Alexander loosened his tie and walked towards Natalia. He fenced his arms around her as the woman's back collided with his body. They stayed like that for a while then the woman turned her frame to face him.

Natalia smiled shyly at him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bother you and caused a scene like that."

"No harm done, babe." Alexander cannot wait anymore and brushed his lips against the woman's. His kisses were light making Natalia to seek his lips more. Then slowly his kisses consumed her with so much intensity which brought the woman weak on her knees. He pressed Natalia's soft frame against his, with the need to fill his longing. He missed her touch and her scent so bad.

Earlier, the moment his assistant informed him about Natalia's arrival, he tried to dismiss the meeting right away. It's worth his time, because seeing his feisty woman doing her own way earlier was such a turn on.

Natalia, on the other hand, tried to cope up with the passion that Alexander was giving off. Her stomach felt like it had been filled with butterflies.

' She thought to herself as the kiss deepens. Thankfully, Alexander's intercom buzzed and the man let go of her lips.

"Sir, your meeting with the department heads will begin in five minutes." Sergei told him.

Alexander sighed and continued staring at Natalia. The woman smiled thoughtfully in return.

"It's okay. I'll wait." The woman assured him as she patted his sturdy chest. She fixed his tie and then let him go.

Alexander marched at his table to get the necessary documents and went back to Natalia's side. "I'm not done with you yet."

"I know babe." With that, the President kissed her temple and went on his way leaving Natalia inside the office.

--------------

Duchess Ruth was furious as she exited the building. Her plan backfired. 'Sheesh!'

She needed a new plan. She closed her eyes and tried to think of something specific that will help her situation. She refused to go back at the North continent knowing what would await her. Fortunately, her engagement with Alexander wasn't publicized as the family requested for an intimate and non-social ceremony.

Her phone buzzed and an email from Ariel popped up. It says that, the Yushkova's will have a big press conference in two days time and at the end, they will announce the engagement of Devon and Ariel as a surprise.

--------------

As Natalia waits for Alexander, she browsed her emails. After an hour or so, she got bored as she finishes replying to all the queries and have read the updates regarding the Tokyo expansion. She noticed a chess board on the coffee table and calmly played with it. Then she remembered the person she wanted to call this week---her master. Natalia took out her cellphone and dialed the number.

[[Natalia: Hello, Master Flint?]]

[[Flint: Student.]]

[[Natalia: How are you? Where have you been all this time, Master?]]

[[Flint: Just somewhere.]]

[[Natalia: You are so mysterious. I don't even know your full name. I have so many questions. But you disappeared. It has been five years since then. ]]

[[Flint: I know. I know. Forgive this master. To compensate for the time that was lost, I will go to the opening of your shop at Tokyo.]]

[[Natalia: ..... Really? You'll be there?]]

[[Flint: Of course! I will also share with you some information about me. We can talk about it over dinner. I'll bring along my wife. She wanted to meet you, too.]]

[[Natalia: What an honor, Master Flint. Of course I'll be there. Take care. See you soon.]]

The call ended.

"Meet, who?" A low soothing voice echoed inside the office. Alexander sat beside Natalia on the office couch.

"My master." She shortly replied and a smile lingered on her face as she talked about the person.

"A guy?"

"Yes."

"No."

"What 'no'?" Natalia asked in confusion.

"No, you will not meet that person." Alexander seriously said. The woman just laughed seeing his face.

"Don't worry. He's already taken." Natalia winked and stood up. Alexander was not having it. He pulled her down and satisfyingly the woman landed on his lap.

"Xander. No." She scolded as she looked over the door. The man showed his strength and firmly placed his hands on her waist.

"No one can come in until I said so." Alexander whispered at Natalia's ears in a perilous tone. So dangerous that the woman's body started to heat up.

"Do. Not. Disturb." The man commanded. The door clicked and all the window blinds came down. "They won't hear and see even if you scream, babe." Alexander whispered to her.

"...." 'Shameless!'

Natalia just glared at him but the man just chuckled. She composed herself and thought about other matters to deviate her attention. "What will you do to the duchess?

"Why? Do you want me to banish her?" Alexander lazily asked. The woman contemplated for a while as he caressed her back.

"Maybe. Maybe not. I have this notion that things will fall into place as soon as she take a particular step." Natalia said staring at the chess board and reached the white Rook which she played with her fingers while Alexander tenderly stared at her.

"You don't want me to take actions against them?" The man whispered to her.

"That would be an easy escape for them. But, I'll be needing your help on another matter." Natalia said and looked at the man.

"Anything for you babe."

