PRESENT
"How about we invite our donors and sponsors for the event? I'm sure they would appreciate being invited to this kind of event because they seem to like reading for children."
"That's actually a nice idea but since it's really unannounced, maybe we should just invite the donors for this month?"
"We still don't know if they are available but there's no harm in trying. I agree that we prioritize our donors for this month. Plus, it's the first time we will invite Attorney Vincent."
Today is our meeting for the kindergarten reading week event. After coordinating with the preschool, we were granted to host a reading segment like what the parents have been requesting us to do. We can do it by ourselves but it's an opportunity for our donors to be involved. Most of them insist on this type of engagement aside from the donations that they make.
At first, I thought of my Aunt Melina but I forgot that she's out-of-country again for one of her travels. I also do agree to prioritize our donors for this month but I also forgot that the only donor for this month is Sir Yuan—Yuan. I really have to get used to calling him without "sir" like he insists upon. It slipped on my mind but thanks to Jihan's teasing smile, I caught what she was meaning to remind me.
Sir Angelo turns to me. "What do you think, Sir Art? Do you think we can invite Sir Vincent?"
Ma'am Beth is already giving me a hopeful smile. "It would really be nice to have him with us. Given that he's a lawyer, we haven't really tried inviting him. He's given us too much all these years."
"I'm sure Sir Art can apply his charms into inviting Sir Vincent." Ji is already grinning.
It's not like a have a choice and I really don't have any qualms about this idea—I really do think to myself that having Yuan is the best choice we have because, like what Ma'am Beth mentioned, we haven't tried inviting him due to the nature of his work.
In all honesty, I just knew now that Yuan has been a long-time donor in this library. If it isn't for the journal that caused us to meet, I wouldn't have personally known him aside from seeing him sometimes on the news. I didn't really know that he was even involved in this library but it seemed like Ma'am Beth and Sir Angelo are really familiar with him because they knew all along that he was the one donating the boxes of books. All of those donations were named under Vincent Enterprises so no one could blame me if I never thought he was personally donating them.
I reluctantly smiled. "Alright, I'll do my best."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later that day, it only occurred to me that I really didn't know Sir Yuan. Yuan. I should really call him just Yuan.
On contract basis and because of the journal that I found, I know him for being Yuan Vincent—the grandson who is up to fulfilling their grandfather's last will. I also know him for being a persuasive person that has a keen way of making things go on his way—perhaps it comes naturally for him being a lawyer.
Because of my researches about him then, I also found out that being a lawyer and an attorney has their difference. I mean it's only a fun fact on my behalf but it's something I can say that I know him of. He is a lawyer because he manages business legalities then, but he also recently just become an attorney now that he focuses more on court defense for his women and children clients against violence cases. I don't think he mind being called the either of the two. I'm not really good with his field's jargons but that's basically the summary of what I learned.
That's about everything I know about him—and now why do I want to know him better?
Actually, at first, I thought this was unnecessary. Knowing him further is unnecessary because we're only doing business that has something to do with his grandfather's last will. After that, we will part ways as if nothing happened. But that's too cold of me to think that way and I would actually want to apologize to him if I am given the chance to tell him about this.
I don't want to get ahead of myself but knowing each other in the process of this would be our best way to accomplish our task—like being friends.
I don't know why my face feels hot now that I mentioned out loud to myself that I want him to my friend.
"Sir Art? Mr. Vincent is ready to see you."
I thanked the Miss Assistant and followed her.
I'm currently here at the law firm where Yuan's office is located. I was hesitant to go here at first but I really didn't have his personal number and I only have his email. I was going to make an appointment through messaging him or even calling his assistant for an appointment but those plans went to drain because of the ever chaotic Jihan.
She just said that we will just grab some coffee and even borrowed Sir Angelo's car. I had my car with me and it was already suspicious that we didn't use my car. The next thing I knew is that I'm already kicked out from the car in front of this law firm. I had no choice even though embarrassment is already eating me alive, I proceeded inside.
A smiling Yuan with his glasses on welcomed me to his office. Miss Assistant excused herself and left us.
"August! It's really a pleasant surprise for you to be here. Please sit down." He asked about what would I like to drink but I said we shouldn't bother.
I did sit down and scratch my nape in embarrassment. "I'm sorry for barging in without any appointments, Yuan."
He chuckles and shakes his head. "No, it's okay and I really am glad that you're here. I would have to confess though that it really surprised me when my assistant informed me that you're here. What do I owe you this visit for? Is this about the journal entry?"
I almost forgot about the journal and our supposed-to-be schedule for that tomorrow.
I smile, embarrassment still lingers in me. "About the journal—this isn't about that even though I did finish reading the second entry."
Amusement filled his face; he's smiling but his expression suddenly changed. "Oh. Do I have to be nervous about this then? You aren't actually planning on telling me that you're quitting our contract, right?"
Before I could stop myself, I laughed at what he said. For a moment he looked like a nervous kid. "I'm sorry but that's not it. It's not like I can actually do that."
He even sighed in relief. "I know that but I really can't help but to think about the worst-case scenario. That's my biggest fear because I don't really know what I'll do if it comes to that."
It's my turn to be amused with him but I don't want to bully him further. I appreciate his honesty but truly, I won't ever do that to him, not only because of our contract, but also for the fact that I gave him my word.
