“YOU knew each other?” Janessa’s grandmother asked. A mixture of surprise and confusion was obvious in the old lady’s face.

Janessa arched a brow and glared at the arrogant looking man in front of her. She didn’t expect that she’ll be seeing this man again—and she can’t believe that it will be here! On a dinner date! "Not really,” she said in an irritated tone. “But this is the third time we saw each other today."

"Oh, what a coincidence!" the old lady named Cora commented. “The universe is making ways for the two of you,” she added.

“Universe?” the man cynically asked. “You read too many romance novels, Lola.”

“Of course, that’s my only escape to reality,” the old lady sweetly answered.

But the man just frowned, Janessa expected it. She looked at him and tried to ask the universe why she met this man again. Why? She sighed and remembered how this arrogant man ruined her day, not just once but twice! She’s also sure that tonight’s dinner will be going to be a nightmare.

“By the way, Janessa, this is my son, Ardin Cardiente, ” Mrs. Cardiente introduced the man who still not breaking his sharp gaze towards her.

She returned the sharp look with an arched brow to the scowling man named Ardin. "Lola, is he the guy that you're talking about?" she asked her grandmother, not breaking her gaze to the man.

“Yes, so please, Janessa, shake hands with your future husband,” her grandmother replied, who was obviously warning her to behave.

Janessa wanted to throw up because of what she just heard. Husband? No way! “Do I really have—“

“Janessa…” her grandmother warned.

Janessa blew her breath in surrender. She faked a smile before offering her hand to the man. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Cardiente,” she said sarcastically. "My name's Janessa, your future wife."

But to her shock, the guy just smirked as if she said something absurd. He didn’t even accept her hand.

“Ardin,” the woman named Bianca warned his son. "I’m sorry, Janessa. My son is just a little bit tired.”

"It’s fine. Let's sit down and have a talk,” her Lola told them. She can sense the annoyance in her tone.

They ordered food first before they start with the conversation. Janessa became more uncomfortable in her seat because he could feel that Ardin is still staring at her, and it’s not just a normal stare—he seemed to be throwing a sharp arrow to her with that look.

“Ardin, where did you meet Janessa?" Mrs. Cardiente asked her son.

He glared at her before answering his Mother's question. "She was the woman who suddenly ran into me while I was talking to you on the phone,” he replied without hesitation.

Janessa couldn’t believe what she just heard. "Hey, it's only because you’re blocking the way!”

"Oh, really? As far as I remember, I was standing beside the department's store entrance and it was you who weren’t watching your steps,” Ardin replied.

She glared at him. "What?"

Ardin smirked. "And you're deaf too—"

"Stop it, Ardin!" the old lady scolded her grandson. "When did you lose your respect for women?"

Janessa raised her eyebrow to Ardin, who is giving her again a sharp look. He leaned against the chair and crossed his arms—that gave Janessa a chance to study his features.

His black hair is side-swept, but there are still some strands that go astray. He has thick brows, thick lashes, and a sharp nose. His lips are pale red, that’s obviously always denying a smile. He has sharp, freshly shaven jawline and an attractive neckline. Janessa thinks that he stands six-feet tall. And this jerk-looking guy also has an impressive golden skin and perfect broad shoulders.

Why life has to be so unfair? The Almighty should give those good looks to good people—

“Hey, don't look at me intently. I'm not the main course of the restaurant,” Ardin told her, gesturing to the plate with medium-rare steak in her table.

“Excuse me? I’m not looking at you,” Janessa said frustratingly, she can feel the heat in her cheeks. She pursed her lips and wished the floor to open and eat her.

She caught the two women smile at her. It just made Janessa feel more embarrassed.

“Didn't I tell you right, Janessa?” her Lola Imelda teased.

Janessa didn't answer, she focused her attention to her food instead. This guy is really a jerk, she said in her mind.

"How’s your café today, Janessa? Aren't you too busy?" her Lola suddenly asked, opening a new topic in favor of her.

"The café is pretty busy because of the season,” she answered, felt relief for being saved.

"So, you're a businesswoman?" Ardin's mother asked, smiling. "That's good."

"I’m a barista and a pastry chef in my coffee shop,” she said. “I need to be hands-on in my production because I wanted my café to be well organized for the customers’ convenience.”

"So, you know how to cook, too?" the old lady named Cora asked.

She hesitated. "Actually, no…"

The two women fell silent. Ardin simply shook his head while suppressing an insulting smirk. She wanted to hit him with a fork.

"But, Janessa can learn quickly. I will enroll her in a cooking class—”

"No need, my friend,” the old lady told her grandmother. “Ardin can cook. He will be the one to teach her, right, Ardin?"

The man was shocked at what his grandmother said. "What? Lola, I'm busy at work—"

“That's exactly my point! You have to make time for her. How can you get along well if you don't have time for each other? A cooking tutorial is the best way to get to know each other.”

"I agree with you, Corazon. A cooking tutorial is a perfect start for them to get closer,” Janessa’s grandmother added.

Janessa cupped her forehead. She couldn't believe everything that is happening at the moment. She turned to Ardin, who looked more miserable than her. His eyes were staring at the untouched steak.

But even in a miserable state, he still looked handsome... wait, what am I saying? No, he’s not handsome! Janessa scolded herself in her mind.

***