"If you love someone, sometimes it is not about what you feel. It is about strategy. You will do everything, even if it'll take you forever, because it is her and only her who made you feel that way." -C.R.M

I'm rubbing my temple because of a sudden headache. Thank you so much to my best friend for his very funny prank. I just learned today that he was the one who acted as "my ex-fiance" the night of the previous weekend. He just got me with his infamous antics. Why the hell do I need to suffer from my best friend's manipulation?

"I'm so sorry Mia, Cara. I promise I won't do it again. Besides I only did it because you did tell Loukas about Iesha and I, so I reckon why not pay the quandary forward." He said while smiling.

How I really like to wipe away that smile on his face. How dare he do it. My family was there, even if they don't say a thing about it I know how my mom felt about the consequences of our affair before. I know I failed her that time. I can only hope she can finally forgive me.

I glared at him."Really, Alesso?" Napapatanong talaga ako minsan bakit ko naging best friend tong taong to.

"Don't be too upset about it. Anyway, What's the score between you and Tanchellie? I've seen the two of you talking in the party." He inquired. Kahit kailan talaga napaka chismoso ng lalaking to.

"Why are you putting some meaning to our association? We're only discussing the partnership between our companies." I asked him with a frown on my face.

"Well, I just thought about how you will react when Matthew finally returns. Now, that you have Tanchellie in your life? I heard from your opening party that the Valderramas are coming home." He said as if he was talking about the weather.

"It's none of your business." I replied in a straight face. I raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Where's Iesha, Alesso?"

"Well, she's getting our snack. Why?" He answered.

I smirked a little."I will tell Iesha about your antics before you happen to meet her. Do you have a problem with that?" I said cheerfully as my eyes gleamed in sunlight.

Alesso's eyes went dark and wintry. "Are you threatening me, Garcia?"

A cynical smile escaped my lips."If that's what you want to think, Castelleni. Just remember that she's about to approach us so go ahead and decide."

"Hi! Let's have some snacks before you continue with your strength training." Pagputol ni Iesha sa pinaguusapan namin. Andito kami ngayon sa gym, simula ng nandito si Alesso sa Pilipinas, we are back on our daily routine way back university days. He's my gym buddy.

"Are you busy tomorrow afternoon Iesha? I want to invite you over a coffee date. I have a business proposal for you." I said to Iesha before giving Alesso a meaningful wink.

There was a worried look on his face. "We have a date tomorrow, right Amore? So no!"

At daglian niyang dinala si Iesha sa isang treadmill. Takot na takot pala tong mokong na to sa girlfriend niya. Sa wakas nakahanap ka rin ng katapat mo.

"Try to interfere with my life again, I will never refuse to tell everything I know to Iesha." I warned him when he came back to get his water from the table.

Phone ringing...

"Hello?" I said picking up my mobile phone.

The all familiar annoying voice of a woman sounded on the other line. "Good Afternoon, Sarah!"

I frown a little. "Miss Lobete!"

"Oh! The warm welcome a while ago was instantly replaced by your frostiness?"

"What do you want?" I asked in a snappy tone.

"You left a message this morning that you already have a list of a potential boyfriend-to-be."

Shoot! Sarah! I forgot that I sent her a message earlier today. "Yes, sorry I forgot."

"Are you free tonight for dinner?" The person from the other line inquired. "So I can see the list."

"Yeah, yeah, sure." I replied in an impatient manner.

"Great! I'll be waiting for you at Black Bird Makati, 7PM."

"Yeah, yeah, I know the place." I answered briefly grudgingly as I ended the phone call. Ayaw ko talaga siyang kausap, if only I have the choice I don't have to suffer for her company.

"I'll just go to the ladies room first." Bungad sa akin ng isang Sarah Garcia, the moment she arrived here in the restaurant. Nilapag niya lang ang dala niyang envelop, probably containing the list of the possible candidate.

"Go ahead." I nodded as I answered.

