"Is she in?" a man in his middle twenties asked the receptionist. It was obvious to the lady that he was in a rush because he didn't wait for her to answer. He walked passed her and entered the room. "Yep, she's in. Obviously, she is in or else why would you even be here?", said the receptionist to herself rolling her eyes while looking at the door he slammed behind him.

"Just what the hell you think you're doing?" He shouted in disbelieve. He even banged the table to gain her attention. The lady in front of him was looking at her laptop then switched her eyes to her computer every now and then. She didn't even budge an inch. He then glared at her until she couldn't pretend to be not noticing anymore.

"What? Is working on your table quietly without moving your attention to a hot guy a crime? Are you here to arrest me for that, Mr Policeman? Do you even know how hard it is to work for a jerk without even having your breakfast and lunch? You wouldn't disturb me if you have realized how important this work is to me until I am willing to sacrifice my precious mealtime for this job." But it didn't sound as funny as she thought to him. He took the thinnest file on the table and folded it. Before she knew what's coming she became the victim to a harsh file hit-on-the-head.

"Ouch! Stop that! Will you..? Please..?" She covered her head and looked up to him. She was smiling at him. Her smile was so bright that anyone would think she's a sunshine. Is that what she is? He raised an eyebrow, looking very angry.

"I know, I know! I'm sincerely sorry!" She placed her left palm on her head for a few seconds and then she combed her dirty blonde hair smoothly with her fingers. She sighed heavily.

She noticed that he's still looking at her but not glaring anymore. He looked worried, like he always did. She felt bad because no matter how much he loves her, she always ends up hurting him. Seeing him hurt is not one of her intentions. But she has to do it somehow, by any means.

"Alright! Alrighttt! I will take 'the' responsibility like a woman", she said it out aloud to herself and shot him her-serious-stare. He looked at her even more worried because he knew what comes next. He took a few steps away from her table. She took off her reading glasses and placed it gently on the pile of files. She stepped back from her table and cat-walked towards him. He got a perfect view of her. She wore a candy red, long-sleeved lace dress which was a few inches off her knees. Her crimson lipstick goes perfect with the dress. He wondered, how she does not need any make up to cover up her flaws? Oh, wait! It's because she doesn't have any. Yet, she did put on some make up.

She walked close to him and cupped his handsome cheeks with both her hands. She ran her thumbs in circles as if she was massaging his cheeks. She does remember those days when she had crushed on him for his jawlines. They were too perfect to be sexy. She ran her fingers along his jawlines. "You have never changed." She told him looking into his gray eyes. He saw pools of tears were forming in her innocent eyes.

"Don't do this to yourself. End this stupidity!" He demanded her, which almost sounded as if he is pleading. "I will!" She whispered softly in his left ear.

The door flung open. A man entered the room and eyed the couple.

The man who was already in the room was caressing the lady's face with his left hand. While she held his right hand close to her heart. She kissed the back of his right hand which he has now curled into fist. He then opened his mouth to say something but realized that they were not by themselves. He turned facing the door.

"Excuse me? Do you even know how to knock the door?" He was transferring flaring glares to the man at the door. "I'm sorry, mister. I was told, I should be in here as soon as I got the message. I didn't know you were in". The man answered as if it was not his fault. "Whether I'm in or out, you should have knocked before you entered this room. And you better STAY AWAY FROM HER!" He threatened the other guy who now looked dumbfounded.

"It's okay, Case. Leave." She whispered. He squeezed her hand before letting it go. He turned around and stormed out of the room with a bang on the door.

It was the end of their relationship. For Grace, an ending is always a beginning to something.

___

"Have a seat!" She offered the man.

"Thank you, Miss Jonah", he said with a smile.

"I see, you are in a good mood. I guess your marriage proposal turned out well. She didn't wait for his answer, maybe she wasn't expecting him to answer. (Her eyes narrowed and she steadied them on him) Anyways, do you have what I asked for? (He looked clueless) The file?". Her understand-my-serious-situation aura was occupying the room.

"Yes, Boss. It's right here", he handed her the file. "Are you sure about this? I mean there are other temporary alternatives to be considered", he looked at his boss worriedly.

"This is temporary as well, Mr Joseph. Stop worrying about me and focus on your wedding". She smiled at him. "You may go", she pointed the file at the door. "One more thing, if anybody come to know about this, that'll be your last day breathing". She announced coolly without making any eye contact with her assistant.