Without further agonizing us both, I told him the real reason why I am here for. I also explained to him that we will understand if he will not accept our invitation especially that it's really rushed and we didn't get to give him time to slip this in in his already tight schedule.
The kindergarten reading week is three days from today. It will really be understandable if he will not be available.
"Can I give my answer tomorrow on our meeting?" I don't think I'm only imaging this but he really looks like an excited kid with his smile. "It's the first time I've been invited to this kind of event and I really don't want to miss this."
I nod, I'm suddenly excited too. "Then tomorrow it is."
He insisted on walking me out up to the main floor and the sneak-glances of people didn't escape me. I didn't want to think about it so I didn't and besides Yuan is enthusiastically asking me about the reading events that we have in the library.
"You didn't drive here?"
"Ma'am Ji drove me here." I told him how she tricked me and her laughed at it, saying that Ji really has her own ways. "I can just hail for a cab."
"No, I will drive you." He smiles and calls her assistant without even waiting for my answer. "I insist."
It's not I have a choice anymore, do I?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Sir Art..."
I don't even have to turn to whoever that spoke. I know it's Ma'am Ji. The only thing that makes me want to turn around is the strong scent of match latte that I love but I can't—You can do this self! No to temptation!
"Sir Art... Yoo-hoo... Notice me please."
I continue arranging the books here in the sunroom when she finally gives up. She just went in front of me with her puppy eyes and the matcha latte in her hands. I wanted to ignore her but I really can't win against her when she's acting like this.
With a defeated groan, I gave up, and we both end up laughing.
"Here's my peace offering to you." She hands me the cup of latte. "I'm really sorry about yesterday but I'm sure it was the quickest way for us to have him on board."
I took at sip and messed her already messy bun. "We're still not sure about that, you know."
"He rejected you?! After my effort of tossing you directly to the lion's den?!"
I flicked her forehead. "That's still wrong, you know, that could've caused him too much. We can't just take his time like that." She pouts again, not failing to make me laugh. "But he didn't really reject our invitation. He said he'll give his answer later."
"Ma'am Ji?" It was Ma'am Dorothy. She's also a staff here in the library. "Oh! Hello to you too, Sir Art!"
We greeted her too.
She suddenly playfully smiles. "There's a fine man looking for you Ma'am Ji. I think it's one of your suitors again."
It was my turn to grin at Ji. She gave me a warning look not to push it but I couldn't help but to tease her and I even walked with her to the lobby where the man is waiting according to Ma'am Dorothy.
To my surprise, it was Sir Uno. He's not in uniform today and by the look Ji has, she kind of expects him to be here.
"Hello!" He greets us. "Nice seeing you guys again."
"Why don't you just say that it's only Ma'am Jihan that you're glad seeing again?" It was Yuan!
I immediately looked at my wrist watch only to see that it's really time for our meeting!
Sir Uno chuckles and pats Yuan's back. "I'm not biased, you know." He turns to me. "Can I have Miss Jihan for a while, Art?"
I looked at her and she, surprisingly, looks at me like she's waiting for permission.
Oh, my goodness—is my bestfriend, Jihan Clarisse Ong, has finally found her own match?!
I cleared my throat. "O-Of course! Ma'am Ji?"
She smiles playfully this time and turns to Yuan. "I'd leave with Sir Uno first, okay, Sir Yuan? Please take care of Sir Art."
Yuan chuckles. "Of course. Please do so also with my friend here. I think you're more capable of taking care of him than himself."
"Come on, Art! Take this bully with you and never return him!" Sir Uno jokes.
We only laughed at that and we watched them leave. As for us, I already told Ma'am Beth that we will be using the History section for this afternoon.
"This section is only busy during the weekends with the law students and since today is a Tuesday, it'll be a free zone for us to talk."
I already have my latte so I only made coffee for him. I was debating whether to order for him from the nearby café but he told me he liked our coffee here so I settled for that. I also apologized because the time slipped into my mind. He just said that's okay and he'll call next time.
"We didn't exchange our personal numbers, did we?"
I nod to that and chuckle. "Just emails. We can do it now?"
We did exchange our personal numbers and after that, I started telling him about the second entry.
I've been wanting to discuss this second entry the moment I finished it because I really felt that I was right. It was yet again a challenge not to continue and prove further that we are reading about his grandfather's first love but now that we're talking about this helps me ease my thoughts about the next entry.
"I don't I can even imagine myself living during those years where there are so many restrictions about the trivial things today. It's just too... confining."
I nod to that. "That's what I think, too. It would be like suppressing one's self just because it doesn't fit everyone's description."
We both finished our coffee and we're already done for today. I should be assisting him out now but both of us decided to wander through this section more for a while talking about the library events. He seemed to be really interested in joining more in the upcoming ones.
"Speaking of events, I would really want to go to the kindergarten reading week." He said, smiling.
"Is there a 'but'?" I asked cautiously.
He laughs and immediately stopped himself because after all, we're in the library. "There's no 'buts', August. I'm saying that I'll go with you—I mean with you guys in that event."
I made me chuckle. I'm actually relieved with his answer. "Oh, before I forgot."
"What is it?"
I offer him my hand. I'm not going to back down now or even have my second thoughts about this. "I know it's very late and random but I'd really like to be your friend." I cleared my throat. "I mean... Not just as associates with contract to accomplish."
That made him smile widely and accept my hand. "I like that. Friends."