Chapter 12

'No! I don't want to!" I exclaimed firmly and was about to stand from sitting when Felicity suddenly grabbed my arm and made me stay from where I was sitting. 'Just for once, Elyana. Please... pretty please... date him so he will stop pressuring me. I have other clients to take care of. I'm planning to go somewhere. I don't have enough time to arrange him for my female clients now that I have already tried doing so many times. Please! Help me, just with this person, please!" he begged. He even kneeled on the floor which shocked me the most. 'H-Hey, girl...get up!" Ordering him, but he didn't want to listen. I couldn't believe that was what he would ask me to do after so many years we were apart but he seemed to be in trouble with his client, and I'd seen it as well, but what should I do? I had other plans too. 'Pleaseee?" he pleaded. He stayed kneeling while both palms of his hands touching. Felicity looks like praying, but knowing what he wanted from me, I'm not a saint to agree. 'I don't want to date that guy and besides, I don't think I will suit his taste," I reasoned. 'I agree in some ways that you two aren't a match, but we can work it out later; just date him so I can handle my other clients and continue looking for a match for that demanding man." 'W-Way? What?" I suddenly got curious about what he had in mind. 'Does that mean you're willing to be his date now?" he asked, and the face of my crazy gay friend suddenly lit up. I didn't want to disappoint him but...I looked into his face. Seeing how thick his makeup was made me frown. The lipstick he used was too bright red and redder than mine. His thick eyelashes that I knew weren't fake could offend anyone. I looked straight into his eyes and answered, 'No." Then raised one eyebrow. He had given me a disappointing glance, he stood from kneeling and returned to his seat just opposite to mine. He crossed his arms right on his chest and gazed at me and his eyebrows were millimeters apart. I knew he was thinking with the way he pouted and stared at me. 'What shall I do to persuade you to say yes? Do you want a new bag? A house and lot? Maybe a new car?" he asked while motioning one of his hands as if he were a wizard holding a magic wand. He made me chuckle. I couldn't believe he tried bribing me with those even though he knew it was no use, but I admit, I got teased to go with the flow. 'Are you serious about those?" I asked him after laughing so hard at his offer. 'I'm gorgeous and deadly serious! Isn't it obvious? He's worth one bag. I heard he's generous. It only happened that he had an attitude. You know..." 'Did that man's generosity get onto you, and you seem to be stressing so much over him?" 'Oh my gosh! Just help me with this—why do I feel you're not my best friend anymore?" He looked away dramatically. He suddenly grabbed a napkin and acted like he was wiping tears from his eyes. It was so dramatic... but for a split second, I didn't think he was acting when I saw tears. He started sniffing and wiping his nose with the other part of the cloth he was holding. We were currently in an Italian restaurant, and I could sense pairs of eyes coming from different directions staring at me. The restaurant was a bit far from Felicity's office, but he said he liked something Italian, and I no longer insisted because it was his treat. We were already waiting for our orders when he continued pleading. He kept asking me to date his so-called demanding client named, Florentin. I found out his whole name was Quintin Generoso. He was about to turn 40 in two months, a playboy who wanted to settle down already, and with the countless women he had met, a playboy had a hard time finding his match among them. Well, it wasn't surprising at all with his impatience and attitude toward people. I wasn't sure what answer to give. I didn't want to go on a date, but at the same time, I wanted to help him. He continued crying. It even got louder. People were looking at us already and it was a shame for me because it seemed Felicity didn't care. I closed my eyes and made a decision. 'Okay, when?" I asked him. He suddenly stopped crying. 'Oh, my God! I knew it! I didn't make a mistake with you, my best friend! Oh gosh, Elyana!" he exclaimed, emphasizing who we were, I felt shy when I saw people looking and they seemed irritated already with Felicity's loudness. 'Could you please lower your voice? The entire diner has been staring at us," I told him because they asked us to leave. Frankly, his voice could hurt people's eardrums. More like a squeal whenever he stifles his voice when he talks. When he realized what I told him was real he almost hid himself under the table. I thought he didn't care. He apologized for his loudness and to show he was really sorry, he treated everyone with their desserts and it seemed nothing happened afterward. 'He replied! He says he's good with it. You can meet him later." 'He doesn't look so desperate to date me soon, does he?" I raised my eyebrows because Felicity had just sent a message to her demanding client. He immediately replied and wanted to meet me as soon as possible. 'Isn't it obvious? It looks like he's desperate like he has a personal reason for acting that way." 