"Fate, dear Brutus. Lies not with the stars but within ourselves." - Julius Caesar

I can't hide the satisfaction in my smile when Sarah decided to show up in my office. As I have told her, it would be her who will grace us with her presence. She must have been really furious when I called off the partnership. But then again, I already gave her a warning beforehand. She didn't quite imagine that I am serious after all.

Now, it's very obvious that she's having an internal debate about the help that I've been asking her. I can't help but to feel a little excitement, I wonder what might be running through her head.

"Say, if I help you with your quest do you promise that the partnership will push through?" There she said it.

"Yes. I promise." I told her seriously because I really meant it.

"But I don't trust your words Miss Lobete!" She informed me as if I was not in front of her.

I smiled a little. "You wounded me, Sarah. I promise this time you can count on my words." I said with sincerity to assure her that I will keep my promise.

"Just keep your promises this time or else I will really kill you." She said with coldness. Natakot tuloy ako ng konti.

" You don't have to be murderous." I answered before I pushed the bottom of my intercom.

"Andrea, do you remember the documents that we sent back to Pacific Loop? You saved a copy of it, right? Bring them to my office."

"Still don't trust me, Sarah?"

My secretary immediately came inside with the papers that I've been asking for. Without any delay I sign the papers to make the partnership official. After signing I focused my attention on the. woman in question. "Satisfied?"

I saw the satisfaction in her face once I finished signing the papers for the partnership.

"Okay. Okay, I'll help you find a boyfriend that your father would approve of." Finally she agrees. She made me so happy with her decision. She didn't really agree, you forced her. Such a devil! The voice in my head reprimanded.

I smiled brightly at her. "Very good. I've been waiting for this day that you'll finally say yes."

She glared at me. She can really be icy if she wants to. I am starting to like this frosty side of her more than her warm and charismatic aura. "Let me remind you, you just left me with no choice so I agreed. If only the partnership is not important then you will never see me in your very office!" She retorted. "And when do you intend for me to start?" She added.

"As soon as possible." I answered briefly.

"Okay, let's see what I can do." She said shortly. If I didn't pay attention I would have missed the grin on her lips that she immediately wiped off. "One thing, Miss Lobete!" she started.

"Yes?"

"I want a contract."

"A contract?" I repeated for myself.

Mockery flashed in her smile. "I want a contract, after all this is also a business deal. I want a contract with a clause stating you are not allowed to harass and you're forbidden to talk or touch me with any desire otherwise it would be a breach of contract. And I am free to walk away from this."

I only managed to stare at her in disbelief. She's more devious than myself. "Why? Natatakot kaba? Natatakot ka bang iseduce kita? Am I that dangerous to your heart?" I asked with deviltry playing in my lips.

"You're too conceited Miss. Lobete! Need I remind you how much I hated your existence?!" she answered with a smile that is laced with acid. When I didn't answer immediately, she added, "Do you agree or not?".

"Okay, I will draw the contract that you want and will send them away ASAP." I answered with no emotion at all.

"Good." Her eyes triumphed. "Looking forward to doing business with you, Miss Lobete."

And with that she immediately turned her back on me and was about to open the door before she faced me again. "Saturday, 6 PM at my Villa in Laguna, be there, for sure there will be a number of bachelors that I can introduce you with." She dropped as she walked out of my office.

You're really fast with the introduction, such a reputation you have as the formidable CEO.

I can't help but to laugh at myself because she outwit me with her contract. But then, as the saying goes "There's a promise of hell, if you dare play with the devil herself."

Just wait and see Sarah. I will find a loophole in your contract...

Against my better judgement, out of no choice I find myself agreeing in the campaign of my adversary to help her find a boyfriend. Good thing that she heeds to my request, I don't want any associations with her other than to help her with her quest. Purely a business deal. I already learned my lesson from that woman. I'm just glad that I found out earlier that she's not the kind that you could trust with your heart.

After our encounter in her office, I didn't hear anything from her. It was such a breath of air to finally enjoy my hectic day at the office without worrying that a certain someone would come to annoy me again and again.

Villa del Tarah, The following weekend.

I was at the entrance, welcoming our guest when I spotted a familiar figure. The devil in me decided to let this woman get a taste of her own medicine. She should know by now that she can't just dominate me all the time.

