Tanya's POV:

"You need me Tanya. Soon you'll come running for me to save you from falling down the pavements..."

I shook my head making him know how I disagree with his words. I will never run to him for his help. I can save our company without anyone's help! Sure I've made it run for a year, I can make it run for another more year without his help.

"I will never need your help Mr. Cohen. I can make it on my own. I am the daughter of my father, and I will not ask for anyone's help. "

I turned my back on him walking my way out of this damn restaurant.

Since my father died I was left alone to run our real estate company. At first, it was all running good for about a month. Never did I know that my father's debts run too deep that even our company's income isn't enough to pay everything.

I did everything I can to pay off some of it. I sold some of our assets, an island my father bought for his new project that is now been cancelled because there's not enough fund to continue the project. I even have to use my own money. But everything is still not enough! I still have twelve million dollars to pay, and I don't freaking know where I could get that huge amount of money in a freaking month!

I stop walking for a bit to calm my self up. This whole thing is making my head ache, damn!

I need to think of something. Our ancestral house at Cebu won't even help me pay that much, and I also can't sell it, that house reminds me of my mother and father. My father bought that house to prove his love for my mother. I can't just sell that memory right?

Damn it!

We have projects on going but our funds are too tight! Investors are starting to pull out their shares, sooner or later I'll fall down, our company will have to close. Then where will I be? In the pavements, like what that guy had said.

Now I don't know what to do. Our resort at Palawan is still going smoothly. But lately I have been receiving calls that our resort isn't profiting that much because it's still September, months of cold days will not have that much costumers. Summer is still too far for me to get something to pay my fathers debts. Even so, it is still not enough.

I jumped out of surprise when my phone suddenly starts ringing. I picked it up out of my hand bag and see who the caller is. It's Maria, my secretary.

"Maria..."

{" I'm sorry to call you this urgent Madam but the board of directors are asking for a meeting with you."}

I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose to help me ease some stress.

What is it this time? Are they gonna elect a new President? They can't do that. Aside from being the sole heiress of that company, they can't do anything even if they decide to have their new president. It's either they'll leave or someone just pulled their shares out again.

"Alright Maria, tell them I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

I ended the call then grab a cab to take me to my company.

Arriving there I was greeted by Maria.

"Madam the bored of directors are now in the conference room. They're only waiting for you ma'am before they start the meeting."

I nearly rolled my eyes at my secretary. Of course! They won't start the meeting unless I'm present! They called for a meeting to talk some shits out of me, that won't happen if I'm not around right?

In the end, I just ignored her stupidity and just made my way to the conference room. There I was greeted with their eyes, all looking at me as if I did something wrong again.

"Now that Ms. Lopez is here, let's start the meeting shall we?", said one of my directors.

No one dared to speak while I was walking my way to my usual sit. In a room full of tigers I acted like the mighty lion. I will never allow them to see how vulnerable I am right now with all this things happening to my life. I will not give them a glimpse of me being weak. In this field, there's no room for such weaklings or you'll be devoured by greedy monsters around you.

"Start speaking."

Like a lioness I roared in the air. Some flinch in terror, some are not shaken. Now I see who's against me.

"Ms. Lopez what are we gonna do now? Mr. King has already pulled his investment out of our company. Our employees are whining because of the sudden decrease from they salary. Our project in Aklan is already cancelled because we can't pay for that project anymore. Our fund is getting low, our income is getting low. Then a while ago someone came here to talk about your father's debts. Ms. Lopez we really wanted to help but things aren't really going on that well anymore. Our strategies isn't working anymore. Our deals are being rejected. I don't think this company's gonna make it for another more year. You need to think of something Ms. Lopez. Your employees are counting on you."

Now it all came to me, this just can't do anymore. The sides of my head's now starting to ache. My eyes looked at my vice president who's now shaking his head to me while sympathy is written all over his face. Now I really have no choice, do I?

"I'll think of something. Meeting adjourned."

