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“What’s my sched for today, Rose?” I asked her while eating my breakfast.

“You have an investor meeting with Sir Jason and Señor Fernando Bautista at 9 am. Then, you and the CEO have a meeting at 11 am. You have the rest of the afternoon free.”

“Okay, thank you.” Then she left and I continued eating.

While cleaning up, Jason knocked on my door and entered my office.

“Jason! Our meeting’s later, right? Why are you here?”

“As the new General Manager of the main branch, it’s your responsibility to handle major events.” Jason started.

“O-kay? As far as I know, there aren’t any upcoming major events.” Jason gave me a meaningful look. “Oh! The company anniversary!”

Jason laughed at me. “Yes. It’s only been a few years since you’ve left the main branch and yet you already forgot the anniversary. Let’s just go to the boardroom.”

While Jason and I walked, he told me some details of the potential investor, Señor Fernando Bautista. He’s from Spain and he owns a company which is in food products. It’s like Purefoods here. He wants, while on vacation here in the Philippines, he’s still doing business deals. I think he’s a person who likes to mix business with pleasure. Hahaha

When we entered the boardroom, a man in his 50’s stood up and offered his hand to us. He first shook Jason’s because they’ve already met through video calls.

“And this is Miss Nicole Beatrice Sirencho.” Our newly appointed General Manager.” Jason introduced me to him.

Señor and I shook hands. “ Good morning, Señor Fernando. Welcome to the Philippines!” We all laughed.

As soon as we all sat down, the business talk began. The secretary of Jason also went in to take note of the meeting.

“After this investment comes to a close, I also wanted to have a branch back in Spain, of course after my condition has been done.”

Jason and I looked at each other meaningfully. We have no idea that he wanted a branch and that there is a condition for putting up a branch.

“Uh, sir, we do not know what condition you’re talking about. Also, we did not know that you have plans to build a branch back to your home country.” I answered.

Señor Fernando smiles at me. “Don’t worry, Miss Sirencho. Mr. Uy-Lim and I already talked and he has agreed to my terms. But he and I agreed that we first finish my investment before talking about branching out.”

“Alright, sir. We’ll just talk with our CEO about this.” Jason replied.

“Now that our business has come to an end, I heard that you have an upcoming anniversary. May I request to be invited?”

Jason laughed lightly. “Yes, sir. That won’t be a problem. Will you be joined by another guest or will you be joining us alone?”

“Yes, I will be going alone”

“Alright. Adiós!” He shook our hands again before leaving.

Jerk and Señor Fernando crossed paths near the door. They gave each other respectful nods.

“Oh, why are you here?” Jason asked Jerk.

He didn’t answer Jason and faced me. “It’s past 11 am. Didn’t Rose tell you we have a meeting at 11?” He said in a shouting and angry tone.

I stood up and faced him which caused him to back-up a little. “Yes, Mr. CEO. Rose told me. But the meeting went longer than we had expected so we finished late.”

He tsked and pulled me by my hand going out the boardroom. “Bye!” Jason shouted as we went out.

At the lobby, he nearly tossed me in the passenger seat of his car. He almost ran to get to his side. I massaged my hand - the hand which he was pulling, and looked at him with an angry expression. I scoffed and turned my attention to the window. When there was some distance between us and the office building, I couldn’t control my curiosity anymore.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere.”

“So, this is kidnapping? Better say thanks because I wasn’t able to bring my handbag with me, or else I would’ve sprayed you with my pepper spray a while ago.”

He laughed lightly. He really is crazy. He kidnapped me then laughed on his own. “No, this is not kidnapping, Nicole. I made an appointment, remember?”

“Okay, fine. But where are we going?”

Secret. If you don’t want to see me, just sleep.”

I scowled at him and faced the window. As we passed by buildings and houses, I didn’t notice that I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was already after lunch. I was reading the signages on small stores and stop lights so I would where we are right now. But no matter how hard I try, my eyes haven’t recovered so I just asked Jerk.

“Where are we?”

He pointed at the screen where the GPS is shown. It said that we are on the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway.

“We’re in Cavite?” He nodded. “What are we doing here? I thought we had a meeting?” Then, my stomach growled and pointed at it. “We’re in Cavite to eat? That’s not a meeting.”

He sighed and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Then, he said something intangible.

“What? Can you repeat that?”

He let out a breath. “It’s a date. It’s a lunch date.’

“Ah, date.” What a minute. My eyes widened. “DATE?”

I looked away. Date? Why a date? We aren’t anything at all. What is he planning? Also, why me? He doesn’t like me. He’s always mean to me and he almost always ignores me. Did he eat something? Maybe something went inside his brain? These are the questions that have been ransacking my brain.

We suddenly slowed down and turned to a narrow street. It doesn’t look like it’s a good street. Well, there are some other places in Cavite that are still provincial. When we entered the restaurant, I didn’t think that it would look good inside.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to Chateau Hestia!” The waiter greeted us.

“Yes, good afternoon. Reservation for Mr. and Mrs. Uy-Lim, please.” I looked at Jerk with a questioning face. Mr. and Mrs.? I’m just Miss Sirencho!

“Yes, sir. Right this way please.”

While the Jerk and I followed the waiter, Jerk moved closer to me. “I learned that Señor Fernando loves Italian food despite being Spanish. I recommended this place to him during one of our video calls. His secretary said that he’ll be eating his lunch here today. But don’t worry, we won’t be eating with him.”

I suddenly felt uncomfortable with him. He’s so close to me. I shook myself a little before sitting down and ordering so my feeling would go away.

While eating our mushroom soup, a man went to a side of our table.

“Mr. Leig Uy-LIm! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Ah! And with Miss Sirencho, if I remember correctly?”

We stood up and shook hands with the Spanish man.

I smiled at him. “Yes, that’s right, Señor Fernando.”

“Oh, it looks like I interrupted something. I just wanted to greet you. Have fun on your date!”

“Thank you, sir.” Jerk answered before Señor Fernando went to his table.

I facepalmed lightly when I sat down. My god! Even our investor thought we’re on a date!

“What’s wrong, Nicole?” Jerk asked, sounding worried.

“Nothing. I’m just thinking that even our investor thinks that we’re on a date.”

“Well, we are on a date.”

I choked on my soup so he hurriedly got a tissue and patted my lips. I immediately got the tissue and gestured that I’m okay and I’ll just do it. For a moment, I think I saw a different expression on his face. Is it worry or embarrassment? Anyways, it’s something.

He gave out a small smile. “Relax, Nicole. It’s just our date.”