"He asked you for a date?"

It's been two weeks and I didn't bring myself to Fujisaki to the place he wanted me to go. I’m definitely not going to go into the nonsense date he said. I will not allow myself to bite the bait he said so publicly! I was really enraged and even my employees asked me if anything was happening to us privately because he asked me for a date!

"First of all, our clients are increasing because he dragged me into many articles. All of our clients have recently been asking about what kind of relationship Rye and I have. Can you tell your friend about issues like this that suddenly happen? He just brought these up? It's so nonsense!" I shouted and I saw that Ivo gave me a canned soft drink.

"I told you, we're not that close like you thought. His industry is different, that's why it's vague that I can talk to him for just a second or an hour. Maybe he's really interested in you. That's why he mentioned your name to some reporters who asked him. You know you are a different woman, so unique from the others because you’re like a tigress, so maybe you're his target."

I rolled my eyes. "Target? What did he think of us, toys at the fair being shot to get a reward? What kind of brain does he have? I slapped him and I told him how much I hated him. I don't like people like him, swear!"

"You don't really plan to follow what he's saying? Maybe later he'll talk to the media again about you not going. We don't know what's on his mind and that he might be annoyed with you." he added.

I just smirked, "If he's annoyed with me, I'm more annoyed with him. I don't care anymore. Does he make me look like I can't succeed so he mentioned my name publicly just for our clients to increase? I don't need help from him, of all people."

I looked at Ivo as if I just didn't tell him anything. He mentioned that he's his friend before, but even then, they still can talk. He surely didn't want to help me in this matter. Why is it like that? If Rye was really pestering me, it was impossible for him not to talk to that man for even 30 seconds? Is he hiding something from me?

I stayed in the hospital for a few minutes and then left. I actually just went to the hospital to talk to him. I was trying to get some help from him but I didn't get a sensible answer from him. I went back home to prepare a snack for Lip. I got home really early since I finished my jobs quickly. Aileen will take care of supervising the staff there. And one more thing, Lip is about to come home from school. I'll prepare snacks first, maybe just baked cookies. I already hired someone to pick him up from school so I'll just wait.

A few more minutes later, Lip finally arrived with the service driver. The service driver is from one of our delivery drivers at the company so I'm no longer worried about Lip's safety.

"How's your school, Lip?" I asked as soon as he entered the door.

He immediately smiled at me. "Sorry, sister."

I was shocked when he suddenly said that. Then I noticed his right hand with bondage. I immediately touched it gently and looked at him. "Where did it come from? Did you fight with someone?"

I could see the fear in his eyes even though he was smiling so I sighed deeply. "Did you win? Did you knock down the one you punched?"

He laughed at what I said, "I win, no worries. He just bullied me so don't worry anymore, it’s normal. I have to fight back so that such scenarios won't happen again."

As if he speaks like he is really an adult. He really had been through a lot outside so I think he got used to it because of that.

"But Lip, don't hit them back if the argument is also non-sense. The ones with empty brains, they are the ones who say a lot. They only say harsh words to you, maybe they are also jealous. You're a smart kid and they have nothing else to judge you but your background. Everything will pay off, just keep excelling at school, okay?" I asked him and he nodded.

We both ate the cookies I baked and I was happy with his reaction because he was really good at eating. It just means he liked the cookies I made.

"Can I finally call you my mom?"

I was stunned by what I’m eating and looked at him. I really felt so touched when he asked me that, though I also felt relieved. I also want the things I’ve been waiting for to come from him. I don’t want to force him to call me Mom just because I adopted him. He has a free will on his own which made our relationship grow stronger.

"Silly. Of course, it's a yes."

He smiled sweetly at me. "Okay, Mom. Thank you for always being there for me. What happened to me won't happen again. But I can't help but fight back when they insult me. Like you did to Rye. You didn't go to that place. He wants to meet you for a date, doesn't he?"

My eyes widened when he said that. "How did you know that?"

"I read that in the newspaper. I know you won't just agree to things like that. But what are your plans because he might make another article about you. Or maybe something worse will happen."

I just sighed. That really can't be avoided because that man is influential. He is really interfering in my life and many already know that. When will he stop? Did I hurt his pride so much? Tsk, serves him right. It should have been just him so that he would have stopped bothering me but he seems really stubborn.

"Nothing worse is going to happen there. I just want him to know that I don't like what he's doing anymore. Let it go, let's not talk about him anymore." I just said and he nodded.

We also finished eating and suddenly someone called me. I saw that it was Aileen so I answered right away.

"Oh, Aileen, why did you call? It's late." I said.

"Ma'am, all the clients who just bought parts recently pulled out. Because you allegedly rejected Mr. Fujisaki's date offer. Ma'am, we need a strong refund now."

