"Ma'am, our sales have increased seventy percent this year. Congratulations!"

I looked at them and smiled. "Let's congratulate ourselves because I'm not the only one who should be celebrating. Because of all of you, this business won't be consistent."

"Does it mean, based on what you said ....." They looked at each other so I just shook my head while still smiling.

"Okay, I'll treat you all this time. Where do you want to go?" I asked and they all screamed because of that.

I've been running our family business since I graduated with a degree of Civil Engineering. I focused on our family business because it has collapsed so much since all the clients pulled out their investments. All that has happened since the one who manipulated them was the famous ex-senator De Guzman. But so far, nothing has been an obstacle for us when he became imprisoned. He urged himself to be killed and he left this world completely. Happily married on the other hand is my best friend, Kira. She married my brother. Fate is really playing with us. My brother who doesn't pay attention to women and has a bad temper will fall in love with my best friend? It's hard to believe but that has already happened.

Like I said, I'm going to treat my employees to the restaurant they want to eat at. But it turns out that they want to hang out in a bar.

"Ma'am! Let's dance!" my secretary, Aileen, shouted and I laughed.

"Go ahead. I won't restrict you anymore. But y’all should think that there are still limits. Don't get wasted because you still have jobs in the next few days." I said they shouted.

That scream was accompanied by the loud music of the sound system here in the bar. I see a lot of other people here are now drunk, still dancing, and just enjoying themselves. Good for them, I think they deserve to have fun despite the amount of problems they have been experiencing so far. As for me, I don't have a problem anymore. Before, I was being so anxious and I was really in too much pain when we lost Kira. We’ve done so badly that pushed her to go abroad. When I was in college, I could hardly focus on my studies because of worrying about her. But still, I managed to graduate in my course and it went well. So far, I am content with the things I have. Family, work, business, money ... Maybe I don't have anything to look forward to.

"Ma'am!"

I looked at Limuel. We were actually shouting in conversation because of the loud music.

"When do you plan to get married? You're already twenty-nine!"

I looked at him blankly when he said that. How many times has anyone asked me that? They are always interested in when I will have a boyfriend and worst, get married. Kira has been asking me too on when I'm going to plan to marry someone. I think she was just teasing me because she went ahead of me to get married.

"I don't need a husband anymore, Limuel. I'm very content right now with what I have."

"What?!" he shouted and he didn't seem to hear what I said.

I think they are all like that when I say that. Even though we weren’t in a noisy place, they seemed to be deaf to me saying that I didn’t have to get married anymore.

"Just dance on the dance floor!" I shouted and I saw him laugh. See?

I was the only one left at our table. I went near the counter first to see the bartender there. I was amazed at how dedicated the man was to mixing drinks.

"Having a decent job made everyone feel content."

I looked at the man who suddenly stood beside me. I couldn't see his face very well because it was so dark and the lights were still moving. I'm not interested in him either. I just sat across the counter and ordered a drink. I prefer the pink wine that me and Kira were always ordering. I really missed our bonding time. They also have a baby now so she can't enjoy things like this anymore.

"How much is this?" I asked.

"I'll pay for her drink." I immediately turned to the man next to me again. Because of the light coming from here from the mixing of drinks, I could already see his face.

"Why would you pay for my drink? I can afford it." I told him and took out my wallet as well but it seems like my hand holding my wallet stinged when he placed his hand there. What the?

He smirked. "Don't be stingy, Seraphrim Bautista."

I was shocked when he said my full name. He took that opportunity to pay for my drink.

"How did you know my name?" I asked.

"Because I just know." he said and took the pink wine then presented it to me. "Shall we drink?"

I couldn't stand what he said. He's dangerous, I feel like it. So I chose to just leave and go back to our table. I caught up with my employees there who were back from the dance floor.

"Ma'am, where did you go?" Aileen asked me as I sat down.

"Just there, rest room." I said and she nodded.

"Did you know that there’s a handsome famous man here? He seems to be in the Forbest rank as well because he’s rich." We looked at Will when he said that. "It was said that he was a Japanese billionaire and then he actually came here to greet his friend."

