"It's a good thing Lucas has such a strong sense of responsibility for a seven-year-old. Unlike other children his age, he doesn't cry when left alone, which allows you to focus on your work."
Manuela smiled at the subtle compliment from Suzie, her friend and secretary. They were on the production floor of Ibañez Furnitures, inspecting the cabinets and tables crafted by the company's skilled workers. Manuela, now CEO, inherited the business after her father's passing, a responsibility that weighed heavily on her young shoulders. Only a few months had passed since the tragic car accident that claimed her parents' lives, a loss that still felt raw and immediate. She now carried the weight of two significant responsibilities: her seven-year-old brother, Lucas, and the family furniture business. She had vowed to protect and nurture Lucas, filling the roles of both mother and father, and she was fiercely determined to keep her father's legacy alive. The employees at Ibañez Furnitures had grown close to Manuela, and she deeply valued their respect and trust. "I wonder who Lucas takes after – Mom or Dad? Sometimes he acts more mature than I do," Manuela mused. "Well, you're all he has now, so you've become his mother. Why don't you find a husband to help you with Lucas? You're at the right age. Isn't Peter still pursuing you?" Suzie suggested, bringing up a familiar topic. Manuela sighed, picking up a small checklist. "You always bring this up, Suzie. I'm not even considering marriage right now. It's not something to take lightly, and I'm completely focused on the business and Lucas. As for Peter, I don't want to give him false hope, so I've gently rejected him. Dating should be mutual, and I only see him as a friend." "Poor Peter, even after your rejection, he's still willing to wait, but you can only offer friendship in return," Suzie sighed, shaking her head. "Do we have another set to finish?" Manuela asked an employee. "One last set, ma'am. We'll get to it immediately." "Good. Please ensure the packaging is perfect. We can't afford any customer complaints," Manuela said, smiling, before moving to another part of the production floor. "Wait, Manuela, what are you looking for in a man? Even if you're not interested in a relationship right now, you must have an ideal in mind, right? Can I know?" Suzie asked, her curiosity undeterred. Manuela stopped and turned. "Suzie, we're at work. These personal questions are inappropriate. Do we have any new customers? How are our suppliers doing?" Suzie's face fell, clearly disappointed. "Sorry, ma'am. We have two new customers – one a newlywed moving into a new home, the other replacing old furniture. Regarding suppliers, the mahogany wood delivery will be delayed a week, but it won't affect production as we have sufficient stock." "Is that all?" "Oh, you have a board meeting with investors, and a scheduled office visit today." Suzie consulted her notebook. "A visitor? Who?" Manuela frowned. "Mr. Uno Juaquin Urquio. He owns La Corrs Container Company in Seattle, but has a large branch in Manila." Manuela's eyebrows shot up. "La Corrs Container Company? What does a container company owner want with a furniture company?" Suzie shrugged. "I don't know, but his email states he wants to discuss something. He followed proper procedure to schedule the visit, so he's expected today. Should I cancel?" "No. I'm curious about this Mr. Urquio." Manuela found the prospect of a container company owner visiting her furniture company perplexing, but her curiosity was piqued. Despite the mystery, Manuela focused on her responsibilities. Her day was productive. The investor meeting went well, leading to plans for company expansion. Production was efficient, and inspections revealed no significant issues. Manuela was proud of her dedicated employees and the high quality of their work. Back in her office, Manuela reviewed delivery documents when Suzie reappeared. "Mr. Urquio has arrived, and Manuela, he's incredibly handsome! He looks like Zeus's son, incredibly imposing. He doesn't seem to smile much, though – very serious." Manuela chuckled. "Suzie, it's not fair to judge someone based on appearances. Mr. Urquio might overhear you. It's impolite. Let him in. I want to know what he wants." Manuela straightened her desk, stacking the folders she'd reviewed. Before she could finish, the door opened. "Nice office," a deep, masculine voice announced, and Manuela turned to see her visitor. "Welcome to Ibañez Furni..." She stopped, her words catching in her throat as she saw the man standing before her. He was exactly as Suzie described: handsome, tall, impeccably dressed. Manuela had to agree with Suzie's assessment – he could easily pass for Zeus's son. "Mr. Urquio?" she asked, rising to her feet. "Ms. Manuela Iriz Ibañez, it's an honor to finally meet you," he said, his voice cool and measured. Manuela sensed there was more to this man than just a businessman. She found it odd that he addressed her by her full name, as if he already knew her well. His presence was both intriguing and slightly intimidating, but Manuela smiled and gestured to a seat. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Urquio. Please, have a seat." She watched as he sat on the sofa. Manuela couldn't quite explain the unsettling aura he exuded, but she dismissed it and sat opposite him. "You have a fine company, Ms. Ibañez," he commented, his gaze fixed on her. "Thank you, Mr. Urquio, but I honestly don't understand why you scheduled this meeting. Our businesses are so different." "I'm aware of the difference, Ms. Ibañez, but my reason for seeking you out isn't business-related. I waited a month out of respect for your mourning period. I believe now is the appropriate time to speak," he said seriously. "What do you mean, Mr. Urquio? I don't understand." Manuela waited for an explanation, but he reached into his coat and produced a small, red box. He opened it, revealing an elegant diamond ring, which he placed on her desk. Manuela stared at the ring, then back at the man, whose serious expression remained unchanged. "Can you explain this, Mr. Urquio?" "That box contains a ring, a genuine diamond," he replied, his words still unclear. "Please be direct, Mr. Urquio. Why is this ring here?" Manuela pressed. Uno Juaquin Urquio leaned back, his gaze unwavering. "Give me a further explanation…" "—be my wife for 365 days, Ms. Ibañez, and that ring will be proof of our marriage," he