“I have told you many times that if the rating can’t rise higher than 5%, I will give you warning letter, Tiff. I did make it clear to you before, didn’t I?” Tiffany looked down while fidgeting with her fingers. Surely, it wasn’t the first time her boss had warned her about the rating that kept on declining.

She was a producer, a famous one that she got several awards for the past years. She aced her job as a TV drama producer; she knew when she needed to raise her bet and vice versa. She knew every important people that could affect her job and performance, plus she also realized ways needed to approach them. She had an excellent negotiation skill just to ensure she got the best actresses and actors out there. But what happened when her boss suddenly switched her genre from drama to daily news? Simple answer, disaster!

“You made it clear, Sir. I will make it better, I promise.” Tiffany weakly answered.

“When? Next year? Next decade? Or after this company has bankrupted?” Her boss raised his voice.

“…” Tiffany didn’t dare to answer back this time.

“I don’t care what you’d do! One thing for sure, I will get myself involved this time! I have been patient enough that I have burned hundred thousand dollars by trying to believe your empty promises!” Her boss slammed the stacked of papers on her desk and left her alone.

“Damn. If only he didn’t move me to this department. Maybe, I could give him the rating he needed or even more!” Tiffany cursed silently.

“Hey, are you alright?” Jessica, Tiffany’s known best friend came to her table and sat on the chair in front of her desk.

“Nothing new. I should have been adapted to his ‘acceptable and holy’ behaviour.” Tiffany rolled her eyes and sat too, swivelling her chair and sighed.

“Well, he just doesn’t know that you are talented but just unfortunate enough to be placed in the wrong field.” Jessica replied.

“As if he cared about it. He only cares about whether the money will be multiplied or it will be gone, like what is happening now when he is hiring me under him.” Tiffany massaged her forehead.

“Have you talked about it to him? That you couldn’t afford to work in News area?”

“I have, Jess. But he said that if I am indeed a good one, then it wouldn’t be a problem if I have to be placed in News area or Sports.”

“He has a point…” Jessica stopped talking when she’s aware that her best friend was now glaring at her.

“But anyway, it’s not that important. How are you and your effort to find a proper date?” Jessica chuckled.

“Zero progress.”

“Now if you don’t have anything important to talk about anymore, please remove yourself from that chair. I have lots to work on.” Tiffany flatly said.

“Oh come, on Tiff! Listen out to me first. And you don’t need to say thank you now, no before you met this person yourself! But if you still want to say thank you then who am I to say no, right? So-“

“Will you shut up and just go straight to the point?!” Tiffany annoyingly told Jessica.

“Right. So I tried to compare my list of candidates with your ‘must have personalities embedded’ list and I have found a match!” Jessica excitingly showed the document contained the man stated as a suitable candidate for Tiffany.

“His name is Matthew, he loves tidiness, his job is a music composer which is related to music, he loves his families, he has a pet although is a dog instead of a cat, and his favourite colour is red; surely no man loves pink, no?” Jessica read down his profile while Tiffany was nodding her head, paying attention to what her best friend was saying.

“How about it?”

“Too bad he is a dog person instead of a cat but never mind; the rest of his profiles are enough to make me want to meet him.” Jessica smiled hearing the statement.

“Great! I have scheduled your first meeting on this Friday at 8 PM on your favourite restaurant!” Jessica clapped her hands happily.

“Nice. I shall meet him over there, then.” Tiffany smiled a little.

“I will contact him to inform him that you can make it. I promise he will be worth your time!” Jessica winked and went back to her desk.

---

“Good afternoon! I am John and I am with my partner, Rebecca and today we will bring you the latest and most updated news you may find.” The man read the script and stared seriously at the camera recording him.

“Today’s highlight would be started with epic news from Uncle Sam country. America is blundering into a new Russia election-meddling half of mirrors that’s already doing Moscow’s work; tearing fresh political divides an threatening to again tarnish democracy’s most sacred moment, a national election.” Rebecca continued.

“So what do you think about Russia’s intervention to re-elect Donald Trump?” Rebecca turned to her partner.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” John replied.