****

SECRET GARDEN'S

****

"What do you mean by that? How can you even think I would do something like that?" He paused. "Oh wait! Is this because you are too rich that you can do anything you want? Just who the hell are you to decide what's good for me? Huh?"

The man clearly lost his temper listening to what this crazy woman had just said. He was raging with anger. Once again, she didn't even budge which made him burn even more.

She simply looked outside the window and asked, "Is that the reason?" She paused. "Whatever! See, I give you one week to think about this and to reconsider your answer. It might get ugly for you. Besides, you already have enough of problems to deal with. Am I wrong, Mr Rogers?" She smirked and then winked at the glass of wine she's holding. Then, she laughed as if they are in the middle of a stand-up comedy show. Sure enough, the waiters and waitresses had their eyes set on her. Out of nowhere, she stood up and banged the table with her hands. Her eyebrows pinched together and she looked furious. In a serious tone, she shouted, "Do you seriously think I come to you unprepared? Hell.. If you do this willingly, you'll have some benefits as well. But if I make you do this, it will pain both of us. Think. Wisely." She was furious because she had no other choice, but of course he does have a lot of choices. Besides, for him, getting rid of her will be the first choice.

With that she stormed out of the restaurant. He was standing there hoping all of these were jokes and he's just a part of the joke. She was right! He already had enough to deal with. He can't let her get into his head. He stared at his already-leaving-the-restaurant-rival-devil in disbelieve.

A lady in her middle twenties was walking alone in the street. Her car broke down but thank God, her house is somewhere along the street. She was thinking about something, deep thoughts indeed. She looked around but the street is quiet. Suddenly she heard a conversation out of nowhere. When she looked in front, she saw a mother and her daughter walking hand in hand in front of her. Unfortunately, she accidentally locked her purse in the car along with her iPhone. She walked close to the ladies to ask for a favour.

"Uhmm.. excuse me.. I", they didn't notice her as they were talking to each other. She waved her hand to get their attention but ended up being ignored again. So, she decided to just walk quietly until she reaches home. She overheard their conversation and it sounded very familiar to her as if it was just a part of her memory. She remembers everything that happened at that night. Those memories are crystal clear to her although time has passed and nobody else remembers anything.

Daughter: Mommy, why did you marry him? (The little girl looked very sad. She held her mother's hand tightly as she began to cry)

Mother: (Still smiling at the girl, she said) Because I love him, sweetheart. He seemed to be the right man. He rescued me, helped me and loved me like nobody else.

Daughter: (The girl looked disappointed with that answer and she added) You sure he loved you? Do you still love him?

Mother: (Now the mom looked worried as she knows what her daughter thinks. The mom knelt on the street and put her arms around the little girl's shoulders) Look dear! I know things are not the way they used to be. I can't promise you a happy life. But mommy will try my best to give you everything you deserve. Even if mommy's not here, remember, I'll always watch over you!

Daughter: But mommy, what will I do without you? (The girl hugged her mother tightly, scared of being left alone)

Mother: Even if I'm not around, you will live for yourself. Live a life you have always desired. We may not have a happy life now but if we do our best, you'll surely have a happy ending sweetheart. Remember, hatred or revenge  is not the only solution for any trouble. Mommy loves mommy's little princess a lot. Mommy can't see you hurt. Okay? (The girl nodded) Let's go. It's getting late.

She watched the mother and daughter walking away and soon disappeared. When she turned around she realized that she has reached her home. She opened the door with a spare key and took a deep breath. Revenge. She heard clearly what the mother told her daughter about how not to revenge but she also told the daughter to live her life happily. Contradiction. What if revenge is the only way to live a happy life?

****

Grace Jonah is 25. She is the CMO of Bourne Corporation. She is young to hold such a title. She thinks she earned that title although the truth is that she was given that job. Life has never been easy ever since her mom passed away. Grace was sent to a foster family where her foster parents' children treated her badly for the next two weeks. Why only two weeks? Because after the two weeks a man showed up at their doorstep self-claimed himself as her father and fought for her custody rights. It is the father she hadn't heard of since the day they left their previous house. The next thing she knew, she is a member of the Jonah's house along with his other daughters and son. She never liked any of them and they never liked her too. She never really bothered them. Now, she's working for him in his corporation. Like it or not, she will see him every single day for as long as it takes. 

