Chapter 2: Mystery date

The limo drove into the parking lot of the Reyes' mansion. This wasn't where she lived anymore, she came to have a late drink with her parents to celebrate her success.

She walked into the mansion, the house she grew up in, the place she had to call home. She is twenty seven and with no serious man in her life. Some women her age were already married and expecting baby number one but here she was because she was afraid of even just the word love or marriage.

There was no love in the society anymore, no love in marriage. Marriage was just an agreement between two people for personal benefits and what concluded her theory were her parents.

They lived in the same house, looked like the perfect couple in the eyes of the public but behind the closed walls of the Reyes' mansion were two individuals hoping that someday they would be set free from the bondage called marriage.

They couldn't divorce each other afraid it would affect their social status and decided to live with it. Her dad started the cheating, he didn't show any remorse when her mom found out about his infidelity.

After years of fighting and quarreling, her mom accepted that it was a lost cause. She too started to cheat, she even went as far as traveling for months leaving her little girl just to not see the face of the man she called her husband. Both selfish parents didn't know how much it traumatized Silvia.

"Silvia darling," her mother, Mrs. Janet Reyes welcomed her, pecking her cheeks.

"Congratulations dear. You finally reached your goal," she added.

"No, mother. I have to still maintain it for a couple of years and I still have other goals to reach," she said to her mother.

"Oh dear, you are such a workaholic. You need a man to ease your stress when you get home from work," her mother replied.

"No mother, a man will only add to it," Silvia responded.

"Hmm, Silvia...you're aren't getting any younger. Let's go to your father," her mother said and they started walking towards the drawing room.

Her father, Alan Reyes, danced towards Silvia happily which made her smile. These were the happy moments of her unhappy family.

"My baby girl," he stopped dancing and pecked Silvia on the cheek also.

"I never doubted you. Making you the CEO of the company was the best decision I have ever made. The company has never been better and our wealth and power has never been stronger." he said and laughed a small throaty laugh. They sat down and started drinking some wine.

"Silvia, you have given us everything except for one thing. You have accomplished everything except for one thing," it was like Silvia knew where the conversation was heading towards, how many times have they had this conversation and how many times has she declined.

"You need to get married Silvia and have a child, have a family of your own," her father continued.

"No, dad. That's not what I need at this time of my life." Silvia sounded like the typical working class lady and boss.

"You have up to a PhD degree dear, you are successful. What else do you need?" her mother added.

"I have arranged a dinner date for you with the son of one of the richest families in our city, Asteria. You will go whether you like it or not!" her father uttered.

"What? A blind date?!" Silvia exclaims.

"It's not a blind date dear, you know this man but it's better we keep it a secret from you," her mother said.

"We gave you all the chances and time in the world and the way you are going, you might end up being single all your life," her father continued.

"I won't go!" Silvia declared.

"I dare you, Silvia. If you don't go to at least see the man. I will be forced to take away your position as CEO," he replied.

"What?, you can't do that!" Silvia responded.

"Yes I can. It's my family company, I'm still the owner till I breathe my last," he replied.

"I made it what it is today," she added.

"And I made you into what you are today," he said.

"No you didn't. I am what I am today because of my hardwork, my handwork!" she responded.

"And you think you could have done that without my money!. You will see the man whether you like it or not. Marriage is another accomplishment," her father replied and she almost laughed.

"How successful is yours?" she said.

"Silvia?!" her mother called her, in a way to tell her not to say something like that.

"I might have not been a good husband but I have been a good father and I love you Silvia, I know what is best for you," her father continued.

"No...no you don't. You guys would have knew if you weren't busy cheating on each other," she said and walked out. Her parents didn't call her back. Tears were already threatening to fall and so she quickly walked out not wanting them to see her tears.

"Take me home!" She ordered her driver as she opened the door by herself, without waiting for the driver and got into the car. They just had to ruin the night.

***

The next day...

She sat on her chair, swirling it a little as she stared at the city through the glass walls of her office. Her secretary, Emily walked in.

"What is remaining on my schedule?" Silvia asked.

"Just a dinner date with someone at 7pm, ma," Emily answered and Silvia frowned.

"Who told you to put that on my schedule?!" Silvia said almost yelling. If looks could kill, Emily would be dead by now.

"Y-Your parents, ma?" Emily stuttered a little. Silvia sighed. She remembered what her father threatened yesterday. She knew her father, he never jokes...he was a man of his words.

"Should I cancel it, Miss Reyes?" Emily asked.

"No...just leave," Silvia replied and Emily left the tense-filled situation immediately.

...

Silvia walked into the restaurant looking as beautiful as ever. A receptionist walked towards her immediately.

"Good evening, Miss Reyes," The man greeted her and she only nodded.

"This way please," He took the trouble to escort her to her mystery date. She followed him.

"Miss Reyes..." she could recognize that annoying voice anywhere even in her wildest, deepest dreams. She came face to face with Gabriel Yul.

She couldn't believe her eyes. Was he the supposed man?, it never occurred to her. Her parents never ceased to surprise her. In all the male species in this world, they had to set up a dinner date for her with this jinx. Were they that desperate that they wanted to marry her off to the first available suitor?