Perfect Boyfriend For The Savage Lady

It was another Monday morning. While almost all the working population of the world hated Mondays, fortunately she was among the few percent who loved it.

She raised her head as she stepped out of her car, a red 2016 BMW 2 series. Even in the lobby of the building where she worked, the employees already had their heads down, acknowledging her presence. In her office, she was highly respected and envied.

Through the glass doors of the office, she could see everyone chitchatting inside the premises. But the moment she badged in, they became alert and returned to their respective cubicles. She was aware that they were a bit afraid of her, not intentionally, but because she was strict with her rules and regulations in the office. Also, she wasn't one to engage in small talk or laughter, which led them to interpret her as unfriendly. She realized it was probably for the best to maintain discipline and professionalism among her staff.

"Good morning Miss Vee," greeted her most reliable personal assistant, Candy. Candy was a year older, a former beauty queen of her region. Despite being a single mom, she handled her job efficiently. She was with her almost 16 hours a day, but even Candy kept a bit of distance.

She nodded to acknowledge the woman.

Candy followed her into her office to provide her with the schedule for the day. After that, she noticed Candy hesitated a bit before mentioning her first appointment for the day.

"Ah... Miss Vee..."

"Yes?"

"Your first appointment is Amanda Richards, the wife of an important client. She didn't come here for business though. She just wants to talk to you."

Amanda Richards. She raised an eyebrow. Yeah right. Amanda Richards, she remembered her. A former classmate.

"Did she schedule an appointment?" she asked, skeptical. Because that woman was not the type to go through the proper channels. She knew exactly the kind of person she was.

"Yeah. Three weeks ago, her husband called asking for a little time with you. Since he's a VIP, he was accommodated."

She let out a sigh.

"Fine, let her in."

A few minutes later, Amanda Richards came in. She deliberately ignored her and kept her eyes on her computer monitor.

"Same old you, Vee," she said in the most pretentious manner. She felt like covering her ears. Well, to get this over with, she looked at her.

"Have a seat," she said curtly, raising an eyebrow.

The woman exuded wealth in her signature outfit. Amanda was wearing a red dress, Prada shoes, and a collector's edition Louis Vuitton bag. A typical former school cheerleader, campus queen image. The heck.

She didn't sit down. Instead, she roamed around her spacious office, examining the plaques of recognition hanging on the walls.

"Not bad for a school nerd who always had her nose in books. It paid off really well for you, Vee," she commented.

"I'm not a school nerd. I'm just out of your league. I don't open my legs for a living. What do you want from me, Amanda?"

Her smile was infuriatingly fake. She really couldn't stand being in the same room with this woman without feeling suffocated.

"You really haven't changed a bit. You're still anti-social. I was actually expecting you to kick me out right away, and I wasn't wrong."

"Well, since you know, why did you even come here? You even used your husband's connections just to talk to me."

"You still don't have friends, do you? Your personality hasn't improved, has it? Even your employees look scared of you. Roar!" she teased.

She had enough. "Do you want me to have security escort you out? I won't freakin' care if you're a VIP's wife. I can have another client in a minute!"

Amanda was left speechless. Even with her glasses on, her sharp gaze could pierce through.

"Ok. I'll tell you why I'm here. It's about the school reunion next month. The org just wants to remind you that it's strictly prohibited to be absent. I know you're not fond of parties. You'd probably prefer to refuse the school than---"

"I'll attend."

Amanda was taken aback. It seemed she didn't expect that answer. The invitation was obviously just a façade.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"I said what I said."

Amanda nodded hesitantly, clearly still in disbelief. She chuckled. It felt good to put people like her in their place.

But she had her comeback. "Are you aware that most of our batch mates have partners? Most of them are married to loaded guys. For sure they'll be flaunting their partners. Are you up for the challenge, Ms. Frosty Ice Queen?"

Her head was pounding from this conversation about trivial matters. So what if she didn't have a partner? She didn't need one. She was a self-made woman after all. She didn't need a man to rise in life.

She scrutinized Amanda, the kind who climbed up in life through seduction. Married an older foreigner almost double her age. Just for instant gratification of luxuries and cosmetic surgeries.

"You didn't answer that. Are you backing out?" she said with a laugh. "Well, I understand. You don't have a boyfriend to show off. We're all expecting you to become an old maid---"

"I have a boyfriend," she cut her off. She stared at her with intent.

A more extreme surprise crossed Amanda's retouched face. "Liar."

