How To Lose Her In 7 days

Prologue

"O bakit mukha kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa, Loraine Francesca Tan?" It's Iryn.

Napabuntong hininga lang ako ulit na hindi ko na alam kung pang-ilang beses ko na ginawa ngayong araw. Hindi ko pa rin kasi matanggap ang pinag-usapan namin ni dad kagabi.

He's forcing me to go on a date with this person today just to strengthen our company. I know hindi maganda ang standing ng Tan Group of Companies ngayon, but it's still unacceptable that he's treating me as if I'm the solution to save our family business. He also said that I only need to date this person and that he won't arrange a marriage for me, but I highly doubt it.

"Ano ngang problema mo, girl? Kasi kahit ako parang nararamdaman ko na rin 'yang bigat na dinadala mo e." Iryn questioned again. Alam kong hindi talaga siya titigil dahil bukod sa madaldal ay isa rin 'tong tsismosa.

Mandy arrived carrying a box of pizza and set it down on the glass table. We're here in her penthouse, kasama si Ava na may sarili na namang mundo, as usual. Si Chantel lang ang wala because she said may aasikasuhin daw siya today.

"Anong problema, Loraine? You know we're always here and we will do anything we can just to help you." Mandy said after she sat down beside me.

"Ugh! Si dad naman kasi!" Sa huli ay hindi ko na rin napigilang sabihin.

I saw Ava lower the book she was reading and then look at me. Alam ko namang kanina pa siya nakikinig kahit kunwari wala sa amin ang atensyon niya. Gano'n talaga ang ugali ng isang 'to. She’s a keen observer, pero hindi mo mahahalata dahil she usually looks like she doesn't care about anything. Oh well… not until she met Tamara.

"He wants me to date this someone just to save our company." I continued.

"Date lang naman pala e!" Komento agad nang madaldal na si Iryn.

I rolled my eyes at her. "But I know he'll force me to get married after that date."

"Ayan problema sa'yo, masyado kang advance mag-isip. Why not try to date that person. Date lang naman ata sinabi ni Tito Lawrence e." Yes, it's Iryn again.

Actually, Dad assured me that I just really need to go on a date. He even said it's only a friendly date, but I still have to do it for an entire week. What's that supposed to mean?

"Yeah. Pitong araw na date." Sabi ko naman saka muling bumuntong hininga.

"Why not try it? Malay mo naman 'yan na pala ang right person para sa 'yo? We're not getting any younger, Loraine. Ito ngang si Ava kasal na. Napag-iiwanan na tayo." Mandy said before taking a bite of the slice of pizza she was holding.

Mandy has a point. Hanggang ngayon nga ay single pa rin ako samantalang sila ay may mga dine-date na.

"When will be your first date?" Ava asked.

"Tonight at 6 pm," I replied, my mind already racing with a hundred scenarios. How am I supposed to act normal? What if he's… difficult?

"It's already five," she reminded me, her tone calm. I felt a twinge of panic. Just one more hour… How am I going to survive this?

Kaya nga ako nandito dahil ayaw ko sanang sumipot sa date na 'yon.

"I have a newly bought dress in my closet. Wear it bilis! Tulungan ka na rin naming mag-ayos." Excited na sabi ni Mandy at kahit hindi pa man ako sumasagot ay nagtatakbo na ito patungo sa kwarto niya.

The three of them helped me get ready. Ava did my makeup—I asked her to keep it light. Iryn curled my hair, and Mandy took care of my outfit.

Now, I'm standing in front of the most luxurious fine dining restaurant in town. Ngayon lang sumagi sa isip ko na hindi pala basta-basta itong taong makaka-date ko, kaya mabuti na lang at tinulungan ako nina Mandy. Ang problema lang, isang oras na akong late.

"Good evening, ma'am." Bati sa akin ng waiter na nag-aabang pagpasok ko. "This way please."

I quietly followed him and immediately wondered why there was no one else inside, aside from the two of us.

Don't tell me pina-reserve pa ang buong restaurant na 'to just for this night? Oh gosh!

"Please make yourself comfortable. Nasa restroom lang po ang kasama niyo." Sabi ulit ng waiter pagkatapos ako nitong ihatid sa table namin.

He left me alone as well, and I gradually started feeling an intense nervousness.

Bakit ba kasi ako pinasok ni dad sa sitwasyong 'to? Argh!

I kept myself busy on my phone while waiting to divert my attention from the nerves. Naiinis din ako kasi hindi man lang sinabi ni Dad kung sino ba ang makaka-date ko. Ang sinabi lang niya, puntahan ko raw itong restaurant.

Maya-maya pa, I heard the sound of heels clicking. The noise grew louder and louder, and I finally looked up, almost dropping my phone at what I saw.

There she was. A familiar woman, smiling from ear to ear as she walked toward me. She seemed to glow, her dazzling cream bodycon dress hugging her perfectly, her hips swaying gracefully as if she were on a fashion runway, modeling every inch of the outfit.

My heart is pounding like crazy, and I'm starting to feel confused.

Anong ginagawa ng Alcantara'ng 'to rito?

Don't tell me—OH MY GOSH!