Chapter 1

"I know he did that on purpose to put himself in the spotlight!" Lina complains as she defends herself in front of me and Aya.

I can sense the annoyance in her tone of voice.

I sighed as a response to my younger sister's dilemma.

"Yes, that's right!" Aya agrees with full conviction - as if she understands what Lina is going through. But her mood and expression changed in a snap. "But I gotta admit he's kinda hot! Right, Rose?" She turned on me as she flicks her fingers.

I can't help myself but chuckle a bit.

"Well, you're not wrong about that." Lina agreed with Aya in a soft and sweet voice like she's daydreaming about that guy's broad shoulders, strong biceps, seductive lips, and dreamy eyes that you can only read in fairytale books.

"BUT STILL!" She suddenly exclaims. "Because of him, I'm now the talk of the town..." Her shoulders dropped as the waves of reality hit her.

"It's alright!" Aya said. "I mean, I'll be mad if I was suddenly kissed by a man who looks like an ogre. That would be horrible!"

I burst into laughter at what Aya said.

"...and on top of that," Aya continues, "you become a hot issue all over the internet!"

"It seems like you're all having a fun conversation," said the 25-year-old guy who walks towards our table in a cafe. He wears a waiter's uniform with a warm and inviting smile on his face.

"Oh! Hi, Alexis." I greeted him. "I see that today is your schedule to attend to the customers as a waiter."

"Yes, that's right!" He joyfully replies.

"Well..." Lina said. "There's no wonder this place gets a little bit too crowded today."

The three of us looked around, and all the tables have been occupied. There's also a lot of people waiting outside for their turn.

"Alexis, we're ready to place our order!" A girl called him from another table.

"Alexis, me first!" Another voice of a girl calling for him.

He softly laughs, his cheeks slightly turn red - as if he gets shy from what Lina said.

"But you're our VIP customers. I need to prioritize your order first. Others can wait."

He's holding a pen and the order form, ready to take our orders.

"Alright then," I said. "I'll have my usual."

"Very good, Miss Rose."

"I'll have whatever my sister is having," Lina said, "and a fish finger for 5 pax."

"Wow!"

I was surprised by my sister's sudden increase in appetite. My usual order was a steak and a hot rose tea with honey. It is enough to fill my belly for the next 24 hours.

"Are we celebrating now because of your recent achievement?" I sarcastically continued.

"I'M HUNGRY BECAUSE OF ALL THESE RUMORS ABOUT ME!" She exclaims.

I slightly laughed because of my sister's silly expression. It's kinda fun to mess with your younger sibling sometimes.

"What about you, Aya?" Alexis turned his attention to Aya.

"Huh? Me?"

She looks up to meet Alexis' eyes. He's smiling so warmly and waiting for Aya's response.

She felt her cheeks slowly heating up - she looks away as fast as lightning before Alexis notice her blushing cheeks.

I suddenly realized that she became quiet as soon as Alexis approaches our table.

He has light brown curly hair that perfectly complements his innocent emerald eyes. No wonder a lot of girls wrapped around his fingers.

The fact that he's also the only son of the owner of the most prestigious cafe in the city, makes him even more appealing to the young ladies.

...and he's single!

Aya has been quiet for more than a minute, staring at the menu in her hands.

It is beginning to feel awkward.

"Alexis, what is your current best-seller?" I asked to break the silence.

**************

"So, let me get this straight..."

I put down my cup of rose tea and lightly tap my lips with a clean white tablecloth before I continue.

"You and your friends are minding your own business, having a good time at the bar...and suddenly this guy grabs you on your waist and kisses you on the lips?"

There's my sister, looking like a flustered melted marshmallow, nodding at my statements.

I sigh out of frustration.

'What will I do with you?'

"You could've told me," I said in a disappointing tone. "Yet, I needed to hear this news from my secretary."

"I didn't know it either, Rose," Aya said. "I just learned about it on social media this morning."

"It's not my fault that I'm being chased by boys," Lina mumbled with a pouty mouth. She looks like a ranting duck.

"I'm sure you were," annoyance spits out of my mouth.

"So, what are you going to do now, Lina?" Aya asked. "Did aunt and auntie know about this?"

Lina was startled by her cellphone glowing and vibrating.

IT WAS PAPA CALLING!

"Catalina Celestine Alistaire!" papa shouted as soon as Lina answered the video call, "So, this is your scheme? You offered us to go to Spain for a week, all-expense-paid vacation so that you can do whatever you want to do?!"

"Lina, what happened?" mama said in a worried tone, "Have you read all those horrible things people are saying about you on social media?"

I sip my tea, and Aya drinks her black chocolate frappe while Lina was being scolded by our parents.

"Who is that boy anyway?! Why did he kiss you?! Do you know him??" papa shoots questions like a rifle.

"No!" mama protested, "Didn't you read the posts? It says they don't know each other."

Lina looks so done with mama and papa.

'Did they call to clear things up straight from me or what?'

"First of all," Lina said with an annoyed look on her face, "I don't know him. Second, I didn't even know he existed. Third, I didn't give him any signals to kiss me. I was just there with my friends, minding our own business, and he suddenly did what he did to me. And he did that while other big influencers are also there. Clearly, he just wants to get famous by using me."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!"

Instead of calming down, papa flamed with anger.

"That jerk! How dare he did this to my daughter?!"

'Oh boy...this is going to be a long conversation.'

**************

"I already told you, and I am telling you again. Rose will be the Marketing and Sales Consultant of this Hospital."

Cloe went into her office with her secretary following her.

She's beginning to feel annoyed by asking her the same question over and over again.

She stopped in front of her desk and began looking into some documents.

"I understand, Ma'am Cloe," Sadie said, "I already told Mr. Bonavich before that you've already decided that Ma'am Rose is your chosen Consultant, but they keep on asking the same question. They are persistent to have that position, Ma'am Cloe."

She found a white folder and check the documents inside.

She felt like the sharp blade that was piercing through her heart for a long time has been finally removed.

"Sadie," Cloe turns, holding the white folder, "the next time Mr. Bonavich asked you, tell him that I told you not to ask the same question to me again."

Cloe leans at the edge of the table, facing Sadie.

"...because my answer will still be the same."