"But Ms. Lopez—", one of the board of directors but in but before he could finish his sentence, my cousin cut him off.

"Ms. Lopez said meeting adjourned. Leave now, we have something to talk in private."

I looked at Henry, my cousin slash the VP of this company, and smiled to say thank you for helping me out on that one. I badly need some time alone to think right now. Everything is just going down hill. It's just gets worst day by day. I have so many mouths to feed, my employees needs me to support their own families. I can't just give them up and leave them jobless.

I tilted my head upward opposing the tears that are now starting to build in my eyes. God this is so frustrating.

"Tanya you know who can help you with this. Why don't you just accept his proposal? You'll just marry him then this whole thing will vanish Tanya. He can help you with this if only you marry him."

I harshly looked at my cousin who is still looking at me with his sympathetic eyes

"Goodness Henry! I told you I won't marry him! for pete's sake! I hate marriage in convenience! I will not marry him! Even if that's the only option left for me to choose."

******************

How many minutes am I already staring at this skyscraper in front of me? Will I be able to do this? Goodness!

With cold shaking hands and heavy heart, I started to walk my way inside this building. I was surprised when I got inside, all the employees are greeting me goodmorning. What is going on?

I reached the front desk, " Hi! I....uuhmmm...I'm here to see Mr. Cohen."

Jeez! Pull yourself together Tanya. You just have to face the beast!

The woman looked at me first with surprise eyes then later on smiled at me as if they were all expecting me to come here. Can somebody tell me why they are all acting weird in front of me?

"Good to see you ma'am. Mr. Cohen is expecting you inside his office. This way Ms. Lopez."

Expecting me? I never made an appointment to him. Did he really expect me to come running for his help? That man! Damn it! But what am I doing here? Isn't it not to seek for his damn help?

Alright! Yes! I accept defeat! I accept that I really need his help! But that does not mean I agree with his marriage proposal. I will not marry someone out of convenience. That will never be my option.

Before I knew we're already in front of this big double doors leading me to him once I opened the door.

"Please wait inside his office for a minute ma'am. His meeting will end as soon as you get inside his office."

I smiled at the girl to say my thanks before she left me inside his office. I looked around, amazed as to how wide his office is. In front of his desk is a mini sala set for his guests. My eyes darted at the paintings on the wall, they were all made by famous artists. His office is the combination of grey, white and black, so manly. Everything inside his office screams authority and elegance. You know when you step foot in his office that you are inside his territory.

But the one thing I liked the most about his office is that it is overlooking the city. With it's glass wall just behind his desk makes it possible to see the city down there. I walked towards it to see how busy the city is. The view it gives is overwhelming. It can relieve your stress just buy looking at it. I was still mesmerized by the city's beauty when a baritone voice called out for my name like a thunder in a stormy night.

"Ms. Lopez, I see you are enjoying yourself with the view of the city?"

I turned to him out of surprise, I caught him closing a certain picture frame right on top of his desk. I wonder what photo that is that he has not allowed me to see what it was. Why didn't I gave attention to his desk a while ago anyway?

"Eyes up here Ms. Lopez."

With that, my eyes automatically gazed at him. Now my eyes are locked to his. I wanted to turn my gaze away, but it seems like my eyes has its own mind that it just returned all his stares.

"So, you come here to seek for my help. Is that right Ms. Lopez. Are you now considering my offer?"

My forehead creased at what he said.

"Yes. I accept your help—"

"I bet you know that my help comes by with marrying me right?"

"I accept the help Mr. Cohen but I disagree with your marriage proposal."

I saw him smirked with my words. How thankful I was that he cut the staring contest we were just having a while ago. Now I can breathe properly.

"I see. As what I've expected from you. You don't marry in convenience. But unfortunately, you have to reconsider that one Ms. Lopez. My help comes with marrying me. That's my only condition."

I said it! It's not a good thing to come here and ask for his help! I thought he could at least hear me out and reconsider his marriage proposal because I know that he knows I don't marry in convenience.

I slapped my forehead lightly out of disappointment.

