| Fan Fiction |
by bratinella
"You left me hanging yesterday, Ariel. What happened to your meeting with the manager of the Tien Realty?" Mia asked as she sat at the edge of Ariel's table.
Ariel smiled a bit. "Like what I've told you yesterday, they've given us the contract."
"That fast?" Her eyebrows raised and although surprised, her eyes are twinkling. "Oh, well, they must have really appreciated your work. And I'm really so glad, Ariel. Our company really needs this job, hija. Money aside, Wang Advertising keeps me going. What will I do without this company?"
Ariel pitied the old woman. Eversince her husband died, she spent most of her time with the company. Jiro left the country and chose to work abroad. And that's the reason why she can't abandon her job. She owed Mia a lot when Jiro agreed to be presented as her "husband".
"You're not going to lose this company, Aunt Mia," she said assuringly. "Except for the Tien Realty, we'll get more contracts."
"With you around, hija, I can be very sure of that."
"Eherm!"
The 2 ladies glanced at the open door. They saw Joe in a dashing signature black polo shirt and black slacks.
"Good morning, ladies." Joe smiled, whose eyes lingered longer with Mrs. Wang, but just scarcely glanced with Ariel.
"H-hello, Joe." Ariel's heart started to beat faster. "Sit down. Aunt Mia, this is Mr. Cheng. One of the owners and managing director of the Tien Realty."
Mia smiled and shook Joe's hand. "Oh, hello, Mr. Cheng. I'm Mrs. Wang."
"My pleasure, ma'am." The smile on his face were still there. "I'm terribly sorry if I dropped by this early, but Ariel forgot to give me the advertising campaign that she made." Joe glanced at Ariel whose eyes widened.
"She forgot?" Mia asked. Her eyes moved back and forth to Joe and Ariel. "You mean you never had the chance to even look at it?"
Joe nodded.
"Then, how you were able to study and approved her work if-"
"The Lin's and Cheng's were friends way back, Mrs. Wang," he replied amusingly. "Ariel and I have the same alma mater and I know that she's great."
"Damn you, Joe Cheng!" Ariel muttered silently.
"And you're giving us the contract just because of that?"
"That and my confidence with her capabilities and skills. Can I have the proposal today and probably discuss with you some of the ideas?"
"But of course... of course," Mia agreed as she looked back at Ariel, who doesn't know what to say or do. "Where is it, hija?" She then, turned back to Joe. "I'm sorry, I forgot to offer you something. What would you like to have, Mr. Cheng? Coffee? Juice?"
"Coffee is fine, thank you."
"I'll fix it myself," Mia said and walked out the room.
"Damn you, Joe!" Ariel whispered angrily. "You made me look like a fool. I'm sure Aunt Mia will ask me why did you gave us the contract without even looking at my work."
Joe shrugged his shoulders. "Then, tell her the truth that you owed me a lot. You should be happy that I even gave your company a favor."
Ariel dropped the papers on top of the table. "I didn't owe you anything, Joe. Whatever happened from the past, it was long over. I didn't do anything to you so, I owed you nothing," she said, eyes pleading.
Joe's face sharpened and walked towards her. Ariel was trapped at the corner of the room. "Stop the theatrics, Ariel! I know you're good at that!"
"For heaven's sake, Joe, sit down," she shrieked, wanting to go hysterical.
"Well, well, I still have that effect on you, didn't I?" he whispered in a dangerous tone. He reached for her nape and drew her closer to him.
If she's just not thinking that they're in an office, Ariel will scream loud. She parted her lips to protest, but her voice didn't able to get out. Joe's lips covered hers as he kissed her violently, like his kiss at the stream.
She wanted to struggle, but she couldn't do it. She was paralyzed with mixed emotions. Whatever he's doing to her body, it has a big effect on her. And afterall these years... after missing him so much.
The way he kissed changed when she responded. He was kissing her softly and tenderly as if she's a precious crystal. Like that night, under the moonlight, when he so gently took her.
He stopped kissing her when he tasted the single tear that fell from her eyes.
"Damn you, Ariel!" Joe whispered in an angry and husky voice. "Why did you marry someone else?" This time, he didn't hide the bitterness on his voice.
Ariel looked up and met his fiercing gaze. "Why?" she asked at the same tone. " You're so unfair, Joe! You're so unfair!" The tears flowed from her eyes endlessly.