Chapter 1

 “Miss Peppa, are you available this afternoon?”  Betina asked me.

“Maka- peppa ka naman diyan.” I replied to Betina. He is my personal assistant as well as one of my good friends. We’ve been friends even before he started working with me in this company. He is a man with a woman’s heart. He has the height of a basketball player and body of a sexy model.

“Why are you asking? I mean- do I have an appointment?”

I took a look again at my computer to check the article that my co-editor sent to me. I am a journalist slash editor in a well-known company here located in the Philippines that is popular around Asia. My articles mostly focus on everything, Business, Entertainment, Fashion, Life, Places and Everything that can be written about. I poured my heart and soul to be where I am right now. Many people adore me and envy me of course. Some may say, I am so lucky. Successful in my career, rich, beautiful and a bitch. Little they know, my love life is a disaster.

“Anabelle wants to meet you later after work and nothing else. Valentine’s Day ngayon girl, so you better go home early also and hunt for new prey.” Betina responded to me while twirling his medium length hair with his finger. Anabelle or Anastacia has been my best friend since birth. Yeah, our mother used to be best of friends and they passed along that kind of relationship with us. Her real name is Anastacia Belle Cruz but her stage name is Anabelle Cruz. She is a popular model all over Asia. A lot of model agencies in the Eastern part of the world want to work with her but wala pa siyang balak maging model around the world. She is still enjoying her popularity here in Asia.

“Wala ba siyang date today?” I asked Betina.

“Oh yes! With her super-hot boyfriend and so damn rich!” Kinikilig na wika ni Betina.

Well unlike me, Anastacia is lucky in everything else you can say that maybe favorite siya ni Lord. She’s been in a lot of relationships and changed so quickly. Actually, yung dina-date niya ngayon is the longest relationship she had. I think they’ve been dating for almost six months. I hope this time seryoso na siya. I haven’t met him a lot just a few times. He’s a business tycoon in Japan but they’re family originated in Australia and is expanding his business here in the philippinesThey met each other in the Japan Fashion Show. I think his name is Dylan Eros Frey. The current CEO of Frey Industries. I know about their business since I’ve done some articles about it some few years ago. And Betina is right, he’s hot, handsome and rich.

“Di bale, I’ll call her.” I spoke.

“Okay then. I’ll take my lunch. How about you? Order na ba kita sa fave resto mo or you want me to accompany you there?” Betina asked.

“You can go ahead. Mamaya na ako kakain. I just need to finish checking this article first and tatawagan ko pa si Anastacia.” I advised Betina.

“Okay. Bye Miss Peppa! Just give me a call if you ever need anything.” She blew a kiss in my direction before closing the door of my office.

When she was about to call Anastacia, suddenly her door opened again. It was Betina.

“Ay Miss Peppaaaa!! Before I forgot, the CEO emailed you an important task for you.” Betina shouted while catching her breath. Looks like she ran back here.

“What is that?” I asked her, wondering.

“You’ll be the one who is gonna meet up Mr. Dave Steel in the Airport on Monday. You can check the email I’ve sent to you for details. Ciao!” And then he’s gone again.

Ako? Wow! That’s a privilege! Dave Steel is a popular journalist in America. Last time my boss got a deal with him to work on a project with our company. He’s just around in his 30’s, I guess. Single kaya siya? He is so private with his personal life and I haven’t seen any news about any of his relationships. Kailangan ko mag paganda that day just in case. I really hope he’s single.

Anyways, I continue dialing Anastacia’s number. It’s ringing.

[Hello Darling what’s the matter?] She answered the call immediately.

“Gusto mo daw ako makita today? Wala ka bang date with your Prince Charming?”

[Ah yeah, about that, hahaha. Change of plans. Dylan will pick me up later after my shooting here in The Studio. Akala ko he couldn’t make it since he’s in Japan but he said he’ll be back this morning and he wants to talk to me about something important.]

“Oh, okay. Guess we could meet in the house later.”

[Yes yes, Ano kaya ang sasabihin ni Dylan? I don’t know but I feel excited and feeling so kilig! Hahaha]

Oh, sige ipamuka mo pa sakin na single ako. Sa isip-isip ko. Im happy for my friend of course, di ko lang maiwasan ma bitter minsan. I just wanted to be happy and to feel kilig like her. Kapag naihi na lang ata ako kinikilig these past few years.

“Yeah, I can sense your hormones up to here. Hold it to yourself.” I sarcastically told her and she just laughed at me. Kapag in love ka talaga everything seems so happy and magical. I’ve been there before too, unfortunately it ended so badly for me.

[Bruha! Anyways, you should be out today, after work go to a bar and mingle. Look for a new prey. It’s time to move from that jerk. It’s been 2 years and I’m worried about your cherry.] She laughed so loud after saying that.

Maybe now you know why she and Betina are my friends. They have the same wild mind and we’re all the same.

“Stop worrying about my cherry , I can finger it.” I responded to her and we both ended up laughing so hard. I hope no one can hear us talking.

[I know right! Hahaha. Anyhow, anyhow, I’m serious! Take a break from your work. It’s Friday and It’s Valentine's day today for God’s sake. Go to a bar and have fun, okay? When you go home later, I want you to be drunk and wasted. And better if you could have some company!]

