“Mom, I have cleared my schedule for this weekend as per your request.” I informed my mother who is sitting on her swivel chair with a document on her hand. It’s already evening yet she’s still working at home. She has her own office in our house. Well, my dad has his own, too.

Hiding my hands at my back, I breathed in heavily and decided to walk near her office table. After a few seconds, she glanced my way and gave me a nod.

“That’s great. I talked to Mrs. Zendejas and she agreed to set up a dinner date for you and her son, Evan. I’ll talk to her again and see if we can push that through this weekend.” She replied.

I nodded and tried to put a smile on my face.

“Do I need to prepare anything for the dinner date, Mom?” I asked her carefully.

My mother looked down at the document on her hand again. She breathed deeply. I waited for her response but she ended up shaking her head.

“I think you just have to be gorgeous when you meet him, Nathalie. You need to be prim and proper. Oh, and he needs to like you at all cost. Got it?” She answered.

I nodded slowly. Of course, I need to be beautiful enough to allure that Evan Zendejas, whoever that guy is.

“I got it, Mommy.” I said and went out of her office as I knew she’s too busy with work.

He needs to like me... That thought remained in my head. I don’t know how to do it but I guess I’ll have to try my best because that’s what my parents want to happen.

________________

“I searched that guy on the internet!” Chandria beamed when I answered her video call on FaceTime.

It’s almost midnight but I can’t sleep at all. Maybe because the thought of having a dinner date with someone whom I’ll be tied up to makes me feel so nervous. Thank God my best friend is still awake! I watched her movement on the video. She’s like a diehard fan crushing over a certain idol. Lying on my bed, my forehead creased immediately as I don’t understand why she’s acting that way.

“Idiot...” I scoffed at her.

She giggled and eyed me maliciously.

“Damn that Zendejas! I’ll let you marry that guy, got that? He’s a drop-dead gorgeous man! You won’t regret it, Nathalie!” She gushed in glee.

I tried so hard to believe her but I doubted everything she said. Knowing Chandria who seemed to have issues with her eyes when it comes to men, the way she described the guy isn’t that convincing.

“What made you say that?” I asked her curiously.

I am not really interested to know him yet but since my best friend is feeding me some information, I’d like to hear it all.

“Well, he’s a full packaged hottie, alright? He’s not just an average guy you’ll see everywhere! He’s like a model­­– Oh, no! More like a demigod! If you decide not to marry him, I will volunteer to marry him instead!”

Oh, yes! My best friend is exaggerating. I chuckled as I watched her on the video. She’s truly a mess.

“Sure! I’ll let him know that someone is waiting for me to refuse the marriage and would like to replace me as his fiancée.” I joked around and we both laughed.

______________

Days passed by quickly. It’s already Saturday and my parents are both excited as this is the day they have been waiting for. The dinner date will happen in just a few hours. My mother prepared everything. She even hired stylists to help me with all the preparations as her goal is to make me look gorgeous for that guy.

“I like this dress!”

I glanced at my mother. She’s holding a halter chiffon tiered champagne dress. It is simple but it screams of elegance.

“I like it too, Mom.” I replied and smiled at her.

The stylist fixed my hair first and put it in a twisted half ponytail. Then, she put some make ups on my face which made me more confident and gorgeous. After an hour or two of preparation, I am all done and staring at my reflection on the mirror.

You can do this, Nathalie!

I hopped in our limousine nervously. I breathed in and out but still, it is not enough for my heart to calm a bit. I have never been this nervous before. I swallowed hard and tried to compose myself. The fact that I’d see him today made me more anxious.

It felt like a game that I must win. I can’t lose it no matter what happens. In the midst of chaos inside my chest, I received a text message from Chandria.

Chandria:

Hope you not drool!

I shook my head. I smirked a bit and then let out a heavy sigh. I hope this dinner date goes well...

In less than an hour, the car stopped at the familiar five-star hotel. My bodyguard assisted me in the place. Every bit of this place screams of luxury and elegance. I cleared my throat and followed my bodyguard instead.

We went into a reserved dining hall. It’s too elegant and peaceful. There I saw the only person inside the room. He’s wearing a white v-neck shirt and a black coat, partnered with his dark pants and leather shoes. His brown hair is almost hiding his eyes. Those soulful eyes... His nose is pointed perfectly and his red lips are well-shaped and kissable.

I was stunned for a moment. He’s like a demigod living in a modern era. Chandria is not bluffing when she described him! He has the angelic face but every feature of it is too defined. I would say that he’s perfectly created by someone above. I just found myself admiring this guy as I haven’t seen any man as beautiful as him!

The bottles of wine on the table where he’s seated got my attention. He looked a little bit drunk but he managed to look my way with a menace in his eyes. My heart started pounding fast inside my chest because he’s now aware of my presence!

I felt my feet freezing.

“That’s Mr. Evan Zendejas, Miss Nathalie...” Riley informed me.

“You... can leave us...” I mumbled slowly as I gathered all the strength in me.

Again, you have to win this night, Nathalie.

