Sometimes, calmness is the answer to every sudden situation
-
14
"Do you really not know that we are meeting them?" I whispered to Lea.
My brother and uhm.. Mr. Romualdez was just looking at us whispering to each other. They looked shocked too after seeing us enter the room.
"No." She answered flatly. Which to my understanding, she really meant it. I just sighed! I am completely bothered with this.
"So you girls were the representatives whom Mrs de Guzman said she'll send to us," my brother said, still looking amazed.
Right! I know my brother very well. When it comes to business, it's business.
"Yes. I really didn't know we'll meet you two here." Lea said in a formal tone.
"We had no idea either. Would that be fine with the other young lady?" My brother asked. His left brow arched and the side of his lips rose.
I just couldn't... I sighed and just nodded.
I have to be professional.
Lea walked up to their front, beside the table. She looked at me when she saw me not following her. I just kept my head up and followed her.
"Do we have to introduce ourselves to each other? It seems like we know each other." My brother said.
He's obviously teasing me. He knows too that I wouldn't dare to yell at him when this meeting is an official business matter.
"I believe we have to introduce ourselves to each other for formality," Lea said. "I am Ovelea de Guzman, the Vice President of the de Guzman Group of Companies." She extended his arm to my brother and to him.
"I am Asterio Aviel Alcantara, Chief-executive-officer of the S and A Group of Companies. Pleased to meet you," my brother accepted his hand and so does he.
Lea looked at me, probably waiting for me to introduce myself. I cleared my throat before I spoke, "I am Asteria Alice Alcantara, Senior PR Consultant of the de Guzman Group of Companies."
My brother suddenly extended his arm, waiting for me to accept his hand.
I slowly lifted my arm and accepted his hand but he suddenly twisted my arm to kiss the top of my palm.
What the heck are you doing? "I think this is a bit inappropriate Mr Alcantara," I said in a low voice. He chuckled and then his face hardened.
"Pardon me milady, I'm just envious of the de Guzman's for having you." I just looked away as I knew what he was trying to say. "By the way, this is my business partner..."
He looked at the ma beside and motion to introduce himself as well.
"Joaquin Elian Romualdez, the CEO of the Romualdez Corporation."
This is the first time I heard his full name. When we had the blind date, he only introduced himself as Ian.
This was the first time again I heard his voice. I immediately looked away when he shifted his glance at me.
I wanted to stop Lea when she suddenly raised her arm, offering her hand.
But it was already too late when he accepted her hand.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Romualdez,"
"Same here Miss de Guzman,"
I didn't know what to do when he turned and offered his hand to me. I didn't want to show him that I'm affected by his presence and so, I accepted his hand.
As if the time slowed down, I felt my heart beating fast the moment I accepted his hand. It felt so hot that I feel like my skin burns with his touch.
I immediately pulled my hand away, avoiding myself from getting burn.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Romualdez," I really used my formal tone to hide the nervous feeling inside me.
"Same here Miss Alcantara," I can't read his face. He was looking into my eyes but it was... it was blank.
"It's settled then. Have a seat," my brother interrupted our eye contact.
I sat after Lea. They sat too and my brother called the waiter to serve the food they ordered.
"I'm sorry but we ordered earlier before you came. I hope that would be fine," I just nodded as I couldn't find my own voice.
I tried to look away but there's just no escape from him. My vision is too wide for me not to see him in front of me, unless I'll look on my plate the whole night.
"So aren't we going to talk about the business?" Lea said, breaking the deafening silence.
"Aren't you a little too impatient Miss de Guzman?"
"No. I just don't like wasting my time." The appetizer was served and so does the wine. I was just silent the whole time my brother explaining the details about the business.
"To clarify what you just said, you wanted us to be your partner for all the events of your partnership?" Lea said. It wasn't actually a question more like a statement.
"Yes. Your mother, Mrs de Guzman actually wanted to do this however, she called me recently that she'll hand over the executions to one of her subordinates."
"My mother already signed the contract then," Lea said.
"Yes. I agreed to hand over the projects as she promised that she'll hand this over to her trusted people. I guess she kept her promise since the two of you are here." My brother sipped on his wine, waiting for our response.
"I guess this business dinner is just a formality," Lea said.
Lea and my brother were the only one speaking the whole time.
"I have a concern for the first project tho," that stopped me from cutting the meat.
"What is then?"
"I want her to head the first project," I almost choked when my brother pointed me out.
"What? Why me?" he looked at me and a devil smile appeared on his lips.
"I want the first project to be perfect," my brows furrowed with his reason.
I know there's something else.
"I'm sorry to say this but I'm no longer taking projects," my brother's brows furrowed. He must have not known that.
"Then start taking one," he said seriously.
"You don't understand do you?" I'm starting to get annoyed.
I know him too well. I know his love for business but I know he doesn't do his business like this. There's an underlying reason behind this. I know that, for sure.
"It seems like you understand my intention at all. Then why aren't you agreeing to it?"
Brother, you can't use your authority as my older brother to me right now. You just can't.
"Because I have the right to do so,"
I leaned on my chair and played the wine on my right hand.
He smirked and raised his hand. The man near the door went to us and handed over a document.
"Here," He handed over the documents to Lea. "It states there, I can choose the people who'll manage my events, as long as they are employees of the de Guzman's." He looks so confident after saying that.
"But it did not state that employees couldn't say no after being chosen,". his brows shot up.
"But it did state that if our demands aren't met, the partnership will be forfeited."
I was about to say something but Lea held my hand, stopping me from saying anything.
My brother smirked when he saw Lea doing that.