'Oh, I can smell the pressure from his family. It's like that often," I answered as I was stunned by the information he was feeding me. I suddenly remembered my ex-husband. We also received pressure from his family as well to give them a grandchild immediately. It was more on his father while his mom told us to be patient. If that man was being pressured to find a match by a family member, it would make sense. I understand that very well. 'So, are you good later at night?" the trickster asked. 'I'm good if he's safe to be around," I quickly replied. 'Well, yes, of course. I have background checks on all my clients, and I can say that one can be trusted even if he is a natural playboy. According to my resources, asking a girl to sleep with him is not his habit. You know, he's still a gentleman. He's just afraid of being sued," Felicity said with a matching rolling of his eyes and because he was driving, he couldn't do his mannerism of gesturing with his hand. We were on our way back to his office. I asked the driver to come and pick me up at the same place where he left me. When we arrived, the driver still wasn't there so Felicity and I used that time to talk. When we were inside his office, he handed me some files where the basic information about the guy was printed there. 'Here," he reached for another, only for me to discover two bond papers and handwritten notes. 'Those are the qualities he's looking for. Read it, and you'll know that you fit. There are just a few things that wouldn't work for him, but you can lie even just tonight, and after your date, you don't show up anymore." I raised my eyebrow when he told me not to show up after the date. I looked straight into his face and an idea crossed my mind. 'Wait—why does it seem like you have other plans with that client of yours?" I asked out of my curiosity. 'Well, the truth is, I want him to like you. He's a very bossy guy. You don't know how much he has been giving me headaches since he came here to my office." 'Honestly, I like what you're thinking. Do you want me to teach him a lesson? I feel like I'm game for some fun right now." 'Whatever you're thinking, do it. I'll take care of it after. Just don't give in to that man. Just like I told you already, he's a playboy, so be careful." 'I think you forgot I have a brat side," I said with a bit of swagger. 'Woah! I honestly forgot about that," he uttered, causing us both to laugh so loud. After that conversation, I let him work while I focused on reading Quintin Generoso's files. I learned a lot that might have impressed many girls in his background. Besides the good-looking, rich, and responsible son, reading that he was a mama's boy and gave me a silly smile. Wow, what! Mama's boy, playboy! It was hard to believe. If that man was a genuine Mama's boy, he would not be a playboy, because his mother would be his guide and he would respect women. I continued reading, and I found out he no longer had a mother, and that made me feel sad, but even after I read that part, my question about how and what motivated him to become a playboy was still not answered. Just too intriguing— I only stopped scanning the files when my cell phone rang inside my handbag. It turned out it was the driver calling already. 'Hey, girl! I have to go!" I waved Felicity goodbye. 'Okay, take care!" His gaze fixed on her computer screen as he said this. I stood up from my seat and was about to leave his office when he suddenly spoke. He gave me the time and name of the restaurant where I would be seeing this demanding person. 'Alright," I mumbled. 'Don't forget to update me, huh!" he shouted before I stepped my foot out of his office. 'Yes, I will!" I answered 'I still have these, I'm not done reading all your notes yet," I added while raising the files I was holding right above my head. 'Sure, just don't forget to return it," he quickly answered. He no longer waited for my answer, but I would return even if he didn't ask. I just need more information about the guy I will date, and I admit, he was interesting. I immediately saw the car waiting for me. I asked the driver to take me to the mall. We were on the road when I went back to scan the file and while I did, I realized something about why he seemed familiar when I saw him earlier that day. I had already met him at an event in England, at an auction of land and houses. I remembered him because my ex-husband was the one who introduced him to me. ‘Such a small world, isn't it?' We reached the shopping mall and I looked for a boutique. Going to find a few clothes that I need because I only have a few in my luggage. I left most of my clothes at my ex-husband's house, and I no longer cared what he would do with them. ‘He could wear those if he wants,' I thought. I searched for something to wear on my date. Planning to find something he wouldn't like. No plans to impress him or to look seductive in front of him. All I wanted was to teach him something that I knew he wouldn't forget for the rest of his life. I had gotten ready, but I was having second thoughts about meeting Quintin. I got exhausted shopping for clothes that afternoon. When I was supposed to buy only a few things to put in my closet, I bought almost 10% of the dresses, sleepwear, and shoes displayed in just one boutique. Who can blame me though? The aesthetic hues of the clothes and the softness of the fabrics were too delicate for the skin. Fitted for tropical countries just like the Philippines. The designs were cute, from the florals to the prints, and I felt like a teenager again after trying a few.