Without further ado and with all my courage, I walked toward the table where he was seated. He gazed at me coldly. The angelic face he had for a moment was gone. It felt like my heart will come out from my chest because of his ruthless stare.

I sat on the available chair in front of him. He smirked at me that sent shivers down my spine. I tried to smile but damn it! My knees felt weak right now! The ruthlessness of his aura is eating me up.

“Risha Nathalie...” He mentioned my name formally.

Even the sound of his voice appears to be undeniably perfect. The way he uttered my name, it is just very unfamiliar to me. It’s like a soothing melody and I’d love to hear it more often.

“Good evening, Mr. Zendejas—”

“Please call me Evan.” He uttered huskily.

“A—alright, Evan...” I called his name softly.

Damn! I am just so shy right now and this is the first time I ever felt this kind of feeling in front of a man! I breathed heavily and smiled a bit. I couldn’t even say a single word. I blinked several times as he’s still looking at me intently

Chandria is just fucking right. This man affects me already! He’s like a virus that gets into my system faster than I thought and it makes me weak in a different way.

He let out a huge sigh and poured some wine on his wine glass, and then he emptied it and re-filled it with another wine. I got worried as he was getting really drunk.

“Uh, I— I think you have enough...” I told him hesitantly.

“You can eat, kid. Please, don’t mind me.” He replied in a cold tone.

I got offended by that. I cleared my throat as I felt invalidated. He thinks I’m a kid, huh? But this kid will be his wife anytime soon!

“Just so you know, I am already twenty-two years old. I am not young anymore,” I defended myself, and annoyed at the same time.

“You looked sixteen to me. I apologize then,” he smirked once again

There it is! I lose my patience as I didn’t expect him to be this rude! I raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. This man needs to respect me as I’ll make sure that he’ll spend the rest of his life with me.

“Please don’t talk to me that way. My name is Risha Nathalie Saavedra, and I am your fiancée.” I pointed out in a cold voice.

He was surprised for a moment but then he flashed his devilish smile at me. Now I think I won’t be able to escape.

He nodded, agreeing to my statement. He leaned back in his chair, with his one hand resting on the table. I bit my lower lip as I have to admit that he’s more charismatic now that he’s releasing his devilish side.

“I’m impressed about the fact that you’ll marry someone you barely know,” he taunted me.

“I have to, Evan.” I shrugged and leaned forward. I rested both of my elbows on the table and smiled playfully at him. “And I guess you will have to do the same.”

He smirked back at me.

_______________

“How was the dinner date?” My mom asked me curiously when I went home that night.

I went immediately in their room because they wanted to know the details of the said dinner date. I can see the excitement in their hopeful eyes and I could not blame them. This is what they have dreamed for the longest time. I smiled at them as I put my hands at my back, intertwined each finger as a sign of a new white lie I am about to tell.

“It was great...” I answered as I faked a smile.

“Do you think he likes you?” Mom asked me once again.

“I think so, Mommy. I mean that’s the first time we met. It’s really hard to tell but I hope so...” I lied.

“What did you talk about then?” my father asked.

“We talked about the business, dad. He knows everything about our company and he’s quite impressive,” I answered, still intertwining each finger at my back.

“That’s a great start, honey!” Mom walked towards me and embraced me tightly. “You’re such a good daughter. I didn’t doubt you on that. I know you will never disappoint us!”

“Of course, mom. I won’t do anything that will disappoint you...” I assured her and smiled a bit.

I went out of their room after our small talk and damn it, that gave me a sigh of relief. I am not fond of telling lies and I hate myself for doing it earlier just because I wanted to save my ass.

He likes me? That’s the biggest lie ever! I shook my head as I remembered how Evan acted during that freaking dinner we had!

I noticed my bodyguard, Riley, waiting for me in front of my parents’ room. He bowed his head as a way of his respect to me.

“I hope you won’t them what really happened. It’s embarrassing, Riley.” I told him warily.

“No worries, Miss Nathalie.” He replied formally.

“Good. Thank you,” I said and went upstairs.

I went inside my room and sat at the edge of my bed absentmindedly. I just had a long day and I cannot believe it all happened. Chandria was right. That guy is sinfully handsome. He’s an angel who will turn himself into a devil to scare a person. I was confident right before I talked to him. Now, I doubt myself!

He talked and looked at me with such overflowing cruelty. Not to mention that he sort of insulted me and assumed that I was a minor? I shook my head in disbelief. It is really a detractor... but why do I still have this unfamiliar urge to know him well?

“I’m impressed about the fact that you’ll marry someone you barely know...” I remembered him say.

He doesn’t like the idea of fixed marriage, that’s one thing I’m sure of. If he’s against it, then he doesn’t need to meet me. He doesn’t need to follow this set up. Why did he meet me then? I just shrugged. Whatever the reason is, I guess it’s no longer important.

At the end of this day, I still have to pursue him. I need to know him more. I want to be closer to him. That’s how it should start.

We’ll get to know each other.

We’ll be friends and then everything will be just intimate.

