Mayen was missing the most important thing in her life - her notebook of sentiments. She already searched everywhere. If an idea did not pop in her, she would not realize that it was missed. Not that she was forgetful or careless, but she had that much trust in herself that she would always keep it safe with her no matter what that it became monotonous. She was running out of ideas where it could be. If she could turn her apartment upside down, she did already without any hesitation.

Like a kid who was not granted a candy, she tramped towards her bed and dialed Muses’ contact number that she searched on the internet. Going back to that club that caused her so much trouble last night was her last resort but she did not have any choice. By hook or by crook, she should get it before things get out of hand. “I’ll be doomed!” That was the only thing that was running into her mind as of the moment in case that someone exposed it which was easy nowadays on Facebook or Twitter. Her entire career, reputation and dreams will be destroyed once Love Pages found out her mockery. She was not sure what she will do if that happened. She would rather commit suicide.

Still confused where and how exactly it got missed, a lady representative from Muses answered her call with a forceful tone, almost screaming, due to an annoyingly poor phone reception. “Good afternoon, Muses, Marina speaking, how may I help you?” Mayen barely heard Marina’s spiel. The loud party music, Usher’s Love in This Club was playing, she guessed but not sure though as she was not a fan of upbeat songs, was the only thing she could hear.

“This is a very important matter. Could you please go somewhere quiet?” Occasionally, she could be blunt and bitchy. As seconds passed by, the line got clearer and quieter, it looked like Marina was trying her best to find a place where they could talk peacefully and she appreciated her for that.

“Hello, Miss? I do apologize for keeping you on hold. What is our concern?”

She did not think twice, not for a minute. “I was there last night and I must have lost...or forgotten my notebook. It’s a plain black notebook with my name, Mayen Tolentino, and contact details on the first page. I cannot lose it, you know, so could you please check?”

“Absolutely! I need to put you on hold for the meantime while checking with our Lost and Found desk.”

“No problem,” she said while biting her lower lip trying to collect her patience and hope. The music on hold could not make her wait patiently so she stood up and opted to walk in every corner of her room, back and forth. For at least a minute or two, Marina was online.

“Thank you for holding, Miss Mayen. Your inquiry was negative and was not received by any of us.” Marina said apologetically.

“No! It is impossible!” Her face turned completely red and her chest tightened. “Check it properly...or check your CCTV footage! Please!”

Marina empathized and tried to calm her. “We have procedures to follow when retrieving CCTV footage. I will take your contact details and our Manager will get back to you as soon as possible. Give us at least an hour or two.”

Patience is a virtue, she reminded herself before a devil horn showed up from her hot-tempered head. “Fine! Call me back as soon as you find it!”

She threw her phone on the bed, sat on her swivel chair and massaged her forehead. For sure, that would be the only thing she would be repeatedly doing for the next two hours. Admitting that it was idle, she opened her laptop to check her emails, at least something to make her a little occupied. Forty eight unread emails on screen. She scrolled down the mouse and skimmed the subjects of every email. Same old same old, she thought. Until an email from an unknown sender, SpankMeBaby, came up. Weird, she thought while clicking it to satisfy her curiosity. Her lips formed a big “O” then uttered, “OMG!” There were ten images, if she counted it correctly, attached in the email. Now she realized that those were sent from Kellen’s personal ID because of its initials and the way she addressed them, “Bitches”. Who else in her circle could be that mischievous even without being intoxicated?

Mayen viewed the photos one by one and it started to give her mixed emotions, from cringing to laughing to cursing. Though she was not fond of taking casual photos, unlike people nowadays, she would admit that those photos were hilariously worth saving. Amused, she zoomed the last photo where there was a big smile on her face and a margarita in her hand, looking like a pro party-goer. Tipsiness gave full justice to her beauty. She looked so hot, ravishing and unrestrained with that flushing red face and messy-steamy hair. While adoring her alter ego, her phone rang. The call back was earlier than expected. She was not sure if an hour had gone already. She must have been very entertained.

“Hello?”

“Hey!”

What a deep...sexy voice! She surprisingly thought herself.

“H-Have you found my notebook?” Her fingers were crossed trying to contain her high hopes.

“What?” The caller who had a soothing voice sounded puzzled.

She raised her eyebrows. “What do you mean ‘what’? You are Muses’ Manager, right? And, you are supposed to get back to me regarding my notebook that I must have left there last night,” she paused for a minute ensuring that he was still there as he remained silent. “S-So have you?” He did not answer. But, silence means yes! “I knew it! I told you so! Please keep it safe with you. It is very confidential so please never ever read what’s inside there. I will be passing by there tomorrow around eight in the evening. Okay?” She knew that she talked too fast.

