“Damn! Where are you, Sherwin?” She peeked through the window; her face was contorted into a frown.
She looked around her and slumped onto a chair and crossed her legs.
The room was decorated lavishly to illustrate a love haven. The lamps on the side of the bed burnished softly, creating silhouettes all over that added drama to the room. Delicate sheer curtains hung on the windows, initiating a subtle and sexy mood, as the gossamer fabric swayed gently to the wind.
It took almost 3 hours to set the atmosphere. Each detail was taken into account to make everything seductively perfect.
She was excited to see his reaction. She smiled. He didn’t know that she was back from the information technology forum in Seattle, Washington. She was scheduled to return in three more days.
She regretted leaving for that damned seminar. All the symposia were so mind numbing. To ease her boredom, she thought of her heart-stopping, blood-raising lover, Sherwin. In all her lustful daydreaming, she came up with this plan to surprise him.
She stood up, went to the full-length mirror and adjusted her attire: a black vinyl top with a very low neckline and deep back and a matching thong and thigh-high stiletto boots. She looked ultra sexy with her hair piled on top of her head, curly tendrils fell on the side of her face, her eyes hidden by a mask.
Except for the ears and tail, she completed the look: Catwoman, The Tramp.
She opened a bottle of Hennessy and took a large gulp, straight up.
She searched for her Panatela, took one and lit. She glanced at the clock again: 11:00 PM.
Her face flushed in disappointment and anger. It took a lot of time and effort to prepare everything and she had no intention of putting them all to waste.
She killed her cig and dialed Sherwin’s number: out of coverage.
She tried the office: no answer.
She took a deep, calming breath before proceeding to dial another number.
Smile reigned her emotions in. “Mae, this is Smile Liu. Sorry to have bothered you at this hour.”
The woman on the other end answered sleepily but surprise was evident in her voice, “Miss Hsu, it’s no problem.”
Smile was twisting the telephone wire with her finger. “Uhm… I was just wondering. I’m trying to reach Sherwin. His mobile must have gone off. Do you have any idea where he is? I have some matters to discuss with him.”
“Oh… He left the office around six. I heard that he had a certain business arrangement at the Yan and Yang Skycraper,” Mae told her everything she knew.
Smile was confused, “Yan and Yang Skycraper? Isn’t that a residential building?”
“Yes, Miss. Maybe he’s buying a unit there.” Mae stopped a yawn.
There was silence.
“What for? He already has a penthouse here,” Smile thought, “Besides, Reina Yang owns one of the only two penthouses there. The other one is under Chrissie Yan’s name.”
It was common knowledge that the Yan and Yang Skyscraper was built for the infamous brats of Jerry Yan and Drei Yang.
“Thanks, Mae. I’ll call Sherwin tomorrow. Hopefully, I could catch him or something. Do tell him I called up, please?” she told the sleepy woman.
“Yes, Miss.”
“Thanks, Mae and sorry to have bothered you. Goodnight!” Smile replaced the receiver on its cradle. She folded her arms, her face turned sour and her eyes were ready to kill.
“Damn you, Sherwin! You better not have any woman other than me!” She muttered angrily under her breath, oblivious to the tears spilling down her face.
She felt sick. The thought of Sherwin having another woman tore her insides apart. She was in love with him.
Devastated and furious, she took her coat and left Sherwin Xu’s penthouse. Her efforts were in vain.
========================================================
Reina was standing on top of the Yang Towers, a lit cigarette on her delicate fingers.
It was around 5 pm and yet, the sky remained clear and bright. The bright orange sun was preparing to settle on the west.
She looked down and she could see Taiwan below her: the tall buildings, the moving cars, creating a long line, and some neon lights were already on.
Looking up, she stretched her arms upward and faced the sky. Her long hair flowed freely against the whipping wind. Even her dress clung tightly on every curve of her body. She surrendered to the wind’s mischief.
Her smile was triumphant. She had emerged victorious against Sherwin last night.
It had been five days since that evening when Sherwin showed up to stake his claim.
The surprise in Sherwin Xu’s face when she voiced her choice will forever be etched in her mind….
========================================================
Five nights ago….
Sherwin shrugged his shoulders and said, “Choose the lesser evil.”
He held out his hand and offered it to her.
She never made a move, seeing Daniel at the corner of her eyes.
