EPISODE 12: The Happy Date

Veronica might proudly joke about it but not at the same time. "Take those files to the design department manager and make sure that this time he needs to choose the right designer for that project or else, we're going to lose our clients. This will be their last chance to prove themselves to them."

"Noted, My lady," Yuna responded but she noticed the clock on the wall of the meeting room. "Ahm, my lady, do you think you need to prepare for your date tonight?"

"Date?" Veronica forgot about it due to the business that she needed to handle. "What date?"

"I feel sorry for Mr. Salazar that you forgot your date with him." Yuna teased.

"Did I promise it to him?" she wondered.

"I put it on your schedule tonight." Yuna was grinning.

On the other hand, Sebastian arrived on time and decided to surprise Veronica. He noticed some men in suits which made him notice that Veronica had been held into an overtime. He went to ask some of them and they confirmed his guess but he still went on to surprise her. But he was halted when he passed the meeting room and heard Veronica's conversation with her secretary.

'Date? What date?'

'I feel sorry for Mr. Salazar that you forgot your date with him.'

'Did I promise it to him?'

'I put it on your schedule tonight.'

Sebastian was hurt a little bit but he decided to ignore what he felt there. "And how sad it is that you forgot the persistent and annoying yet charming man in your life, my beautiful enchantress." he made an entrance causing Veronica to roll her eyes in annoyance.

"You're indeed annoying" Veronica sighed as she got up from her seat. "...but how did you find me?" she wondered as she headed out of the meeting room.

"I heard your clients and I checked it out." He answered and Veronica just nodded while heading to her office.

"And you're here to pick me up?" she asked flatly while getting her things.

"Obviously." Sebastian chuckled and took Veronica's things when she was done. "I'm taking you to our restaurant, not far from here." he led the way like a proper gentleman.

Veronica did not utter a word to him as they just went to the restaurant that Sebastian was talking about. As soon as they arrived, Veronica was confused as to why it was empty and closed. She gave Sebastian a look but he was excited and took her inside using the backdoor.

She was about to ask when she noticed some prepared ingredients on the counter space. "Are you going to cook for us?" she asked differently.

Sebastian nodded. "Yes, it was also a dry run of the things around here since I don't want any chef to use this yet without me touching it first." he smiled as he started being a chef in front of Veronica.

"So, you're a cook." Veronica settled on the bar stool at the steel prep table and started watching Sebastian move around the kitchen.

He confirmed it. "I only cook for my family and since you're going to be my wife, I will cook for you too." he even winked at her.

Veronica slightly blushed. "I didn't say anything yet regarding that matter." She defended.

"But I'm insisting regardless of our contract or not." He was sincere to her and Veronica felt them. "Let us just be us even for tonight. Not a CEO of our company, just simply us; Sebastian and Veronica." he took a spoon of what he was cooking.

Veronica tasted it. "I like the sound of it." She smiled while nodding to the good taste of Sebastian's cook.

"What? Mr. & Mrs. Santiniez-Salazar?" He teased. "We could write it on our wedding invitation." Veronica playfully kicked his leg upon hearing it but both of them laughed.

They were both acting like typical happy lovebirds around the kitchen and Veronica loved the vibe that Sebastian brought even though there were times he annoyed her.

"Yes." Veronica suddenly said, making Sebastian freeze on his spot. He quickly turned off the stove and looked sternly at her. "Seb? Are you okay?" She was waving her hand in front of Sebastian's frozen gesture. "Do you want me to slap you?"

Sebastian immediately snapped back. "No, I mean, yes on marrying me?" he asked to confirm it.

"What else it would be?" she winked teasingly making Sebastian blush.

But what Veronica didn't anticipate was when Sebastian suddenly pulled her into his arms. He even twirled themselves out of happiness making Veronica giggle.

She patted his shoulder. "Alright, I'm getting dizzy."

Sebastian stopped and carefully put Veronica down on her seat again. "Sorry, I'm just happy." He cupped Veronica's face. "Only with you, I can be myself. I feel free and at home."

Veronica smiled. "But don't you think it was too soon to feel that?"

He shook his head. "I know but I can't deny what I feel whenever I'm with you," he admitted making Veronica feel warm.

But before things went to a different topic, Veronica changed the subject. "So, what will you cook for us, chef?"

"Well, since this is a very special night, I'll be cooking my favorite dish baked paella." Sebastian was grinning as he started making the dish. "I hope you like it."

"But paella is seafood right?" Veronica worried since she was allergic to crab and shrimp even though she wanted to have a taste of it.

"I'm not going to use seafood that was not good for you. So, I'll be using tuna, salmon, clams, and veggies." He assured her that there was no crab and shrimp in his dish before adding his own touch. "Also, I'll be adding all-purpose cream, quick melt, and mozzarella cheese."