"What does he look like? Is he really handsome?" Kath asked so Will pulled out his phone. He typed something then presented his phone with a flashed picture on it.

I was surprised to see the photo of the man I had talked to earlier.

His name was Rye Fujisaki, the famous Japanese bachelor and a billionaire in the Philippines.

"Aileen, is there anything else I need to do today? I mean, aside from these papers." I asked and she shook her head.

"None ma'am. But we received an invitation. I'll just see it in my email and it was addressed with the name of our business. It also has your name on it."

My eyebrows met, "All right, just forward it to my email." I said and she nodded then left.

Invitation? For what? Aileen immediately forwarded to me the invitation she said so I immediately looked at it.

``We're pleased to invite you to our conference that will be held in the Azitech Hotel. Many business owners and professionals will be gathered for a mini celebration and a seminar. Hoping for your cooperation!’

It's said that it will happen this coming Sunday. The paperworks isn't heavy right now so I think I can also attend there. But I'm not required to go there, am I? It's just a gathering, nothing special. I'll just see if I can go there. If I'm lazy, I won't go.

I stretched my body when I stood up. I left the office first and decided to have a coffee at a nearby restaurant. My employees are busy with their tasks, so I can’t bother them at all. I will just give myself a time to rest even if only for a few minutes because I have also finished my paperworks assigned yesterday.

"One macchiato, please." I said and in just a few minutes, my order was given to me immediately.

I sat down near the glass wall and looked outside. My eyes roamed and stopped when I saw someone. A boy seemed like… homeless, passed in front of me, he approached the people who passed by but they ignored him. But I wonder, why is he still smiling even when they don’t give him attention?

My eyes widened when I saw him, looked at me and waved his hands. I gulped and smiled. I gestured for him to come over. He even pointed to himself to confirm if he was really the one I was talking to. I nodded so his face lit up. He immediately went to the entrance but the guard stopped him there. I stood up and approached the guard.

"You're not allowed here, kid." I heard the guard say so I spoke.

"I'm letting him in. I'll treat him, is it still forbidden even if I have money to pay?" I asked the guard and he looked embarrassed because of what I said.

The kid approached me and I could see the joy in his eyes. People kept on looking at us but I just ignored them till we got to the counter.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked and he looked thoughtful.

"The one with eggs, chicken, and rice. That's delicious, isn't it?" he asked and I just laughed.

I ordered the ones he wanted and also ordered water and juice. It's already afternoon but his orders are for breakfast and lunch. I'm worried that he might not have eaten yet. I just watched him eat because he was good at eating, it was just fun to watch him.

"Just eat. Looks like you haven't eaten since earlier." I just said and he smiled widely.

"I ate earlier, miss." he said to my surprise.

"Ah, it's good then---"

"I ate grass." he said smiling and ate again.

Grass? Is that even edible? Maybe some insects may still be attached to the grass he ate. It's not safe. But maybe that was his only choice because they had nothing to eat. Such a thing is still not good.

I just drank my coffee while watching him eat. The fun of this. Actually, I also help charities, as well as orphanages. All excess funds from our target sales were donated to all charities. Well, it should always be that way. What are we going to do with so much money? Where will all that go, right?

"Thanks for the food, miss." I was surprised when he stood up immediately so I almost panicked.

"Wait, I'll buy you more food. Take it to your family." I said and he shook his head.

"I don't have a family anymore." he was still smiling as he spoke.

I insisted that we leave the restaurant together. I really don't want to leave him but I still have a job in the office.

"Can I ask for a favor?" I asked him and he nodded immediately. "Can you please meet me here later around six o'clock?" I asked and I saw that he was surprised.

"Why?" he asked and I just smiled.

"It's a secret. So, can you?"

I saw him think of it then looked at me sincerely. "Okay, miss. I'll wait. Thank you for the meal again!" he said happily and I said goodbye to him.

