Personality.
"Distinctive characteristics and qualities that define an individual. It could help us understand ourselves if we take time to analyze them."
Most people knew themselves on a deeper level, but some couldn't understand themselves even if they tried so hard--just like Senthie Salvador who would sometimes ask herself who she really was.
************
"Are you bored or something? Do you crave attention? You must have plenty of time in your hands since you always waste your time here, sir," SENTHIE stated calmly with a blank face.
They were in the VIP room, so Senthie didn't have to restrain herself from being direct. Once she had lost her patience, there would be no stopping her foul mouth. Apathetic and insensitive would best describe her right now, and she would stay like this for an indefinite amount of time, but not only losing patience could trigger this trait of her, there were other situations where her personality could flip over, such us; consecutive days of lack of sleep; if she was uninspired and unmotivated; emotionally drained; and sometimes it could just happen for no certain reasons. It was a thing that even she couldn't understand. She was the kind of person who could understand others well, but not herself. She would always wonder if she was just pretending to be someone else and if this was the real her. Or could it be that she had a personality disorder? She didn't know.
"Yes, I'm always bored and I find you interesting. I'm good at time management so being here is indeed my way to waste my spare time... And I'm dying to know if it's worth it," Jimhuesh replied with a smirk.
"Interesting, huh? Do you like me? 'Coz I dislike you."
"Nonsense." Jimhuesh snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest and asked a sudden question, "did you forge your identity?"
Senthie huffed, not even surprised at what he said. Everything he would throw at her, she would just be calm and would act indifferently. "Nonsense. How did you even come up with that?"
"Don't deny it. I know that your real name is Rinana Gomez," he argued, looking intently into her eyes.
"You must be really bored that you're even playing the detective. Are you going to accuse me too that I'm a serial killer? That would be hilarious, sir," Senthie snorted.
Jimhuesh laughed. "You're really interesting. I think you're worth my spare time. I'm even more curious about your past. But you can't deny the fact that your real name was Rinana Gomez. You have forged your identity or you have changed your name, either way, I will soon find out." He leaned over a bit and narrowed his eyes at Senthie. "But let me tell you this, if it's the former, then you won't get away with it. I won't tolerate any fraud activities."
Senthie huffed as she folded her arms. "You think I'm a fraud?"
Jimhuesh replied right away. "Are you not?"
"I'm not a fraud. Senthie Salvador is my name," she responded, emphasizing every syllable.
Jimhuesh came closer to her, closing their distance. They were only two feet away from each other. "Really? Then tell me who is Rinana Gomez?"
Senthie didn't answer. She just stayed silent, looking into his eyes. Jimhuesh didn't falter and even moved closer to her. "I won't stop digging into your past unless you tell me the truth."
"If I tell you, would you stay out of my sight forever?" Senthie said with a challenging gaze.
Jimhuesh jerked his head back as he laughed. His hands were on his hips as he stepped backward. His face became serious when he returned his attention to Senthie. "Deal, but in one condition."
"What is it?"
He smirked. "You will have to answer me over dinner."
Senthie raised a brow. "I'll ask you once again, do you like me?"
Jimhuesh puffed. "I'll answer you once again, that's nonsense."
She shrugged. "But you were just forcing me to go have dinner with you."
"I'm not forcing you, it's your choice."
"What difference would it make if I tell you the truth over dinner? Can't we just end this here, right now?"
"No, it must be over dinner. Take it or leave it."
Senthie heaved an exasperated sigh. "Fine, I'll take it."
He smirked. "Good, then wait for my text. The dinner might be this week.
Jimhuesh turned his back on Senthie and was about to open the door when he looked over his shoulder to add, "wear something nice," and then he opened the door and stepped outside the VIP room. Senthie followed him outside and shut the door behind her.
"Oh, Sen? She's in the VIP-- oh, there she is!" Cecile said as soon as she saw Senthie behind Jimhuesh. "Oh, sir, how was--" Cecile couldn't finish her sentence when she saw Jimhuesh walking fast without even looking back.
"What happened, bes?" she asked Senthie who was now entering the counter, but her best friend just shook her head and didn't answer. "What in the world did you two talk about that made both of your faces look like that?"
Senthie took her seat and sighed. "I'll tell you later. Just not now, okay?"
Cecile nodded. "By the way, Kenzo is--" She looked over across the counter but she didn't find Kenzo. "Where did he go?"
"What do you think you're doing?" said a voice coming from a bit far. It was Jimhuesh.
"Kenzo!" Cecile called which made Senthie's gaze turn at the store exit.
"You know this man, Ms. Cecilia?" Jimhuesh asked, his voice was loud enough to be heard by them.
Senthie stood up and went over their way hurriedly. When she reached them, she held Kenzo's arm to pull him a bit to her and asked, "what are you doing?"
Kenzo placed a hand on the back of his neck. "I was just asking him what was his business with you."