"Good Evening Miss Lobete and the boyfriend." I greeted them together with the man at her side. I can't hide the wickedness in my smile as I saw her pale beneath her perfectly applied makeup. Serves you right, the devil in my head whispered.

"Good Evening!" Answered the man beside her.

"If you could please leave us for a while, we just have something to talk about." I heard her whisper to her companion.

"You! How can you be so rude?" I wanted to laugh at her predicament. I didn't realize that annoying this woman could be this fun.

"I? Rude?" I answered innocently.

She let out a small sigh."You know you are. You're giving the man a wrong notion of the reason why I brought him in."

I fake a sorry look."Oh! I didn't mean that. I just thought that it was the boyfriend since you bothered to bring him with you. Sorry, my bad." After all, I'm not really sorry.

"Whatever!" She said glaring. I really love it now when I can pissed her off in any possible way.

"That's Benjamin Chen, from a power clan, bachelor, Harvard graduate and a beautiful man." I told her while silently pointing about the man across from where we are standing.

"Not so fast, Sarah. Gustong gustona talagang matapos ang trabaho mo sa akin?" Rinig kong pagrereklamo niya.

"Why did you need my help in the first place?" I retorted back at her.

"I don't like Chinese, they're so traditional." Just wow! She answered.

"Sorry, I didn't know about that. Okay from traditional chinese family are out." I acted as if I was taking notes about what she likes and what she doesn't. "Ian Ferriera, half Filipino - half Portuguese, footballer, from the family of oil importers, and certified handsome."

She waved a hand at me as if she's not interested at all. "I heard his name before. Although he exceeds what I like about a man, he's a serial womanizer, so no." I heard her refuse.

"Joaquin Saavedra, a gentleman, of Spanish descent, chairman and CEO of the Maynilad Hotel and Restaurant chain. I think he fits all the criteria that your dad approves."

She nodded."You're right. But he's too old for my liking. Why don't you introduce someone close to my age."

"What?" I asked in disbelief. "Men close to your age are already engaged, some are even married."

"Ganyan naba talaga nagkakaubosan ng lalaking galing sa angkan ng mga negosyante na maginoo, mabait at gwapo? For sure madami pa naman jan ah. Look for more." Mataray niyang sagot sa akin.

"Okay, we still have some time to look for more." I said bilang pagsang ayon sa kanya.

"Oh! Look!" I heard her say sabay tingin sa paparating na anyo ng lalaki. "I think I like this one."

I shook my head as I laughed in amusement. I didn't realize that we caught the attention of others by laughing , probably wondering why I am so amused. "And here I thought that this man approaching is no longer available and certified womanizer." I said loud enough for the man to hear. "Loukas Dominick Castelleni, meet Miss Tanchellie Lobete, from T-Squared Mobile."

"Such a beautiful lady, Pleasure to finally meet you maam." He said with a visible confusion in his eyes, probably wondering why I am with Tanch.

"The pleasure is mine sir." She said in a very sweet voice. Ewww

"Honey, I've been looking for you." He said while he dipped his head to give me a kiss but he pulled away immediately not without giving a meaningful wink.

"Sorry Loukas, I'm having a girl talk with Miss Lobete, here." I said with quite a smile on my face.

"It's okay, Honey. I'll just join the men instead. Shall I say have fun." Loukas said before he vanished to the crowd.

"So you've got a boyfriend already? Wow!" I heard from the woman with a thunderous scowled face. I didn't bother to reply, instead I just smiled.

"I have to go Miss Lobete! I still have guests to attend. Thank you." I said before walking out to see some other guests.

I was deeply shocked to learn that the man who caught my attention was actually Sarah's boyfriend. I can't help but to feel a little disappointed with the fact that the man is already taken by Sarah. I was busy with my thoughts when suddenly someone from behind me spoke.

"Want to add some peanut butter to that jelly?" I turn my head back only to find my cousin with a lopsided grin on her smile.

"Cuzzy! What are you doing here?"

"I am with someone. I just saw Sarah and it looks like someone had already won her heart. Too bad for you!" She said, still grinning that it reached her eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have a thing anymore for Sarah." I answered without enthusiasm.

She laughed in delightment. "Really Tanchellie? Deny it to the world but not to me. They served fruit jelly here, you should try it sometime so you'll admit that you're jiggling in jealousy."

And with that she leaves me with a big O in my face. Am I that obvious?

*Here's your update.

Ingat po tayong lahat.

Much Love.