She felt insulted. She felt like her dignity was being trampled upon. What did this woman think of her, that she had some sort of contagious disease that repelled men?

Amanda bit her lip. "Oops...sorry, no offense meant, Vee. Hmm, I guess I understand. You really don't have to lie."

More fakery.

"So, you'll bring him to the party, right?"

She tapped her foot impatiently under the desk. This woman was really testing her patience.

"We wanted our relationship to remain private, so I can't bring him there."

"Why not?" she laughed. "Oh my God, Vee. Don't tell me you've become desperate because no one's courting you, so you settled for a nobody. Is he ugly? Poor?"

"You're pissing me off!" she raised her voice. "Of course he's not. He's rich, he's good looking. And even if you combine the husbands of all the members of your cheerleading squad, you still won't match him. You understand? Don't compare yourself to me, Amanda. Because no matter how hard you try, you will never beat me in any field. I'm smarter than you, more successful. And even if you get your face retouched a dozen times, know that I'm still more beautiful than you!"

Now it was Amanda's turn to get irritated. She felt smoke coming out of the woman's ears in anger. Her eyebrows shot up, her face turning red from frustration. She had reopened an old wound, she thought.

"You'll regret everything you just said. You want war, frosty queen? I'll give it to you. I'll make sure to tell everyone that your so-called boyfriend is coming, and make sure he lives up to their expectations, because I assure you, you will be embarrassed."

"War is on. Bring some tissues, okay? Because just like in college, your eyeliners and mascara might run from crying because you'll be the one losing again."

She left her room fuming.

She slumped into the swivel chair feeling weak. God! What was she saying again? She was annoyed at her tendency to never back down, no matter what. So, she would say anything just to defend herself.

She remembered their old rivalry. They were classmates in the diamond section. She was the campus queen, the most talked-about, the usual snobbish and bullying cheerleader. That was Amanda. She, on the other hand, was the campus nerd, the outcast. Of course, minus the outdated clothes and thick glasses. She was a fashionable nerd. Beautiful, intelligent. That's why Amanda's group felt insecure about her back then.

Their rivalry escalated even further when the campus heartthrob varsity player, who was supposed to be the destiny of the cheerleader, fell for her. Amanda went to great lengths to entice and pursue him, but in the end, he chose her.

You know what she did? She rejected the guy in public. She said he was not good enough for her, that he didn't meet her standards.

Yes. Her sky-high standards.

Amanda's ego was shattered. She cried her heart out when news broke that she had rejected the advances of the man she had longed for. She was humiliated beyond measure.

She let out a sigh. It seemed that this time, after five long years, if she didn't do something about it, Amanda would finally get her revenge.

She scanned the office surroundings, looking at the plaques on the walls. She also turned her gaze to the small table mirror on her desk and examined herself.

Why the hell didn't she have a freakin boyfriend?

Not even a suitor!

What was wrong with her?

Her name is Sabrina Vee Suarez, a licensed real estate broker. Five years after graduating with the highest honors, she became one of the country's most successful, influential lady entrepreneurs.

She was the co-founder of SmartView. It was a company that provided tools and programs for intelligent real estate choices for millionaire homebuyers around the world. The company's mission was to ensure clients got the best deal for their real estate purchases in the easiest and fastest way possible.

She had made it to the international headlines as the best in her line of business.

She wasn't your typical lady boss in a black dress with hair in a bun. She wore glasses, yes, but she had a stunning figure complemented by flowing brown curls and a face that almost resembled Catherine Zeta Jones. She looked like her from many angles.

But coming back to the dreaded question. Why the heck didn't she have a boyfriend??

"Mom, where's Cassy?" she asked her mother, noticing that her youngest sister wasn't at the dinner table.

She was 17 and in her senior year of high school. They were only two siblings. Their mother was a full-time housewife, while their father worked in the United States as an IT specialist for over ten years now. He rarely came home, maybe twice a year. Despite that, they didn't feel too lonely because they skyped with him every day.

"She called earlier. She said she'll be home late because she has a dinner date with her boyfriend. It's their anniversary today."

Her eyes narrowed.

"And you allowed it? Mom, do you know they have exams next week? She should be studying now."

"Vee, let your sister be. She's a responsible kid, and we all trust her. Your father knows about this too. If they have exams next week, well, she already has her inspiration." Marie said with a smile.

"You call it inspiration? It's more like a distraction for me. I don't see the point of going out on a date when you have more important things to do in your life." she retorted.