"Aviel, if Miss Alcantara doesn't want to participate in this, then choose another one. I don't want our project to be compromised because the employee you chose was just out of choice," Ian said sternly. His eyes were on me.
His eyes didn't have any emotions at all. His eyes were too emotionless that it felt like it was a canvas
Is he saying that I am unprofessional? Because as a professional, that hurts my ego a lot.
"I have to agree with Mr. Romualdez," his brows furrowed when I said that. He must not have expected that I would agree to him. I didn't look away and stayed staring at him. "I don't want to compromise the projects of your partnership. It's not that I am out of choice but I have a pile of documents to be reviewed and submitted by the next month. I'm also expecting loads of documents once the ongoing proposals are done." I said, emphasizing on the word compromise. He looked away when I did that. "Don't you think it's much better if you'll choose someone who has a lot of time to participate in your event?" I continued.
"I understand your concern but I think Miss de Guzman can do something about that? Her mother said; she can negotiate well." My brother said.
Why is he so stubborn?
"How about this," Lea interrupted our heated conversation. "I have a proposal so we can settle this." She continues
"I'm all ears," my brother
We all looked at her and waited for her proposal. I just hope that it's in favor of me.
"I'll let Miss Alcantara be the head of the first project but only the first project."
"But,"
"I'm not done yet Mr Alcantara," Lea said sternly. My brother shut his mouth. "She can do other projects if she'll agree on the future. However, with this project, she will be the head but only after finishing the documents she's working on right now. She can choose her team as well,"
"But Miss--"
"I am not finished yet Miss Alcantara," she said to me, cutting off my complaint. "As the head of this project, you'll have rights to do anything you want as long you're not violating anything and still following the rules that our partner will set. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Her eyes were narrowed.
Hmmm... Right, as the head of the project, I can do whatever I want.
"Let me know the details so I can start working on it while I'm working with the documents I have right now," I said.
I cannot do anything. I don't have a choice. This is not just hat the management wants but the client as well.
"Are you sure?" Lea asked with concern. "You have too much on your plate right now? Don't overwork yourself. I can let another senior to work on the first phase of the project and hand over it to you once you're done with your current projects,"
"No. It may compromise the project if we'll have different heads working on it. Don't worry about me overworking. I'm already used to that," I said in a small voice.
I know they can still hear our conversation but who cares.
"Uhhm--" he suddenly cut us off. I looked at my brother who has suddenly have this soft expression on his face.
"What is it Mr Alcantara?" Lea asked.
"Well, if she really has too much on her plate, I can uhm-- choose another employee to head this project."
My eyes narrowed and my jaw almost dropped on the floor. Just what in the hell is my brother thinking??? I looked at him with disbelief.
Hmm... he must be guilty for giving me other work when I have too much on my plate.
"I don't want her to overwork herself," He said in a soft tone as he sway the wine inside his glass.
Lea and I looked at each other. Based on our expression, we wanted to laugh at my brother but we refrain to do so. They are still our client, after all.
After he insisted so much and now he wanted to give the project to other people?
I kept that to myself. This is still a business dinner.
"You don't have to worry about de Guzman's employee Mr Alcantara," I said, emphasizing de Guzman's employee.
He narrowed his eyes on me.
"I can skip my meals to work on this Miss de Guzman." I even said, which made his forehead furrowed even more.
"It's not good to do that," Lea said. We're obviously guilt tripping my brother.
"Don't worry. I won't compromise the project,"
I said and eyed Ian, who was silently listening to us the whole time.
"Is that all?" Lea said, wrapping up the dinner.
My brother didn't look well.
"We'll go ahead then, it's nice to meet you Mr. Alcantara and Mr. Romualdez." My brother said.
They just nodded. I nodded too and stood up, following Lea's step. But brother pulled me back
"Don't accept the work," he whispered.
"Are you insane?" I asked annoyed. My eyes narrowed as I looked at him, looking like a kid with a pleading eyes.
"What?" he asked, shockingly.
"You kept insisting earlier and now you wanted me to back out? Are you nuts? I can't understand you brother." I said sarcastically.
"I just don't want to overwork you," he sounded too soft.
"I'm fine. I can handle this, don't worry about the project." I said. His brows furrowed.
"What?" he sound disbelief.
"You're worried that I'll overwork myself and wouldn't be able to work on your project." I said without a pause.
"I'm not worried about the project, what the hell are you thinking?" He sounded annoyed this time. As if I said something too stupid.
"I don't know," said and shrugged my shoulder
"I'm worried about you!" I stepped back when he suddenly yelled.
My jaw was still drop
"Don't yell at your sister," Lea suddenly butt in.
Oh right, they are still here.
"She's right. Why are you yelling at me?" I asked with my small voice. My brother looked in pain. Right, he has always been soft to me, after all I am his baby sister. He always spoils me.
He stepped back, looking frustrated.
"I didn't mean to..."
He bit his lower lip when I nodded. "I'll go ahead," I didn't bother to wait for his response and just left.
And while I was on the elevator, I pulled my phone out of my bag and typed a message for Lea.
To: Lea
Sorry I left you there. I'll go ahead. See you in the office.
I didn't wait for her reply and left the hotel. I'm not really mad at my brother. I'm just not used to him shouting at me.
I just got home when I received a message from my brother.
From: Kuya Asterio
I'm sorry.
it was then followed with another message.
Are you mad at me?
I giggled upon reading his message. So I typed my reply so my brother won't go insane.
To: Kuya
Why would I be mad at you?
To my surprise, he immediately replied. Well, he doesn't like texting so I didn't expect him to reply this fast.
From: Kuya
I yelled at you. I'm sorry
To: Kuya
It's fine kuya. I'm fine.
It's true. I'm just shocked because he had never done it before.