Ethan
I can't stop myself from smirking. I'm on my way back to the company when I remember that woman. The way she panic, get angry, and annoyed and the way her serious face turned into all smiles, it's really interesting. Lalo na noong nalaman niya kung sino ako. Napailing na lang ako.
"Sir Ethan, your mother called. Sinabi niya you need to come home." Napatingin ako sa secretary ko na si Arnold bago mapabuntong hininga. Are we going to discuss it again?
"Okay, cancel all my meetings tomorrow," I said. Arnold nodded and he arranged my schedule. After an hour, we arrived at the house of my parents. The place I dreaded to come back. But still I drag my feet inside at binati ako ng mga maids and manservant habang nakahilera sila isa-isa. This place is a huge place for one person to live in.
"Master Ethan, nasa dining hall po si Ma'am Coleen," sabi ng isang maid na lumapit sakin. She looked young, is she new? Well, it's not like I care. Pumunta na ako sa dining hall at nakita ko siyang kumakain mag-isa. There are a few maids beside her. I sighed and sat down in front of her.
"You call for me," bungad ko. Napatingin siya sakin at na seryoso ang mukha.
"Have you thought about what I said before, Ethan?" I smirked. I knew it was that talk again. I crossed my arms and coldly look at her.
"I am not going to repeat myself. I won't marry her no matter what you said. I will be the one who will choose who I will marry and it's not you." Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo ko. Coming here is a waste of time. Maglalakad na sana ako palayo pero nagsalita siya.
"She's for you! Also, you've been in a relationship before! Why are you so against it? Wasn't you who choose her first?" I chuckled and looked at her.
"It was before, but not now. There is a difference between the past and the present. Leave me alone and don't call for me again unless it was necessary." I walked away and went out of the house. I looked back for a second and then went inside my car that has been waiting for me. I took off my tie and sighed deeply trying to restrain the anger I am feeling. Why does she want me to marry that woman?
"Sir, are you alright?" Tinignan ko si Arnold. Napansin niya siguro ang mood ko kaya tumango siya. "I will arrange everything, Sir. Ethan." I just nodded and closed my eyes. Arnold knew what to do and he knows me too well about what I want, what I think, kahit na hindi ko sa kaniya sabihin. I leave everything in Arnold's capable han-
Narinig kong may tumunog na cellphone. It was Arnold's phone. I frowned. Who was calling at this time of night?
"Hello, who is this?" Natahimik si Arnold ng ilang segundo bago napalitan ang seryosong mukha niya ng saya. I can't stop myself to be curious. "Miss Alvarez!" Wait, is that the woman earlier in Jeric's company? The one I choose to be my marriage counselor? "Ah, yes. I will tell, Mr. Joaquin about it. Thank you very much."
"What did she say?" I immediately asked. Arnold looked at me and sighed.
"She said that she arranged a meeting for you tomorrow. There are two women who requested a Marriage meeting with you," sabi niya. Napatango ako. Is this how it works? Since I canceled all my meetings then I guess I will come to this Marriage Meeting that woman is talking about.
"Then you know what to do." Nakita kong tumango si Arnold at tinawagan ang babae.
"Hello, Miss Alvarez. Mr. Joaquin is not available tomorrow can we arrange it for the other day?" Agad akong napatingin kay Arnold. Muntikan na akong mapa-face palm. I thought he already got what I mean. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ni Arnold mula sa kaniya.
"Miss Alvarez, it's me Ethan Joaquin." Natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya ng ilang segundo.
"S-sir, good evening. I-"
"Let's cut the chase, I will come to the marriage meeting. Just text the address to Arnold where will it take place." I cut her off. I heard her clicked her tongue.
"Bastos talaga! Hindi man lang ako pinatapos." I smirked. Does she think that because she pulled her phone away doesn't mean I can't hear it?
"Miss Alvarez, I can still hear you," I said. I chuckled when I didn't hear her voice for a minute. I heard a slap on the other line. Could it be she slapped herself because of embarrassment? I shake my head and I can't seem to erase the smile on my face.
"I am sorry, Mr. Joaquin. If you decided to come then I will try my best to help you in some way I can. I hope you find a good match for you. Thank you and have a good night." Doon na rin natapos ang tawag. I give back the cell phone to Arnold.
"Arnold, make sure tomorrow will be no accident and no mistakes." I saw him nod. Now, all of the annoyance and anger I feel disappeared. That woman is really interesting.
But I never expect that this Marriage Meeting is soo... boring. This is the second woman I met today. And she's... too quiet that I am not entertained. I looked at Marissa who was with Arnold0 having small chats with him while sipping coffee. They are having a good time while I am here being tortured by silence. I sighed deeply and looked at the other woman in front of me. What is her name again? Damn.
"Um... What is the characteristic of a woman you're looking for, Mr. Joaquin." I went to get the coffee in front of me and drink it.
"Someone who is not boring and can entertain me in some way," I answered with a cold smile on my face. I saw her face paled and she looked down. Ah. It seems I scared her off.
