Du - Serenade

Spark Books is an imprint of Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Serenade
Copyright to this digital edition 2017 by
Claire Du

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher.

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Book design by Janus Aragones-Zate (cover) and Miguel Cabreros (interior)

ISBN 9786214201617 (e-book)

For Cristy Mae and Cathy

fellow fangirls

One year ago...

Ever heard of the quote, If you want something, you have to chase it? Well, I was not a believer. Was. I lived in the saying that if something is meant for you, it will be easy-peasy to get. No running, no effort, nada.

That thought came to mind as I was typing my bio for Flirt, a dating website. Desperate? Nah. Lets just say, I want to fast-forward my meeting with my future boyfriend. I plan to conquer the corporate world, so I wouldnt have the chance to look for a date to bring to someones party let alone a boyfriend for that matter.

Did you include high expectations so please make sure you are perfect on your profile, Elise Calliope Dominguez? Lydia, my best friend said while she was ironing her hair. Unlike me, she didnt have a hard time finding her match. Shes on her way to date night with a guy shes been seeing for a month now.

Humor me, I replied while typing Listening to music, donuts and discovering exotic places to chill, under the I LIKE column.

I know I kind of nudged you into doing these things so you could maybe find him a little bit faster and easier but this is kind of insane already. When was the last time you did speed dating? she asked.

Erm, last Monday? I replied while continuing to type my info.

When was the last time you were set up on a blind date? she continued.

Two weeks ago? What? Your own boyfriend set me up! I dont want to let him down, I defended myself. This time she has my full attention. She rarely asks me about the types of dates I had. She must thought Im going over the top.

How many dating websites have you patiently encoded your bio in? Now, it was her turn to stop brushing her hair, look at me straight in the eye and give me her full scrutiny.

Around 3? I bit my lip and silently counted the sites Ive been to. I have a list on my notepad but Im too ashamed to let her see it.

How about in a month?

Erm, 6? I hid my face in the screen of my laptop.

WHAT?? screamed Lydia. I shushed her so as not to wake my parents up. Yes, at twenty-four I still live with them. Not that I think theres something wrong about it.

The more, the merrier right? The more chances of me meeting The One, I explained to her.

Did you ever meet someone decent from all these sites that you were registering in?

Well, most of them were not interested after the first date and some of them got me disinterested right after dinner, I sighed. Who wouldve thought it would be this difficult?

Maybe it would work the other way around for you. Instead of chasing it, let the L word come to you, Lydia sat down beside me.

I promised myself that this would be the last time Ill be using dating sites. After this, Id focus on my career. Even I get tired too.

What time will you be home? I asked, changing the topic.

Depends. If Shaun is up to something naughty, then... Lydia trailed.

Just make sure you get home safe. And the word safe is for all aspects in what youre going to do tonight, I replied half-jokingly.

As Lydia was about to leave, I heard a ping indicating a new message. I checked the tabs and found out its a new message from the Flirt website. It said:

Hi! My names Julian Santiago. I randomly browsed through your profile and found out we have the same hobbies. I love music too, though I work part time as a surgeon. Would you like to meet up? Dont worry, my job is to heal people, so your hearts safe with me ;)

Lydia and I squealed and I hugged her in delight. This is it, my happily ever after. A surgeon? A hot, yummy surgeon? I couldnt believe my luck!

I replied to the message asking him how he was, then told him I was hesitant to meet up and asked if its okay if we get to know each other first.

You go, girl! Ooh, look at that. What a pretty boy youve got there. Dont panic. Youve got yourself a chaperon for the meet-cute! We were looking at Julians primary photo. He was sitting on a sidewalk bench holding a book. He looked so neat, just the way Id want my man to be.

I think, I should be sleeping by now. I wouldnt want to look like I worked hard for my eye bags for my first presentation tomorrow, I told Lydia, so shed leave because I know Shaun is already downstairs waiting for her.

Bye, Sleeping Beauty! She waved her hand goodbye and I turned off the light of my bedside lamp.

Beep.

I checked Flirt to see if it was Julian who messaged me but found out it was a message from CouchPotato. CouchPotato is a site where you can randomly chat with anyone in the world. But theres a catch, if you wont be able to get the persons address or number, then the chance of you two exchanging messages again would be one percent as the site has millions of users.

Bokalista: Hi

GirlBoss: Hey

Bokalista: Whats up?

Boring. I hate people who want me to start the conversation and think about all the topics that we would talk about.

GirlBoss: So sorry but I gotta sleep. Its already past midnight here.

I didnt wait for the person to reply. Instead, I went back to bed, and hugged my pillow. Tomorrow, something good is going to happen. I smiled to myself. If Im lucky, I get to kiss the prince among the frogs.

Present time...

The suns rays beamed down on my face. I jolted awake and immediately ran to the bathroom. I remembered creating a rush presentation for a client meeting last night. Thats why I was so tired I forgot to set up my alarm. I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower then ran back to my bed to check where I left my laptop. I called the extension downstairs for my Nana, our house help who had been my second mother.

Nana, have you seen my laptop? I need it for an important meeting, I was already cramming. I am not the type of person to be tardy for a meeting but days like this happen.

I think you left it in the music room, dear. When I saw you last night, you were creating a piece for Jennylyn. Would you like me to get it? she said in a loving voice. Jennylyn was my cousin who asked for my help with the song she was composing.

Yes, please, I replied while trying to zip up my slacks.