The second half of the date started after Robert escorted me inside. The exterior of the gallery had exceeded my expectation on how I perceived it would look. I was taken aback at the cream white themed color from the walls to its furniture. The counter top that housed the register was made of marble. The chandeliers that hang above us lit up the room like we were inside a palace. The mood of the place felt like we were royalty.

"This is amazing." I mumbled softly as I continued walking at a steady pace towards the center of the room.

"Some of the art works aren't up yet. But I'm sure you'll love the once that are already placed on the wall." Robert said as he stopped beside me and gestured towards a row of framed canvas.

My eyes blinked rapidly as I studied the painting in front of us. All of it looked different yet complimented each other. A few of the painting had a realistic take of a portrait of a woman wearing a classic gown that looked like it was depicted from a Jane Austen book. The other painting were in an abstract style like the once you see on your window when it rains.

"Please seat down. I think our dessert is served." I blinked away from the beautiful artworks and turned towards Robert who stood behind me. I finally noticed the well-set table in the middle of the room with two plates of cake with a glass of a colored drink each. The sweets and drinks were placed mirrored to each other.

"Don't I get to pick my own dessert?" I asked in mock offense but kept my voice light. I was still in a good mood. I'm not willing to sour it anytime soon.

"I assure you, you would like this flavor." He replied confidently and gave me wolfish grin.

I raised my eyebrow in challenge but didn't point out any further. I took up his offer and walked towards the table. I sat on my right and allowed Robert to pull my chair like a gentleman. After he settled down on his seat across form me, I didn't wait for him to offer to dig in. I grabbed the neatly placed teaspoon on the plate beside the cake and took a small, necessary first taste. From the color, I knew it was red velvet. And my expectation had grown a head. I have eaten a few red velvets in my lifetime. No one can beat the ones my grandmother cooked.

As the spooned entered my mouth, an explosion of flavors welcomed me. My eyes grew wide as I allowed the cake to melt in my mouth. I suddenly felt nostalgic with the taste.

"These are..." I started but trailed off as I caught what I was about to say.

"I know. It taste awesome. I never had tasted red velvet cake like the ones from my friend's wife." He interjected with a smile.

"Your friend's wife cooked this?" I asked, a little surprised by this information.

"Yes. This is her store. Though my friend is funding it." He replied after chewing on his second spoonful.

"That's kind of her husband to do." I sarcastically said while I rolled my eyes.

I continued devouring the cake like I haven't eaten one for years. Robert found my action amusing as he kept on chuckling whenever I absent-mindedly moaned at every bite. When we were don't eating, we started another round of conversation but this time it was more on the future.

"Are you planning on getting married anytime soon?" Robert suddenly caught me off guard.

If I were still eating my cake, I would have choked on it. But I wasn't. My mouth was free of obstruction that might cause me to throw anything up. I cleared my constricted airway before replying.

"Maybe in the future..."

"How near in the future are we talking about?" He countered after my reply.

"Why are we in this topic again?" I divert the question.

"Please don't be offended. I'm just curious why a woman like you is still single until now." He admitted shyly.

I mentally exhale in relief at his reply. I'm not ready for another round of interrogation about my notorious dating behavior these past few weeks. I've already covered that part with Eric a few hours ago. Suddenly the memory stiffened me in place. It didn't go unnoticed under Robert's hawk-like stare.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry if I'm asking such personal question on our second date."

"No. It's all right. I don't mind." I felt my face flushed, making me look away from him.

There was a short silence between us before he suggested whether I wanted to leave. I nodded not sure if my voice was strong enough to reply. He was starting to make me feel uncomfortable, which was a shock on how the night had gone. Robert is easy to talk and very charming. He always kept the conversation flowing and easy. But something is lacking when I'm with him. Though I very much love his company.

The drive back to my apartment brought me out of my previous feeling of discomfort when he started telling me stories of his recent business meeting. From how he told the stories, I was curious how he kept things professional with his open personality. But if I were his employee, standing in front of him, I wouldn't doubt who was the boss. He still had this air around him that felt like he was the center of the room.

When he parked the car in front of my place, I was about to say my goodbye when he cut me off.

"Are you free this weekend?" He asked a timidly, which was unlike him.

I looked at his face, which was slightly turned away from me, before I proceeded to reply. "I think I don't have anything planned."

"Can I take you out for another date?"

"Another?" I asked in surprised. Maybe because he was the first guy who asked to take me out thrice in the same week.