I returned to the office with a smile on my face. It feels so rewarding. And I'm excited about what's going to happen tonight at six o'clock. I was inspired to work so I’m almost done with everything. My employees also noticed me so they couldn’t stop teasing me because of that.

"Ma'am, just slow down and you might have nothing to do tomorrow!" Aileen teased that I just laughed.

Until the time I have been waiting for has come. I fixed myself and my things up right away.

"Ma'am, we'll go ahead!" said Aileen and I just nodded. They bid goodbye to me and I went to my car and got in it.

I drove over to the front of the restaurant and was shocked to see that the kid I talked with was not there.

"Awful! They didn't stop kicking the boy! It's pathetic!"

"Yes, they always get money from children. They don't feel sorry for them anymore."

I looked at the women talking when I heard that so I immediately got out of the car and approached them. "Miss, where's the boy you're talking about?"

"There, in the back of that convenience store!" The woman pointed out where that was and I got it right away. I thanked her and went there right away.

Lots of people gather and talk around that area. I looked where they were looking and I was surprised to see that was the kid I treated earlier! He has bruises and was bent because it seems like his stomach hurts a lot!

I immediately called the doctor I knew to send an ambulance. My annoyance, anger, and sadness mixed because no one wanted to help. There were many of them around this child but they did nothing but talk about it and just look.

This is maybe the discrimination in this world.

The ambulance came and I can’t help but to feel pity on the kid’s situation. We have no relation in the first place but I’m definitely worried sick and about to cry. The trip went short as we reached the nearest hospital. They took him to the emergency room and I was very thankful for that. After several minutes of waiting for someone to come out, the doctor I’ve contacted appeared in front of me.

“You’re really going to adopt one because you realized that you’re not going to marry someone anymore?” he asked me which made me roll my eyes.

“How is he? Is he okay now?” I asked and I saw him laugh. This man!

"Don't worry. He fell asleep because he was given medicine. He has wounds and bruises that we have treated to prevent infection." he said and I took a deep breath. "We're going to move him to a confinement room. He can be released in two to three days. Sera, you're really going to take care of him?"

"Ivo, can't I adopt him? He said he has no parents at all and maybe those who beated him will come back. He will continue to suffer." I said and he smiled at me then messed up my hair.

"Instant mother? No worries, I'll be right here for you if you need an instant husband too." he said so I stepped on his foot which made him groan. He bowed in great pain because my shoes had heels.

Ivo Frontreras, we've known each other for a long time since Grade 11. Actually, I met him as an annoying guy during a sports competition. He was from CK University and he snatched the last piece of hotdog that was being sold there at a stall. I badly wanted a hotdog sandwich so I could have something to eat while Kira and I watched Patry's competition back then. We didn't meet after that but he was really stuck in my brain as one of the annoying men I met. And timing happened, we became schoolmates in college and here…. Until now.

"Anyway, thank you for responding quickly." I told him while he was still groaning about his sore foot.

"You witch!”

Of course, I can be bad sometimes especially for someone like you.

But, a good woman for someone like this kid. I will adopt him.

As it happened, I chose to adopt the child I met. He was very thankful to me and of course, he also started to trust me by telling his life story. I was amazed at how strong he was. For a ten year old like him, I can't imagine how much he has gone through. I also reported to the police station about what happened so that such incidents where goons take money from such weak children will not happen again. This child is not the only one who will suffer if such an incident continues. They don't have anything to eat and then those goons will take money from them which is also coming from alms?

He also named himself but he told me that I was even supposed to give him a name again because I adopted him. We were watching television that time because I just came home from work while he was left at home. I bought him clothes right away and I’m glad that he’s way comfortable.

"What's your name first?" I asked him.

"I named myself Lip. Because some of my playmates said that my smile makes them smile too."

I smiled at what he said. Indeed, it is really contagious when he smiles. "Then I'll call you Lip. It's cool to hear your name so that's all I'll call you. No need to change it. Anyway, do you also want to study?"

When I asked that, his eyes seemed to twinkle but he also immediately bowed. "Isn't it too much? The amount you've done for me and you're going to send me to school?"

