Tarah POV

Ever since I was young, I already knew that my existence in this world was special.

After all, I was Mama and Papa's daughter, Dr. Millen Yu-Zevallos and President Lennox Zevallos.

More than that, I knew that I was bound to lead a multi-billion corporation, that was founded by my grandfather, Kenneth Yu.

My grandfather and grandmother would always bring me to parties since I was young, so I can expand my connections even at an early age. Grandfather would also often bring me to the company, so I would be familiar with every single thing about it.

The party right now is not any different. It was another event for me to socialise with relevant figures in our field.

Because I am confident with everything about myself, I never had any qualms in talking to powerful figures, even though they may be much older or experienced than me.

Aside from my background, I think what makes up my confidence is also my looks and natural charm. I know exactly how to make people like me.

After talking to several figures, I looked at the large buffet table and suddenly noticed the food that it offered.

How rare. Usually, in parties like these, foreign food was always served. But now, they offered traditional cuisine and pastries.

Suddenly, I had the urge to have a taste of one of the pastries that I liked, milk pudding.

"Mmm. It's not as authentic as the one made in Alcontar province." I could not help murmur.

Surprisingly, someone answered my musing.

"Indeed."

I turned to my side and saw a tall, young man. His skin was a little tanned, making him look more appealing. His disheveled hair was slightly wavy and longer than the clean-cut style that most businessmen had.

Hmm. He can pass as my type. He doesn't look that bad. Although, he doesn't look like my age.

Politely, I smiled at the man.

"You know of pastries like these in Alcontar as well?" I asked.

The man only smirked at me, revealing a faint dimple on his face.

"Yes. After all, I am from there." he murmured.

I raised my eyebrows a little, amused at his reaction.

"I see. When I was younger, there was a family who lived next to us who came from Alcontar. I was well-liked since I was young, so they didn't mind me always going there. Then, the Grandma there would always cook traditional Alcontar food and give me pastries." I said, reminiscing those times.

"My mum doesn't cook and I got tired of food cooked by house-help, so that comforted me a lot. I really miss that Grandma." I continued.

The man in front of me was somehow in a daze. But afterwards, he let out a loud laughter.

My type? Scratch that. This man is pretty weird, if he suddenly laughed like that just after what I said.

Was there something hilarious with what I said? As far as I know, there's none.

"That grandma that you're saying, is her name Grandma Lhen?"

When he said that name, especially with such a deep, low voice, I shivered a bit. I could not help but twitch my mouth a little due to surprise.

"Yes. How did you..." I murmured in a slight amused tone.

Without letting me finish, the man licked his lips before revealing a big grin on his face.

"Naturally, I know because Grandma Lhen is my grandmother. It's me, Little Tubs. I'm that Handsome Brother Jeremy." he said in a teasing tone.

***

Even though I was only 5 years old back then, I remember it clearly.

Our neighbours next door was Grandma Lhen, who was living with her grandson, a teenage boy.

I was always confident, even at that age. I can talk to anyone without getting flustered or stuttering.

But then, there are suddenly instances where I would get shy.

Why is it like that?

Why do I suddenly get shy when Handsome Brother Jeremy is around?

So one time, while I was playing with my friends, I told them about my problem.

"That's the feeling when you have a crush on someone." one of them said.

Oh. So that's what a 'crush' is?

Maybe... I do like that Handsome Brother Jeremy. Then, I have to tell him. It's terrible if he misunderstood why I'm so shy when he's around.

"Handsome Brother Jeremy... the truth is, I like you!"

He only looked at me amusingly, before letting out a loud laugh.

He was starting to say something again, but he let out another loud laugh!

This is so unfair! Even when the boys say they like me at my school, I don't laugh at them. I knew how to be polite and say that I don't feel the same way.

Suddenly, Handsome Brother Jeremy patted my head a little.

"Hey, Little Tubs, instead of thinking of things like those, why don't you limit the food that you eat here instead? Sometimes, you eat all the pastries that there's no more left for me."

When I heard Handsome Brother Jeremy's rejection, I went home that day, crying very hard.

It was my first confession, and I got rejected! It's too embarrassing!

Up until now, it was the only failed confession that I've ever had in my life. I remember that I did not stop crying for days after that, so even though I was very young, I still remembered that particular memory.

That memory... it's a secret that I will take to grave! No one should ever know that I was rejected like that!

Maybe, because of that particular moment, that's why I put my frustrations on other things... like teasing my little brother, Neo, even more.

But then, Neo back then would only submit to my teasings. He doesn't try to fight me back. That itself, made me feel guiltier about teasing him in those days...

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Neo is an angel. Admittedly, he is the kindest out of all of us.

On the other hand, my little sister, Reign, is too far away from Neo's meek personality. She's a very naughty kid, who even dares to fight back to me.

