A/N: Hey everyone. I'm quite weary that this late updates is becoming a norm. Thank you for your patience, and for continuing the support the story. You all give me enough energy to keep me going throughout the day.

Comment. Vote. I gladly apprecite both. hehe. Enjoy this chapter. 

Have an awesome day and Happy reading.

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Eleven

Next morning, I expected the slight throbbing of my head from the drinks I’ve drank last night. But, I know I wasn’t drunk enough to be completely decapitated for the rest of the day. This wasn’t my first time that I drowned a bad night with alcohol.

When I decided that it was time to get up, I felt like going back in bed. I may have some tolerance in alcohol, but that doesn’t mean I can function like I’m sober. After a quick cold shower, I ghostly got out of my room towards the dinning room. As I reached the threshold of the big room, I didn’t expect to see anyone in there, especially him. What is he doing in my apartment?

“From the look on your face, I guessed you forgot that I crashed here for the night.” Hugh stated in greeting as he sat comfortably in my living room couch.

I continued to stare at him, still not processing the current situation. I blinked my eyes a couple of times before I could willingly open my mouth. “Who let you in?” I asked in disbelief, my voice sounded raspy since I just got up.

“You invited me in. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if you forgot. You were half dead when I brought you back here.” He chuckled in reply, looking amused at my expression.

I grimly eyed him for another second before walking towards the open counter of the kitchen on the further left side of the room, across from the living room. “I need to eat.” I grumbled in protest as I felt my stomach knot from hunger.

“Okay, because I’m famished as well.” Hugh agreed behind me as I heard him stood up from the couch.

I didn’t bother turned around to know if he followed me and concentrated on finding myself something to eat. I was tempted to call for Maria, but I didn’t need an audience here when Hugh started to annoy me. No doubt, he will start talking some nonsense where I will be pissed off in a few minutes.

“What are we eating this morning? Do you even know how to cook?” He asked as he settled down on one of the empty stool by the island counter.

I tired to ignore him as I walked towards the fridge to gather the ingredients for my meal. I grabbed two eggs and a plastic of unopened turkey bacon, balancing the two as I grabbed the bottle of orange juice.

“Do you need help with that?” He asked after a brief silence as I balanced the food while I closed the fridge with my foot.

I contemplated on asking for his help, but held my tongue when I’ve successfully closed the fridge. I mentally cheered on that achievement as I strut towards the counter near the stove. I quickly glance at Hugh’s direction, checking if he was still there while I got the utensils I needed for cooking. When our eyes met, the end of his lips turned up into a smirk. I pursed my lips at him in reply before I looked away, turning my attention back to cooking.

It didn’t take me a while to finished. When I placed the scrambled eggs and bacon on the plate, I didn’t put in the counter where Hugh sat, knowing that he would eat it behind my back. After I placed the cooking pan on the sink, letting it cool before I clean it, I gathered the plates where I placed the egg and bacon and sat down on the counter.

Hugh turned towards me, eying the plate in front of me. He had been quiet since I started cooking, though he can’t help but comment from time to time when I tried to jumped out of the hot cooking oil.

“Are you just going to pretend like I’m not here?” He asked in disbelief as I took the first bite on the eggs.

I finally looked at him and raised an eyebrow in question. “You want to eat this?” I asked as I tired to act oblivious.

“Don’t be coy, Mitch. I’m hungry too.” He replied deadly, the amused look on his face gone.

“Fine. You can have the other half of my food.” I stated in defeat as I pushed the plate in his direction, putting it between us.

He looked at me with a victorious smile before digging in. I can’t help but roll my eyes at his actions. We both ate in silence and held casual glances towards each other. Sometimes, I raise my eyebrow at him whenever I took a huge gulp on my orange juice. In reply, he gave me a smirk before continuing to eat. I wanted to ask him to stop staring, but held my tongue since I don’t really want to have a conversation with him.

After we ate, I was caught off guard when he got the plates and placed them on the sink with the cooking pan. I waited for another moment, waiting for his next actions. When he remained standing in the sink, unsure of what to do next, I couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement.

“I wouldn’t mind if you do the dishes.” I stated as I finally broke the silence.

“Don’t you have someone to do that for you?” He faced me and asked with a puzzled expression.