"Yes, another." He finally looked at me. His eyes gleamed in amusement.

I smiled and shook my head at his smug face. "Okay."

"I hope you don't mind going to a charity function with me. It will be on Saturday at six in the evening. If it is all right with you, I can pick you up at five thirty? Its your call."

"Charity function? Would there be media and paparazzi there?" I asked sternly, my good mood gone.

"Are you not okay with being seen with me in public?" He hesitantly asked.

"I... Well, I'm currently..." I started but trailed off as I try to find the words to describe my situation. I knew there wasn't anything that would sugar coat it. I'm currently in search of mister husband-to-be in less than a hundred days. If I were to be seen in public with him, it can be an indication to my parent that I have found that man. Is Robert the one?

"If you don't want to be seen arriving together, I could meet you there at the Function. I will send you the details tomorrow morning." He offered a little half-heartedly but the smile on his face assured me that whatever my reply was he would agree to it.

"I would appreciate it every much. I'm currently in a situation right now. And to be seen with a date with the media around, it would create a lot of... it would be a mess." I stiffly nodded and visibly sighed in frustration as I closed my eyes from the thought of it.

"Please don't stress it. I understand that you have your things to sort out. I'm the one here who is pressuring you after a short notice." He gave me an assuring smile.

"This isn't about you, Robert, if that is what you are thinking. Until I sort it out, I can't be seen with any man in the media."

"I understand. Then I will see you at the venue."

I nodded in agreement before leaning in towards him to kiss his cheeks. From how his body suddenly stiffened in reaction to my kiss, I caught him off guard. It might be the first time I've disarmed him tonight. When I think about it, Robert seemed to calculating since he picked me up for dinner. But I didn't let that assumption ruin the currently mood.

After my kiss, I said my goodbye to him as I got out of the car. I watched the car drove away from the curb before heading inside. I couldn't longer hold the miserable feeling in the pit of my stomach. I blindly got to the elevator and pressed the call button to my penthouse. When I got inside, I wasn't expecting any company since it was already pass ten in the evening. Maria always sleep at nine since she wake up early to make breakfast.

"How did the date go?" His familiar voice sent goose bumps up my arm and on the back of my neck.

"What are you doing here? And how did you get in?" I asked in surprise as my eyes zeroed in on his relaxed figure, sitting on my living room couch.

"Maria let me in. I hope you don't mind me helping myself with some goodies." He replied nonchalantly as he held up a bag of potato chips. The sound of the television brought me out of my stunned state as I glanced at it for a second.

"What the hell, Hugh? What are you doing here?" I asked again, putting more volume in my voice to grab his attention from the television.

"Wait... Let's me finish this for a second." He held up a finger to make his point clear while he continued to stare at my plasma television.

Not really sure what took over me, I threw my purse at him and then my jacket. I drew the line after that. "What the hell? Don't you dare ignore me you idiot! This isn't your house."

"Okay. Okay. Don't strip just yet. If you start, you'll be naked before we get to your bedroom." He joked with a smug grin.

I felt my eye twitched at his reply. I could taste blood in my mouth at how pissed I am at the moment. "Do I look like I'm joking with you right now?" I hissed in annoyance.

"Sorry." He mumbled in apology before turning off the television. "You looked like the date didn't went well, since you are in this mood." He pointed out.

"Don't distract me." I almost growled in frustration. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you these papers. I needed them signed before tomorrow. I forgot to tell you before you left. Well I really couldn't, since you were otherwise unavailable at that time." His tone sounded a little sarcastic.

I raised my eyebrow at him before I quipped. "You could have place it on my desk and saved us this unnecessary trouble."

He opened his mouth to counter me but closed them again when he couldn't find an angle. He stayed silent for a second before fumbling around on my couch. When he found what he was looking for, he stood up and handed me an envelope.

"Here, you can give them back to me tomorrow. I can find ways to tell them why I couldn't give it today." He said seriously, all the humor gone on his voice.

I got the envelope out of his hands without a word. After I got it, he continued walking towards the main door. I turned and stared at him in confusion. What was wrong with him? I was about to ask when he cut me off with a backhand wave.

"See you tomorrow. Don't forget you have a lunch date with Mr. Journalist." He called nonchalantly.

I eyed his retreating figure mindlessly when his words hit me. I opened my mouth to call him out but I was too late. He was already out the door. I dropped my coat and bag on the floor as I took a sprint towards the closed door. With heavy breathing, I caught up the elevator before it closed on him.