But it's not like she could stop me. After all, isn't that what older siblings do? I love teasing and annoying my siblings all the time, knowing that I'm the oldest and I can get away with anything.

***

Now... why is that guy suddenly appearing everywhere?

It turns out that after Grandma Lhen finished her medical treatments here in the metro area, she moved back to their province with that guy.

I never knew these things specifically when I was younger, but it turns out that his family is pretty big. They excel in agricultural technology, which is in-demand nowadays.

Somehow, it also turned out that his mother was Uncle Dan's younger sister. Technically, he was Uncle Dan's nephew... I only knew this because when Uncle Dan visits us, that guy also always come with him.

I usually love entertaining guests, but whenever he visits with Uncle Dan, I would lock myself in my room. As if I'd see him!

Life has got to be kidding me because even in business affairs, that guy appears too!

His family's company made a business deal with us and as my grandfather's representative, I met him in the contract signing.

Right now, I was glaring at him while he kept stealing glances at me, with a very annoying grin plastered on his face.

The memories are very vague, but I remember that he used to have fair skin. But now, his slightly tanned skin complimented his features. It made him look more... manly.

When he raised an eyebrow at me, I realised that I was staring at him for too long.

Suddenly, he reached out his hand to me.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Tarah. I'm Jeremy Sedovia." he said formally, with a hidden intent in his tone.

It took all my patience to warmly smile at him. So this is how you're gonna play, huh?

"Nice to meet you too, Mister Jeremy." I said politely.

I took his hand for a little while, but let go right away.

The reaction he also had when I said his name did not escape me. He probably thought that I was going to call him 'Handsome Brother Jeremy', huh? Only in your dreams!

***

The event today was at the usual polo club we go to. My grandfather and grandmother socialised with the rest of their business associates.

I don't know how, but I somehow ended up alone with that guy in a lounging area. Although, if I were to put it precisely, he followed me here.

What's his deal? He's been annoying me for the past months, acting like he's close to me.

When to be honest, I almost forgot about him. Wasn't there the proverb, 'out of mind, out of sight'? That's exactly how I am for the past years. If I didn't encounter him again after so long, I probably would not even bother.

He's just a speck of dust in my universe, I'm sure...

"Little Tubs, why don't you try liking me again, just like you did before when we were younger?" he said mischievously.

I could not help but groan and roll my eyes at him. That's what he's been saying all the time, using that embarrassing childhood memory as something against me.

"Stop calling me that! I wasn't even fat back then and I certainly am not now!"

He only let out a soft chuckle at my reply, not taking me seriously.

But then, he looked at me with a somehow hungry stare. He bit his lips, as he stared at my body, from top to bottom - examining my curves very carefully.

Once he was done, he looked at me very intently. His expression was somewhat serious, unlike the playful one he had before.

"You're right. You have a very beautiful body." he murmured huskily.

My face was already somewhat flushed before, but when he said those words, I really could not help my reaction anymore!

It's the first time that someone's been this bold to openly check me out. How impudent!

"You pervert! You shouldn't stare at me and my body that way. You're not my type, so don't even think about it!"

"But what about me? You fit exactly my type. You grew up well, Tarah..."

Aside from the time where we met for the business contract, he never called me by my name. It would always be 'Little Tubs', in attempt to piss me off.

At this point, I realised that maybe I'm getting my karma for teasing my siblings too often. Now, I am being teased mercilessly by this guy...

Even though I was ready to explode with angry words, the sound of my name from his lips made me tremble a bit.

Somehow... it makes my heart flutter.

Catching my slightly open mouth by surprise, his lips suddenly covered mine. I wanted to quickly push him off, but I somehow did not have the strength for it as he firmly held my waist.

Unconsciously, I closed my eyes as he started to suck on my lower lip. Then, his tongue entered my parted lips and tasted it before rubbing his tongue with mine, making me feel a jolting pleasure.

I could feel the blush burning on my cheeks as his tongue continued to wrestle with mine, with our salivas mixing.

He was focused on exploring the inside of my mouth through kissing. His tongue twisted and sucked on.

"Mmm..."

I unconsciously let out a moan, making the violent kiss suddenly soften a little.

After a while, the kiss finally came to an end.

I was breathless, but I quickly tried to calm myself down. Rage slowly filled my eyes as I glared at him.

The way his expression looked right now only pricked my pride. He was calm, with a big grin plastered on his face. His expression reminds me of a kid who just won a prize.

Somehow, it feels very insulting.

Although I did have few experiences, it was never like the one he gave me. I never expected that I could be this dazed just over that!

"You shameless man! Why did you do that!?" I shouted at him.

I tried to slap him quickly, but my attempt was futile. He only caught my hand and kissed it softly, making me tremble a little.

"Come on, you're smart. You know why." he said meaningfully.

When he said that, my heart raced quickly. I suddenly could not find any words to rebuff him...