章節 1: I don't Need A Man

"Miss Wynter, Miss Delaganza is in the lobby looking for you."

My eyes slid up from the file I was reading. There at the door, stood Beth, my ever efficient secretary.

A small frown creased her forehead as she contemplated what she'd heard. Well, it's been so long ever since she last saw her friend so why not seize this moment to take a break?

"Send her in." She said before tacking away all the files and documents scattered on her desk. She heard the closing of her office door, signaling that Beth went out to call the receptionist.

Not long after, the door cracked open, revealing her long time best friend, Althea Delaganza herself.

"Wynter!" Althea greeted. She then hurriedly walked to her, hugging her tight.

"Your hug felt like we haven't seen each other in years." She teasingly stated with a grin.

"Of course, it's because I missed you! I miss the mighty Wynter McIver, Queen of the Boardroom." Althea mused, grinning at her. She sat down on one of the lounge chairs in the corner of my office.

"Aww, I'm flattered. But sorry to tell you, Thea, I didn't miss you." She teased and sat in front of her.

"Bitch..." Thea mumbled back with her usual adorable pout. She laughed at her childish remarks.

"Tell me something I don't know," I said smirking at her.

Althea rolled her eyes and beamed back. The spark on those baby blue eyes shone brighter. Althea is an example of pure American beauty. With blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and a curvy body. She decided to live in the Philippines together with her long time FilAm boyfriend and has been her friend for years.

She, on the other hand, loved to rule her own empire. The McIver Holdings, that she herself founded and expanded for the honor of her deceased parents. They died in a plane crash when they were spending their third wedding honeymoon. She was just 15 at that time, and being an orphan at such a young age is too hard for her.

Her aunt treated her like her own child, for she is a widow with no offspring to spoil. And here she is, in her own empire she runs. At 25, she managed to build her dream business and it successfully grows into a large company. She was renowned as the Queen of the Boardroom, because of her great manipulation skills and talents. She was even known as the most desired bachelorette in the business world.

Who wouldn't? Not to brag but she is one of those women who is dubbed as a Living Goddess. She exudes a seductive charm that made men of all types, panting with want. With his guitar like figure, coupled with her foxy-looking face, every guy goes gaga with her.

She was gifted with a model-like height, blemish-free alabaster skin, and a thick mane of hair with the color of the night. Her eyes, a pair of chocolate, is fringed with thick long eyelashes. Her upturned nose and pouty red lips make women jealous.

Who could resist her charm?

"What's with you today? You look...different." She inquired with curiosity as she looked her over.

I know that Althea is beautiful, but today, she is blooming. Like she was...

Oh My God!

Is she??

After seeing the surprised look on my face, like she actually knows what I'm talking about, she just flashed her big smile. Confirming my thoughts.

"Oh My God Thea! How long?" I blurted out in excitement.

"3 weeks." Then she sent me a wink.

Althea is 3 weeks pregnant!

"Oh wow, congrats Thea! So what did Michael said?" I asked as I got up on my seat to sit beside her.

I can't believe she's pregnant.

That explains the glow she emits.

"Uhm well, I don't know. I haven't told him yet..." She mumbled squirming in her seat as she avoided my gaze.

"And why is that?" I asked. She didn't inform the father of her child first and ran to me instead.

"I..." She trailed off

"Tell me what's wrong, did y'all quarrel?" I pressed.

The times that they had a spat can only be counted on one hand, and if it ever occurs, it's big deal. So maybe they did quarrel or had a misunderstanding at the least.

She looked at me teary-eyed and said, "I'm scared! He said he doesn't like children, and I'm scared that he would leave me if he knows." She mumbled sniffing.

My heart went out at the sight of my crying best friend, pregnancy hormones I guess.

"Awww Thea, it's okay. You should tell him, he loves you and he will understand. I mean, you both made it together." I cooed.

I am a witness of Michael's gallant love for Thea so I'm pretty sure about what I said. After all, he even chased her across the Caribbean sea when she ran away from him. He almost killed the man, who was actually Thea's cousin, when he saw them hugging inside a restaurant. It was a priceless memory, really.

"But what if he didn't?" She asked tearfully.

"Then we'll beat the sh.t out of him and let Ron take his long-awaited revenge." I joked and it made her laugh.

Ron is Thea's cousin who was beaten unceremoniously because of Michael's jealousy. I still remembered the look on Ron's face when Michael suddenly appeared and punch him out of nowhere.

Michael apologized for so many times when he learned the truth.

'If you hurt my cousin, I'll come for you and kill the living daylights out of you. You better take care of her' - is the exact word of Ron.

Poor Michael.

Thea broke out of my embrace and tried to wipe her tear-stained cheeks. I offered her my hanky that she gladly accepted.

"Fvcking hormones, making me cry..." She muttered before blowing her nose. "I'll wash it." She said which made me cringe.

"Nah, it's yours. I have a lot anyways..." I teased.

She just rolled her eyes and playfully hit me in the shoulder.

●●●●●●●●●●

It was 7 in the evening when I came back from work. I lived alone, at a penthouse suite I called home. I dropped my suitcase at the mahogany table in the living room and plopped myself on the sofa. I also shrugged off my stilettos which I just tossed aside.

Ugh, I'm so darn exhausted.

I'm also too lazy to stand up and cook for dinner. All I just want to do is crawl on my bed and sleep. That sounds so tempting right now...

My phone began to vibrate and I fished it out of my blazer. I answered the call without looking at the caller ID.

"Wynter McIver speaking," I called out with boredom, still keeping my eyes closed. I wonder who's calling me.

"Wynter darling!" A familiar cheerful voice answered back. Instantly, my eyes pried open.

"Mom! How are you?" I responded. It's been months since the last time I saw her due to my busy schedule and I missed her so bad.

And her homemade pies. Damn, I'm hungry.

"I'm fine here sweetie. I just called to check up on you. Are you alright darling? How are you?" she retorted back sweetly like a loving mother she is.

"Oh, I'm okay, just been busy lately. You don't have to worry about me..." I replied, running my fingers through my hair.

"You had your dinner yet?" she asked. Aware of my laziness.

"Uhh...Nope."I answered.

I heard her snicker on the other side and I imagined her face frowning.

"That's no good young lady! Why are you still not looking for a good husband? I am not getting any younger Wynter, I need to see grandchildren soon..." she stated.

I inwardly groaned, here comes her lecture again. For the past 3 years, she's been bugging me about marriage! I'm not ready yet!

"Oh my God mom. Are we seriously going to talk about this again?" I huffed in distaste. She's so pushy and repetitive, I love her though.

"Sweety, I'm only worried about you. I don't want you to be an old maid you know. Think about our good genes going to waste."

"Yeah, but I'm not yet ready okay?"I said exasperated.

"And when will you be?" She pressed further.

She's not going to give up...

"When the time comes mom. Soon, I guess."I said, ending the argument.

"You better! Oh, I can't wait to see that day darling..." she added cheerfully.

"Goodnight mom..."I said.

"Goodnight darling, love you. Take care okay?"

"Yeah..." after that, I ended the call.

Oh great...

It always ends like this, me saying I'll find one soon, and then she'll cheer up. I mean, it's not like I'm in shortage of male suitors but I just don't like them. They're just too "so-so" in my eyes.

I want a man who can make me feel safe. Who can make my knees turn to jelly. Who can make me go after them? Man enough to handle me.

But there's no man like that who still exist in my case.

Or so I thought.