Scented Claudia

As soon as i walked into my building, I spotted a familiar face.

Her.

The drama queen from the hospital.

She saw me too and immediately rolled her eyes.

Real mature.

I ignored her and headed for the elevator, but she sped up like we were in some kind of race.

"Get lost," she muttered under her breath.

Wow. Charming.

My employees froze, stunned that someone would talk to me like that.

They were used to treating me with a healthy amount of fear.

But this girl? She acted like i was any random person off the street.

Whatever.

I stepped into the elevator beside her. I didn't have time for this nonsense, today Mr. Lim was visiting to discuss increasing orders. Our perfume line was exploding in China.

She stood there with her arms crossed, glaring at the doors.

A moment later, she whipped around to face me.

"Are you following me?" she demanded.

I lifted a brow.

"Do you even work here?" she added, scanning me up and down like she was evaluating a rival.

I wore a sleek, fitted black dress that hugged my curves perfectly.

The high side slit added just enough edge without being vulgar.

Structured shoulders, black stilettos, diamond earrings, power, confidence, intimidation, all rolled into one.

I let out the smallest smirk.

"You're not even impressive or attractive," I said coolly as the doors opened.

I stepped out without giving her another glance, pushing open my office door.

Behind me, I heard a high-pitched giggle.

I paused, frowning.

What the hell was so funny?

Inside, Mr. Lim was already waiting at the conference table.

"Good morning, Mrs. Araneta," he greeted with a respectful nod.

Before i could answer, she waltzed in right behind me, arms still folded.

"You're Claudia?" she demanded.

Mr. Lim's expression fell.

"Kourtney! What are you doing here?" he snapped.

I raised a brow.

Kourtney?

So the brat had a name.

Mr. Lim let out an exasperated sigh and turned apologetically to me.

"She's... my daughter."

Ah.

So that's why she felt so bold.

I crossed my arms and gave him a dry look. "She's… certainly something."

He didn't answer that.

He just gestured for us to sit.

Kourtney glared at me but slunk off to the side, sulking.

We ignored her completely once business began.

"Claudia, your perfume line is selling out even faster than expected," Mr. Lim began. "Our distribution centers in China can't keep up with demand."

"That's a good problem," I said smoothly. "Do you want to increase shipments?"

"Yes. Double them if possible. Also, my partners want an exclusive scent. Something just for the Chinese market."

I considered it. "We're developing new blends. I'll have my team send you samples by the end of the month."

"Excellent. And if i may say, the branding is flawless. Luxury, quality, presentation. It's no wonder you're dominating the market."

Of course it was. It was my brand.

"Thank you," I said, voice even. "We don't do shortcuts here. Only excellence."

He smiled. "That's exactly why i like working with you. No drama. No delays. Just results."

I let a faint smirk appear. "It's the only way to do business."

We finalized the deal, shook hands.

And of course, Kourtney just had to roll her eyes at me one last time on the way out.

Charming girl.

-

Once they left, I sat back and reviewed the current inventory reports.

If i was going to pitch something exclusive, I needed it to be perfect, an unforgettable scent that would set our line apart in China.

Even if i couldn't smell it myself.

My entire life had been built on compensating for that.

On studying formula ratios, feedback panels, chemical notes.

On listening, truly listening to my team.

Because i didn't have the luxury of trusting my own nose.

I was deep in thought, scribbling possible combinations, when Vanessa burst in, grinning.

"Miss Claudia! someone's here to see you!"

I raised an eyebrow at her giddy expression.

"Who?"

She practically bounced. "You'll see!"

I shot her a warning look before pushing back my chair.

-

As soon as i stepped out of my office, I spotted him.

Raphael.

Great.

My employees immediately went into giggly whispers like they were watching a K-drama come to life.

I let out a heavy sigh and grabbed his arm, dragging him into my office before anyone could make it any weirder.

Inside, he glanced around, taking in the shelves lined with packaging mockups and prototype bottles before turning to me.

"I didn't know you were the Claudia Araneta," he said, voice tinged with amusement. "I knew you were an Araneta, but i didn't realize this was you."

I raised a brow. "Now you know."

