2 - Meet up 2.0

Her voice was so warm and stunning to hear. His heart thumped wildly.

"Are you okay?" Garnet asked when he didn't move.

What was he supposed to do? Why did he feel this unusual sensation? Why, all of a sudden, did just hearing her sweet voice send his system into a riot?

"John," she muttered. He swallowed the lump in his throat before forcing himself to face her.

She had an innocent look, yet her smile was fancy and dazzling. Her straight blonde hair cascaded down her waist in soft curls. Her nose was perfectly shaped, her lips luscious, and her long dark lashes accentuated her not-so-big brown eyes.

He noticed her fair, flawless complexion, which stood out even more against her light blue champagne sequin dress. Her slender body complemented her elegant attire.

Her height was also ideal. At 5'8", she was perfectly within his preferred range—tall but not more than 6'0".

She looked like a supermodel, exuding both charm and elegance. Sensual, but in a refined way.

"Let's have a seat," she invited.

He took a deep breath before walking toward the set-up table. He pulled out a chair for her before sitting down.

"I arranged a date two days ago, but you didn’t show up. Still, I waited patiently for the day you’d be ready to meet me in person," she began calmly.

"I wasted four hours waiting here that day," she added.

She still wore an adorable smile, showing no sign of annoyance. Or maybe she was just good at hiding it, displaying patience and understanding instead.

"But don’t worry, it’s fine. I understand that you weren’t ready yet to meet your future wife, John Flord."

"It’s Flord. Don’t call me John Flord," he corrected. He hated hearing his full name—it reminded him of how his father addressed him when angry.

She flashed a quick smile before turning serious again. He noticed a simple gray elastic wristband on her wrist.

"Okay, but I prefer to call you John. It sounds more manly."

His eyebrows rose. Manly, huh?

"Your parents are eager to discuss the wedding details. What are your thoughts? I’d like to hear your input, especially regarding the wedding program."

"Our wedding? How about a fake one?" he suggested.

She chuckled. "Is that what you want?"

He let out a deep sigh. "I just don’t want to get married."

"But you’ll thank me after the wedding," she said, smiling mysteriously.

He simply nodded. Marriage is surely the last resort to save their business.

---

OFFICE HOURS – Answering Ashley’s Questionnaire

"Have you ever fallen in love with a woman?"

He rolled his eyes. Again, what an annoying question. He had to be honest, though—it was for his sister’s publications project.

"Maybe... I’m not sure yet. It felt like admiration that faded after a week."

Sounded more like infatuation.

"How many girlfriends have you had?"

Another dumb question.

"One in high school and one in college."

"Do you believe that love is blind?"

Definitely not! Love is about acceptance.

He placed his palm on his face, realizing this questionnaire was probably just part of Ashley’s joke. She knew he hated talking about his love life.

Sipping his coffee, he moved on to the next question—then nearly choked when he read it.

"Have you ever had sex with a woman? If yes, what position do you prefer?"

What the heck, Ashley?!

What kind of project was this?!

Fudge! She was so annoying.

He almost crumpled the paper in frustration but spotted another question.

"What is your biggest regret?"

He froze.

His high school ex-girlfriend flashed through his mind.

‘ Back in high school, I was the campus heartthrob—a consistent, famous guy. I made a terrible mistake. I hurt someone. A girl. A freaky geek, always bullied. The bullies made a deal with me, and though I didn't want to, I went along with it... and I hurt her.’ he answered calmly.

He wish he could see her again and apologize.

"What did you do to resolve it?"

Oh? There's a follow-up question?!

‘ Nothing. To this day, I haven’t fixed it. I’m still waiting for a chance to see her again and say sorry in person. ’

"Do you want to settle down with the woman you love?"

He sighed deeply.

If God gives me the right one, why not?

But he was marrying a stranger.

Then his eyes caught the final question. He read it twice, thinking he must have misread it.

"Are you gay?"

His jaw dropped.

Ashley put that question there on purpose!

She wanted to expose his secret.

‘ I’m not, of course! And what’s wrong with being gay, huh? Does it even matter?!’ His outburst echoed in his head.

He leaned back in frustration. Why was he being so defensive?

Grabbing a fresh questionnaire, he answered everything again—calmly and cleanly this time.

When he reached the last question again, he hesitated.

If he wrote that he wasn’t gay, the answer would still make it seem like he was—because he had no idea how to flirt with women.

How did people even flirt?

Whenever a woman flirted with him, he just felt uncomfortable and wanted to escape.

His parents didn’t know his true identity. He had kept it a secret for years. And how much longer could he keep hiding it?

If he came out, his father might kick him out. That was why he never dared to confess. He didn’t want to be bullied or belittled.

He sighed and placed the questionnaire inside a brown envelope.

Just then, his secretary entered his office.

"Sir, someone is looking for you."

"Who?"

"Miss Garnet Sytone," she answered.

At the mention of her name, his system went into panic mode. His heart pounded erratically. He placed a hand over his chest.

Was he having a heart attack?

"Sir, are you alright?" Althea asked with concern.

"I-I’m fine," he stammered.

His secretary chuckled at his flustered state.

"When your heart beats for someone, there’s nothing you can do but follow it," Althea teased.

He glared at her. "She’s not the one."

"Then why are you acting like a teenager who just got a surprise visit from his ultimate crush?" she mused, grinning.

"Oh, sir, this is your chance to confess your feelings!" she added playfully.

"My boss is in love for the first time!"

"Shut up!" he snapped. She straightened up, smirking.

"Why don’t you just get back to work and focus on your reports?"

Althea zipped her lips but couldn’t hide her amused smile.

"Miss Gererra, I am not in love!" he yelled defensively.

She just nodded knowingly before he decided to stand up and leave.