"I-I see... Um..." She went to get her cell phone in her bag. She tried to casually check her phone but I saw her hand tremble. "I-I need to go. T-thank you for your time, Mr. Joaquin." I nodded.
"I also thank for your time. Take care," I said. Tumayo na ang babae at napansin kong lumapit si Miss Alvarez sa kaniya tapos lumapit naman ang secretary ko sakin.
"That's faster than I expected." I scoffed before sighing.
"They are boring and none of the women interest me. Is she doing her job well?" Nakita ko na napabuga ng hangin si Arnold.
"Sir, did you know that she picked the girls carefully? She picked someone most likely the docile and kind type of person you particularly like." I looked at Arnold and frowned.
"Am I that kind of person?" Arnold blinked three times.
"Based on my experience and to the woman you sometimes bed with, yes." I shake my head.
"I am looking for a wife, not a bedwarmer. There is a difference. I want someone who can entertain me-"
"Okay, noted. I will choose someone who can be a good conversationalist. But please be kind to the woman you talk to, Mr. Joaquin." I smirked and looked at her.
"Don't tell me how should I treat other women." She smiled at me widely.
"Then I am free to think that you're the kind of person who doesn't even know how to make a woman happy." She looked at Arnold with a smile on her face. I can't believe what she said! I can't make a woman happy? That is an insult to me, a man who spends a lot of time with women. "I will tell you the details about the next marriage meeting, Sir Arnold. But I must go and report back. Please be careful on your way back. Thank you and have a nice day." After that, she left. I was surprised. No woman did that to me.
"Can't you believe what she said?" Arnold tried hard not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and stood up and left the place.
EthanI didn't expect that Miss Alvarez will take note of what I said last time but I never expect that the women she chose are so... active and talkative. I almost put my hands on her mouth to stop this woman's talkative voice."Well, what do you think about-" I just give the woman a smile. A forced smile. I looked at Miss Alvarez asking for help. She also seemed painfully looking at the woman and give me an apologetic smile.'Since you're the one who put me in this situation, come and help me,' I mentally said and I hope that she understand what I am saying but instead she looked away. I sighed and shake my head."Is there something wrong?" tanong ng babae kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. I smiled and shake my head."No. Nothing is wrong. Please continue whatever you're saying." She smiled and nodded. Nagkwento ulit siya. Is she not done? I sighed and closed my eyes. After 30 minutes, it seems that her stories died down. Napagal ata kakadaldal ang babae. I looked at Miss Alvarez and s
Marissa"Thanks, Marissa for your help. Kung hindi dahil sayo, hindi ko matatagpuan ang lalaking para sakin," sabi ng isang babaeng klienyente ko. Napangiti ako at umiling. Hindi naman ako ang may dahilan kung bakit sila nagkatuluyan. I just simply arrange a meeting for them at sila na ang gumawa ng sarili nilang hakbang."Wala naman akong ginawa para bigyan mo ako ng pasasalamat. Ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko," sabi ko sa kaniya. Natawa na lang siya sa sinabi ko."Pero mukhang stress ka kasi may isa ka pang hindi nahahanapan ng kapareha," sabi niya. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maiiyak sa sinabi niya pero hindi siya nagkakamali. Once na kasi niyang pinagpareha ang dalawa pero dahil pihikan ang kaniyang isang kliyente ay hindi nag-work ang meeting ng dalawa. Napabuntong hininga siya."Sana nga ay makahanap na siya para naman matahimik na ako at maka pag-move on sa buhay. Alam mo bang siya na lang ang walang kapareha sa mga kliyente ko?" Natawa na lang ang babae sa sinabi ko.
