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.

I'm correct that I will only regret going to this conference. I just got bored and it’s beneficial for me if I will bond with Lip at home instead. This Ivo next to me seems to be enjoying the looks of the women around. There were sexy women business owners and professionals who attended and that’s where he really focused. This is really all he came here for, really annoying. Just regarding the revised business permits, some tips in growing the business and consistency of business growth were said in the webinar. It's like we just went back to the beginning that we weren't full professionals yet because we still needed a guide. Maybe I'm just really lazy to attend seminars like this.

The conference ended a few minutes later. I immediately went to the banquet hall of the hotel because I really wanted to eat. The seminar lasted more than an hour and I was about to die of boredom and starvation.

"You didn't wait for me. Are you very hungry?" I heard Ivo's voice beside me so I looked at him.

"Yes, I should eat because I've been annoyed with you since earlier. This is free, right?" I asked, pertaining to the foods I’ve transferred to my plate and he nodded.

He also took his food and at the same table, we sat. I roamed my eyes around and looked to see if that man was here, but he wasn't.

"Who are you looking for?" I heard Ivo ask.

"The one who invited me here. The sender of the invitation is addressed in his personal email." I just answered.

"Ah, it's Rye Fujisaki."

I stopped eating and looked at him. "Why do you seem to know so much? Did he also invite you here?"

"That's my friend." His response was so short but I was so shocked about it.

"What? Do you really have so many friends that you seem to know them all? Where did you meet him?" I asked.

He stopped eating, "Why? Do you like him? I'm telling you, he has more money than me but I'm still more handsome than him. You should just choose me."

I just winced at what he said and didn't try to ask again. I really wanted to ask him a lot but I chose not to continue because he didn't answer them properly. How did he become friends with him? Maybe they just really have the same nasty attitude? Birds with the same feather, fooling forever. I no longer really know why there are such men in the world.

"What is it? Do you like him? It's not possible, he's a playboy and has no past serious relationships. You should just die single, it's more advisable." Ivo said again so I frowned.

"Stop there. I didn't like him. He was the only one who invited me. It's a bit impossible, though scary. Maybe I offended him that night."

He was stunned. "How did you offend him? He's not quick to be offended by small things. He's a billionaire, he doesn't care about the people he meets." he said as if to say that I shouldn’t think of him.

But how? He knew my name and my appearance. He even sent an invitation stating my business. Why is he bothering my mind? I could hardly sleep last night wondering if I would continue to go here.

"Right, I shouldn't be thinking about that anymore." I said and I heard him laugh.

"Don't bother yourself anymore. You won't be noticed. Just pay attention to me and I'll give you all my attention ..." he said again so I just shook my head.

We finished eating and I told him that I’ll go to the restroom first to fix myself. But as I was walking, someone suddenly pulled my hand, there I knew I entered the janitor’s room!

Shocks! Is this kidnapping?

"You finally attended. I thought you were going to reject my invitation again. You really like to reject people like me?"

I immediately looked at the man who spoke then. What I was looking for earlier has shown up to me now. Why did he drag me here? For what intention?

"Why did you pull me here? And why in the first place did you want me to attend this conference?" I asked one question after another and I saw it even amused him more.

"Well, I just want your business to be consistent. No one knows that maybe anytime your business will just collapse. Pity on you." he said to my surprise.

In the past, he was like a sweet toxic wine that seemed so kind and playful. But now, he's like mocking me and my business? What's with this attitude?

"Does it seem like I hurt your pride because I rejected your offered wine so that's how you react? How shallow for a billionaire like you to judge the business of others. Just mind your own business." I said and was about to touch the doorknob to leave when he spoke again.

"You were nothing to me in the first place but I like you being feisty. Do you think you can be proud right away because of your status?"

I faced him and squinted my eyes.

"Why do you talk like that? Who are you, Rye Fujisaki?" I asked.

"Your nightmare." he said so I slapped him immediately he was surprised, "WHAT THE?"

"Serves you right. How you speak, you sounded like a faggot." I said and left him immediately.

I immediately went back to where Ivo was and pulled him out of the hotel. He still wanted to stay but I forced him to leave as well. I was more than enraged. I was angry, annoyed, and nervous about what had happened.

When Ivo started his car, I was relieved because we had already left that hotel.

"Why did you want so bad to leave that hotel?" I heard Ivo ask and I just sighed.

"I slapped him."

His eyebrows met. "Who? Seriously wherever you go, you sow your witchcraft."

"Rye."

I almost fell to the front when he suddenly braked! When he recovered from the shock, I immediately hit him on the arm. "Are you going to kill me? Why did you suddenly stop?"

"Are you crazy already? You told me that you want your life to be peaceful but you slapped Rye?" he asked me so I rolled my eyes.

"He judged me! He told me something earlier that’s beyond my temperament so I slapped him! He deserved it!" I said out loud.

He heaved a sigh. "Yeah, you're already at that point. But maybe tomorrow you'll be in the headlines of the newspaper! You don't know what it may bring."

I bit my lip. "Isn't he your friend? Why is he like that the way he talks? It's like he knows me and he's so mad at me. I'm not doing anything wrong. I don't like him, that's all I know."

"Let's see if what you did was okay with him. I knew him, he always doesn't care even if you're a woman. He can do everything because he has a lot of money. And you? You're a woman and you're just a normal citizen. We don’t know what he can do. He's my friend but we don't talk often anymore because he's busy with his circle of riches."