"Can't you just help me out without marrying me Zacharias? Can't you see how I swallowed my pride here just to ask for your help? "

"What will I get out of helping you then? Without the marriage conditions?"

I was left out of words with what he said.

"This is business Ms. Lopez , you don't just give. It's all about give and take. "

I gave him a glare even when my knees are starting to get weak the moment he started walking towards me. I step my foot backwards.

"I never should've considered asking for your help. It's a mistake to come here. My apologies Mr. Cohen. I m-must leave now."

Before I could even walk away he already advance forward making me lean on the glass wall while he trapped me with both of his firm arms.

"How long can you persist Tanya? Just how long can you keep up with your fierce rejection?"

With his words, I started to doubt my own words....

Tanya's POV

I walked like a zombie out of his building until I got to my own office. I don't know where my brain went but after what happened inside his office I just couldn't think straight anymore. All I could ever think about was his words and how it made me doubt myself.

With a loud sigh I let my self lean on my swivel chair. My hands flew to my forehead massaging it to ease the pain on both sides of my head. This is stressing me out too much!

I couldn't even remember how I got out from his encaged arms around me. All I know is that I couldn't understand myself, as to why I doubted every word that I've said. It was just a simple word, a simple phrase and yet it made me doubt my own?

That cannot be right! If I can't get him to help me without marriage, then I'll find some other way. The question is, is there even any other way? None! All questions answers only him!

Jesus how am I suppose to solve this?

I looked at the reports on my desk that needs attention. I can't seem to bring myself to read each one of those. Mr. Cohen is enough for this day to bring me much stress.

I was about to get my bag and head out when my office's door flew open revieling me Henry with a grin plastered on his handsome face. I know why he's here so instead of returning his grin I rolled my eyes on him and just focused my eyes to the documents on my desk. I wasn't supposed to touch this paperwork's but because of this man in front of me I was forced to. Can someone tell me how bad this day could get?

If I know he's here only to mock me about going to Mr. Cohen and asking for his help. Damn it! And that is the least thing I needed right now.

"Soooo...how did it go my beloved cousin? I thought you won't ask for his help even if it's the only option left for you to choose?"

I sent him death glares. He should stop this by now before I could forget that he's my cousin!

"If you're just here to mock me around then you better get the hell out of my office Henry. Mockery is the least thing I needed right now so if I were you I would get the **** out of this office before I could forget that you are my cousin."

My words sent him into laughter that made me more pissed about his existence. I took countless of deep breaths.

Relax Tanya, remember that he's your cousin and you can't just kill him on the spot. He's your cousin, your blood is as same as his. Calm the **** up before you could kill your own cousin!

I continued whispering that to myself just to make me restrain my self from harming my own cousin. He'd be the death of me.

"Oowww my dear cousin. If only you'd accept his marriage proposal then you'd be out from this situation earlier."

I opened my mouth to say something, to defend my self but I was shut off when he speak again.

"I don't believe your reasons Tanya. Not marry in convenience? Really? Is that really your reason Tanya? Or you're still stuck in the past? Can't move on dear cousin?"

Please tell me to calm down. Please tell me that he's my cousin. I am nearing to forget that he is.

I can't believe he'd bring that up. He knew from the very beginning how sensitive that topic is for me. I hate him for bringing that up.

"This is not about the past Henry. Get out, I don't need you here."

I need him out as soon as possible. I want to be alone. I don't know why but the mere mention of the past always makes me tear up. I don't know why I can't stop myself from crying whenever they bring that up. God knows how I wanted to forget that past. I hated that past of mine...

"Tanya..."

With a heavy hand I grabbed my hand bag just above my desk then started walking out from my office, away from my cousin. If he can't leave, then I will.

I never looked at him when I walked pass him and just continued walking away. This is what I'm good at, walking away, never letting them know how that past hurts me every time it gets to be brought up.

Henry didn't do anything to stop me from leaving, instead, he just followed me with his stares. I know he knew he made a big mistake bringing that up. And I don't care if he's feeling guilty now for not choosing the right words to say to me.