"Having fun is part of life, dear. Besides, it's normal for people her age to go on a date. I know the guy and I trust she'll be safe with him."

She shook her head. She continued eating, thinking about the presentation she needed to finish for her brokers' training the next day.

"Vee, when are you planning to live your life? When you're already old and time has passed you by? You should enjoy yourself, not just work all the time. It's hard to die rich but alone. Your father and I keep reminding you about this, but it seems like you're not listening." Marie said.

Here they go again. The same old talk for almost five years since she finished college. Before, her parents didn't meddle with her life choices. But lately, it has become a recurring topic. They keep pestering her to get a boyfriend. Since when did having a man in your life become the basis for happiness? Were they implying sex? Ugh.

"Mom, what good would it do me to have a boyfriend?"

"Happiness. Fulfillment. The feeling of being useful, not just to yourself and your family, but to other people as well. The knowledge that you bring joy to someone's life. Dear, there are many things in the world that money can't buy. Look at Cassy, she doesn't have achievements like yours, she's not even at the top of her school, but between you two, I think she's happier."

She's known for a long time that she and Cassy are opposites. Her sister is cheerful and has many friends. Cassy's happiness is simple, give her a new laptop or a new outfit and she's content.

While she seemed to struggle to smile. It's also hard for her to make friends, even if she wanted to. Her family was all she had. But, she was happy. Honestly, she was happy. The success and recognition she received at work were enough to keep her going. Her parents couldn't seem to understand that.

"What you need is a boyfriend that will show you the real meaning of happiness. Believe me, dear, it's much more joyful to receive flowers from someone you love than to receive a plaque."

She raised an eyebrow at her mother's statement. Was she serious? Never in a million years would she trade a plaque of recognition for flowers from a man! The heck. Seriously?

"Mom, happiness doesn't solely come from having a man-"

"What then? Family? Success? You have all of that, so why aren't you happy?"

"How can you say that? Just because I'm not all smiles like Cassy? I am happy, Mom."

But she just shrugged. It was clear that she didn't believe her.

"Is it my fault if no one courts me?" she suddenly blurted out.

"Vee, how will you be courted if you shut down every man who tries to approach you? You're beautiful, dear, many are attracted to you, they're just afraid because of your aloofness." Her mother replied.

She rolled her eyes. She felt annoyed at her mother's words.

"Well, I don't have time for men who are timid, foolish, and lack ambition. I'm a woman, Mom. I'll look for a man who surpasses me, so I can respect him."

Marie shook her head again. Who could that man be? "In love, dear, the heart chooses, not the mind. The problem with you is that your heart is closed. And with standards as high as yours, your hair might turn white before you ever get married!"

"But you make it sound like I'm so old! I'm only 26, Mom!"

"That's right. It's the perfect time to begin a relationship!"

Surely, her Mom won't quit.

"I'll tell your father-"

"Okay! I'll get a boyfriend. Give me one month. Don't bother Papa just because of this," she declared.

Marie was taken aback.

Alright. She slipped up again. All she really wanted was for her mom to stop nagging, and later they would team up with her dad. Her head was starting to ache.

"Is it true?" her mom asked, her voice filled with excitement.

She nodded. Sigh.

"Is it true, sis? You have a boyfriend??" Cassy chimed in from behind. She was also overly excited. Gosh, what was wrong with these people? After giving their mom a kiss, she turned to her.

"Sis, when will he come to visit? We wanna meet him!"

She pinched Cassy in response.

"Ouch! Sis, come on!"

"You're not part of the conversation, quit butting in."

"Seriously, you have a boyfriend but you're still so grumpy!" Cassy pouted.

"Why are you late?"

"I went on a date! It was so much fun, and he gave me this!" She proudly displayed the new golden necklace she was wearing.

"Hmp! That looks cheap." she retorted.

"Geez!"

She couldn't help but laugh at Cassy's reaction. Even their mom joined in.

"Oh, when are you going to introduce us to your boyfriend? I'm in awe of him. Imagine, he endured your sharp tongue? Is his greatest accomplishment surviving you? Is he buried in a cemetery somewhere?" Cassy teased.

She got back at her. This time, both her and their mom burst out laughing.

"For heaven's sake, Cassy, he's still alive." she said in annoyance. "I'll introduce you to him properly, without any scratches or bruises. Happy now?"

Cassy nodded. The excitement was evident in both of them. As for her, she felt like she wanted to cut out her own tongue because she was really struggling. It's annoying, this whole boyfriend thing!