“Fine, fine. I’ll see you later. Kelangan ko ng tapusin itong trabaho ko then I’ll go grab my lunch.

[Okay sweetie. Take my advice, okay?]

“I will. Bye!”

[Okay Bye!] and she hung up.

After her work, when she was about to go out in her office, she heard some employees outside talking about her. Maybe they didn’t know that she could hear them loud and clear.

“Ano pustahan na? Walang ka date si Miss Penelope ngayong Valentine’s Day.” Ani ng isang empleyado.

“Paano ka naman nakakasiguro na wala? Malay mo naghihintay lang sa labas o sa parking area katulad ng ginagawa ni Casey Kim noon.” Tugon ng isa pang empleyado.

“May source ako! Haha wala yun date ngayon. Walang nakakatagal sa ugali nun saka feel niyo ba yung parang mabigat na aura ni Miss Penelope? Oo maganda siya at sexy pero nakakatakot siyang I approach.” Sabi muli noong unang empleyado na nagsalita.

I can’t believe that these guys have the guts to talk about my personal life like this. Dinaig ko pang artista kung pagkwentuhan nila and to think na pinag pupustahan pa ako. Huh!

“Remember last time nung New Year Party naten? Totoo ba yung sumama si Miss Penelope dun sa Dalawang Amerikano na guests naten? Sabi ng iba may nakakita daw na nag diretso sila sa isang private suite nung hotel.” Sabi pa ng isang empleyado.

Where the hell did that come from?! These people! Di na ako nakatiis kaya I decided to open my door wide and stared at them. Gulat na gulat sila ng makita nila ako, they immediately started to walk away but I stopped them.

“Wait. Come back here.” I commanded with full authority.

Bumalik sila sa harapan ko at nakatungo silang lahat. Bale tatlong empleyado sila.

“I’ll going to save your time. Sagutin ko na yung mga issue niyo saken. Oo wala akong ka date ngayon dahil kinain ko ng buhay yung last date ko. And for those American you say? Yeah, we had a threesome. Happy?” I told them sarcastically.

“Sorry po Miss Penelope. Hindi po namin alam na nandyan kayo.” They say with unison.

I smirked

“Will that make any changes? You’ll still gonna talk about me. Next time, tanungin ninyo na lang ako, and I will answer everything you want to know. Klaro?” Mataray kong sabi sa kanila. Kalmado ang boses ko pero gusto ko nang sumigaw.

“Sorry po ulit Miss.”

Then they immediately walked away while nagging at each other.

This is why I don’t want to stay in the office for a long time. Good thing I have a hybrid work set up. I just need to go here twice a week to attend some meetings and check some matters but mostly I work in the house especially when I’m writing an article. Minsan na nga lang ako makita ng mga tao dito, pinag chichismisan pa ko. The nerve! May pustahan pa! And what’s that he says? Walang nakakatagal sa ugali ko? Who the hell he is? Ganun ba talaga tingin ng mga lalaki sakin kaya wala akong maging matino na love life? As far as I know. I am lovable!

 I just went to a bar just like Anastacia advised to me. Dito din naman talaga ako pupunta because I’m single at baka nga may makita ako dito na magsasagip sa puso kong sawi pa rin hanggang ngayon. When I heard his name mentioned by one of our employees, I can’t deny the fact that my heart still aches a little.

I sat on the stool in front of the bartender.

“What can I get you Miss Reid?” the bartender asked me while smiling. Yes, he knows me. I've become quite regular here after my heart was broken.

“The usual Mike. And just two glasses. I want to go home early today. This day sucks.” I told him.

“Happy Valentine’s Day Miss Reid. You're gonna find your heart once again.” He comforted me then he handed me my drink and a single rose.

“Thank you.” I smiled at him.

“Sa tingin mo Mike, masamang tao ba ko?” I asked him out of nowhere.

I know that most of the time people think I’m too intimidating and Betina also told me that some of our co-workers don't like my vibe but after hearing it for the first time, it kinda affects me.

“Kung masamang tao ka Miss Reid, I won’t entertain you in my bar. Cheer up. You're beautiful inside and out and only the right people know that.” He assured me. Those words of his make me smile once again.

Single ba tong si Mike?

“As much as I want to talk to you more, I need to attend to other customers so enjoy and have fun Miss Reid. Smile, pretty baby.” He said before leaving me alone.

Kung hindi ko lang naririnig na tinatawag niyang baby or sweetie yung ibang customers, iisipin ko crush ako ni Mike.

Habang nag Mumuni-muni ako dito mag isa, bigla nag-ring ang phone ko.

It’s Anastacia. I answered it immediately.

“Hey, tapos na date mo? Maaga pa ah.” I said upon answering her call.

[I’m engaged, Penelope! Oh my God!! I said Yes!]

What the hell?!

“What?—”

[Talk to you later, we’re still here in the resto, I just excused myself and went to the restroom to tell you my good news. Bye!]

And she hung up on me that fast.

“Mike! Keep it coming!”

Galit ba sakin si Lord?