Her father is very demanding and wants things to be done the way he wanted them to be done. Grace on the other hand, has to do them for him since he is the boss although at times she doesn't want to do as he says. Of all the things, her father made her do, this is the worst. If only she was as important as his other precious daughters he wouldn't have gone this far. But there are no 'ifs' in her life. It has been years and she doesn't wish to turn back time and fix things. She would rather fix the future than fixing her imperfect past. Her heart ached in anger and disappointment.

****

Flashback: 6 hours earlier

****

"Ms Jonah, the boss wants to see you in his room now. He's waiting for you", said the boss's secretary. She looked up at the girl and nodded. When the secretary left, Grace covered her tired face with her hands and mumbled, "what the hell he wants now?"

Her father rarely paid attention to her. He never really wanted to see her unless he needs her to do something for him. Countless of times, she thought he's a complete jerk but still she would quietly put up with his dramas.

She knocked and entered the room without waiting for his response. Mr Jonah was already waiting for his daughter to settle down on the chair. He stared at his daughter for a while before he began. "We have an issue! Do you remember, William?"

She guessed, "The CEO of Mercury Corp?"

"Yes and he would like to have dinner with you tonight. Choose your words carefully or else you might ruin our opportunity to become their ally. Remember, this is important!" He warned her firmly.

"Is that all? May I know what is this meeting about? Should I bring my assistant with me? Because if this is work-related he'll be very helpful". Her mind already started mind-mapping all the possible reasons of this particular meeting. It was never under her department to meet important people and investors, especially not hers. Besides, there is something fishy about this meeting. She detected a dirty fish pond somewhere in the conversation. She could smell it.

"No need for that! Since the meeting is at the well-known hotel of William's, you might want to be appropriate". He said without looking at her face. Yep, surely a fish pond ahead. 

Whatever feelings she had for her father, she never mix them up with her work. And so she dressed up to meet the business magnate. She put on her black silk sleeveless dress, matching accessories and a dramatic make up. She looked obviously stunning.

****

A few hours later at The Williams Hotel

****

She was greeted by a man in tuxedo, who also seems to know her. He brought her to a table which was reserved and decorated with fancy flowers. Those flowers enlightened her spirit. A familiar man was already seated at the table. She met him last time during a business convention. He was a tall, dark, and quite a handsome man in his late forties. He had this genuine smile on his face which is capable of warming any cold heart. But what can he be possibly want from me, is what she thought. He smiled at her as soon as he noticed her in the room. She smiled back. They had a wonderful dinner and talked about how their business is going on. He made some jokes which made her laugh instantly. She liked how he isn't as bad as her father in making jokes. But then comes the real news.

"Thanks for coming, Ms Jonah"

"Ah! The pleasure is mine Mr William. We are lucky to be doing business with you. I've heard a lot about your business adventures but never had a chance to meet you in person". She offered him sincere smile.

"Yeah, about the wedding... I didn't expect you would agree".

"Pardon. You're getting married? That's a great news Mr William. Congratulations! I guess the future Mrs William is one lucky person". She talked excitedly without noticing the sudden change in his expression. 

"I'm sorry, Ms Jonah. I thought you already knew! The wedding is in between you and me". He said in disappointment which made her spit out the sip of wine she just took in. She gave him a disgusted look which she hoped he'll keep it in his empty head forever. She didn't see that coming. But then, she thought it was somehow funny. She controlled her laughter. So this is the fish pond she sensed earlier.

"Eh..uhmmm.. I have to prepare for tomorrow's presentation. I got to go! I'm sorry". She excused herself and left the hotel. She drove back angrily, wishing to kill her father for setting her up with someone who's almost twice her age. How can he do this to her? "Ugh! That old selfish man! He has two other daughters who he can marry to that rich man. Why me? And why in the world a nice person like Mr William is still single?" She sighed. She was so angry that she lost focus and accidentally hit a tree near a junction, her car broke down. So she had to walk back home. She had called a friend to pick up her car and fix it.

****

End of Flashback

****

"That's it!"

She dialed her secretary's mobile number and asked him to get prepared for the showdown.

"Remember Project Wild-hunt? I want to have a look at it in three days! Make sure you have each and every details of the preys and predators!"

Phase 1: PROJECT PREPARATIONS (CHECKED ✔️)

****

The next day she stormed into the meeting hall, pretending to not seeing anyone in the room. She shouted, "How can you do this to me? How can you arrange my marriage without my knowledge, especially to someone I respect; to someone I look up to as an idol?"