“Me too. Why don’t you give America a freedom to elect a new president, Russia?” Rebecca nodded her head as an agreement.

The show went on while Tiffany was in panic mode, staring at the dashboard nearby; hoping the graph will incline although only slightly. Her boss was standing beside her, tapping his foot impatiently. Tiffany obviously knew that her boss was throwing dagger at her but Tiffany pretended not to know. If he wanted to again get rage at her, he needed to at least wait until the show was over, which merely 10 minutes from now. Was there still a miracle out there? It there was, Tiffany urgently needed it right now.

“Tiffany, to my office now!” Her boss stomped away, mumbling dirty words while walking forward toward the exit door.

“I am sorry, dear. I too am out of ideas to make the rating goes higher.” Rebecca said to her, looking guilty and all.

“It’s fine, it’s not your fault. If anyone has to be blamed, it’d be solely on me.” Tiffany tried to smile but failed at the end.

“I just hope our hideous performance won’t make you get fired, Tiff.” John added.

“Let’s just hope for the best. Well then, I have to get going or he will add more salt to my already bleeding wounds.” Tiffany tried to crack a joke to melt the situation.

“We’ll see you tomorrow.” Both of the news anchors said and Tiffany could only nod her head.

Her steps felt so heavy. The distance from her desk to his room was not far, heck maybe it’s only like 20 – 30 meters away but it felt so far. She was tired from getting scolded every single day. She even thought to resign but if she did, then how could she buy food for Bianca; her lovable cat? The stakes were too high. She also was stupidly in love with fashion that she spent most of her salary to buy new clothes, new bags, different expensive brands of make-up, and the list went on and on.

“I don’t think they will see me again tomorrow. Heck I don’t even know today will be the last day he summons me because well, obviously he wants to fire me, no?” Tiffany mumbled to herself.

“Hey! Got scolded again?” Jessica greeted her halfway.

“What else, Jess?” Tiffany rolled her eyes.

“Good luck! Just think of good things such as how you will meet your prince in white horse tonight.” Jessica winked.

“Yeah, you are right. I will just think of Matthew so I wouldn’t be so hurt after.” Tiffany snapped her fingers, feeling better just from Jessica’s idea.

“Great! I will text you later to remind you about the date.” Jessica tapped Tiffany’s shoulder.

“Thanks’ Jess!”

---

“It wasn’t great, was it?” Jessica found Tiffany sat lifelessly on her desk right after she got out from her boss’ office room so she initiatively approached her friend, hoping that everything wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

“…” The stare was enough to make Jessica understand.

“What did he say?”

“Nothing new, except the fact that if within this week I still can’t nudge the rating upward, I can pack my things and get the hell out from here.”

“Aww, that’s very bad, Tiff.” Tiffany weekly nodded her head.

“So, what’s your plan to rectify the situation now?” Jessica carefully asked.

“Revise my CV, apply to other company, contact my friends to find out if they need any failed producer with cheap salary,-“

“No, not like that! I mean your current situation. The Tiffany I know never give up to any worst conditions. I know you will find a way, Tiff. I believe in you.” Jessica confidently said.

“How can you believe in me when I myself don’t have any confidence to fix it?”

“I just know. We’ve been friends for more than a decade, Tiff. You never failed to have an A+ although you rarely attended the lecture. This time is no different. Maybe you need to take days off to clear your problem in your head and start anew. Who knows the inspirations are waiting to be found, no?” Jessica tried to encourage her friend.

“You’re right. I need to take days off. I don’t know if I am able to find the inspiration but I know I need to be freed from this stressful situation. Thanks’, Jess! Stop hoping to disturb me 5 days ahead.” The vigour had returned to Tiffany’s body.

“But the date is still on, right? I just contacted Matthew and told him that you’re on your way there.” Jessica cackled.

“Oh you tricky wicked friend! What time is it anyway? What! It’s only 15 minutes away from our scheduled time!” Tiffany gasped. She hurriedly put everything onto her bag.

“We shall continue this convo later, okay?” Tiffany stood up and waved Jessica goodbye.

“I hope Matthew and her could be a good match.” Jessica smiled and went back to her desk.