I pursed my lips. Aish! That guy is really annoying! He's a pest!

"It's your passion to really get attention. Will you stop from pestering me? Are you happy that what you want has come true?" I asked him and I saw that he just smirked at what I said. So shameless.

"I have nothing else to ask but to see you always." It was as if I shivered the hardest when I heard that from him.

I gritted my teeth and looked at the media reporters around us now. I had no choice but to go to the man in front of me so that he could stop his evil acts. It's just that, instead of a date happening and me yelling at him in great annoyance, we are surrounded by media reporters here in the restaurant and it seems like every move I make must be calculated because I will be judged based on my actions. It was his plan, obviously. He wanted to embarrass me in front of a lot of people. But what are his other plans, why is he treating me like this?

"Waiter." I heard him speak but he was still looking at me. I'm like that too because I really want to punch him when I have a chance.

The waiter approached and handed him the menu booklet. "What do you want?"

"I don't want to eat. I'm leaving right away, I just want to ask something."

"I want you to eat." He blatantly rolled his eyes at me and looked at the waiter. He pointed to something there on the menu. "Give me these meals." That's all he said and the waiter left.

I roamed my eyes here in a transparent room of the restaurant and the media reporters could not hear what we were saying to each other. I just closed my eyes again to calm myself.

"I knew that you loathe me and I hurt your pride, but why did you know me from the start? Why are you doing this to me? Have I done anything before to make you angry like that to me? The words coming out of you… seems to have a source. I have a decent job, business, and badly wanted a peaceful life. Why did you invite me for a date? I know you don't want a date, you’re just toying with me." I said while catching my breath because my speech was mixed with annoyance.

"You're too noisy for a feisty woman. I just want to continue pestering your life until I see that you're suffering. Just for fun." he said so I clenched my fist.

"Just for fun? You know that all our clients have returned all the parts that they've ordered and it costs us so much because of the turnovers. Are you happy now? Do you have nothing else to do with your life?" I asked and my ears reddened when I heard him laugh.

"It's your fault. Maybe you didn't properly monitor the quality of the parts your business is selling. Why put me the blame? That's your business."

I faked a laugh. "We've been selling quality parts since day one and you’re telling me that to cover up what you’re doing? Asking them to pull out because I didn’t accept your date offer? And don't drag my name in any of the interviews again. You won't get anything from me. Find another person you can trick with your ways."

I was about to get up and to walk away when suddenly some juice was thrown at me, causing my clothes to get wet on my chest.

"Ma'am! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I didn't see you going in my direction! I'm sorry!"

I looked at the waiter who continued to apologize to me. It's a good thing the glass didn't fall off completely, otherwise the supervisor might scold him so much, "No, it's okay. It's not your fault." I just said and turned to the jerk man again.

I walked over to him and I saw that he covered his face with his hands. "Will you slap me again?"

I just smirked and stepped on the part of his body that would definitely hurt him. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"Don't you ever pester me again. Leave me and my business alone." I turned my back on him and walked out of that room smiling.

And as expected, some media reporters approached me immediately but so that they wouldn't approach me, I immediately screamed. They were shocked by what I did so I started acting. "I can't stand his behavior anymore .... he harassed me! He kept on saying such absurd words that my dignity as a woman has been degraded! It's true what women online always say about him, he's really a playboy and doesn't know how to respect women. So beware of him! " I just said with emotions then got the guts to leave.

I walked and ran so that they could no longer reach me. I breathed a sigh of relief as I got into my car and drove it away. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. "You thought that I'm the only one to be brought down? I don't care about your popularity and the control of our clients. You want a war? I'll give you then."

No one has challenged me like this in my whole life so bring it on.

All my employees looked at me when I returned to the site.

"Ma'am, what happened to you?" Aileen asked me as soon as I entered the office.

"Filled with juice." I said and opened the drawer of my table. I picked up the reserved blouse there and looked at Aileen.

"Don't worry about me. What's going on now with the clients?" I asked and I saw that she was stunned.

"Ahh ... that's still the case, Ma'am. We're still halfway through the turnovers. It's really costly and the production has been affected. Have you talked to Sir Rye Fujisaki ---"

"Let's just let what happened go." I just said and walked to the restroom to change.

"Ah, what she said was from our misunderstanding. Actually, we have a good relationship. She's just really feisty. Out of all the women I've met, she's the one I like the most."

I immediately grasped hard the empty soft drink can I was holding because I was so annoyed. I gritted my teeth and I can tell that my nose is smoking right now.