The moment I got a cab I told the driver the address of my best friends café. I looked at my watch and it's already 10:48 a.m . Still too early to grab some lunch, maybe I should let off some steam at her café before I eat my lunch.

If you're wondering why I always take taxi's instead of driving on my own. I just couldn't bring my self to drive anymore. Whenever I do, I always tremble in fear.

I closed my eyes to remove the memory that popped out of my head just by the mere mention of driving. If only I can do something about it, if only I can erase that memory on my head I already did.

It keeps on hunting me, I can't get myself to escape. Later on, I felt hot liquid cascading down my cheeks. I quickly brush it off and just focused my attention outside. Entertaining myself with buildings and people as we pass them by.

Not too long I reached my friends café. I payed the cab and made my way straight to my best friends office. Her secretary smiled at me before I entered her office. They know who I am that's why I can freely go inside of her office without making any appointments.

I saw her standing beside her desk with the telephone near her ears talking to someone on the other line while she's still wearing her apron.

The moment her gaze met my way he bid her goodbye to someone on the other line and focused herself on me and my state.

I pouted when she raised her brow on me.

"Sit Ms. Lopez. I don't forbid you to sit on my couch to just sit. What do you want? Water, coffee, or juice? Any cakes you want to eat?"

I sighed while following her order by sitting down on one of her couches. I asked for juice, though I really wanted to eat one of her cakes right now. I just don't want to eat delicious foods right now since I'm still feeling devastated. I feel so betrayed about my cousin.

"Wait me here and we'll talk. I'll just bring you your juice and cupcake. I know you want some, you're just being a baby again."

I pouted again. She just rolled her eyes on me then made her way out of her office.

She's Freddie Georgeton. She preferred being called ' Freya ' because 'Freddie' is too manly for her—as what she said.

She's been my friend since middle school. Now she's a baker of her own café. I always come here whenever I'm down or I just simply want to eat her new inventions on cakes and cupcakes. She makes sure I get to taste first before she can introduce it to the public. I know I can get poisoned her or whatever, but fortunately it still hasn't happened. She's good at baking, she never did once failed even on her recipe inventions.

It didn't take too long before she arrived with my juice and my one slice of cake on a tray. She placed it in front of me. I first got the juice and have a drink on it. The cake looks so tempting, it looks really good I don't want to destroy it's beauty.

"Eat Tanya, don't feel so wasted on the design. It'll be better if you eat it."

I looked at Freya, "You didn't tell Henry I'm here right?"

She shook her head answering my question. She's my cousin's girlfriend. They first met when I brought Freya at our house to do some projects. The said it was first love. I admit I kinda envy them both. We could've been like them.

"I won't tell him you're here. But even if I did not tell him you're here, he'll eventually know Tanya. You always come here whenever you're down or you picked a fight with Henry again. You are too easy to read."

I sighed then drank again from my orange juice, "Now tell me what is it this time. What brings you here?"

I looked down, only focusing my eyes on my juice. I can't look at her in be eyes, since she almost know everything about me.

"I went to Mr. Cohen to seek help. But he has conditions I dislike. Then Henry, as he is—mocked me about it..Then he suddenly brought the past up. You know what happened next."

I thought she'd be more concern about me and Henry being in a fight again because of that past that made everything wrong. But I was wrong, she's more curious that concern.

"What condition?"

I palm made its way on my face. If only I knew....

"Mr. Cohen? You mean, Zacharias Cohen? Tanya? Oh my ghad! No wonder Henry mocked you! Seriously Tanya? Is he the only option now? Can't you get anyone's help besides him? Tanya you know—"

"Stop," I stopped her before she could mention something I don't want to hear ever again, "...I know Frey. I know. But I'm running out of time! If I can't pay my fathers debt within a month I'll loose everything I worked hard for. My company will be theirs and I don't want that to happen, I won't let them have it! It's the only thing my mother and father left of me besides our ancestral house at Cebu. "

I put the glass of orange juice down the table then clasped both of my palms with each other. Making movements out of it out of frustration.