He just continued to drive me to my house and we never talked about it again. Should I be concerned about what he said? What if I'm in the headlines of the newspaper tomorrow? But if I tell the public that he told me bad things, will they believe me? No one would believe me because he was more influential. Everyone is on his side while I am, my image will be destroyed for sure.

But he still deserved that slap. I will stand for that.

Earlier, I always looked at my phone because there might be some notifications in my Cheekbook that I mentioned in any post or article. Until now, I seem to be paranoid because of what Ivo said that my name will be in the newspaper because of what I did.. I'm just pretending that I'm not affected but of course, if ever that my name was involved in such a thing, even our family business that has been standing for a long time will collapse suddenly because of that jerk!

"Ma'am, don't worry about that at all. But can I ask why you do that?" I looked at Aileen and sighed, "You didn't tell me about it, Ma'am, so why did you slap Sir Rye? He's so handsome then ---"

"Aileen, I don't care if he's handsome. He's a jerk! He totally ruined my day and I will never forget him. He sounded like a gay in how he talked to me and worst, a judgemental. I didn't know that he definitely knew me. Do you know what I’ve been doing all the time? I've been so mysterious all my life then he suddenly comes into my life just to judge what I’ve achieved." I almost gasped at my repeated complaints and she handed me bottled water. I drank it and massaged my temple.

I really don't want to see that Rye again. I think that will be my daily prayer.

"Please calm yourself, Ma'am. You won't be able to focus on work when you think about it. He's a billionaire and I'm not sure what happened was a big deal. I also saw that there were women who slapped him as he used to in the news, because of his playboy nature." she said and I stopped.

Playboy nature? Have the women slapped him too hard? Ha, serve him right.

I just nodded because of what she said. I seem to be relieved because of that. Maybe I don't have to overthink that thing anymore. Stay away from my life, you jerk. You can't disturb my peaceful life.

"Thank you, Aileen. I'm a little relieved by what I found out." I said and she smiled.

I just continued what I was doing that day. I suddenly became in a good mood because of that. My energy returned so I could finish my paperworks easily. My employees left when work was over while I went to a restaurant to buy Lip a bucket of chicken. I’m really happy with that kid. I think he is the one who gives me happiness now. I have nothing more to ask for.

When I arrived at home, he greeted me immediately. I immediately hugged him. We immediately went to the dining table and I could see the excitement in him when he saw his favorite chicken.

"Why is there so much chicken? Do we have a guest tonight?" he asked and I just smiled.

"What are you? It's so late at night right now. This bucket of chicken I bought is for you. Isn't it your first day next Monday? So you need to have courage. And to celebrate your excellence because you passed the acceleration exam. Alas, you're really silly. " I told him and ruffled his hair.

I can see that he was satisfied because of what I said. I want to fill him with so many praises that he deserves. I really wanted to give him things he had never experienced before. I also thought that because of what I was doing, he was like my youngest brother. If I really had a brother like this, I wouldn't get tired of living. I have a brother Patry, but I seem to grow old so early because of annoyance and headache. I kept on thinking back then about how to keep him away from Kira because of his harshness. I was even more depressed because of what that ex-senator did. Their love story is really very meaningful. I wouldn’t have wanted that complicated when I had a love life. But thankfully until now, I no longer have any interest in men or have a love life.

I want to be single with Lip. Only Lip will make me happy.

"You adopted him? When else? Sera, I know that somehow, you are confident that you will never love any man or have a love life. But try to explore the world and not just stay in that mindset."

Kira and I met one time when she was having free time at a restaurant. Patry was left at their home to take care of their child, thankfully and we had time to talk. I told her about my adoption of Lip and it looks like she was so shocked about it. What is wrong with not having a love life?

"Is it bad if I adopt him? Because he doesn't have a family and then the goons on the streets kept on taking money from him. Besides, he's a good boy and smart. I enrolled him already in a school then he will enter tomorrow. He passed the acceleration exam. " I told her and she was surprised.

"Wow! That’s great! Though it's not bad to adopt. But ---"

"No buts. He's the only source of my happiness right now because I don't have anyone at home. Besides, I've arranged everything for him to go to school. Maybe I'll take care of the adoption papers and his last name will be changed as well. I don't want his classmates to bully him just because he's adopted. I need to work out everything in order for him and I to be legal in papers. The fact that I’ll be his guardian." I told her and she smiled eventually.

"Are you an instant mom now? If you want, when Lip has free time, he can visit us at home so he can play with Kit. Kit is kind and silent, he's not always crying."

When she said that, my eyes just rolled. "Kit really inherited that attitude from Patry. Given that he doesn't have any emotions at all so you don't have to tell me about your children’s attitude.."

We just laughed and continued to eat. Lip is at home and he is studying. Kira and I will talk quickly and I will be right back.

We went to the restroom together and I was just washing my hands while Kira was busy on her phone.

"Oh!"

I looked at Kira in the reflection of the mirror. "Why?"

She looked at me as her eyes widened. "You're in an article in the Cheekbook."

I seemed to be nervous when I heard that from her. Has Rye ever told the media that I slapped him? That jerk! He should be really ready for me when we meet again! He won't really stop pestering me?

Kira handed me her phone and I looked at it. But contrary to what I thought happened. "Sera, he's asking you for a date."

I gritted my teeth. That jerk!