Marissa Nandito kami ngayon kung saan nagaganap ang marriage meeting ni Sir Ethan at ni Ms. Alexandria. Sabi ni Sir Arnold ay gusto ni Sir Ethan na paisa-isa na lang ang makaharap niya imbis na ilang babae sa isang araw. Mabilis daw kasi mapagod si Sir Ethan. Maniwala ako sa sinasabi nila pero para namang kaya kong sabihin 'sinungaling!' sa kanila. Baka mawalan pa ako ng trabaho. Pero eto nga, nandito kami sa isang restaurant. Magkasama ulit kami ni Sir Arnold sa isang table. Hindi din nalalayo samin sila Sir Ethan. Nakatalikod samin si Ms. Alexandria habang nakaharap naman samin si Sir Ethan. "Mukhang good mood si Sir Ethan," narinig kong sabi ni Sir Arnold na ikinatingin ko sa kaniya na parang hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinasabi niya. Napatingin ako kay Sir Ethan at nagulat ako na nakatingin siya sakin na may ngiti sa labi. I felt my heart skip beat and I quickly looked away. Nakakaloka ka! Yung tingin ni Sir Ethan ay parang mga tingin ng mga gwapong villain sa movies! Yung kahit
Marissa Hindi ko alam kung masusuka ako o hindi dahil nasa isa kaming mamahaling fine dining restaurant. Hindi ako sanay sa pagkain nila dito at mas lalong wala akong pera sa pagbayad ng pagkain dito. Gusto ko na lang umalis pero hindi naman ako makaalis dahil may... Kasalanan pa ako kay Sir Ethan. "What are you waiting for, Marissa?" Napatingin ako kay Sir Ethan na naghahanap na ng kaniyang kakainin. Napatingin ako sa paligid at hinahanap si Sir Arnold. Nasan na iyong lalaking iyon? "Teka, nasan po pala si Sir Arnold?" nakangiting tanong ko. Tumingin siya sakin saglit tapos ay bumalik ang tingin niya sa menu. "He can't stay for so long. He has a lot of things to do. Why, do you want him to be here?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong niya sakin. Agad akong umiling. "No, it's fine! It's fine, Sir!" Pero sa loob-loob ko hindi pwede ito na kaming dalawa lang ang magkasam. It's like a- "Don't think about it as a date. This is a compensation of you saying that I have a bad attitude to othe
Ethan Since Marissa said that she still hasn’t experience Pretend Date, then let me do the honor of being the first one who will do it for her. Now, I am expecting a good reaction from her. “Mr. Joaquin, you look like you’re in a good mood,” said the woman beside me with a smile on his face. This is one of the days I went to the bar just to unwind and choose a woman to bed. “Do I look like that way?” I asked and stood up from the bed and picked up my clothes to put it on. Well, I need to think of a way to make Marissa satisfied. She even told me that I don’t know how to date a woman? It’s an insult to me! “Huh?” I saw confusion in the woman I am with. I sighed. This is ridiculous. Instead of staying here more, I need to prepare a date that he will never forget! Pagkatapos ko magbihis ay umalis na ako sa kwarto. I put money on the desk and just left like there is no string attached. Well, it’s always just a one night stand other than… her. It’s not like I wanted to be with her. She’
MarissaNapabuntong hininga ako. Tumawag si Sir Jeric sakin at sinabi na hindi natuloy ang pretend date na ginawa ni Sir Ethan last Saturday. I don’t know what seems to be the problem pero mukhang na shock talaga si Janica nung magtanong ako sa kaniya kung anong nangyari nung Saturday.“Para siyang dragon, Marissa!” Mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Janica. Buti sana kung dragon ay okay lang pero multi-billionaire ang kaharap niya. Iisipin ko pa lang ang nanginginig na ako sa takot. Hindi mo alam next week, hindi mo na makikita ang sinag ng araw. Napayakap na lang ako ng sarili ko at napailing.“Worst come to worst, magre-resign ako at magtatago,” bulong ko sa sarili ko. Napabuntong hininga ako. Pero siguro kahit anong tago ko, makikita’t makikita nila ako. Too late na ba para mag-resign?“Marissa!” Tawag pansin ng isang kasamahan ko na counselor. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at sinenyasan niya ako na magpunta sa opisina ni Sir Jeric. “May naghahanap sayo sa opisina ni Sir Jeric. Client mo ata.”
MarissaIt's Saturday today and it's time for another marriage meeting for Sir Ethan. This time, ang babaeng makaka marriage meeting niya ay anak ng isang sikat na artista. She's beauty and brain. Perfect for a man like Sir Ethan."I'm Eunice Fernandez, I hope you know about me," nakangiting sabi ng babae. Nakatayo lang ako malapit kay Sir Ethan at kay Ms. Eunice. Nakita ko naman na ngumiti si Sir Ethan habang nakatingin sa babae."It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Eunice." Napangiti ako habang nakatingin sa kanila pero nang makita ko na parang masayang nakikipag usap si Sir Ethan sa babae, parang nakaramdam ako ng kirot? Huh? What is that feeling? Baka kulang lang ako sa kape. Makabili nga."Are you okay, Ms. Marissa?" narinig kong tanong ni Sir Arnold. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at ngumiti. "Yeah, I am okay! Ikaw ba, Sir Arnold? Gusto mo ba ng kape?" Tumawag ako ng isang waiter para mag order ng kape para samin ni Sir Arnold. Nakita ko rin kasi na parang kulang siya sa tulog."Thanks
EthanMarissa's blushing face is really adorable. I sometimes can't help myself by teasing her like this. Sometimes I wonder what if feels to kiss her lips? Will she blushed more like a very ripe tomato? Worth a try. But before I even make a move, I heard a slap."What are you doing here? Didn't you tell me that we're through?" Napalingon ako at nakita ko si Eunice na may kausap na iba. A guy named Jotham Raynolds, a famous artist like her father and her ex-boyfriend who broke up with her. Well, she's trying to make him jealous by using me. She really owe me now that I helped her.*Flashback*"I'm Eunice Fernandez, nice meeting you," pagpapakilala niya. Napangisi ako. Of course, I know her. She and I shared a one night stand with each other way back before."It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Eunice," I said with a smile. I drink the coffee in front of me. Nakita ko lang na nakatingin siya sakin."Well, I actually don't mind marrying you but I don't like you." She's straightforward but