Natalia just looked at him and sighed. "My dad discussed about future grandchildren and that----"

"I can do that. When should we start?" Alexander cut and attempted to kiss her. Natalia rolled her eyes inwardly and stopped the man's lips with her fingers. 'This man never listens!'

"As I was saying, my dad......wants to meet you." The woman said directly before another crazy idea pops to Alexander's mind.

"Father wants to meet me? When?" Alexander smiled at her widely.

Natalia, "...."

#######

At Yushkova Press Conference

"Thank you for being with us throughout the years. As part of our yearly tradition, the Yushkova family will held its charity ball at the mansion. Now, for our final announcement, let me introduce the heir and president of Yushkova Tradings Inc. and also the president of Zimmer Company---Devon Yushkova." The company's speaker declared over the microphone then let the reputable man have the floor.

"To end this wonderful afternoon, let me tell all of you how blessed I am this year. As part of that blessing, my heart is also been full of love and support from different people. Family, friends, colleagues and..." Devon teased.

Ariel, who was wearing a Ziv pink pastel colored dress, was smiling brightly at Devon's endearing words. She cannot believe that today will be one of her happiest day.

"....the love of a special lady. She's been my loving partner through these months.

For that, I'm proud to announce my engagement with..."

Ariel gracefully stood up ready to marched towards Devon. Little did she know, a woman rose up from her seat and already walking ahead of her.

"....the forever beautiful Duchess Ruth." Devon uttered lovingly.

--------------

After receving the electronic invitation, the duchess' fingers tapped the phone screen to confirm her attendance at the press conference. She smiled to herself as the solution to her predicament offered itself.

That late afternoon, thanks to the Prime Minister's connections, she was able to contact Devon.

The two met at a shabby coffee shop. Duchess Ruth directly started the conversation. "I summoned you to cancel the announcement of your engagement with Ariel and instead introduce me." She casually said as she took a sip of the hot chocolate.

Devon clenched his fists as he read the document given by the duchess. He never thought that things would turned out this way. "I understand."

There's no use in arguing given the hard evidence. As he stared blankly at the paper, he pondered that he can use the duchess' connections to expand his power. It will be favorable to the Yushkova family. He sighed and accepted this path.

--------------

Ariel was beyond horrified. 'What the heck is happening?!'

To stop herself from being embarrassed, she turned to the duchess and hugged the royalty.

"Your grace, congratulations to the engagement." Ariel greeted giving her widest and fakest smile.

"Oh thank you dear." 'The duchess beamed in return then marched towards Devon. She thought this idea is much inferior to the previous one with Alexander, but she would grasp what she can get to save her reputation. Looking at the blonde girl, she smirked as she remembered their little adventures. 'Sorry not sorry, my friend.'

The man saw the exchange between the two woman and internally cussed. As the duchess stood beside him, he casually put a ring on her finger and gave her a peck on the lips. The scene was greatly cheered by the crowd and caught by the media men with their own lenses.

'You snakey biss!' Ariel furiously gritted her teeth. She looked over the Yushkova family members and vowed to return what they did to her. Her family didn't finish the event and went home early being very upset.

"Oh my gosh! Did you see the headlines?" Luna told her friends via teleconference the very next day.

"Hah! Serve her right. I was waiting for this kind of day to come." Ziv uttered with a satisfied face.

Natalia and Trish maintained a neutral face throughout the conversation.

"Girl, I understand Trish but you... Aren't you happy with the result?" Ziv questioned as he observed that Natalia isn't showing any expression.

"Of course I am. So, see you at the Yushkova charity ball?" Natalia winked and smiled after saying this.

"Ooohh. I love your tone so I will confirm my attendance." Ziv said excitedly.

"I second that!" Luna raised her hands cheerfully.

"Hey, Trish aren't you going?" Luna asked as the woman's face remained stoic.

"I am....marrying Jake..."

"Whaaattt?!?" Her friends uttered in unison except for Natalia who already knew the situation.

"...this month." Trish finished her sentence and lifted her left hands showing a ring. Ziv almost passed out and Luna was shocked gaping at the screen.

Earlier that day, Jake fetch her and introduced her to Daniel Zimmer as his fiancée. Yes, both of them are attracted to one another but marriage is way beyond the gist of attraction. She knows the unexpected requests of Daniel to his children. She really wanted to help the Zimmers especially Natalia but she was just as shocked like her friends as she found herself willingly agreed with Jake.

Trish subconsciously looked at Natalia. "How about you?"

"What about me?" Natalia indifferently asked after taking a sip of her tea.

"Are you already making babies with Mr. Gates?" Trish inquired while smirking.

"Whaaattt?!?" Her friends shouted again in unison.

Natalia, "...."

Cough. Cough. Cough.