Chapter 2

Ethan

I can't stop myself from smirking. I'm on my way back to the company when I remember that woman. The way she panic, get angry, and annoyed and the way her serious face turned into all smiles, it's really interesting. Lalo na noong nalaman niya kung sino ako. Napailing na lang ako.

"Sir Ethan, your mother called. Sinabi niya you need to come home."  Napatingin ako sa secretary ko na si Arnold bago mapabuntong hininga. Are we going to discuss it again?

"Okay, cancel all my meetings tomorrow," I said. Arnold nodded and he arranged my schedule. After an hour, we arrived at the house of my parents. The place I dreaded to come back. But still I drag my feet inside at binati ako ng mga maids and manservant habang nakahilera sila isa-isa. This place is a huge place for one person to live in.

"Master Ethan, nasa dining hall po si Ma'am Coleen," sabi ng isang maid na lumapit sakin. She looked young, is she new? Well, it's not like I care. Pumunta na ako sa dining hall at nakita ko siyang kumakain mag-isa. There are a few maids beside her. I sighed and sat down in front of her.

"You call for me," bungad ko. Napatingin siya sakin at na seryoso ang mukha.

"Have you thought about what I said before, Ethan?" I smirked. I knew it was that talk again. I crossed my arms and coldly look at her.

"I am not going to repeat myself. I won't marry her no matter what you said. I will be the one who will choose who I will marry and it's not you." Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo ko. Coming here is a waste of time. Maglalakad na sana ako palayo pero nagsalita siya.

"She's for you! Also, you've been in a relationship before! Why are you so against it? Wasn't you who choose her first?" I chuckled and looked at her.

"It was before, but not now. There is a difference between the past and the present. Leave me alone and don't call for me again unless it was necessary." I walked away and went out of the house. I looked back for a second and then went inside my car that has been waiting for me. I took off my tie and sighed deeply trying to restrain the anger I am feeling. Why does she want me to marry that woman?

"Sir, are you alright?" Tinignan ko si Arnold. Napansin niya siguro ang mood ko kaya tumango siya. "I will arrange everything, Sir. Ethan." I just nodded and closed my eyes. Arnold knew what to do and he knows me too well about what I want, what I think, kahit na hindi ko sa kaniya sabihin. I leave everything in Arnold's capable han-

Narinig kong may tumunog na cellphone. It was Arnold's phone. I frowned. Who was calling at this time of night?

"Hello, who is this?" Natahimik si Arnold ng ilang segundo bago napalitan ang seryosong mukha niya ng saya. I can't stop myself to be curious. "Miss Alvarez!" Wait, is that the woman earlier in Jeric's company? The one I choose to be my marriage counselor? "Ah, yes. I will tell, Mr. Joaquin about it. Thank you very much."

"What did she say?" I immediately asked. Arnold looked at me and sighed.

"She said that she arranged a meeting for you tomorrow. There are two women who requested a Marriage meeting with you," sabi niya. Napatango ako. Is this how it works? Since I canceled all my meetings then I guess I will come to this Marriage Meeting that woman is talking about.

"Then you know what to do." Nakita kong tumango si Arnold at tinawagan ang babae.

"Hello, Miss Alvarez. Mr. Joaquin is not available tomorrow can we arrange it for the other day?" Agad akong napatingin kay Arnold. Muntikan na akong mapa-face palm. I thought he already got what I mean. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ni Arnold mula sa kaniya.

"Miss Alvarez, it's me Ethan Joaquin." Natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya ng ilang segundo.

"S-sir, good evening. I-"

"Let's cut the chase, I will come to the marriage meeting. Just text the address to Arnold where will it take place." I cut her off. I heard her clicked her tongue.

"Bastos talaga! Hindi man lang ako pinatapos." I smirked. Does she think that because she pulled her phone away doesn't mean I can't hear it?

"Miss Alvarez, I can still hear you," I said. I chuckled when I didn't hear her voice for a minute. I heard a slap on the other line. Could it be she slapped herself because of embarrassment? I shake my head and I can't seem to erase the smile on my face.

"I am sorry, Mr. Joaquin. If you decided to come then I will try my best to help you in some way I can. I hope you find a good match for you. Thank you and have a good night." Doon na rin natapos ang tawag. I give back the cell phone to Arnold.

"Arnold, make sure tomorrow will be no accident and no mistakes." I saw him nod. Now, all of the annoyance and anger I feel disappeared. That woman is really interesting.

But I never expect that this Marriage Meeting is soo... boring. This is the second woman I met today. And she's... too quiet that I am not entertained. I looked at Marissa who was with Arnold0 having small chats with him while sipping coffee. They are having a good time while I am here being tortured by silence. I sighed deeply and looked at the other woman in front of me. What is her name again? Damn.

"Um... What is the characteristic of a woman you're looking for, Mr. Joaquin." I went to get the coffee in front of me and drink it.

"Someone who is not boring and can entertain me in some way," I answered with a cold smile on my face. I saw her face paled and she looked down. Ah. It seems I scared her off.

"I-I see... Um..." She went to get her cell phone in her bag. She tried to casually check her phone but I saw her hand tremble. "I-I need to go. T-thank you for your time, Mr. Joaquin." I nodded.

"I also thank for your time. Take care," I said. Tumayo na ang babae at napansin kong lumapit si Miss Alvarez sa kaniya tapos lumapit naman ang secretary ko sakin.

"That's faster than I expected." I scoffed before sighing.

"They are boring and none of the women interest me. Is she doing her job well?" Nakita ko na napabuga ng hangin si Arnold.

"Sir, did you know that she picked the girls carefully? She picked someone most likely the docile and kind type of person you particularly like." I looked at Arnold and frowned.

"Am I that kind of person?" Arnold blinked three times.

"Based on my experience and to the woman you sometimes bed with, yes." I shake my head.

"I am looking for a wife, not a bedwarmer. There is a difference. I want someone who can entertain me-"

"Okay, noted. I will choose someone who can be a good conversationalist. But please be kind to the woman you talk to, Mr. Joaquin." I smirked and looked at her.

"Don't tell me how should I treat other women." She smiled at me widely.

"Then I am free to think that you're the kind of person who doesn't even know how to make a woman happy." She looked at Arnold with a smile on her face. I can't believe what she said! I can't make a woman happy? That is an insult to me, a man who spends a lot of time with women. "I will tell you the details about the next marriage meeting, Sir Arnold. But I must go and report back. Please be careful on your way back. Thank you and have a nice day." After that, she left. I was surprised. No woman did that to me.

"Can't you believe what she said?" Arnold tried hard not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and stood up and left the place.