"I only have two weeks left of that one month time Freya. And I don't know where the hell can I get twelve million dollars to pay all of my fathers debt."

She just sat there, across from me, just staring at me with sympathetic eyes.

Oh please! I don't need sympathy! I need money!

"Then you have to accept his offer Tanya. Zac is your only hope now. Swallow your pride and accept his proposal. Besides, you can ask for divorce after two years of being married."

I gazed at her, "You think he'd let me off that easily after what happened to his twin? No Freya! He'd surely make me suffer—"

"Then don't let him make you suffer! That's too easy Tanya. We all have our own free will to do things we want to do. It's your choice if you'd let him make you suffer or not. Isn't it?"

I sighed. My head is starting to ache again. I think I should consult a doctor. Maybe they can give me pills to relieve stress.

"Tell me, I don't really have a choice, do I?"

She shook her head, with that, I already have my answer....

Tanya's POV

After our conversation we decided to go out to grab some lunch at a restaurant just a few blocks away from her cafe. It's an Italian restaurant which is quite my favorite.

We took the sit near the glass window with only two sits on it. As we sit, a waiter quickly appeared in front of us taking our orders. I ordered pasta and a slice of their Hawaiian pizza, and an orange juice to complete my lunch.

"So, what's your plan now? Are you sure you're going to do this Tanya? Aren't there anymore ways to solve this? Anyone who can help you, except from Zac?"

I sighed while turning my gaze to the busy street outside this restaurant.

"If there is I wouldn't have to come seeking his help Frey. I wouldn't be in this situation if there is someone other than Zac that can help me with my problem."

I looked at her trying to get some reaction or maybe an advice because I really can't accept the fact that I really need his help.

She just shrugged her shoulders while having a sip from her strawberry milkshake. As expected. Even I have been struggling to think of any other solutions other than Zac, it would be a surprise when she'd give me an idea when I can't even have my own.

"What's your initial plan then? As much as I wanted to help you, you know I can't. My cafe has just started, and I—"

I shook my head then held her hands that's now holding a fork to use as her utensil to eat her own pasta. I squeezed it and gave her a smile assuring her that's it's alright.

"You don't have to be troubled about it Frey. You, being with me to listen for my whims is enough help. And besides, this is my problem, it is only right that I solve this on my own."

I smiled and she smiled. That is enough for now.

"You can make it through this Tanya. I know you will."

I grinned at her then started to take a fork full of pasta to stuff in my mouth that I later on sprinkled all over our table.

"And besides. Who knows you'd actually end up together. I heard some of like your situation that got engaged, that they barely—more like— hate each other that later on fell in love with each other then they lived happily ever after!"

I nearly choked to death. Quickly I grabbed my orange juice to calm my throat from coughing all around the place before I could be suspected sick.

Unlike me, Freya is a big fan of romance and all about happily ever afters. She always thinks like a damsel in distress waiting for her prince to go grab her and save her from being alone in this world full of wonderouse cruelty.

Freya always assumes that whatever happens in the books she reads can also happen in reality. That a bad guy would meet someone so good and innocent that would turn his world upside down and eventually change because of that girl.

For me, it doesn't work that way. What happens in the book remains in the book. It will never happen in reality. You can't bring fiction into reality, might as well bring reality to fiction. Maybe in that case you can help knock out some senses to the readers.

"What the heck!? Are you really serious about that or you're just trying to annoy me more? Stop it Frey, it's not helping."

I wiped my mouth with the table napkin provided by the restaurant to clean my self up. I haven't even eaten a single bit of my pasta and now it's already looking disgustingly because of the chewed splattered pieces on top of it because of me. Now I really feel so annoyed. This day is getting worst. Maybe I should just head home and let this day pass without doing anything. It seems like luck is not on my side at the moment.