While waiting for her to return. The devil inside me whispered something silly that surely I will enjoy tonight. I took out a piece of bond paper from my briefcase and wrote something, then I purposely slid the paper in the envelope that she brought with her. This night will be fun, Sarah G. I thought to myself silently.

After a while, ay bumalik din siya agad. I can't take my eyes off her. She's really gorgeous tonight. I find myself boldly staring at her whole body from head to toe.

"Bakit ganyan ka makatingin sa akin?" Medyo naiirita niyang bungad. "Para mo akong hinubaran?"

I just let out a lopsided grin. I'll be really enjoying tonight. I mouth "You look ravishing."

"Stop mentally undressing me, Miss Lobete!" I just didn't pay attention to the icy reprimand of Sarah Garcia.

"Would you mind me undressing you the other way around?"

The glare she's giving me is enough to silence an average person, but then I am not just an average person. "The contract stated that you can't harass me and you're forbidden to talk to me with any desire..."

"But it didn't state that I can't undress you, mentally. There's a difference in that. Besides I just mouth the sentence, clearly it's not a "talk" after all." I lifted an eyebrow in her direction. "Did you read the contract carefully, Your Cold Highness?"

I fought back my laughter when I saw a red stain on her cheeks. Great! I can still make her blush. She was really surprised that I outwit her contract. Anyway, she looks so charming when she's blushing. "You're unbelievable!!!" she hissed. "Bastard!..."

"Need I remind you, that for every insult, I will kiss you senselessly."

She just constantly glared at me, probably fumingly angry because I already have the upper hand here.

"You're enjoying this, are you?" She asked, still glaring insolently at me.

"So much." I answered with a big smile on my face. I really love it now when she's so mad about me, she looks so lovely in it. Just stay mad at me Sarah. Until you'll think nothing except me and your anger at me.

"Are you ready to order?" I asked her once I saw the waiter hovering beside us. We gave our orders to the waiter and once we were left alone, she started to give me cold glances.

"Listen to me..."She started to threaten me with her coldness that was enough to freeze me with the whole restaurant.

"Do you have the list, Sarah?" I forced myself not to laugh out loud when I saw her gape in bewilderment.

We are getting sidetracked here with the real reason for this meeting.

"Yes." She answered when she finally recovered from the shock. She pulled out the papers from the envelope that she brought with her and handed it to me.

I refused to accept the paper. "Read it for me." I instructed her.

The glare in her eyes is back with vengeance but she did do my bidding anyway. "John Cojuangco." She started.

I fake a frown in my face. "He's a spoiled heir who thinks he can have the world for his own."

Sarah fished out her pen and marked out the paper with an 'x'. "Eros Floirendo."

"He's so boring. I met him once at a party before."

"Jose Paulo Zobel."

"I don't like his father, who is arrogant."

"Manases Villar."

"I don't like his name."

"For pete's sake!" She snapped at me. "It's not his damn fault."

"Still I don't like him."

"Sarah Garcia..."

" Why the fuck I am included here?"

"Yes na yes. I don't mind a woman." I told her with a playful wink.

"Miss Lobete!" She retorted.

"I told you, I don't really mind." I answered innocently with a polite smile.

"Stop playing games with me! You put my name on the envelope did you?"

"Eeehh! Do you have a proof? I didn't even touch that one." I denied fiercely. There's no way on earth that I would admit it.

"Okay! Okay." She resigned her shoulders in defeat.

"Hector Lancelot Lopez."

I scowled as I thought of something I don't like about him. When I didn't answer immediately, Sarah smiled satisfactorily. "Great. I think he made the cut to your highly rated criteria and to your dad's criteria."

"So when do you intend for us to meet?" I asked without enthusiasm.

"Tomorrow night. At the birthday party of my business partner."

"Tomorrow night?"

"Si, Your Highness." She said with a triumphant smile.

Not so fast, Sarah. The devious voice inside my head screamed.

*So what do you think?

More like this or romance na?

Let me know.

Much Love.