"Wait! I need... to talk to you... about tomorrow." I said between breaths.

Hugh gazed at me with wide eyes. "Are you all right?"

"We need to talk." I said after I stabled my breathing. "I hate to say it, but I need your help." I added and bit my lips as I thought the incoming tragedy tomorrow would bring.

"This is a first..." He mumbled smugly when he recovered his stunned expression.

"Don't rub it in." I warned in clinched teeth. "I'll tell you in my living room after I change. Please continue where you left off with the game." I said with thick sarcasm as I turned on my heels.

As I headed back to the apartment, I heard his faint footsteps following behind me. I didn't turn around when I heard the main door close and continued to walk towards my discarded coat and purse. After I picked it up, I could feel Hugh's eyes on me as I walked to the direction of my room. Reaching the familiar confines of my bedroom, I let out a sigh of relief. I disposed my things on the bed before I grabbed a change of clothes. When I settled on a comfortable shirt and jogging pants, I went back to the living room where I heard the faint sound of the television playing.

When I got to the threshold that led to the living room, I stopped on my tracks as I eyed Hugh seating on my couch. After a few seconds, he noticed my arrival and turned the volume to mute.

"I never point you as a girl who wears sweats and a t-shirt to bed." He remarked with a smug grin.

"And your flirtatious nature doesn't have an off switch." I countered with an eye roll.

In response, he chuckled in amusement while I joined him by the couch. I stopped on one of the single couches and decided to settle there. Before I could seat down, Hugh suddenly tapped the empty space beside him. I looked at him in confusion and disregard his offer with a wave. I sat at a good distance from him, which would help me kept this conversation at a professional level. But we didn't have that same mindset. When I looked back up at him, he had moved himself closer to me. I visibly flinched at his actions.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't attack you. This way we wouldn't be yelling at each other." He explained arrogantly.

 My lips thinned into a grim line as I regarded his words. I pushed it aside and cleared my throat to signify a start of a serious topic.

"Under circumstance which I had overlooked, my schedule is packed. I need you to keep me on track with it. I also need you to supervise a team for tomorrow." I paused for a moment as I gathered my thoughts. "If I'm right, I have a nine thirty breakfast meeting with a business associate. Then my day would proceed to another meeting for lunch with Mr. Collins. I need you to wait for me until I met Mr. Collins. And while I'm otherwise occupied, I want you to handle my style and make-up team at the hotel you will be checking me in around noon tomorrow. You will also pick up the dress I will be ordering this morning for the event tomorrow night. If all goes well, I will arrive at the Charity function at exactly six. That will be my last appointment for the day. Do you have any questions?" I asked after I briefly describe my plans for tomorrow.

Hugh stared at me for a good five seconds before he opened his mouth. But no words came out of it. He closed them and tried again. "So... you have two dates tomorrow?" He pointed out.

"I don't... It's not..." I stuttered in defense as my face slowly flushed as his blunt words.

"I thought I will never see the day that the innocent Michelle Newman would date two guys on the same day." He stated with a devilish grin.

I flushed even more when he put it in perspective for me. "Whether I want this or not, I'm on a tight schedule. I can't idly wait for some darn sign to tell me where my future husband is at the moment. I need to find him with all the resources and time I get."

"You don't have to be so defensive." He held up his hands in defeat. "Well then, so my mission tomorrow is to kept things in order while you do your things. Can I ask you one question?"

"What?"

"Do these men know you are dating other guys?" He asked after a short pause with his eyebrow raised.

I blinked my eyed rapidly at his question. "The journalist has a hint. But they don't know I have a date with both of them on the same day." I replied a little breathlessly.

"Then we need to keep this off the record. It would be scandalous if the saint is seen being on a date with two men on the same day." He said with a wink, the grin never left on his face.

I let out a frustrated sigh at what I'm going to face tomorrow. I can't believe I've unconsciously put myself in such a situation. I could only hope tomorrow goes smoothly as possible. I don't have time to find another set of possible candidates for the role. And time is almost up like Cinderella's clock striking towards midnight.

________________________________________

A/N: Hey everyone! I think this story is reaching at a point where Mitch is got the choose who will be the groom standing next to her after the dreaded 100 days is over. Who do you bet on?

I shall update another one within the week. I'm almost done writing this story. :)

Have an awesome day and Happy reading!