"Sounds delicious." She smiled.

"Okay, feel free to check around the resto. I'll call you when it's done." Sebastian told her.

"I'll take that before you change your mind." She quickly got off the stool and checked the newly built restaurant near her company.

Veronica toured around freely and the more she did, the more she liked the place. It had the cozy vibe of a cafe and totally clear and open. It was very relaxing.

"I think my employees will be almost around here." She muttered to herself since she also could see herself relaxing around there.

Sebastian watched Veronica by the kitchen door with a loving smile that he didn't know that he was showing already. "Like it so far?"

"Yeah, it's very relaxing." She answered.

"I'm glad that you do." He chuckled and went closer to offer his hand. "Come here, I'll show you something."

"What about your cooking?" she wondered.

"It's already in the oven and will be out in 15 since I'm just melting the cheese." He replied as he took Veronica's hand and headed to the garden area of the restaurant.

Veronica was amazed at how simple but cozy the garden restaurant was. "Is this included in your resto?" she asked.

He nodded and briefly explained. "Yeah, actually me and my siblings wanted a type of business where everyone can relax after or during their working days or nights in the city." 

"A short escape," she concluded and Sebastian chuckled but agreed.

"Veronica, I know that I'm persistent on this matter but I am very much grateful to you." Sebastian went sincerely serious at her. "I'll be here whenever you need my help. I can assure you that."

She smirked. "I know you do." Sebastian shivered all of a sudden when he saw how cold her eyes could look when she was being a sly fox. "I hope you can tolerate me."

Sebastian released a nervous chuckle. "I-I will." then his wristwatch alarmed. "Oh, our dinner is cooked. Come."

They both headed back to the kitchen and started eating. But even though they were eating happily, Sebastian could shake the familiarity when Veronica flashed her slyness there even though it was just a few seconds. He could feel death around those cold gazes but somewhere deep within it, he felt broken for her.

'What made you sad and broken, Veronica?' Sebastian thought while they were eating.

Veronica was enjoying the food since she had never tasted anything like that before. "It's delicious. It seems to me that this will be my favorite too."

Sebastian chuckled. "I'm glad that you love it."

"Just don't make too fat." She reminded him causing Sebastian to chuckle.

"If I do make you one, I don't care about your figure." he winked causing Veronica to blush.

"Seb…" she sounded like whining instead of warning.

"I'm just being honest." he chuckled. "Besides, we're going to get married and I'm going to marry you because I have to but it's a matter of heart and personality."

Veronica was touched but she rather not show it to her face. "Sweet. So, speaking of dessert, where is it?" she changed the topic again.

Sebastian laughed. "Alright, I'll get it for you." He got up from his seat and went to the fridge to get it. "It's mango pudding. Try it."

Veronica checked the presentation before she could start tasting it. Sebastian was waiting for her feedback since it's been a while since the last time he made it. As Veronica was tasting, something in the back of her mind flashed.

'Mango Pudding. Mango Pudding.'

'Alright, I'll make one for my young wife.'

'Yey! Love you.'

Tears suddenly fall down from her eyes when she recalls some figment of her young past. "It's delicious…"

Sebastian noticed and quickly went to her side. "What's wrong you don't like it?"

"No, I love it. I just remember something from the past." She wiped her tears away and smiled at him. "Somebody used to make one of this to me but sadly, I lost contact with him."

"Oh, sorry if I bring that memory…" he apologized and kissed the tears away.

Veronica shook her head and smiled at him. "It's okay. It has been so long, he might already gotten married and forgotten me already."

"Hey, don't say that." He sadly told her. "He might also be thinking of your safety so, cheer up. Plus, I'm here."

She heard a tingle of jealousy in his tone. "Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Me? Jealous?" Sebastian scoffed defensively. "Psssh, I'm not."

"Defensive." she teasingly chuckled.

"I'm not." he still denies it.

"Alright if you say so." She chuckled and started eating again her mango pudding.

"I'M NOT." he pouted.

Veronica chuckled. "Cute." she kissed the tip of his nose making him blush like a tomato.

But after a week or two of their date, Veronica was taking a deep breath while standing in front of the doorstep of the Salazar main mansion. Her hands were trembling and it started to sweat even the hard beating of her heart was deafening already.

Veronica was doing her breathing exercise. "You can do it. It was just a meeting. Nothing more. Nothing less." she was chanting that to herself over and over again.

Sebastian chuckled at her cute nervousness. "You're being cute, babe."

"Shut up. You're not helping." She was starting to have a nervous breakdown and instead of laughing his arse off, Sebastian grabbed her trembling hands.

"I'm here." He whispered and kissed her head for encouragement.

Veronica was calming down. "You should do that earlier." 

"Where the fun on that?" he teased causing him to receive a pinch on his side. "AW! Sorry, you're just being cute that's why." He defended.