Scented Claudia

I call Vanessa early that morning, leaning back in my office chair as the city buzzed outside my window.

"Clear my afternoon," I told her. "Cancel the meetings i don't absolutely need. I'm going home early."

"Noted, ma'am," she said crisply, thoughiI could hear her typing furiously in the background.

Before ending the call, I added, "Tell Samuel he's overseeing the restaurants and hotels starting today. The managers can babysit him for now, but he needs to start taking charge."

"Understood."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Our parents had called at dawn with their usual breezy tone, We're flying to Spain for a month! leaving us to run everything.

Typical.

"Also," I continued, "talk to HR. We're growing too fast at Lueur. I want job postings up today. Prioritize people with fragrance industry experience. No rookies."

"I'll make sure of it," Vanessa promised. "Do you want us to handle interviews?"

"I want to review the shortlist personally before final offers. No surprises."

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Finance needs to double-check the expansion budget. Every peso. I'm not signing off on anything half-baked."

"I'm on it."

"Good. And clear tomorrow morning. I want to visit the production site myself."

"Consider it done."

When i finally hung up, I exhaled heavily.

The empire was ours to run, at least for now.

And yet, in the quiet of my office, my thoughts wandered somewhere stupid.

Had Raphael eaten today?

-

I didn't go home immediately.

Instead, I parked outside my favorite café, hoping coffee might cure my mood.

And that's when i saw them.

Raphael.

And a woman.

They were sitting outside, close. Talking, smiling.

My stomach dropped.

He looked up.

Our eyes locked.

For a split second, he froze.

And i knew.

He hadn't even expected to see me.

I forced myself to move, my heels clicking sharply on the pavement as i marched over.

Raphael scrambled up. "What are you doing here?"

My eyebrow arched slowly. "I should be asking you that."

I glanced at her.

Pretty.

Polished.

Exactly the type you'd introduce to your mother.

He cleared his throat, voice stiff. "Claudia, this is Alaine. My workmate. Alaine—Claudia."

Workmate?

That's it? Not my wife?

I didn't miss his bare hand.

No ring.

I swallowed my irritation and offered Alaine a thin smile.

"Nice to meet you."

She looked startled but polite.

Without waiting for more lies, I turned on my heel, ordered my coffee in record time, and left.

The entire drive back, my heart was thudding.

I was too angry to go home.

So i turned the car around and went straight back to the office.

I called Vanessa as soon as i walked in.

"Cancel your plans. Stay with me here."

She groaned. "Let me guess. Dr. Hot is in trouble again?"

"Oh, he's beyond trouble."

Ten minutes later, she arrived at my office door, chips and soda in hand like a true partner in crime.

"Okay," she said, settling in. "Spill. How do we get this man to beg at your feet?"

I snorted. "Since when are you a love guru?"

She threw me a smug look. "Always have been. You just didn't know."

"Fine," I said, crossing my arms. "Teach me your ways, oh great Vanessa."

She wiggled her eyebrows. "Step one. Stop making it easy. Men love the chase. Be mysterious."

I gave her a look. "That's it? That's your grand plan?"

"I'm serious!" She tossed a chip at me. "Stop being available. Make him wonder what you're thinking."

I considered it.

Play hard to get.

Be aloof.

Maybe that was exactly what i needed to do.

We stayed there late, giggling like high schoolers as we strategized how to drive Raphael crazy without lifting a finger.

By the time we left, it was well past eight.

-

When i finally got home, the condo was dim, warm light spilling from the living room.

Raphael was there, sitting on the couch, his eyes immediately finding me.

"Why are you home so late?" His voice was low. Stern.

I shrugged lazily, pretending my heart wasn't racing. "Busy day."

He started lecturing me about work-life balance, but i didn't bother to answer.

I just walked right past him and shut my bedroom door.

Let him stew.

A minute later, there was a soft knock.

"Claudia."

I didn't answer.

"I cooked dinner."

I smirked at the door.

"I'm full," I called back.

Silence. Then a frustrated exhale.

"Suit yourself."

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh.

Step one: Make him want my attention.

Game on, Raphael.

-

The next morning, i was up early, determined to make it a normal workday.

Simple but elegant outfit. Hair up. Minimal makeup. All business.

Raphael was already in the kitchen when i walked out.

He glanced at me, cautious.

"About yesterday," he began slowly. "Alaine and I have been friends since med school. She just got back in town, so we were catching up."

I gave him a cool, polite nod.