Her inner glowed when he said answered back finally. But not that she wanted his confirmation for tomorrow night’s, she wanted to listen to him speak again. What the hell was wrong with her? When did she become this hooked towards a stranger’s voice?

“Yeah...yeah...of course. As you wish.”

“Great! But, what is your name? J-Just for reference when I collect it, you know?”

“Seth.” Se...sexy. Of all the words, that was the first word that came up in her mind.

“Mayen here.”

“I know.”

“H-How did you know?” She felt flattered. It was not hot in her room but her face sizzled up a little, blushing like a teenager.

“I hope the first page is an exception,” he answered very clearly and convincing that she could just listen to it.

“I see. Hmnn…” she uttered while biting her lower lip. Unable to cohere a word, she felt awful of herself for not being a conversationalist. Suddenly, she wished to channel Kellen’s talkativeness.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mayen…”

She swallowed hard when he called her name. Was it seduction that she could hear from his husky voice? It gave her goosebumps and ticklish feeling. Enough now Mayen and stop fantasizing over this stranger, her realistic self flashed. This was the first time that she allowed herself to get flustered over a man.

“THIS WAY, MR. ALARCON…” Tyson said while guiding him to a private conference room in the Muses. Seth had not comprehended a single word that Tyson had just said as something had been occupying his mind. He had not been to that private meeting room that Julie arranged for him. The place was dark, as usual, but away from the party noise that was just two floors down.

“Cool!” Finally, he said when the door had been opened for him. A bar full of expensive alcohol from different parts of the world caught his attention. Secondly, the pool table just next to the bar.

“This is the biggest room that we have here in the club, fully equipped, most private and soundproof. I will be just outside if you need anything,” Tyson said very formally.

“She will be here at eight. Please send her to me as soon as possible.”

“Certainly, Mr. Alarcon.” Tyson walked towards the way out as he comfortably put his helmet on the table and sat on the chair. He took a piece of paper and a pen, starting to think of, actually not what to write, but whether he would need to come up to an agreement or not. To begin with, he was not sure of where to begin. For the first time in three years, he felt strongly wanting “something” in his life. And, that was Mayen.

His concentration had been distracted by Tyson who slightly opened the door, waiting for his signal to let her in. “Sir, she is here to see you now.” As a response, he nodded. He braced himself, calming his flexes not to look mesmerized and shocked like the first time. Truly, it was Mayen’s effect on him.

“Thank you,” a polite solemn response from Mayen in appreciation to Tyson’s exceptional benignity before she finally stepped in. What a walking temptation, he saw fire in her sultry walk. He knew this kind of women - conscious, reserved, achiever and career oriented. A total opposite of his ideal woman. Not that those were bad traits, he was actually proud of women who hustled hard to achieve their goals, but it just bored him.

Seth was a sucker for women who do whatever they want to do, free-spirited, adventurous and who do not care about what other people think. He preferred snickers over heels, pants over skirts, t-shirts over blouses and bared-face over glammed-face.

“Ehem...good evening,” Mayen started to talk while a befuddled look was written all over her face, perhaps she wanted to say that staring was rude and he should stop it. “I’m Mayen. You must be Seth.” As expected, she offered her hand very formally for him to shake.

Amused, he returned her handshake. “Right.” That was it and nothing more. It was better that she would only know a few things about him. He learned it a long time ago that if people got to know him, that he was an Alarcon, things were getting out of hand or different from his expectations. And, he could not afford to let his plans with Mayen got ruined when she came to know everything. “Have a seat.”

A forced smile flustered on her face while she sat on the chair in front of him. “Thanks.”

“Would you like something to drink? Wine? Whiskey?” He offered. Lovely, he thought herself while looking at her innocent face.

“I’m fine. Don’t bother. Where’s my notebook?”

He knew she will ask for it . “Here.” Naughtily, he waved it. “But it stays with me.”

“Excuse me?!” She almost stood up from her seat. But her poise was still over pouring.

“I’ll give it to you...in one condition.”

That made her mouth opened. “I’m not expecting that taking my own stuff would be this hard.” Her eyes were furious and instead of him feeling alarmed, he was actually enjoying to see an emotion in hers.

“I like you.”

“What?! I’m sorry?”

“I like you very much,” he teasingly repeated.

“I don’t want to burst your bubbles but I don’t have time for this. Just give me my damn notebook! Or else I will address it to your higher management!”

Damn that damn word from her mouth, she looked so damn hot. He put his legs up on the table and hold his back head with his both hands. “Go ahead. I could come with you if you want to.” He could play as a club’s manager all day long.

“Jesus! You’re impossible! You are so full of yourself!”

“And, you are so cute.” He moved from his seat and walked towards the bar. He could not miss Mayen’s maneuver, marching to follow him. He poured a glass of whiskey before turning to face her. They were a meter away from each other, not too close that he wanted more. “Want some?”