"You know what? Since my pasta isn't edible anymore, I might as well go home already. I'll just eat at home. I'm sorry if I splattered some on yours. I'll just get you a new one. Is it okay if I —"

She waved her hands in front of me gesturing her answer that was soon followed by words.

"Oh no! Don't bother about it. This day has started too tough on you. It's a good idea that you head home early. And besides, Henry just texted me, inviting me for a lunch. He'll be here in a minute."

I nodded then started fixing myself preparing to leave.

"I can ask him to take you home for a bit if you want before we head out for lunch."

I smiled at her while putting my hand bag on my shoulders.

"No it's ok. I'll just grab a cab. I don't wanna feel so lonely while watching you both flirt inside the car again. So yeah, I better get going before he catch me here. I'm still annoyed at him."

I stood up then gave her a kiss on her cheeks before bidding my goodbye.

As soon as I got out from the restaurant I already had a cab to ride home. The ride wasn't that long since there's not much traffic today.

When I got home I headed straight to my room. I didn't wanna look around or feel how empty this mansion has been since the death of my mom and dad. I still wanted to think that they're still here, around this big mansion that we just often don't see each other because of how big this mansion was made. In that way, I feel less alone.

I placed my bag at the settee placed at the end of my queen sized bed. I slowly wear off my office attire to wear something more comfortable. A boyfriend shirt and a short shorts is enough to keep me feel comfortable. After that, I hopped on my bed never minding my growling stomach asking for some food.

I took my phone out and checked my emails and there I saw something that completely ruined my day.

From: ***** Enterprises

blackent@****.com

To: Tanya Lopez• tanyalopez@gmail.com

Date: 16 Apr 2020, 11:30

Hi Ms. Lopez!

This is from ***** Enterprises reminding you that you still have two days and two more weeks to pay the twelve million dollar balance to your father, Mr. Harold Lopez, debt.

If the debt wasn't payed at the agreed time would cause you your company and some assets involved from the signed contract.

Sincerely,

***** Enterprises*

I turned off my phone and threw it near me. I didn't wanna read more. This is really frustrating me. I wanna blame someone for my misery. I wanna blame dad for leaving me with such great problem!

How can he leave me hanging like this? How can he leave me with such a big mess to handle by myself!?

It was his debt! His mistake to begin with! Why am I the one to suffer all his mistake's consequences? It wasn't me who have debts! It was my dad! Why am I left alone to pay for his mistakes?

"I hate you daddy....I hate you so much..."

I curled up my self like a fetus inside his mother's womb, hiding my face while hugging my knees. I haven't cried since my father's death. That day felt so numb, I couldn't feel anything, it feels so surreal, it cannot be real. I think it all poured now, overflowing in my heart and I just couldn't take it anymore.

I'd be insane if I still keep this all to myself for a long time.

I covered my face with a pillow when I heard a slow knock on my door.

I am not literally alone here, I have manang Leticia with me. The head maid of the house. She was my nanny ever since I was a child. And up until now she's still with me even after my father's death. She was like the mother I never had.

" Iha my dear? Are already home? Have you eaten you lunch already? I have cooked your favourite chicken adobo. Do you wanna eat?"

Despite the tears, I can't deny how my stomach growled just by thinking of manang Leticia's chicken adobo.

I stood up from being curled down on the bed then started fixing myself. I cleared my throat hoping it'll make my voice sound better out from crying too hard.

"I'll be out in a bit manang !"

I shouted back to answer manang Leticia.

"Alright. I'll prepare the table for you then."

After that I heard her footsteps slowly fading away. I sighed, while looking at the mirror, looking for a sign of tears from my face. I didn't wanna make manang Leticia worried again. She's already old and I can't afford to give her much burden anymore. I'm enough burden for her to handle.

When I made sure that I already look alright—good but not great— I headed out of my room and made my way to the dining area.

I can't just sulk inside my room. I can't be like this, I don't understand myself. I even blamed my father and I am starting to hate myself because of that. Maybe I just need something to eat.

Right. Maybe I'm just empty stomached.