I just thought it would be a waste of the opportunity if he couldn’t study. He's smart and a bright kid. When I took him to my house, I asked him what toys he wanted or maybe he wanted a ball to play with while I was at work. I also don't want him to be bored and just watch TV all the time. But none of what I said was what he asked for. He wanted so many books, it wasn't comics or anything that I expected for a kid like him. He wanted me to buy him some educational books.

"Don't think about something like that. I'm doing all this to help you. If only all the children, your playmates, could be adopted so that they wouldn't be in trouble. I want the best for children like you. Life is short so if we have a hard time with life's challenges, we should also enjoy it somehow. " I said and he smiled at me which meant approval.

I took care of everything he needed so that he could start studying right away. We immediately approached the director of Arkinstein University and were told to take a test first to assess his knowledge about certain subjects. And thankfully, he was immediately accelerated to the right grade level appropriate for his age. I was correct, he's so smart so it's better if his skills and brightness won’t go into waste. Though, he will still take additional classes to cope up with the units taken by past grade level students.

I saw how happy he was. It's his dream and I'm happy to be with him on his journey. I will cry more for him when the time comes for him to graduate. I can't stop myself from imagining that day that I will hang a medal on him.

"Ma'am!"

I went back to the present when I saw Aileen’s face was already close to mine. I was taken back and drank from a water bottle near my table. "Why? Are you saying something?" I asked and I saw her laugh.

"You were dozing off. I've been calling you since earlier and have been here in your office for quite a minute." she said so I fixed myself.

"Why? Is there a problem?" I asked.

She nodded. "I have received another email from the sender of the business conference invitation. They are hoping for your cooperation according to the message because you did not attend last Sunday.."

My eyebrows met. "Specifically me? It stated?" I asked and she nodded again. "Is it really required to go there? I'm busy lately because I have something new at home. It was just a business conference. Who is that sender? Is it still from the hotel staff?" I asked her in disgust and I saw that she faked a smile.

"Actually, Ma'am, the sender's name has changed ...."

"Who is it? Maybe it's just spamming or maybe it's just fake," I said complacently.

She lowered her head. "It's Rye Fujisaki. I've also verified if it's his personal email address and I saw that it's on his official Cheekbook."

Rye Fujisaki? The man I saw at the bar? He seems to really know me. He didn't even tell me how he knew my name but I think it was because I was one of the business owners and professionals on the list of that business conference. But specifically me? Is he mad at me for what I did? Why would he waste time for someone like me who is just a normal woman here? He's unbelievable!

But I felt a cold whisper of wind telling me to be scared. I knew that he’s dangerous based on his aura. It’s possible that he can just buy our business because he’s super rich. Fate, what is this again?

Aileen left while I was having a headache at the thought of what I had done wrong that night. I rejected his offered drink because I was shocked when he said my name. He knew me all along, shouldn't I just be annoyed about that? I don’t need many people to know me, especially people like him. I just want a peaceful life and I don’t want to be stressed anymore. I have an adopted kid, I have charities to help, I have a business, and nothing bad is happening to my family. I don’t want to be involved with such men or anyone rich!

Kira and Patry managed to settle for private life after their turbulent world in the gaming industry. I'm impressed with those two but please, I'm single. But I'm strong so maybe I can do it? Or maybe I'm just saying these flowery words to calm myself?

I opened my drawer and picked up my phone. It's a coincidence that suddenly someone called.

"What?" I asked quickly when I saw it was Ivo.

"No greetings, witch? You're really harsh to me."

I just rolled my eyes because of what he said. "What? I'm so stressed because an email came. I'm being forced to attend a business conference."

"Ah, so the invitation has already reached you?"

I was shocked when he said that. "You're invited too?"

"Uh-huh, I'm going." When he said that, I seemed to breathe easy.

"All right, I'll go too." I am compelled to say. It’s just like highschoolers that when one goes, everyone goes along. I have no choice.

"Great! Let's go together. I'll pick you up." he said and I just agreed.

The call ended and I just looked at my paperworks. I no longer feel like working anymore.