finished, cutting her off. Manuela was speechless. She waited for him to say it was a joke, but his serious expression left no room for doubt. "Re-repeat that, Mr. Urquio. I think I misheard you." "You heard correctly, Ms. Ibañez. I'll repeat it clearly. Wear that ring and be my wife for 365 days," he stated, his words causing Manuela to jump to her feet in shock. "What?! You want me to be your wife?!" she exclaimed, incredulous, staring at Uno, who met her gaze with unwavering intensity. "I believe you understand my proposal now.""This is the first time I've seen Juaquin sleeping so peacefully, Lucas. Look, your older brother Juaquin is hugging your older sister so she won't fall. How sweet, isn't it?""They'll wake up, Lolo Rino.""Oh! Let's take a nice picture of them."Manuela frowned at the conversation, but a part of her didn't want to open her eyes. However, the voices prompted her to slowly open them, revealing Uno's handsome face, still asleep."Oh? Lolo Rino, Ate's awake," Lucas announced, noticing Manuela's blinking eyes as she gazed at Uno.Feeling something against her waist, Manuela peeked and saw Uno's arm around her. The grogginess of waking slowly gave way to realization of their closeness; his arm was still around her."Kyaaaaaah!" Manuela shrieked, leaping up. Too close to the edge of the bed, she tumbled to the floor, groaning and clutching her hip."Ate…""O-ow… my hip…""You'll burst my eardrums! Don't you know how to wake up without screaming?" Uno grumbled, roused by her yell."Juaqui
Manuela felt acutely uncomfortable with the sudden turn of events. Don Victorino's impromptu decision to sleep over had led to an emergency room change, forcing her and Uno to share his room for the night.Throughout dinner, Manuela had been fidgeting, noticing Don Victorino's delight as he chatted with Lucas about the sleepover."Do we really have to share a bed?" Manuela asked, glancing at Uno's king-size bed.She stood by the door, unable to move since entering Uno's room. Uno was in the bathroom showering, leaving her restless."Mr. Urquio's room is so… manly. Is black really men's favorite color?" Manuela mused aloud, turning as Uno emerged from the bathroom.Her eyes widened as she quickly faced the door. Uno was wearing only black pajamas, no shirt."Why are you coming out of the bathroom like that? There's a woman here, for your information!" Manuela exclaimed, her face flushed at the sight of Uno's muscular chest."So? As if I'd do anything. Rest assured, I won't touch you. B
"Is that true? The woman in your office… is your wife?!" Helia's surprised exclamation hung in the air. "That can't be true, right, Uno?"Uno simply stared, a poker face his only response to Helia's bold statement upon his arrival in the visitor's area. She had her arm around him, her body pressed close. He pushed her away, causing her to stumble slightly."Don't touch me, Helia," Uno said coldly. "Just because you're my grandfather's compadre's grandchild doesn't give you the right. Stay away, or I swear I'll cut your hands off." Helia recoiled, clutching her arm."Why are you so cold to me?" she whined. "Ever since our grandfathers introduced us, you've been distant. I'm just expressing my feelings!" Uno shoved his hands in his pockets."Our grandfathers introduced us, but that doesn't give you the right to casually touch and talk to me as you please. If you have nothing important to say, leave." He started to leave, but Helia quickly blocked his path."You haven't answered my ques
Manuela slumped onto the sofa after reviewing all the files Uno had Santi deliver. She felt a headache coming on from the sheer volume of information about Uno's company.She looked down at the completed files, impressed by what she'd read. From strategic and logistical planning to financial and administrative departments, everything was well-organized and efficient. Most striking was the billions of pesos flowing into Uno's company."The profit coming into IFC is peanuts," Manuela muttered, glancing at Uno, who was silently engrossed in his laptop. "My company's expenses are higher than its income."Manuela briefly stared at Uno, whose attractiveness was enhanced by his glasses. Even his bad attitude seemed to add to his charm, the kind that women found appealing."If you're done reviewing those files, your next job is sorting the financial statements from previous reports to the present," Uno stated, without even looking at Manuela, who straightened up."What? I already reviewed
"Please wait for Mr. Urquio here; he's on his way," said the female employee as they entered a spacious office and she led Manuela to the guest area, where Manuela sat on a long sofa."Would you like coffee or juice, ma'am?" asked the employee, eliciting a smile from Manuela."Juice, please, thank you."Once the employee left, Manuela was alone in Uno's large office. She looked around, taking in the vast space – much larger than her own office."I'm a CEO too, but my office isn't this big or impressive. This is even bigger than my house!" Manuela commented, rising from the sofa and walking towards a large cabinet displaying the company's plaques and awards, which she couldn't help but admire.Manuela was startled when the door suddenly opened, and a man in a suit entered, his face breaking into a wide smile upon seeing her."When I heard Uno's wife was here, I immediately left my desk to see her. So I guess it's you?" he said, smiling as he approached Manuela.Manuela was taken aback
The next morning, Manuela, Uno, and Lucas ate breakfast together. Manuela kept glancing at Uno, who ate silently. She hadn't slept well after his scolding the previous night.Manuela wanted to apologize again for her actions, knowing she wouldn't find peace until she did."Uhmmm, U-Uno…""Don't talk; I don't want to speak with you," Uno coldly interrupted."B-but I want to apologize for my negligence—" Manuela started, flinching as Uno violently dropped his utensils before giving her a cold stare."I don't want to hear any fucking apologies or excuses, Ms. Ibañez. So shut the fuck up."Manuela hung her head, unable to respond; she was at fault."Brother, why are you yelling at my sister? Shouldn't couples avoid fighting?" Lucas commented, causing Manuela to look at him."Lucas, it's okay—""—your sister is at fault, kiddo, so don't take her side," Uno coldly interrupted, as Santi arrived and whispered something to him."Are they all gathered in one place?""They are, sir," Santi repli