"That's nice."

He hesitated, waiting for me to say more.

I didn't.

Vanessa's voice was in my head. Don't make it easy. Don't ask. Don't care.

So i didn't.

-

At the production site later that day, I was all business.

Machines hummed, workers moved in careful rhythm, and the scent of fresh-made perfumes hung in the air.

But my eyes were sharp.

I spotted a line of faulty packaging instantly.

I called over the production supervisor.

"These won't pass quality control. What happened?"

He sighed. "Machine issue. We're fixing it now."

"Today," I ordered. "I'm not approving any shipment until it's fixed."

He nodded quickly, and i moved on.

For hours, I walked the floor, inspecting, correcting, taking notes.

By the time i was satisfied, it was late.

-

When i finally got home, Raphael wasn't there.

I checked the time.

Late.

A tight feeling twisted in my stomach.

He was probably still at the hospital.

Had he eaten anything?

I cursed under my breath, grabbed my keys, and headed back out.

I picked up dinner from a nearby restaurant and drove to the hospital.

When i found his office, the door was half-open.

He was inside.

With her.

Alaine.

They were talking. Laughing.

For a second, I just watched them.

Then i pushed the door open all the way.

"Did i interrupt something?"

Their heads snapped around.

Raphael blinked. "Claudia."

I held up the takeout bag, trying to keep my voice light.

"Brought you dinner. Didn't want you working all night on an empty stomach."

He stood quickly and took the bag.

"Thanks."

He looked exhausted.

"I'll be late," he added quietly. "A lot of patients tonight."

I nodded. "Okay."

I didn't say anything else.

I turned and walked out, leaving them both there.

-

Driving home alone, I told myself i didn't care.

That it didn't matter.

That this was just what it was.

But my chest ached anyway.

I went straight to bed, pulling the covers over my head.

Even with my eyes shut tight, his face wouldn't leave me alone.

-

I paced behind the curtain, hands clammy, heart pounding.

I tried to imagine it:

Stepping onto the stage like an angel in white.

Spotlight catching my hair, the crowd falling silent.

Raphael in the audience, eyes widening as he finally saw me.

He'd watch me bid, see my generosity.

He'd realize, she's amazing.

He'd see me, really see me.

Not as the woman he was forced to marry, but someone he could love.

I swallowed.

"Miss Claudia!"

Vanessa's voice jolted me.

I blinked.

"What?"

"You're zoning out again," she scolded.

I shook my head.

Right.

Time to make it real.

At the venue, I sat near the back, scarf wrapped around my head, sunglasses on.

Incognito.

I listened as women nearby giggled.

"Raphael's so handsome today."

"I'm going to buy a painting just to get his attention."

I rolled my eyes.

Pathetic.

When the auction began, the first painting nearly broke me.

A boy in a hospital bed.

Beside him, a man in a white coat. Raphael.

The host's voice trembled slightly.

"This was painted by Jacob, one of our cancer patients. He said this man saved him."

My throat closed up.

I raised my paddle.

"100,000 pesos."

Gasps.

A bidding war started.

I didn't back down.

For every painting, I pushed the price higher.

Not for me.

For them.

The final painting belonged to Liam.

I knew Liam.

I remembered sitting by his bed, promising him he'd get better.

My voice was steady when i called out.

"1,000,000 pesos."

Silence fell.

Then the host's voice rang out, triumphant.

"Sold!"

I allowed myself a small, secret smile.

But then i heard it.

"Claudia!"

My heart sank.

Raphael's voice.

Angry.

I froze.

He was standing there, eyes dark, jaw tight.

Liam's voice pierced the moment.

"Ate Claudia! My angel!"

The applause was deafening.

There was no hiding anymore.

I pulled off my scarf and sunglasses, forced a smile, and handed over the check.

Raphael grabbed my wrist as soon as we were outside.

"Claudia, what the hell was that?"

I raised an eyebrow. "An auction."

He glared. "You turned it into a circus. Made it all about you."

My mouth dropped open.

"Are you serious? I raised over a million pesos tonight. For them."

He shook his head, exasperated.

"You always need the spotlight."

I felt something crack.

"I did it for them, Raphael. Not for you. Not for me. For those kids."

He sighed, the fight leaving him a little.

"I just don't get you."

"Yeah," I whispered. "Maybe you don't."

We stared at each other in the moonlight.

And for once, I didn't have anything else to say.

I turned and walked away, leaving him behind.