Reina just stared at Sherwin’s outstretched hand.
She took a deep breath and met Sherwin’s eyes.
“What were my choices again?” Reina shot up an eyebrow, her tone, challenging.
Sherwin was taken aback. He knew there were no loopholes in his carefully-laid plan. Unless….
Would Reina meet him head on?
It would be suicide for Reina should she challenge him.
He knew her to be wise enough to know he was resolute and she would not be any match when he would play hard.
His eyes darkened, warning her as he replied, “It’s either you’re mine exclusively and I’ll stop my acquisition of YC at 35%. Should you choose me, I’ll let you take charge of YC but I’ll remain as a BOD. Otherwise, I’ll throw you in the streets and I’m serious Reina.”
Reina was not one to not recognize the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
“I have an offer,” Reina tilted her head to her side.
“You’re in no position to negotiate,” Sherwin told her off flatly.
“Oh, but I am, Sherwin,” Reina smiled. “You see, you pointed it out yourself, actually.
She sauntered to him and whispered into his ear closely, “You want me.”
Reina smiled and took her time in sitting down on the couch.
“It goes both ways,” Sherwin countered frankly.
“But you want me more, having planned this trap all this time.” Reina shot knowingly.
Sherwin nodded in understanding.
Reina Yang would lock horns with him.
In a calm and calculating voice, Sherwin said with finality, “So, that’s it then. Clean your office tomorrow. I’m taking over Yang Conglomerate.”
He turned to leave when Reina spoke.
“You sure you don’t want to hear what I was about to offer?”
Naughtiness laced her question.
Sherwin stopped, turned around and smiled slowly. He put his hands in his pockets.
She was his.
“Quit smiling, Sherwin,” Reina sharply said as she saw the triumphant look on his face, “It wouldn’t please you actually.”
Reina reached for the drawer on the side table and took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one stick.
Sherwin’s smile vanished..
Reina Yang was aptly called behind her back, The Bitch.
His eyes narrowed slightly and turned for the door, disgusted.
“Bring it on, Sherwin! Show me what more tricks you’ve got…” Reina dared after him.
His hand was on the knob when Reina finished her sentence.
“IN BED!” a crooked smile was playing on her lips.
Sherwin abruptly stopped and said, “You’re shrewd.”
“I don’t run Yang TV for nothing,” Reina accepted bluntly.
She took a step towards Sherwin, intending to kiss him to seal the deal when Daniel made his presence known by hitting the wall and brushed pass Sherwin and left, his eyes meeting Reina’s.
They stared at each other: Reina’s eyes pled for Daniel to understand.
The silent exchange did not escape Sherwin. He shrugged off the tiny pang of pain that he felt. His eyes darkened.
Sherwin gravely spoke, breaking Reina and Daniel’ moment, “There’s a clause there, Reina. You’re mine only.”
Reina sharply turned her head and met his gaze unflinchingly, “I will be BUT I must go to your bed willingly.”
“Oh but you will,” Sherwin countered.
“We’ll see, Sherwin. Well see,” Reina contested.
========================================================
Reina smiled at the memory.
The wind was picking up.
She decided to go down…
On her way to the elevator, she was thinking that it’s been five days and still, nothing happened between them. Somehow, she was endeared.
He never forced her although she had always left him wanting more for the past five nights.
Sherwin and Reina had moved to a lavish bungalow on the outskirts of Taipei, very reminiscent of Sherwin’s house in Thailand. Upon seeing the structure, Reina realized that Sherwin had carefully plotted his entire scheme.
They were presently sleeping in different rooms as a concession to Reina’s bargain. However, she kept on seducing him just to tease him.
Reina was amazed at Sherwin’s control because every time she says stop, they never carry on, although it was hard and discomforting for Sherwin.
Take last night for instance…
========================================================
Reina arrived at the bungalow tired and weary. She searched the house. Sherwin was nowhere to be seen. She smiled. “Alone for a few precious minutes,” she thought.
To relax, she decided to soak herself in the tub with warm water and her favorite scent, vanilla.
She took her clothes off and wrapped her body in a soft terry robe. Her hair was pinned atop her head.
She went inside the bathroom and poured the oils onto the warm water and immersed herself.
The door remained open. She never bothered to close it. She was alone anyway.
She did not hear the front door open. Sherwin arrived, tired…