Mr. President’s

Linds arrived home from school to a brewing storm. Her mother, Susan, and elder sister, Lily seemed to be arguing about something

“Mom, I’m not going. I have a boyfriend, so I’m not ready to go on any blind date with any old man,” Lily was furning so hard, but Linda’s steps were so light she wasn’t noticed.

“You don’t know for a fact whether he is young or old. Your father is out of the city for a business trip, and he said it’s a business partner”

Lily was even more upset. She and Linda looked alike, but their characters were totally different. While Linda was shy and timid, her elder sister, Lily, was outgoing and wild.

“All his business partners are old bearded men. 1 love Randy, and I’m not going on any blind date. Why don’t you let Linda go! She’s nineteen and without a boyfriend,” Lily pointed out, not willing to bend to her parents order, even if it was their business at stake.

When Linda heard her name being mentioned, she wanted to hide. She was so shy that she had only one friend

prom queen in high school.

Also, she was the target for bullies at school, unlike her elder sister Lily, who was the pr

Even with the three years age difference, Linda would pass for Lily if they wore the same outfit and makeup, but the only difference would be their temperaments,

d mute as her p

As if that wasn’t enough, her elder sister equally bullied her. Linda remained mute as

presence seemed invisible like her appearance, “Your father clearly stated that they wanted someone of not less than twenty–one. Your sister is too young, and she’s very shy.”

The person who placed the request did not reveal the identity of the one being presented at the blind date. Susan was frustrated and helpless. It wasn’t easy shouldering this responsibility without her husband.

“Mom, I’m not going on any blind date. Randy and I are getting married soon, Lily said solemnly. Susan was afraid of losing their business deal. It wasn’t like a contract or arranged marriage. This was just a one–time blind date.

“Your father has been promised a great business deal with this arrangement. It’s not as if you will be getting married to him. It’s just a blind date,” Susan tried her best to clarity. How she wished Linda was the older, as she was more understanding. Her only problem was her inability to come out of her shell

Lily was the best candidate at this moment, as she would do very well in entertaining this business associate of theirs.

*Blind dates are for ugly people because they can’t find a real date. Linda is the ugly one, and she will barely find a partner from how timid she is. Do her a favor and make the arrangement” Lily said harshly. Turning around, her gaze met that of Linda, the latter lowered her head

Lily was never proud to introduce Linda as a sister. The reason being that Linda was very smart in class. At nineteen, she had caught up to her elder sister, and they were both going to graduate from college together, in spite of the three years age gap between them.

Due to that, she resulted in high fashion to create a beauty gap between her and Linda and for no one to also associate them to being sisters.

Her loathe towards her junior sister was never hidden as she openly bullied and ridiculed her. “Here she is. I have a date with Randy. I’m out.”

Susan May stared defeatedly at her second daughter, worry nudging her, as Lily walked out the door. If this deal went through, their company would have a good standing for both their daughters to manage after graduating from school.

“Linda, how was school?” She asked sofily. Linda had a scowl on her face. She loved being homeschooled, but when her father grew concerned about her temperament, he thought it best to enroll her in a normal school.

Linda has never been happy since. “Can it ever be better? There is nothing stairs when her mother asked from behind,

nothing good about school I’m going upstairs.” She got to the middle of the

“What about Gwen!” Gwen was her best friend, the only person who gave her a sense of acceptance in the school. Linda calmed from her ra replied,

“She didn’t show up today. Said she had a fever

rage and

Her mother recalled the driver informing her that Linda was going to be late. Due to the worry herself about it then

to the conversation she was going to have with Lily, she didn’t

“Is that why yo

you were late? Did you go visit her?” She asked softly, moving strands of hair from her face as Linda responded,

“Yes, and she’s letter.”

135 AM

As she took another step, she heard her mother’s plea. “Linda, please help daddy out, will you? It’s just a blind date. All you have to do is appear over there.”

Linda froze as unease flung her. How could she be on a date with a strange man! Even the ones she knew were mean to her. “But Lily is the one supposed to go. What if Daddy sent a picture of her?”

“Well, you both look alike, except that you are an introvert, I don’t think that will show in the picture,” her mother’s fingers ran through her long straight hair, the strands running between the space in her fingers.

Linda’s fingers balled into fists. “Fine, I will do it”

Susan released a breath she didn’t know she was holding as she never expected Linda to agree. Though knowing it was going to be difficult for her,

Susan had no choice.

“Great, let me get you ready. She grabbed Linda’s arm and began to yank her towards her bedroom. Linda was confused

“I don’t understand.”

“Your father said the man was coming from Spain only for this date. You have to get to the hotel before he does as this is more beneficial for us.”

“A hotel? Why not a restaurant?” Linda was beginning to regret her hastiness in accepting to take her sister’s place, but her mother was calm about

iL

brother–in–law was the one making this arrangement. Except that

According to her husband, the man was equally not interested in women, so his brother they didn’t want their identity known.

“Trust me, he won’t do anything to you. Your father said he doesn’t like the crowd, so a quiet place is more appropriate for him.”

Hearing that he doesn’t like the crowd, Linda felt relieved. Seemed they had something in common. “Okay”

“Great. Let me get you ready. The driver will take you thereafter.”

Linda showered and put on the dress her mother picked for her. She sat in front of the vanity mirror as her mother began brushing her long straight blonde hair. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“You are beautiful. I hope you know that?” Her mother spoke reassuringly, knowing that Linda was not confident with her looks.

“Mom, please don’t start Linda was suddenly depressed by the statement. Her mother brought out her untouched makeup kit and said, “Let me put a little makeup on your face.”

Linda shook her head in retusal “No. It’s not as if I like him”

u to catch a

Her mother was greatly disturbed about her future. “It will be nice if he likes you, though. Don’t get me wrong, but it’s so hard for you man’s attention. Let me put just a little makeup

Linda uniled bitterly. She had no interest in impressing any man. “I said no.”

Her mother gave up. “Okay, off you go and don’t be late.”

Linda watched her mother from the window of the car as it drove away. The driver took the card when they arrived at the hotel and led her to the room before shutting the door behind him

Before Linda knew it, he was gone, but she was certain that he would be waiting for her at the car park. When she saw the setup, she began to regret accepting this, but she had her phone. If the man tried anything silly, she would just have to call her mother

She sat for over ten minutes at the same spot, her head lowered before she heard the beeping sound of the door.

Even when she heard footsteps, she did not dare to raise her head as she felt so embarrassed.

“Hi, I’m Oliver Winters, she heard the man say. His voice sounded deep and alluring, but there was a tinge of coldness to it.

Linda contemplated before responding, “I’m Linda May, she murmured, her head still lowered,

When she heard the man speak ligain, it sounded different, and she was slightly comforted in the warmth of it. She even fe stormach

“Can I see your face! I don’t bite?

Linda was afraid that he night bully her too. Every time, she assured herself that she had gotten

felt a movement in her

11:35 AM

would coil into her shell like a snail.

Afraid that he might get upset from her delay, she slowly lifted her head Shock registered in her eyes when their gazes met. Was it what people meant by butterflies in the stomach?

The man was not old and ugly as Lily made it sound. He was rather young, handsome, and well–mannered. Linda’s heart flipped strangely for the first time in her life as she shyly lowered her head once more.

This man was out of her league. Most probably, Lily’s type. Her heart stopped when she heard him say,

“You are stunning