” Sierra breathed, summoning patience. “Do whatever you want," she glanced at Dan and said, "You and Kate should talk later, Dan.”

“Sure,” he easily agreed while Kate blushed. “You and Josh should also talk, Sierra.”

“Okay. we'll talk,” Sierra agreed. She wanted to understand why Josh and his friends were suddenly acting strange towards the three of them. If asking questions will not give her the answers she needed, she would resort to interrogation.

^###################################^

Josh was way faster and stronger than Sierra. She had witnessed that yesterday. Even her face had felt how sturdy his body was. She could not resort to interrogation. She should pull a proper conversation with Josh.

“I honor the deal Ella made with Renzo," Sierra started.

She and Josh were walking out of the school and heading towards the restaurant where she was working. It was nearly seven in the evening. Their last class took longer than usual. Their professor got carried away with the subject and ignored the ringing of school bell.

"Though I can’t understand why they had to include us without giving a heads up. I somehow feel betrayed,” Sierra went on, shaking her head in disappointment.

“Of course, even though I agreed with it, our deal is still in effect. I don't want to be bothered,” Sierra strictly reminded Josh.

“I won't bother you unless necessary," Josh promised.

"Can't you tell Renzo that you and Dan prefer a lunchtime without our company?" Sierra carefully uttered.

"Do you hate me that much?" Josh asked and that hurting look in his eyes stirred a guilty feeling inside Sierra.

"I don't hate you," she sighed. "It's just that... I don't want Kate to get hurt."

"Dan knows about Kate."

"You told him?!"

"He knows for a long time. He is not that insensitive, Sierra. It's just that..."

“He doesn’t like my friend, right?” Sierra finished with a sigh. “So, why did Renzo made a bet like that? Why force them to see each other everyday?”

“Renzo likes your friend’s passion in sports. You heard him say that Ella is a gifted athlete. He really wants to teach her.”

“I know. Winning is so important to Ella. She will do anything to improve her skills. But they should limit the bet within the two of them. Why include the four of us?” Sierra asked, totally confused.

“Renzo thinks Dan and I need friends like you and Kate,” Josh simply answered.

“Do you?” Sierra raised an eyebrow at Josh.

“I do,” he seriously replied. “When I saw Kate peeking at Dan, I realized that we both need each other. So, why should not we stick together?”

Sierra rolled her eyes and quickened her pace.

“You will not argue with that?” Josh asked, that annoying smile was back in his face.

“I’m conserving energy. I still have to work,” Sierra snapped at him.

“I can give you a better salary if you work at our house,” Josh suggested.

“I don’t need a lot of money. The important thing to me is that I enjoy what I do. I love my work at the restaurant. I do overtime not entirely because I need money but also because I want to. Please, stop telling me what I should do, Josh. I hate it,” Sierra honestly told him.

“I get it,” Josh seriously uttered. “You can extend hours at work but not on certain dates. Give me your phone. I’ll mark your calendar.”

“Tomorrow,” Sierra stopped near a pedestrian. “I’m already here,” she pointed at the restaurant on the opposite side of the road. “I need to work.”

“No overtime tonight,” Josh told her.

“No overtime,” Sierra promised.

“See you tomorrow,” Josh waved a hand and Sierra only smiled before crossing the pedestrian.

^##########################################^

“Is he your boyfriend?” Sir Von asked when Sierra walked into the counter.

Mr. Von Summit was the owner of Summit Restaurant. Sierra had been working there for more than three years.

Sir Von was only twenty-two when his father gave him that restaurant to manage. Now he was turning twenty-seven. He was young but his knowledge in running that place was unparalleled. He was a great manager. He knew when to give incentives and when to give punishments. He was creative enough to make his restaurant appealing to all ages and most of all, he was a great chef. He was studying each dish, from appetizers to desserts, until he could perfect their taste. He always had new dishes in mind. All his employees looked up to him. They were happy to serve a boss like him. He was so professional and always in a good mood.

Even when Sierra gave him a love letter, he did not get angry. He turned her down gracefully and never mentioned anything to anyone. Life continued as if he never received a love letter from one of his employees.

Sierra was grateful to his professionalism. Her admiration for him never lessened but her love for him was finally starting to fade.

Sir Von was a tall guy. He always looked neat and approachable. That must be because his brown eyes and warm smile radiate sincerity and kindness.

“Sierra, you’re not answering. Am I prying too much?” Sir Von asked while giving her the new menu. He added a couple of dishes again.

“No, Sir Von. That’s Josh and… hmmn… yes. He's my boyfriend,” Sierra said while reviewing the menu.

"What happened to your hand?" Sir Von asked, always so concerned with his employees. That attitude was what Sierra misunderstood before.

"Nothing," Sierra smiled at her boss. "Just a scratch."

"Are you sure?" he asked, still worrying.

"Yes, Sir Von!" Sierra said with a wider smile and that seemed enough to make her boss feel at ease.

“I’m surprised and curious about that boyfriend of yours. I want to hear more about it. Tell me later."

“Later, Sir Von,” Sierra agreed. Her boss was one of those people that she could share bits of her life without a feeling of unease.

^#########################################^

“Is he your classmate?” Sir Von asked, handing Sierra her takeout. He was generous enough to set aside food for his employees. They could either eat that at the restaurant on their breaktime or take them home.

Sierra was always taking her share home. She wanted to share those delicious dishes with her friends.

“Oh, Josh. Yes, he is,” Sierra answered as she carefully put the dishes in her bag.

“How long have you been dating?” Sir Von asked, returning to the counter.

“Oh… right. I told you he is my boyfriend,” Sierra laughed. “But I already told you about my girlfriends, right? Kate and Ella?”

“So you mean to say that Josh is only your friend?” Sir Von also laughed as he remembered it. “I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”

“Now that you mentioned it, I should not call him my boyfriend,” Sierra realized. “He might also misunderstand.”

“People will surely misunderstand. Like with your girlfriends,” Sir Von honestly uttered.

“Okay. I'll stop calling them that. I'll stick to bestfriend and just friend. Thanks, Sir Von.”

“My birthday is coming up. You should come,” Sir Von reminded her.

“Of course, Sir Von, I will not miss it,” Sierra promised.

“See you tomorrow, Sierra.”

“Tomorrow, Sir Von,” Sierra said, waving goodbye at her boss.

^#####################################################^