05/08/2022

I carefully pulled the tight red dress over my waist, trying not to ruin it in any way.

“Almost done?”

I grunted, “Yes, calm down.”

I looked at myself in the body mirror hanging on the large dressing room wall.

This looks fine, right?

I pulled my light hair into a small bun, and posed, trying to feel confident. I never really liked showing off my chest, and this dress made sure everyone knew my size.

“Hurry up Layloni, I still need to do your make-up.”

I sighed, “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Santiago?”

“There’s no difference in your first and middle name, why does it matter so much?”

My eyes widened, “Shut up already…”

I angrily walked out of the room and turned the corner to face my lovely auntie.

“Oh my jesus Loni! You look so sexy! We can pull this off after all,” she smiled.

I frowned, “I don’t want to go in this, I’m not even that old..I can stay single for a little while longer…”

Auntie crossed her arms, “No way, you made a promise, you know you can’t break it even if you wanted to.”

I sighed, “Whatever,” then glanced at the other dresses she had picked for me, they showed even more skin.

...I’m just going to stick with this…

“Alright, sit down now,” she ordered.

I closed my eyes after sitting down, waiting for her to perfect my look.

“Well, there’s a reason why I'm the best make-up artist around,” she laughed, proud of her artwork.

I opened my eyes, the girl staring at me from in the mirror looked like a stranger.

I tilted my head, “You sure this’ll work?”

She nodded, then handed me a pair of heels, “Now, go make me and your momma proud.”

I slowly grabbed the heels and turned away, sliding them on.

Tch, if it wasn’t for that stupid promise I made her then…

“Good luck!” Auntie cried as she pushed me out the door.

I shut my eyes and stood there. If it wasn’t for that promise I made to my deceased mother, then I wouldn’t be going to this blind date.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself for anything possible.

I’m the president of the largest company in this country, I can’t let some child interfere with my success.

I bitterly smiled, and walked up to my car, the driver holding open the door for me.

“Miss,” he greeted.

“You know where to go.”

I stepped forward, glancing inside the restaurant, there weren’t many people here, so it’d be easy to find my dear date.

I straightened, and opened the door, the waiter immediately rushed to me and grabbed my jacket.

“Miss Aoki, your table is right this way,” he nervously held out his hand before leading me to my seat.

I noticed a man sitting at a table next to the window, he was relaxed, and gazing outside, like a child.

I flinched a little once the waiter pulled out the chair across the man by the window.

“Here you are Miss Aoki,” he smiled, beads of sweat forming on his face.

I smirked, “You may leave now.”

The man across from me turned and smiled, “It’s a pleasure being able to go out to eat with the famous Miss Aoki.”

I crossed my legs, “Consider yourself very lucky.”

“Cold as ever,” he laughed, “You should be nicer, or i might just reject you after this.”

I turned my nose up, “I don’t care what happens after this.”

He frowned, “Then what’s the point of me being here?”

I looked at the waiter carrying the bottle of wine, “Free food.”

05/12/2022

“Come in.”

My assistant opened the door, “Sorry to interrupt anything important Miss Aoki. But I needed to inform you of something very important...”

I continued to write on the pile of papers in front of me.

She gulped, then bowed, “I apologize!”

I raise an eyebrow, and put the papers down, “Why are you apologizing?”

She trembled, “Please don’t be angry for the sudden leave, but I need to visit America to see my parents. They’re fatally ill, so I need to go see them after today!”

I stared at her, “How long will this leave be?”

“I-I’m not sure yet…”

“Go, now.”

“W-Wait you’re firing me??”

I sighed, “You’re so tedious...If they’re on their deathbed, then you need to see them right now. Take a leave for a month. Contact the company if you need longer. You aren’t fired, I understand your situation.”

She got down on her knees, eyes watering, “Thank you so much Miss Aoki! Those rumors of you being cold hearted are so wrong! You’re the best!!”

I closed my eyes, slowly starting to get annoyed, “Don’t test me girl, now go leave for America already.”

She wiped her tears away, smearing her make-up, “Yes miss Aoki!”

She ran out of my office with a huge sad smile.

I looked down, and released my pen I was holding so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

I sighed, then picked up the phone and called my assistant’s desk, “It’s your job to find a new assistant for when you’re gone. Don’t disappoint me.”

“D-Don’t worry Miss Aoki! I won’t let my favorite boss down!”

“Tch.”

I slammed the phone down a huffed angrily.

I heard a soft knock at the door, I looked up gritting my teeth, “What do you want??”

“I-I’m the new assistant appointed by Miss Heidi.”

That was fast...

I grunted angrily, “Go get me a cup of tea.”

“Y-Yes ma’am!”

The boy behind my office door ran down to the lounge. While I glanced around the room, trying to calm down.

Damnit...not right now…

I heard another soft knock at my door.

“What?!” I yelled.

“Is that any way to speak to your Auntie?” she grunted back.

“Get the **** out of here!!”

“Excuse me?” she laughed, “What’s wrong with you?”

I huffed, and unknowingly threw my chair at the door, breaking the arms of it.

I slammed my fist on my desk, angry that I broke my chair, then yelled frustrated that I bent my desk.

Auntie thrusted open the door, and caught her breath watching me, worry in her eyes.

I started to blink slower, catching my breath, but heard a loud ringing in my ears.

I cupped my ears trying to block it out, but it didn’t help. I looked around, things started to become fuzzy-like.

Not now….