[Damn it! That silly dude must have played a joke on me. Gosh, he even stole my cellphone too]
The guy was lost at what to do. He didn't even know the way to begin telling her that his friend stole his wallet and cellphone.
After looking around and not seeing an acquaintance at the cafe he didn't know whether to cry or laugh at his predicament.
[I am doomed!]
Joanna's eyes didn't miss any tiny expression that appeared on the handsome guy's face.
She was smart enough to understand the situation without him having to say a word.
[I have always known that people are wicked… even crueller than some demons. They didn't hesitate to beat him up and go as far as leaving him penniless. What a poor guy he is]
Joanna was overcome with pity as she looked at the guy still fiddling with his shirt pockets.
Realising that there was no use in him still searching for his wallet and cellphone, the guy stretched his hand to carry the notepad from the counter.
"The bill is on me. Don't worry about it," Joanna said. She picked up the notepad before his hand could reach it.
The guy shook his head negatively the moment he heard her words. He signalled her to pass the notepad to him but she refused.
"Consider it as me bribing you to keep my secret ok," Joanna smiled at him as she talked.
The guy stared at the smiling lady, and just then a question popped into his head.
She is so nice to him. Would she have treated him the same way had she known that everything was a misunderstanding?
When he arrived at the cafe and she opted to attend to him, a part of him wanted to clear up the misunderstanding while another wanted him to keep up with the act.
From what happened, it was only obvious which part of him ended up winning.
He couldn't help feeling a bit guilty seeing how well she treated him.
[Rick, just wait and see how I will deal with you for messing with me. When I am done with you, never would you want to play such a prank on me ever again]
The handsome guy clenched his fist when he remembered that the reason he was in this predicament was because of his naughty friend.
He smiled at her and turned to walk out of the cafe. The instant he left the counter, the anxious lady shifted her gaze to Amos' table.
Her gaze wavered on noticing that Amos was not on his table. Immediately she surveyed the cafe hoping to get a glimpse of him but unfortunately, she couldn't see him.
"Where did he go?" Joanna muttered, her anxious heart racing faster as she continued looking for him frantically.
Just then Leah arrived in time and saw Joanna's intense stares centred on Amelia's table.
"Amos rushed out of the cafe while you were talking to the handsome guy earlier," Leah was kind enough to tell her what she saw. In a flash, Joanna diverted her focus to where Leah stood beside her.
"How long has it been since he left?" Joanna demanded as she started unknotting the black apron around her neck.
"Maybe two minutes ago…," Leah trailed. She extended her hand and grabbed Joanna, preventing her from rushing off.
"Although it hasn't been long since he left, I doubt you will catch up to him. He left in a haste and while on a phone call. Some emergency likely occurred…,"
"But he promised to leave for the campus with me so where did he run off to?" Joanna questioned as though Leah was Amos.
Dejectedly, she rested her back on the counter and cupped her face.
"I saw him stealing a glance at you before he left so I am sure he recalls whatever appointment you made with him," Leah said. She reached out her hand and touched her right shoulder.
"You still have about thirty minutes before your time at the cafe elapses. There is a huge possibility he will come back so there is no need to feel sad about it," Leah said seriously.
Though she was surprised to see Joanna so miserable because of the guy's departure, she still tried to make her feel better without asking questions.
Meanwhile, as this was going on in the cafe, Amos was seen talking to someone in front of the apartment building.
Audrey, who was returning to the apartment, halted beside a statue when she saw two figures talking.
[Isn't that Chris and Amos?... But why are they talking to each other with serious expressions?- Do they know each other? But how?]
Standing there Audrey's head was flooded with so many questions. If Chris was just an ordinary man and not the King's most trusted aide she wouldn't have been so surprised to see him talking to anyone.
[Does that mean he has connections in the palace?]
Audrey's eyes darted from one face to the other as she tried to listen to their conversation.
"Didn't I tell you not to show up around me except I sent for you so why on earth did you come here? And during the daytime for that?" Amos demanded coldly. His eyes moved from one corner of the large premises to the other.
After confirming whatever he wanted, he brought back his gaze to Amos' face.
"What would you do if someone were to recognise me because of your stupidity?" Amos bellowed, not calming down the tiniest bit.
"Are you dying to make Audrey discover my identity?- Don't you know how the hot-tempered girl will react if she learns the truth?" His pitch rose and the veins on his forehead popped as he spoke.
Amos' angry words began replaying in Audrey's head.
Just then memories of their encounter since their first meeting occupied her brain.
Slowly she started connecting the loose knot and not long she was able to figure out what on Earth Amos was desperately trying to hide from her.
[Chris's constant night visit. And not only that but his attention was always glued on Amos' direction during all the times I caught… Chris wouldn't care so much about anyone except…]
Audrey's eyes widened her gaze glued on Amos' face.
Looking at his face, she could see the familiarity. No wonder she found his face and voice a bit familiar when they met for the first time.
[He is the King!]