“What… What do you mean, sir?”I did hear what he just said but could not quite comprehend it. He tilted his head, his ears started to redden in embarrassment and sighed aggressively.“I want to be your friend,” he repeated. “I admit that you have been bothering my mind a lot for the past few days. Don’t get me wrong, but I sympathize with what is happening in your life.”“Sir, you don’t have to sympathize with me. Profession and personal issues must be segregated,” she said. “I won’t let you in my problems. It will make you stressed out, sir. I don’t even know why you are suggesting such a thing, sir.”“You are talking too much. Stop that.”I zipped my lip.“I am your friend now, whether you like it or not,” he said. “I’ll court you so that you would be my friend.”The hell?He rolled his eyes when he saw my confused expression. “I said, I’ll court you. Like, persuade you to consider me as your friend. Not the other way around, so stop looking at me like that.”Before I could even ap

Somehow, Darwin’s words moved my heart. I mean, he has been there since our fake contract marriage started. I would not say that he has been intrusive; more like indulging into my persona, but not rudely.His hand was on my waist as we went through the pavement where the way towards the garden is located. The ringing of the utensils was more loud than the faint whispers the Family Montenegro was exchanging during their dinner.I saw how the garden was surrounded with Christmas lights. The bulbs were stuck on the expensive plants. Even though it was dark, I could distinguish that at daytime, the assorted flowers from the garden are beautiful. The garden was vast, as if four rooms that are sized with my apartment room would be the right measurement.Darwin cleared his throat so he would catch the attention of his family. Automatically, they turned their heads in our direction. I avoided looking at Mrs. Margarita Montenegro and the chairman. I chose to focus on the obvious smug and welco

From: Vice ChairmanGood night, Jill. Thank you for your time again.I smiled at his latest text message and typed on my cellphone for a reply.To: Vice ChairmanGood night, Darwin. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your effort in making time for a wonderful tonight.With a smile, I put down my cell phone on the side table and hugged my pillow so tight on the bed. The handsome face of Mr. Montenegro was on the wall, making my smile widen furthermore.I never expected him to open up with me. And just based on his uncomfortable expression, he is not used to sharing what he thinks and feels. Or maybe he merely thinks of opening up as dramatic and nonsense. That is what I know about him.But just like he said, we are only humans. We get pain and misery. We get hurt when life becomes unfair. However, everything will just be all right at the end of the day.And I know that in no time, I will be healed from the heartbreak and losing my best friend.I miraculously woke up

“P-Please? Can we just talk for a bit? It’s for privacy concerns,” I said with a trembling smile. There was protest in his gaze, but when I shot my eyebrow and tilted my face to point out that he is not supposed to be here, he sighed and nodded slowly. He looked at his watch. “Fifteen minutes and we are going to go back to the building. Understood?” he said and it was a grave order that if I don’t follow it, he’ll punish me, so I nodded. “Good.” I was stunned on my seat when he leaned over to my face and kissed my forehead. When he moved away, he did not even flinch, unlike me, and just stood up while holding his cup of coffee. I cleared my throat as I watched him go outside the shop and then regarded the pissed Grace in front of me. Okay. That was just an act, Jill. Part of an act of your… fake ‘fiancee’ thingy. 

“Mr. Montenegro,” I mumbled and furrowed my eyebrows. “What are you… doing here?” “Close the door,” he commanded and directed his face in front of him. “I don’t want my son to know that I am here.” I inhaled sharply and reciprocated his gaze. First things first, I do not trust the chairman. Especially with the memory of him harassing me if Darwin did not just intrude between us. I know that he is the boss of my boss --- not to mention the biological factor that the chairman is Darwin’s father --- so whatever this situation he is going to pull out, I have to handle it very well, but this time, without the vice chairman’s help. “Good day, Mr. Montenegro,” I started with a polite greeting and started walking towards the drawing area. “I brought some snacks that are designated to be eaten by the vice chairman. Woul