IT will be three more months before I replace Mrs. Lucia Torres as vice president of Forever's Beauty Cosmetics. And that's alright with me because I'm not in a hurry.That afternoon I was very tired because of the inventory reports I made regarding the products that had already been sold and the new products that were just being released on the market.When I entered the house I saw my parents in the living room and talking seriously."Hi, Dad!" I greeted my father and kissed his cheek. I did the same to my mother. "Hi, Mom!""It's good that you're home, Fatima," said my father with a serious face."Is there a problem, Dad?" I asked him and was about to sit on the sofa."Marry Kier."I was so shocked by what I heard that I fell to the floor. I immediately stood up."Is this a joke, Dad?" I laughed."It's not a joke."I looked at my mother. She was sitting quietly next to dad."You heard right, hija, you have to marry Kier."The loud crash of my laptop that fell to the floor answered

A cough from nowhere got our attention."Excuse me, Kier?"I pushed him as if I was getting burned. I pretended to fix my t-shirt. I simply looked at him, his hands were in the pockets of his slack pants–a sign that he was also tense at those moments.Gosh!My eyes widened when I saw the man standing near the office door."Draven?" I was surprised. I didn't know that Kier's cousin had also returned to the Philippines. "When did you return to the Philippines?""Last month," he replied. He stepped closer to us. "You look great, Fatima. I hardly know you!"I smiled at him even though I was embarrassed.He looked at Kier. "Kier, I guess you forgot to mention that you and Fatima are getting along well?""No. You are wrong," I replied to Draven. "That will never happen.""What I saw a while ago, what does that mean?""Draven, you saw nothing," he threatened. "I repeat, you didn't see anything.""I have eyes, Fatima," he said with a grinning face."Don't you dare tell anybody about this!" I

Kier took me to his parents ’house. When we entered the living room our parents were already there and seemed to be waiting for us. According to Kier, we have something important to talk about.I don’t have to ask what we’re going to talk about. My parents told me what they planned a few days ago, that’s why I was so stressed out.Even my work has been affected. I can’t concentrate on the sales reports I’m reviewing.As our parents talked my tongue itched to protest what they were saying. They also talked about what month and date our wedding will be. I tried to open my mouth to speak but Kier immediately stopped me. He would speak and pretend to ask me something.I really wanted to walk out but I controlled myself."Let's talk!" I pulled Kier into the garden when our parents were already busy talking about the wedding reception."I should be the one holding your hand but it feels nice you're the one holding mine."I stopped walking. I looked at our hands. I looked up and stared at h

I know that my father would be very angry with me for the plan I had in mind, but I would rather do that than marry Kier. I took a deep breath before picking up my cell phone and dialing a number."Hello? Is everything okay, Kim?" I ask."Yes. My cousin will take you to Baguio. Just be careful, Fatima," Kim said."Thank you for the help, Kim. I can really count on you in times of need.""I really don't like the idea you came up with." I heard her sigh on the other line.I sigh. "I will call you later, bye."Last night, I called my best friend and asked for help. There is only one solution I know for not continuing the marriage; the bride has to disappear.I impishly grinned.I got up from the hanging chair I was sitting in. I peeked at my bedroom door before finally going out and coming down."Good morning, Dad," I greeted my father. He was watching television in the living room."Good morning. Have you made a choice yet?" he said in a formal voice. "Have a seat."I resisted the urg

THEY were startled when they suddenly heard a telephone ring. Surprisingly they looked at each other. They never noticed a phone inside the room."Where does that sound come from?" Kier asked.I shrugged. "Let's just find it," I suggested.We stood up and headed to the cabinet near the bed. That’s where the sound comes from. Kier opened it and we saw a black wireless phone."Hello?" Kier answered.I quickly approached him. I pressed my ear to the phone he was holding. I tried to ignore his teasing look. We were in an intimate position. And he seemed to find it amusing. I showed him my fist when I saw his mischievous smile on his lips.He laughed as he moved closer so I could get closer to the phone–I almost kissed the phone."How was your sleep?"Kier and I looked at each other when we heard that familiar voice. My father is on the other line."Give me the phone!" But I had already snatched it from Kier's hand.As I did, we switched positions. He was now listening to the phone I was ho