“Yes. But, you are already standing there, looking like you were about to do it.” I tease with a huge grin.

“Fine. I will move away from the sink. I don’t want to get anymore misunderstanding from you.” He smirked at my remark and walked back to where I sat. “Any plans for today? Possibly another date?” He countered, his toned back to its annoying cockiness.

I eyed him deadly, all humor gone. “Okay. Let’s pretend that last night didn’t happen, and also this morning.”

“Oh! Come on, Mitch. I thought we were already passed our differences by now…” He interjected, looking smug.

I was about to contradict him when Maria interrupted us. She entered the main room with a broom in hand. She looked up towards us with a startled expression. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out.

“Good morning, Maria. I already made breakfast.” I greeted before she could come up with a word.

“Ah, yes. I will do the dishes for you, Ms. Newman.” She offered, placing the broom on the nearest wall before walking towards the sink.

“Thank you, Maria.” I stood up and looked at Hugh, who was leaning by the kitchen counter across form me. “Let me get dress and then we will go.” I instructed sternly.

“I’m going with you today? You know it’s a weekend, right?” He asked, ignoring my authoritive tone.

I remind silent and continue to stare him down. He can’t be serious about his day offs. He knows the demand that came with the job. So, I ignored his protest and turned towards the direction of my room. When I got there, I took my time to change and picked a comfortable yet sophisticated dress that goes with today’s schedule.

An hour after, I walked back out towards the main room, glancing around to find Hugh. When I didn’t see him in the room, I though that he ignored my instructions and gone home. Then, I heard a light creak from the guest toilet behind me.

I turned around from the sound and found him stepping out of the room. I eyed him in cautiously, a little disappointed yet relieved that he stayed. I didn’t actually want to spend another hour with him, but I needed his help. If I’m going through with the plans I have today, I need someone to keep things in check. When you are a new president of one of the most successful businesses in the hotel category, it takes a lot of your consciousness to only think about your personal life while running an empire on the side.

“So, you didn’t tell me what I’m doing today.” He stated when he finally noticed me staring at him.

I pursed my lips at what I’m about to ask him to do today. “You are coming with me to do some personal stuff. I have a few business meeting in between, and I want you to help me check on those.” I replied in a business tone.

“Right. So, now I’m your personal secretary.” He mumbled in disbelief as he walked pass me. “Why can’t that old lady do it for you?” He asked when he got to the couch, where I just notice a jacket was placed on one of the couches’ armrest.

“Louise is busy managing the office over the weekend. Since you are my secretary, it would be no surprise if I’ll call you out over the weekend for this… Even if we didn’t met last night, I would still call you early in the morning to meet me anyways.” I stated sternly, sounding like I was scolding a little boy.

Before I would continue with my runt, I heard someone cleared his or her throat beside me. I turned to my right to find Russell standing close to the main door.

“Are we ready to go, Ms. Newman?” He asked out of courtesy.

“Oh! You are here, Russell. We can go now.” I replied briefly, feeling a little shy that he witnessed my little outburst. “We are going to the bistro this morning. And, around lunch, we are going to another location. I have an appointment in one of the restaurant.” I instructed towards him and turned to Hugh, who I didn’t notice sitting back down. “You contact Louise about my meeting this afternoon. I want details before we get there.” I told him with more volume, my tone almost sounded pissed.

“You don’t know who you’re seeing today?” He asked in disbelief.

“That was supposed to be your job. You should have known about my daily schedule starting yesterday.” I replied in clinched teeth. He really was pressing my buttons.

“Ah! That… yes, I think I have those schedule somewhere…” He stated in realization as he patted down his body, like he was looking for something. “I have it on my phone, actually.” He added as he pulled something from his right pocket.

“Good.” I rolled my eyes at his actions, knowing that he was kidding me. From the smug look on his face, I knew he was playing me. He was trying to tick me off.

“Relax, Newman. I’m just kidding. I got your schedule down and memorized.” He stated in admission, giving me a flirtatious wink.

“I know.” I shook my head in disbelief and turned back towards Russell. “Let’s go.”

We were silent on the drive to my first meeting. I wanted to speak up a few times, but held my tongue whenever I glance towards Hugh. He looked to calm and smug. I couldn’t believe I’m taking him with me for this. Maybe, it is a bad idea after all. He did guess.