"Ma'am, Sir Rye and you are fine now ---"

I immediately widened my eyes at her. "Aileen, he's just saying those things because he's in front of the media. I was drenched in juice because I was so eager to leave him right away when I talked to him. Actually, we didn't talk properly because of his attitude. He's just annoying me. He just wanted many people to know that he is slowly destroying my image. What he was saying was not true. Don’t believe in him."

"Ah okay, Ma'am. I'm sorry ..." she said to me with a fake smile.

It seems like I’m getting a fever. That man is annoying. What is he, a child? How long will he bother me? I’m not really going to face him anymore, swear. He should mind his own life to date himself. Or maybe he just wants another kick in his treasured part? Haven't I done enough yet?

"Ma'am, I’m going back to my work. Don't stress yourself about the news anymore." said Aileen and I just nodded. How can I not be stressed by the news? Added by the clients who always ask me about my relationship with Rye? Really disgusting anytime.

I picked up my phone and checked that there were messages from Mom. Because my phone is always on silent when working so I don't lose focus. It's already past six o'clock in the evening and my employees and I were still working due to numerous turnovers. I looked at Mom's messages and scrolled.

'Sera, visit us here at the house. It’s your Dad's birthday today, have you forgotten?’

I was stunned and held in my mouth. Omg, it's Dad's birthday! June 10! Why did I forget? It was that man's fault! I will forever blame that man. He is always on my mind, maybe I will think about what he does forever. I don't care about him but he is interfering in my life! So how can I not think of him?

I resumed working even though something else came into my mind. My head really hurts but I'll try my best later not to show it to Mom and Dad. They will worry for sure. I had a torn body when I finished and managed to still fix myself. I left the office and saw my employees waiting for me when I came out.

"Ma'am, don't think about that. You can do it. Fighting!" Aileen said to me and my other employees smiled at me as well.

"But Ma'am, you're pretty fit with Sir Rye even though --- AWWW!" Will couldn't continue what he was saying because Aileen had already pulled his ear. I just sighed at them.

"I'll go first because I had plans for tonight. Be careful while going home." I reminded them.

"Yes ma'am!" they said at the same time so I said goodbye to them.

I went to my car and got in there. I was so excited, I will take Lip there as well. I was about to start the car when suddenly, my phone rang. Mom's calling.

I sighed. "Yes, Mom? I'm going there. Don't worry. Of course it's Dad's birthday so I just have to go." I said and I heard her laugh on the other line.

"We are expecting your adopted son too. Be safe on your way here."

I was shocked when she said that. Ah, I just forgot to tell them! "When did you find out, Mom? I'm sorry I didn't immediately say anything about that." I said.

"Kira told me about Lip. I know that you and Patry already have an independent life. But don't forget us. We don't even have to know your whereabouts everyday, but at least update us sometimes. Especially since we saw you in the news that you already have a relationship and is now famous --- "

"Wait, what?" I immediately asked when I heard the last things she said. "I don't have a relationship with any man, Mom! It was just fake news that Fujisaki was spreading and you know that I don't just agree especially when it comes to such things ---- Hello?"

I looked at my phone and saw that Mom already ended the call. I pursed my lips. Looks like I’m being caged by the issue that came from that guy.

I started the car and drove to my house. Lip immediately greeted me and kissed my cheeks. I still laugh because I see him blush every time he does that.

"Let's change our clothes. We're leaving tonight." I said and I saw that he was stunned.

"Where? It's late."

I just smiled. "We'll visit your grandparents. My Mom and Dad wanted to see you. And don't forget to greet your grandpa, it's his birthday today."

The shock reaction was so obvious on him but he immediately complied. I also changed my clothes and made some adjustments like fixing my daily makeup and such. We immediately got in the car and I saw Lip's nervousness while on the way.

"Don't be nervous. They're kind." I said while driving.

"We didn’t buy a present." I heard him say so I just laughed.

We finally arrived and I immediately parked my car. Lip went out first and entered the gate. I would also like to enter…. when a man with a cap suddenly appeared in front of me, and I almost jumped out of shock.

"Speak up sometime so I know there's someone near me." I told him and I saw that he had a small box wrapped into birthday packaging on his hand.

"I'm giving this to the birthday celebrant, Patrick Bautista." he said and I was surprised when he suddenly left and the box was already handed to me.

Who's that? Maybe it has a bomb? So…. out of curiosity, I opened the box myself.

"Mom, aren't you coming in yet?" I heard Lip call me but I kept opening the box.

At the same time, as I opened and saw inside, there was a strong wind which made me shiver. It was a bit dark around but there was a light here at the gate so I could clearly see what’s inside.

It was some pictures of my Dad... with a woman. They were at the bar and their faces were close to each other. They seem to enjoy it.

And with the second picture, they kissed.