"Ms. Koch! What are you doing here? You said you were going to airport?" Jisonia asked surprisingly.
"Jisonia, I just got a call that my mother collapsed". Ms. Koch replied with an anxious expression.
"Is she okay?" Jisonia asked with concern look.
"Thankfully She's in stable condition but I need you to go to the airport for me." Ms. Koch pleaded.
"Me?" Jisonia points at herself.
"Yes. The important guest for today is "Sel Humori" a world famous collector. So, I can't trust anyone but you." Ms. Koch stretched out a finger at Jisonia.
"Anyways, his knowledge on art could give any expert a run for their money. He is such a great influencer on the art association that without him, there will be no exhibition for us this year. You get to know how important he is?" Ms. Koch explained while Jisonia nodded her head in response.
"Here, the keys to my car right there." Ms. Koch placed the keys to her hand. Ms. Koch paused her steps and turned to face Jisonia again, "You're not going to the party wearing that, are you?"
Jisonia chuckled hearing her words and replied "I will change my dress!".
-----
"Yes, I just got off the plane. It is indeed far." Rubben said as he took a glance to his wristwatch. "Serene, What did Dad...?" Rubben words trailed off when someone bumped on his shoulders making him almost lost unbalanced.
"Oh Gosh!" Rubben mumbled as he steadied himself. "Leave that! Don't touch it." A man voice came in when he tried to pick up the man bag.
Rubben raised his gaze pondering for a while, "Touch!Ahh! Okay Mister!" Rubben replied with a small smile which the man finds it creepy.
"Is it your stealing gimmick?" The man rolled his eyes before he walked away.
"What is he saying? English!!" Rubben sighed expasperately. "Hello" He connected the phone again.
"What happened?" Serene asked worriedly.
"Nothing! But the party it's nothing fancy or extravagant, right?" Rubben asked.
"It's just something like welcoming party, you don't need to worry! but you need to build some rapport to make the deal go smoothly."
"Rapport..? You know that's my jam." Rubben replied with lopsided smile. "But where is she?" Rubben craned his neck searching for someone.
"Serene, I found it. See you tomorrow." Rubben hung up the call when he noticed a placard with "Mr Sel" boldly written it. He approached the bespectacled woman who held the placard and his world slow down when he saw the woman closely.
She looks elegant with black dress and her petite nature made her look more dainty. Her rich, dark brown hair was packed in a ponytail that bounced behind. Her face was bare of makeup but she was as beautiful as she could be. He swallowed hard when she forced a smile.
Few seconds of awkward staring passed when he was brought back from his reverie as she lightly cleared her throat.
"Mr Sel.....Right!" Jisonia asked with a polite smile.
"Where's the car? Let's go." Rubben said briefly walking ahead while Jisonia confusedly followed him.
----
Inside a car
Jisonia was startled when her eyes met with Rubben's intense eyes via the rear view mirror. She quickly composed and returned her attention back to the road meanwhile Rubben quickly lowered his gaze and rubbed his forehead awkwardly.
"Hello, I am Lis Jisonia. I will assist you since Ms. Koch had last minute emergency." Jisonia introduced awkwardly. "Did you find the plane enjoyable?" Jisonia added in manner tone.
"Do you really want to know?" Rubben stated making Jisonia arched her eyebrows confusedly in his question.
Rubben folded his hands across his chest and said, "First class seats are just expensive. They are not different from that economy class ones. Lis Jisonia, right?"
"Yes" Jisonia replied.
"Even if you succeed in the future, don't buy first class tickets. Let's see, How many bowls of brown rice can you buy with that money? First class seats are around 20,000 dollars...A bowl of brown rice is 30 dollars so 3 times 6..."
"That would be 633 bowls, rounded up." Jisonia announced. She gazed at him silently for a couple of minutes and said apologetically, "I am sorry. I subconsciously calculate it".
"No, not at all. That's the right attitude." Rubben replied as he shook his head. You need the habit of calculating every single thing immediately not to get scanned in the slightest. Rubben added in firm tone.
-----
"This is the party venue...I heard it was at farm!". Rubben muttered in suprised tone as they stood in front of the gigantic building with artistic architecture.
"It's modern interpretation of a firm built in the 1700s. Isn't it beautiful?" Jisonia asked with a smile.
"Well, it must have cost a bit." Rubben mumbled.