Prologue

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"Congratulations Ms.Byanca"

"Thank you .Thank you"i wave my hand at the reporter whom i just finished my interview.We sent a lot of invitation to these medias to cover this whole thing up and I'm glad that it's going smoothly.

I look at the glimmering venue where i held the party for the success of launching a new brand after being in the industry of fashion just for three years and marking the empire's net worth into a billions of dollar and for reaching a milestone in my career as a business woman.

"Well she's been in this business for eight years now and the Figueras Corporation already become an Empire"i smiled at the woman that i passed.She smiled back at me so i gave her a tossed.

This party is swarming with investors and potential investors.It will be highlighted with all the influential people that came here too.This will make the brand even more intriguing before it's released.

Dragging my floor length black hugging dress ,my black gloves with diamonds glittered behind the lights.I look for both of my parents while holding a glass of wine.

One of the reason i have launch another brand this year is for my mom who will turn at her 50th birthday next week and so i want to make it grand and memorable plus she gave me so many ideas for this project.

I found them in the circle of our investors with their wives.I am immediately got engulp by their crowd ,showering me praises after praises.I smiled and laugh at them as held my mom.

"Ernesto and Monique is lucky to have you as their daughter.You are one hell of a business woman"Mr.Tan even held a toss for me.The crowd laugh at his own praise his wife beside him ,smile as she looks at me with pure admiration.This is the couple that is always talking to my parents ,visiting our house and of course one of our longest investors.

"The Solace is a big success and now it's the Radiance turn to shine.I can't wait for you to achieve another milestone in your career Ms.Sofia"That earned a chuckled to both of my parents.

"Maybe a year from now and you'll build another brand that will mark to the whole world"i shake my head.

"That would be too early ,Mr.Tan but i can guarantee the success —then why not?"

"She can for sure do that"my mom smiled.When i look at both of my parents i saw how their eyes shine with admiration and i can immediately say that it's all worth the pain.It will always be a great pleasure to me,to meet up their expectations and exceed it.

"And please Andrew ,don't be like that.You knew Sofia since she was a child"i smiled against the familiar beat that it sent me.The crowd's eyes was then focus on the family.

As everyone know ,Andrew and Pinky Tan were like my parents best of friends ,our families is tied to one another for that reason and sometimes i hated it.

Pinky smiled at me as her eyes glow with something familiar.It was good to master that same face I'm doing everytime the talk changes just for this . Are they really going to ruin my mood?

"I am always so surprised by how successful she can get Amiga.She always amazes me"her voice pump with exaggeration that i can already hear some unspoken words in between.

"Oh!By the way your birthday will be next week ,right"i remained calm.Okay ,here it goes.

"Yes.It will be next week at the Grand Hall in Middletown"

"Oh~ I expect that will be grand.You'll turn fifty by that time right?What gift do you want ,maybe i can bring you that?"Mrs.Tan ask my mom.

"Well, there's only one thing that i don't have right now"when my mom looks at me i already what's coming next.

"A granddaughter,maybe"the crowd gets loud as they all heard it.Now their attention were back at me but with a different reason.How i hate this . ..this was for the brand and yet —.

"Oh.I see.She already celebrated her 30th birthday last December"the crowd oohed again.

"You knew so well"my mom nodded eagerly."She'll turn 31 in no time"

"You are getting older Sofia, don't you have a plan to get marry?"my smile freeze and i was taken aback for a moment with the name that she called me.

Pulling myself ,i replied"I have a plan — of marrying someone in the future but probably not this year"my mom held my waist.

"But we're not sure yet my daughter,how will you know what will happen?"she face the crowd we have.

"Maybe she'll be able to find the one she'll be with forever and by next year they will get married "i look at my mom that stunned me with her words.

This is not the first time that she set me up on a date with someone but this will be the further her plans could get.They all nodded ,agreeing.

She looks at me ,deep."I have been telling her that but i guess she is too modest"her mom earned a laugh.I stay still,smiling without a humor.

She's been too pushy for the heir of the Tan Group.It didn't bother me at all as long as she won't force me to a marriage but with the sudden change, it brought me nothing but an uncontrollable beat of my heart.

"Well ,yes.You really can't just say something.You have to expect unexpected happenings"Mrs.Tan added.My mom raised a brow and laugh at that.The crowd that's surrounding us all giggled as if it was really happening next year.I fix my eyes at my own glass keeping my smile.When i throw some glances at my parents.My father avoided my gaze and my mom completely hooked with her own plan in her mind.

• • • • • •

I stayed for an hour when the party ended.It was exactly three in the morning and i am driving myself back to our Mansion.I am tired from that party but I feel really happy that it came out as a success except the fact that now everyone will be expecting something from me other than the growth of the business.I stop the car near the coast and think back.

I am on my own for years and maybe ,mom just trying to help me.I just don't know what good can a relationship bring.

I reach for the pill that will lessen my body pain i have been feeling since last month.The doctor says that it was because of the stress and now that i am feeling it again i figure out that talking with this kind of topic is even more stressful.

I was about to start the car again when that familiar number shows up on my phone's screen.I close my eyes tightly as i felt it vibrating against my skin.

Sighing,I answered it.This is the call I don't even want to receive but i can't ignore even if i want to.

"I don't have money now.I need 3 million dollars at the end of the week"the party is tiring but talking to this guy is making me exhausted.I rolled my eyes at him.

"That will be too much for you"i pointed out but i heard him snickered at the other line.

"I told you that kind of business will never bring you success"why can't he just give up?

"Shut it and just give me the money.Your new brand will be a success ,right.I want the money before the end of the week or else —"

"Or else what?That — again?"i mocked him.

"That again?"he laugh sarcastically.

"As long as it can scare you little Miss Businesswoman — with a secret"he laugh loudly i have to distance my phone from my ear but even from that distant i can hear him clearly.

"Give me the money and I'll keep your photos — i mean your secret"i ended the call before i heard him laugh again.

I have been managing the company for almost a decade now and i have never had a problem of handling it but this person,is different.

I feel so sick of him already but i can't let him do what he wants.Sometimes i wish that i can just exert power but everytime i do that ,my parents face will flash right in my eyes.

I start the car again and just decided to go.I can't believe this can get even more worst.