---

Tiffany arrived barely 15 minutes later, made her almost 20 minutes late to her very first meeting with Matthew. She was already 34 and yet marriage seemed still so far away from her. She broke up her engagement a year ago and the 7 years of relationship with her ex fiancé went down the drain. It turned out that her ex was cheating behind her back with his secretary. When Tiffany asked him why, the man said Tiffany was too dominant in their relationship; always ordered him not to be this and that. The man grew tired so when he found a submissive woman, without second thought he slept with her and it continued until Tiffany found the truth.

Tiffany admitted that she had a part too why they broke up, but Tiffany was dominant before they even became a couple so why must he bring it up again now, she wondered. Besides, was it wrong if she didn’t like to drink her wine if the bottle hadn’t been cooled down first? Was it wrong if she didn’t like her lover to smoke either electrical or actual cigarette because she wanted him to live healthily with her for a long long time? No, she wasn’t wrong. She was very sure of that. It meant, it’s his loss for missing out Tiffany by cheating on her. She always thought of that, and also with that reasoning in her mind, she succeeded to move on.

Now here she was, trying to start a new chapter in her life with someone. She didn’t know if she would like him and vice versa, but it’s never wrong to try, right? It’s a fat lie if she said she wasn’t nervous. It’s been a while since the last time she dated. The number of date she had experienced stayed at zero after the rough break up. If she was a hermaphrodite, she wouldn’t need a man to complete her life because she could give birth to a boy or girl on her own. Too bad she was only a normal human though.

“Okay, Tiff you can do this! Don’t even think about whether this may continue or not. Just consider it as a new adventure. Remember you have yet to have for the whole year!” Tiffany told herself while punching her hand in the air.

Tiffany took a deep breath while walking to the front door. She pushed the door a little and opened it, greeted by a woman in uniform, smiling at her and wishing her have a good evening meal. She nodded her head and smile back at her. She turned her head from left to right, trying to find a man in his black suit and red tie.

She passed the corridor and turned right, seeing a man matching with Jessica’s description waved at her. She smiled and walked closer to the table. The man had a sleek haircut, left parted and combed nicely.  He was a clean shaved man with no traces of moustache or goatee on his face. When he smiled, his even teeth were shown up, another plus in Tiffany’s opinion.

“Hey!” The man shook his hand, telling Tiffany to come over his table.

“Hey to you too. Have you been waiting long?” Tiffany pulled her chair and sat up.

“Not really. I came early so it’s my fault that I have to wait longer.” The man smiled and Tiffany swore that she got heart-struck.

“Let’s order first, shall we?” Tiffany nodded at the statement.

Both of them ordered different foods and drinks. The waiter noted down their orders and left, didn’t forget to tell them that they should wait around 15 – 20 minutes to have their orders delivered.

“So, what’s your occupation?” Tiffany started slightly too fast.

“I am a pop music composer. How about you?”

“I am a producer.”

“Well, that’s nice. It means you are an outgoing and outspoken person, right? How come no one caught someone as beautiful as you?” The man emphasized regarding Tiffany’s status.

“Because I am a choosy person I guess? I am quite strict when it comes to relationship. I mean, this guy would be the only person I am spending my life with so I have to be careful, right?” The man smiled a little and nodded his head.

“You must be. You are a smart woman and yet so indescribably beautiful. Thus, I am pretty sure numerous men wanted to approach you. You are like the woman of their dreams.” Tiffany stared at the man talking with him, analysing every corner of his face; the contour, his nose’s shape, his kissable lips, and all.

“But, I also have faith they have second or even third thoughts before deciding whether they have to proceed with their plan. If I were merely a commoner, then I wouldn’t be that idiot to continue wooing you.” The man ended his explanation based on his assumption at the first meeting with Tiffany.

“You are right. I am amazed.” Tiffany clapped her hands.

“Excuse me, this is your wine. I will help pouring it.” The waiter suddenly appeared, bringing a bottle of wine drained in a bucket filled with ice.

“Wait. Why the glasses aren’t dewy?” Tiffany halted the movement of the waiter.