I smiled playfully. That will happen... It must happen...

Damn it! I was forced to wake up early the next day as my best friend, Chandria, kept calling me on my cellphone. She was too excited to know every details of my dinner date with that man, if that went well and how did I interact with Evan Zendejas. It was just seven o’clock in the morning and seriously, I was curious as to where she got all her energy.

“What? Did you drool? I told you that he’s gorgeous and a head turner! Not to add that he’s one of the famous bachelors in the Philippines! I did a background check and found out that he doesn’t have a girlfriend and he couldn’t even move on from his first love, so he’s basically a loner! If I were you, I’d do my best to lure him and make him fall for me!” said Chandria, with an excitement evident in her voice.

I rubbed my right eye and yawned. She kept providing a lot of information; however, I was too sleepy that my mind couldn’t catch up. I closed my eyes hoping for another nap and just put my phone on top of my ear even though I don’t really want to listen to her at this moment.

“Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you that his friends are all good-looking! Geez, you really have to introduce me to Evan so that I’d have a way to meet his circle of friends, Nathalie!”

“Chandria, it’s too early. Can we just talk about this later? I’m just too sleepy for heaven’s sake,” I groaned.

My best friend laughed on her end but then, she just continued where she left off. She also mentioned about Evan’s friends that I don’t even know. It seemed that Chandria has able to get to know that guy upon doing a background check while here I am, completely puzzled about his life. I don’t even know a single thing about him other than the fact that he’s a Zendejas and he’s the one I would be marrying in the future.

“I heard Evan’s first love is beautiful and one of a kind reason why he could not move on from her,” she added.

Her last statement made me open my eyes. For a damn moment, I felt wide awake! I shifted my position and held the phone on my ear.

“What? He can’t move on?” I asked curiously.

She chuckled a bit. “Well, that’s what I heard. Maybe that is also the reason why he doesn’t have a girlfriend. He doesn’t even bring a woman to some gatherings and parties. What could be the other reason right?”

I mean... Where did she get all these information? She’s really a stalker!

“Or maybe he’s gay? What do you think? You should have noticed it on his movement!”

Damn! I almost cringed at the thought that Evan is gay. That’s just really impossible. I remembered his ruthless stares at me last night. Based on his aura and movement, I am sure that he’s not gay.

Oh, goodness, Chandria!

“He’s not gay, that’s for sure...” I uttered firmly.

“Alright then, when will you meet him again?”

I rolled my eyes. She’s really something!

“I’m not sure but I’ll try to see him again. Maybe today?”

She laughed once again. “Well, good luck on that!”

I couldn’t get back to sleep after our conversation. I felt that I need to know a lot of things about Evan. Out of curiosity, I asked Riley to do a background check on him.

***

I was in the library and reading a book when Riley showed up and handed me some papers. I put the book down and scanned the information printed on the papers. Like I requested, Riley did a thorough background check on him.

Based on the information I have, he’s 27 years old and a graduate of Business Administration course in college. He took over his family business at a young age and is currently the CEO of Zendejas Company. They are managing hundreds of hotels and restaurants in the Philippines. He also has two siblings, and three closed friends, which has been discussed by Chandria a while ago.

“Irish Esquivel. Is she his ex-girlfriend?” I asked curiously.

“Yes, Miss Nathalie. Miss Esquivel is already engaged with the Lopez’s first son.”

“You mean Nathan Lopez?”

“Yes, Miss.” He confirmed.

Poor, Evan. It appears that he can no longer get her back unless he is the type of man who would show up on his ex-lover’s wedding day and would stop it by hook. I smiled at my own thought.

I also figured out his hobbies. So, he’s basically into racing and drifting, surfing and motorcycling. Riley also got his work schedules.

“Oh, so he’ll be working in their company today?” I asked Riley.

“That’s correct, Miss.”

“Alright! I appreciate all these information, Riley. You have to get ready. We’ll leave at ten o’clock to visit Evan at his work,” I said as I put down the papers on my desk.

Riley left after my command. I leaned back in my swivel chair, with a small smile on my lips. I can’t even stop thinking of him!

If he thinks that I am just a girl who would marry him right away because of his worth then he might be kidding himself. I am sure that he’s not going to marry me that easily too.

He’s a stranger to me, and I know he thinks the same way but it’s workable. I have all the time to get to know him. I want to find out if he’s really a man who can’t move on from that girl— Irish Esquivel. I want to dig deeper and understand every detail about him before we step forward and get married.

I didn’t waste any time. I took a bath and make sure that I am presentable, and beautiful enough to tame him. I wore a champagne color crepe back satin midi dress and a pair of black sandals.

I stood up in front of my mirror and put some light make up on my face. I wore a red lipstick and smiled at my own reflection. I ran my fingers through my curly hair and decided to let it hang on my back. After a short while, I am all prepared.

I grabbed my phone and sent a text message to Chandria.

To: Chandria

I will visit him at work.

I stared at my reflection on the mirror again. The side of my lips curled up for a smirk.

Just so you wait, Evan. We’ll see how this arrangement goes.