Our first location was at a high-class famous bistro bar. It had a vintage vibe to it, which suit my taste. When we got there, I was about to tell him about the person I’m meeting today, but he got ahead of me.

“I will be by the bar counter if you need me.” He stated as I stopped by the door, turning towards him to give out an instruction.

I closed my opened mouth and pursed my lips. “How did you know I was about to tell you that?”

“You were drunk enough to spill a few things last night, Mitch. You don’t have to keep on debating whether you tell me about your date today. And, if I were you, you shouldn’t allow that friend of yours - what’s her name - to set you up with another asshole.” He remarked before entering the bistro bar ahead of me.

I gaped at his back, dumbfounded at his words. He knows about today. Of course he knew. If I was drunk last night, I would be splurging a lot of secrets… then, my thoughts trailed off as something finally occurred to me. Did he know about my family secret? About finding a husband?

“Hugh! Wait!” I hissed towards his direction, snapping out of my stunned expression.

When I reached him, he was already at the bar counter, ordering a drink. “What have I been telling you last night?” I asked almost desperately. I can’t believe this is happening. Why didn’t this cross my mind?

Hugh turned towards me with a smug look on his face. “Oh! Now, you want to talk to me.” He stated sarcastically.

“Don’t be bitter that I didn’t talk to you, Burns. You already know why I will forever give you the cold shoulder.” I stated bluntly. “Now, tell me.” I added in command.

“You can always say please, Newman.” He mumbled in defeat.

“So…” I urged him when he didn’t continue.

“You are rude, woman.” He mumbled to myself, which I pretend not to hear or this will take forever for him to tell. “You only told me about another date you have to go today because Jade set you up with a few guys for the weekend. That was all you blurred out before passing out in the car.” He admitted with a heavy sigh.

“Is that all?” I probed, eyeing him deadly. If he is lying, I know he will break a sweat by now.

“Yes. That is all. Why? Is there more to your dating life?” He asked, back to his usual smug self.

“Nothing that concerns you.” I replied in finality. “I will be back after this. You just stay here and pretend that you don’t know me.” I instructed before turning around.

“Sure. I’ll just pretend that I’m you. Easy.” He joked with a grin.

I let his little insult slide and continued walking to the reserved seat, glad that my date was not particular with time, which doesn’t give him an upper hand in this date. He needed to make it up for that fall out.

When my date did appear, which was almost half an hour after I sat down, he looked a little flustered and shy. He looked sincere when he apologized to me for being late. So, I let it slide for now since he did apologized.

My second date since I received the news about my supposed marriage in a hundred had a grave difference from my first one. I’ve got to say, Jade had learned a lot after I hounded her last night after number one.

My date today is a Medical specialist. I never dated anyone with a medical background. I always find it uncomfortable to know that they know something about my body that I didn’t. And, they might comment about my weird preference on food. I like my calories, though I’m fit, I pack on like it’s the Christmas season.

“So, what do you do?” He asked, after he gave me a run down of his work, which I had a hard time listening with the medical jargon he used.

“I work for a hotel and restaurant company.” I replied vague, slightly caught off guard that he didn’t know who I was. I’ve been an item on gossip from my past relationship with famous men.

“Jade told me that you help run a company.” He pointed out as he took a bite of his veggie casserole.

I also took a spoon full of my Italian meatball spaghetti so that it would take me awhile to say anything. And in reply, I just gave him a brief nod.

“What do you do in the company? Do you work at a specific department, or something?” He asked in interest after taking a sip from his drink, which was water.

I followed his actions and grabbed my glass of wine to drown down the spaghetti. “Ah… that…” I replied after clearing my mouth. “I run the company.” I mumbled softly.

“What do you mean you run the company?” He asked in confusion.

“I’m the president.” I mumbled shyly and looked away from him, feeling uncomfortable form his gaze.

“You run the company? Wow! But Jade told me that you worked for Newman Hotel… Michelle Newman… oh…” He exclaimed in realization and trailed off as he connected the dots. I don’t know why it took him so long to notice that I was when I told him my name in the first place.

Then, his demeanor suddenly changed from weary to interested. He started to ask me about my life, about being the heiress of a Hotel empire. And, from there, the date had gone down hill for me. There goes my second date.