“Because I have chilled it by putting the bottle inside these pool of ices, I think?” The waiter answered unsurely.

“No this cannot do. No matter what, when it comes to wine you have to ensure that the glasses were condensed as a sign that it’s cold. Please exchange the glasses.” Tiffany said too seriously, didn’t aware the meaning of doubtful glances from the man sitting in front of him.

“Yes, Mam. I shall be right back with the cold glasses as you require.” Tiffany only raised one of her eyebrows as an approval.

“So, Matthew, tell me how you were as a kid.” Tiffany had back to her old cheerful self too fast that the man who’s dating with her immediately had decided that he wouldn’t do a second date with her.

---

“Hey, why are you so gloomy? How’s your date with him?” Jessica saw her friend sitting alone in the pantry, drinking coffee while staring at the nothingness.

“I don’t think there will be a second date.” Tiffany sighed.

“Why do you think so? He is not to your liking?”

“No, it’s not that. Well, he had successfully accomplished 8 points out of 10 from my list.”

“Isn’t it a good sign? Why you don’t wanna go to the second date?”

“It’s not me. It’s him.” Tiffany grabbed her phone from the table and showed the message texted by Matthew a day before.

From: Matthew

To : Tiffany

“Hey I hope you’ve arrived safely at home. Thanks’ for the date! You are absolutely a great woman! I look up to you, really. Honestly, I am sorry for dropping this message right just after our first date. Honestly, I don’t think I am the man you are looking for and vice versa. You are a good woman and I am sure eventually a good man will come into your life, but that man is not me. Thanks’ again and have a nice sleep.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah. Ouch.”

“What happened?” Jessica curiously asked.

“I have no idea. It was fine at first, he was talkative too. The conversation was smooth so it’s quite a shock to me too that he decided there’d be no second date. And here I was hoping him to ask when I’d be available to meet him again.” Tiffany elaborated her inner feelings.

“I am old, Jess. I want to have a family. But how can I when no man is interested in me.” Tiffany added.

“Hey, stop saying bad things about yourself. It isn’t true. If anything, you are a fantastic woman. It’s his and your exes lose that they didn’t get you as their bride. Good things will come to those who wait, Tiff. Consider it as God is filtering the best man for you now and it takes longer time than other women. So no need to be down about that failed date.” Jessica tried to cheer her best friend up.

“Thanks for the encouraging words, Jess. Although I think God has even given up in giving me candidates for becoming my groom.” Tiffany bitterly chuckled.

“Hey, I have known you for more than a decade. I was there when countless men were trying to get your attention. It only means one thing; that you are worth their sacrifices. Maybe their qualities aren’t according to your opinion but that’s alright. You still look fabulous, Tiff.” Jessica patted Tiffany’s back.

“You already have 2 children although adopted because you prefer a woman. How about me? Men don’t like me. Should I too divert my interest to woman, Jess?”

“You are not that desperate, Tiff. I have known Yuri since college and she never stopped bothered me ever since. If I finally decided that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, that’s because I love her too not because I pity her, okay? Our situation is totally different.” Jessica explained. She climbed down off of her chair. She went to the cabinet and made herself a glass of chamomile tea.

“Who knows? Maybe I am that desperate.” Tiffany said.

“Shoosh! Let’s end this conversation. I will try to find you another candidates, okay? This time I will even ask for Yuri’s help so I will give you both options; women and men. Deal?” Jessica offered Tiffany her pinky finger.

“I don’t want to keep troubling you with my romance issue.” Tiffany bargained.

“It won’t be a trouble as long as you always attend the date that I arrange.” Jessica smirked.

“Sigh. Fine. This time, please find me someone that wouldn’t be judgmental like my last date.”

“Okay! That’s a promise! Jessica smiled cheekily.

---

“Tamy, where are you?” Tiffany unlocked the front door of her house and called after her lovable cat; the only living thing that she loves after her parents in heaven.

Tiffany was the youngest child in her family. She had a brother and a sister as her younger siblings. Her brother lived in Philippines with his wife and children while her sister was in Paris, also together with her family. Meanwhile, she used to live with his father until last year when his father got a sudden heart attack and was