I crossed my arms. "So? Have you made up your mind?"

He let out a frustrated breath and sank into the chair opposite mine.

"One year. That's it. And then it's over. I'm too busy for anything real anyway, I practically live at the hospital."

My eyes lit up.

"Perfect!" I clapped my hands once. "We have to see your parents today."

His head snapped up. "Today?!"

"Yes. I'm on a deadline here. My parents expect to meet my 'boyfriend' tomorrow. Don't make me change my mind."

He scrubbed a hand over his face. "You really don't waste time, do you?"

I grinned. "Nope. Now, come on."

—

The drive to his family home was quiet.

I could see how tense he was from the way he kept flexing his hands on the wheel.

"Relax," I teased. "It's just your parents."

He shot me a withering look.

"That's exactly what i'm worried about."

When we walked in, all eyes turned to us.

His parents and sister froze.

"Mom, Dad," Raphael started awkwardly. "I have something to tell you."

We sat down.

I didn't waste time.

"We're getting married," I announced lightly.

His dad nearly choked on his juice.

Viviena's eyes went huge, like she couldn't believe how stupid we were.

His mom's face, though, lit up like a Christmas tree.

"What?" his dad spluttered. "Married? But, why? She's an Araneta. We're not exactly—"

I smirked. "Your son is handsome. He'll give me good-looking kids."

Raphael, mid-sip, practically spit out his water.

His mom squealed in delight. "Grandkids?! I like her already!"

His dad was still frowning. "Is this a joke?"

Raphael coughed, red-faced. "It's… not."

Viviena folded her arms. "So you're marrying for convenience?"

I tilted my head at her. "Would you rather k not tell you? Or would you rather i be your sister-in-law instead of someone else you already know about?"

Her mouth snapped shut.

Raphael let out a suffering groan.

"Can we just… accept it and move on?"

His mom didn't need convincing. She was beaming.

"Of course we accept it! Claudia, you're beautiful, smart, successful! Raphael, don't mess this up!"

I smirked at him. "He won't. Or I'll kick his ass."

Viviena's face went pale.

Raphael just glared at me.

But a deal was a deal.

No one else knew about our little arrangement.

Raphael insisted on driving me back to my office since my car was still parked there.

But as soon as we pulled up, there she was.

Kourtney.

Standing outside the building, phone held high.

Is she filming?

Her eyes widened when she saw Raphael with me.

She immediately bolted over, clinging to his arm.

"Hi, Doc!" she squealed, shoving the camera in his face. "Say hi to my channel!"

Raphael looked like he wanted to die.

He covered his face with his hand.

Kourtney then spun on me, eyes blazing.

"Why are you with Doc?" she demanded.

I blinked.

"Can you not bother him?" she whined, voice going high and fake-cute. "I'm going to marry him someday!"

I snorted.

Couldn't help it.

"What's so funny?!" she shrieked.

I gave her a flat smile. "He's my fiancé."

She went silent for half a second.

Then she started screaming.

I just waved at Raphael and walked inside, leaving her to short-circuit on the sidewalk.

Of course she didn't give up.

She followed me all the way to my office, yelling about how I "stole" Raphael.

"You don't even love him! I was supposed to marry him!" she wailed.

I let out a long, exhausted sigh and turned to security.

"Get her out of here."

The guard stepped forward, blocking her path.

She shrieked louder.

"You can't do this to me! I'm an ACTRESS! Don't you know who i am?!"

I didn't even look at her.

"Sweetheart, no one cares."

She screamed threats about ruining my reputation and making sure her dad would stop doing business with me.

Blah, blah, blah.

Not long after she was dragged away, my phone rang.

Mr. Lim.

"Miss Araneta," he began wearily. "I'm so sorry about my daughter's behavior. Please don't take anything she said seriously. She's… spoiled."

I leaned back in my chair.

"It's fine," I said coolly. "But i'd appreciate it if she didn't scream outside my office again."

He sighed. "Understood. I'll… talk to her. Again. Truly sorry."

After hanging up, I let a slow smirk spread across my face.

That girl was unhinged.

But too bad for her.

Raphael was mine now.