Senthie sighed and ignored Kenzo. She instead looked at Jimhuesh and said, "I'm sorry about him, sir. Please leave."
"I didn't know that you have a boyfriend, but it's okay, I'll take my leave now," he replied and then left after giving a death glare at Kenzo.
"Are you okay?" Kenzo asked Senthie as soon as Jimhuesh had left. "Was he hitting on you?"
"No, he wasn't hitting on me, and I'm fine. I'm just a bit moody right now," she answered, expressionless.
"What happened?" Cecile asked as she dashed towards them.
"Ask Kenzo, I don't know either."
Cecile looked at Kenzo and they started talking to each other, while Senthie didn't even bother to listen to them. She just left them and went back to the counter and sighed about five times as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"He's damn annoying just like my brother," she muttered to herself. "Should I just call him Walter the second?"
Senthie took a deep breath and forced a smile as soon as Kenzo and Cecile approached. "What's up?"
Cecile and Kenzo exchanged glances a few times before responding to Senthie.
"Uh, I've already told Kenzo that the man earlier is the VP of GMC and. . ." Cecile looked at Kenzo as if telling him to complete her sentence.
"And I'm sorry for butting in," Kenzo began as he placed a hand on the back of his neck. "I just... I just noticed by the way your mood changed, I thought he made you upset or something."
Cecile and Kenzo seemed surprised when Senthie chuckled--even herself was surprised, or perhaps she already knew that Kenzo could always lighten up her mood, but she wasn't just expecting it this time.
"Why are you laughing?" Cecile asked with a puzzled face.
"I'm sorry, bes, but please know that I wasn't laughing at Ken. I just thought he looked adorable when he said that. It lightened up my mood in an instant," Senthie said, smiling, and then she glanced at Kenzo whose face now was like the tomato.
"Ohhhh, Senthie said you looked adorable, Kenzo," Cecile teased while slapping his back which made him cough a bit. Kenzo chuckled which seemed to be forced. He then stopped and caught Cecile's arm. "I think that's enough, Ces. I suggest you stop hitting people. More importantly, don't do that if it's Sen."
Senthie laughed and Cecile pouted as she pulled back her hand. "Fine! I'll try to control my hand. But I can't promise you anything."
"That doesn't sound convincing, bes," Senthie said as she shook her head, giggling. "Anyway, what brings you here, Ken?"
"I just thought I should visit more often?"
"Or perhaps, you really meant to see Sen more often?" Cecile asserted with a knowingly smile.
Senthie glared at Cecile. "Would you stop making Kenzo uncomfortable?"
"Don't worry about it, Sen. She wasn't wrong," Kenzo uttered shyly and then changed the topic. "By the way, I see that you still haven't found a part-timer..."
"Uh, yes, thanks to Sen's high standards," Cecile said as she rolled her eyes.
Senthie glared at Cecile. Kenzo chuckled. "I could help, I'll ask some of my friends if they know someone that needs a job."
Cecile's eyes widened. "You have friends other than us?"
"Of course he has! That's so mean of you, bes," Senthie stated and then turned her attention to Kenzo. "That would be nice of you, Ken. But it's fine, I have a feeling that we will find a part-timer soon."
Cecile raised a brow at Senthie and made a face. "Said the one who was just losing hope a while ago. I can't believe how fast your 'feeling' works, just like your mood."
Senthie rolled her eyes. "Don't mind her, Ken. By the way, are you staying here for a little longer?"
He shook his head. "I'd love to, but I have to meet up with your brother. He wants me to join him for lunch."
Cecile choked a laugh. "Why don't you two just date? We want some bromance!"
Kenzo's face fell pale. Senthie glared at Cecile. "Stop talking nonsense, Ces. You're the only one who wants that."
"I'm really sorry if I have offended you, Kenzo. You know that I was just joking right?"
Kenzo smiled. "Yeah, of course, it's okay. I was just surprised. Do you think other people would also think that way if two men are having lunch together?"
"Maybe some might think that way, but there would be some who might think it's just nothing. It depends on how the minds of people work, actually," Senthie uttered truthfully.
Cecile chuckled. "Don't worry, Kenzo. As long as you don't act sweet to each other, they wouldn't think that way."
Senthie smiled at Kenzo. "She's right, so don't think too much of it. It would only make you worry."
Kenzo smiled back and nodded. "I won't. Thank you. I'll go ahead now. Oh, before I forget, Rychicken's Barbeque is on the way here to deliver your lunch that I've ordered, so I hope you don't put much meaning into it and just enjoy it."
_____________________________
Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
Are you familiar with the 16 MBTI personalities? If yes, what is yours? Our FL is an INFJ, by the way.
What do you think of Jimhuesh in this chapter? Do you think he might be right about Senthie? Do you think she's a fraud or has just changed her name?
Do you also have someone who can lighten up your mood?
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D