Just For Tonight

1: The Perfect Blind Date

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3 YEARS LATER

"You call this a strategic proposal?"

A calm yet firm voice echoed through the room, making the presenter freeze.

Everyone's eyes darted on the woman seated on the head of the table. Her hair was perfectly in place without a single stray strand. Her clothes had not even a single crease in them. Her demeanor was perfectly calm and composed, yet her resolve remained unwavering despite being the youngest in the room.

"Why don't I see the strategy here? Isn't this just basically the same process we have now but with fancier words?"

"Um... I... I..."

The woman stood up and gathered her things. "If you would excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to. Please arrange a meeting once you have produced an actual comprehensive strategic plan."

Without even sparing them a glance, the sound of her heels filled the deafening silence she left in the meeting room.

"Azienne Yves Solares,"

Azienne paused at the sound of a familiar voice. She forced a polite smile and slowly turned to face the source— her stepmother, Celestine Solares. "Mother,"

Celestine's face wore a sly smile as she feigned hurt. "There you again, calling me mother. I'm quite hurt, you know? But I suppose you must think I'm still lacking compared to your real mom, thus calling me such."

Whispers filled the room as employees gathered to watch the scene. All eyes were focused on Azienne as everyone awaited her reaction, hoping to catch her slip up for once— only to get nothing, not even a single eye roll or a sigh.

"Don't overthink it, Mother. It's just a habit. May I ask what brought you here so early in the morning?"

"Well, you see, there's someone I've been wanting to introduce to you for a while now, but you haven't been answering my calls or visiting me lately. So I thought I'd drop by and visit my dear daughter."

"Sorry, I'm busy—"

"Enough excuses, I already checked with your secretary. Your only schedule for today is the meeting that ended just now. Your date is already waiting for you at the restaurant. Surely you wouldn't just stand him up?" Celestine's voice grew louder, emphasizing the last sentence.

And then it finally clicked. Her stepmother was doing this on purpose. To pressure her into agreeing to the blind date.

"Of course not, I'm not that rude. I should at least be hospitable enough to show my face. After all, Mother made an effort to come all the way here so early in the morning all of a sudden just to make sure I go. If that's all, then I'll head out first," Azienne's polite smile slowly faded away, leaving only a neutral expression.

Without even waiting for her stepmother's response, she walked past them and made her way to the entrance.

"Ms, are you really going to attend the blind date?" Her secretary, Yumi, asked worriedly while following behind her.

Her lips curved into a smirk as she entered the car. "Of course. There's someone waiting to be chased away."

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IN THE RESTAURANT

"Good morning, Maam, may I ask if you have a reservation?" The restaurant staff greeted politely.

"Good morning, I'm here to meet Asher Suarez,"

"Ah! You must be Ms. Azienne! Mr Asher is already waiting, please follow me,"

The staff led her to a private dining room in the restaurant. The room was quiet with a minimalistic design and luxurious chandeliers. She caught sight of a man seated on a table next to a floor-to-ceiling window that gave a beautiful view of the city. He was certainly handsome with a touch of arrogance.

"Excuse me, I presume you're Mr. Asher?"

"Ah, yes, and you must be Ms. Azienne. You're truly as beautiful as they say. Please take a seat."

"Thank you," Azienne politely smiled and sat on the chair in front of him.

"I hope you don't mind, I already ordered food. Please see if the food is to your liking." He motioned to the plate of steak and pasta displayed on the table.

"It's fine, don't worry. Thank you,"

They began eating in silence, only the soft piano music and the clanking of utensils could be heard.

"So, I heard you're the CEO of Solares Holdings?" Asher broke the silence first.

"Mhm, why do you ask?" Azienne asked while slicing her steak, not even sparing him a glance.

"Nothing, it's just that... you'll have to step down from your position soon, right?"

Azienne stopped cutting the meat and lifted her gaze. She coldy stared at the man seated in front of her. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, it's just that, you'll be marrying me soon, so isn't it only natural for you to step down? You may be the CEO and heiress now, but once you get married, you'll have to settle down and look after the household, so your husband would have to take over the business. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind strong independent women, but they should never be more powerful than their husband."

She let out a light, mocking chuckle. "You must be delusional. Who said that I would ever marry you? And why should I step down after marriage? Only my marital status would change, not my brain and abilities. If your ego is so fragile that a woman needs to take a step back and play dumb just so you wouldn't look bad, doesn't that say a lot more about you?"

He scoffed. "Are you saying I'm incompetent? You think you're better than me?"

"I never said that. Well, not that I needed to. I see you're very self-aware," she gave him a mocking yet polite smile and continued eating like nothing had happened.

His face contorted in rage as he slammed the table. "YOU---" He froze at the sight of cameras flashing and paparazzi waiting outside the restaurant. "What's the meaning of this?!"

"Ah, you didn't notice them? They've been here for quite a while now, though."

"What—"

She ignored what he was about to say and glanced at her watch. "I stayed for exactly 30 minutes. That should be polite enough, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go. I'm not delighted to meet you, and I wish you luck on the headlines that will be released tomorrow. Good bye,"

Azienne grabbed her things and walked away, the sound of her footsteps gracing the floor once more, leaving Asher dumbfounded.