Chapter 3: Then Date Me

So his name is Juanjo and not Juan, Theresa looked like she aged another 10 years after she saw the man she has been looking for for the last two years. She glances at him from time to time trying to think what to do next.

On the other hand, Juanjo has been having goosebumps ever since he laid his eyes on this woman. He is now feeling a little embarrassed because Theresa is very bold for staring at him straight for a couple of minutes now. This woman, she’s not even hiding it he said to himself.

The whole party was very fun except for the two restless people having a staring contest for the longest time. They are both seated on the furthest opposite side of the building but the tension between them is very overwhelming. Everyone in the room can feel it but none of them mentioned it. In the eyes of other people, especially those who don’t know them, they looked like a newly divorced couple who met unexpectedly.

Juanjo looked really appetizing, especially in his blue tuxedo. Many girls tried to talk to him and each one of them received a deadly glare from a woman not so far away from them. Theresa looked like she was gonna kill at any moment so the other girls are forced to back out. If looks could kill, she could have killed a few dozens now. Many fear Theresa not only because of her position in the company but because of her fierce attitude and savage mouth when she talks.

Juanjo who can’t bear it anymore went straight right in front of her. “Is there any problem Ms. Sy?” he sounded playful but his words have a tinge of coldness in them. Theresa immediately snapped when suddenly the man he was observing from afar is now right in front of her, talking.

“Are you married?” Theresa mindlessly replied to him then later realized what she just said. What the fuck Theresa is that all you have to say after 2 years of hardship? For the first time in her long time career, the proud iron lady of Zen Inc. felt ashamed of the thing that she has done.

“Hahahaha was that all you wanted to ask the whole time?” Juanjo sat beside her and poured her a glass of wine. Theresa just awkwardly smiled, shame is written all over her face. She practiced a lot of lines in the past 2 years preparing herself when she will see him again one day but she forgot them all when it is very much needed. Great! Just great.

He sat right next to her and looked around before leaning close to Theresa and whispered “How about you guess.” The woman’s heart immediately pounded because of what he did. Right now, the Iron Lady of Zen Inc. looked like a shy teenager confessing to a crush for the first time.--scary. Theresa was about to say something but the music immediately started and everyone took a partner and rocked the dance floor.

“Can I have this dance?” Juanjo bowed and offered Theresa to dance which she gladly accepted. The waltz music immediately started and everyone went to their own spaces to dance. The two newly met couple went to the middle of the dance floor as it is the only remaining place available and also, it would be very suspicious if they will stay is a corner.

Juanjo put his hand on her bareback and the other was holding her hand. As the music started, the two started swaying with the music. The man seemed nonchalant about what is happening while the other party seemed like she’s going to explode at any moment. Theresa looked at the face of the man right in front of her. Never in her dreams over the past 2 years did she lose hope in finding this man. And now he is so near to her yet he seemed too far.

Theresa slightly frowned after seeing the man in front of him is behaving. He looked really happy but his emerald eyes say the opposite. All the girls are looking, waving, and sending flying kisses to him and he always responds with a very flirty wink.  Theresa’s eyes almost roll 360 degrees on its socket every time he does it.

She can't wait to mark this man and announce it to everyone that he belongs to her.

“Have we met before?” after the long silence while dancing, Theresa was the first one to break the silence. “That’s a very old line for hitting Ms. Sy” he looked at Theresa in the eyes trying to annoy her but he was greeted back by a curious and sincere eye which made him feel awkward.

“I’m sure this is the first time we met Ms. Sy, why? Have we met before--”

“Are you married?” before Juanjo could even answer, another question was asked again. Although he felt really awkward right now, he tried his best to answer her respectfully. “I am not married”

“Then you must be divorced?” 

“Are you a widower?”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Are you seeing someone right now?

“Do you have any kids? Or any commitment to someone?” Theresa questioned non-stop.

“Stop! Stop-stop okay?!” Juanjo was not able to keep it in and almost lost his composure in front of her. The continuous questioning about his personal matter seemed really offending for and him and he felt that it was really unnecessary and unethical.

Disturbed by the slight raising of the voice, many people on the dance floor slightly moved closer to the two, hoping to sound some news they could talk about in the office tomorrow.

“I’ll make this clear to you, I am not married or divorced and especially not a widower Ms. Sy. Clearly, you acted unethically and I am deeply offended” Juanjo stopped dancing and looked at her one last time before leaving.

Theresa looked at him in the eyes and observed his every behavior. He seemed shaken and quite triggered after asking him consecutively with her baloney questions. Before he could even reach the door of the venue, the music coincidentally stopped and a seductive voice echoed in the whole place.

“Then date me.” Theresa who is so desperate of making him stay couldn't stop her mouth. It was too late, her voice rang in every corner of the dance floor and all eyes were glued on them. 

Many were shocked at what they heard. Some are in awe and many of them shivered. The Iron Lady who can kill a person with just her words is now looking like a tamed urban cat waiting to be pet by its owner. Every employee of Zen Inc. are thinking the same thing right now,

‘Juanjo Manolo-- what an unlucky man’