"Sarah," I popped into her office room.
"Yes, sir," she looked at me with a bunch of drawings in her hand.
"I know it's asking too much, but can you join the meeting with me?"
"Ok.. but I will let Cheif Anthony do the presentation, is it ok with you?"
"Yes, sweety," I picked a piece of hair from her face and put it behind her ear.
"Thank you, I will get ready then," she said looking at me."
I asked Jason to ready the conference room as the meeting will begin in an hour. Alex had been fidgeting all this time,
"Hi, what are you worried about?" I asked as I wanted to concentrate on the meeting ahead.
"Liam, aren't you worried?"
"Yes I am, but what's the use of worrying about it and letting them know we know something about them," I asked and wished he won't appear today because of Sarah.
"Let's hope for the best," at last he said.
Luckily for us, Liam didn't attend the meeting today. Alex being curious,
"Mr. Alexander, where's Liam today?"
"Oh, he had to go for a meeting abroad. But I hope it won't affect our decision-making today,"
"Yes, sir," said Alex escorting him to the conference room.
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I looked around and saw Sarah seated next to my chair. After greeting Mr.Alexander, I introduced Sarah,
"Mr.Alexander, please meet our chief conceptualist, Ms.Sarah,"
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr.Ben to meet this lovely lady," he said with a handshake her.
"Anthony will conduct the meeting today, Mr.Alexander," said Alex giving a concerned look at Sarah.
After the presentation, while the others left, Mr.Alexander discussed it with me, Alex, Sarah, and Anthony.
"I really like the new concept, Miss Sarah," said Mr.Alexander looking at the design.
"Thank you, sir," she said sweetly but with a little stress that I can see.
I took her hand and kept it on my lap while slightly rubbing her hand to calm her down.
"May I know if you need any detailing or modifications on the design?" asked Sarah.
"Overall I love the way you have made hotel rooms into different concepts. Liam will be happy about this,"
"And we made the three restaurants to give out a different feel. Anthony, can you please explain," said Sarah.
I looked at her, with a knowing look if she wants to go out. But she said no silently.
"Mr.Alexander, we can create the restaurants to reflect the type of cuisines like Asian, Italian, or Mexican," explained Anthony.
"That's a good idea. So my guests could experience different cuisines while they stay,"
"You can use this to promote your hotel as well, Mr.Alexander," said Alex.
"Oh, by the way, Mr.Ben, do you k ow any good advertising firm?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes I do know someone but may I know the reason, sir?"
"I have to do some promotional work for a product we are hoping to launch in two months,"
I looked at Alex who was looking at me at the same time.
"Alex do you know anyone that you could recommend?" I asked him.
"Hmmm... I will ask around and let you know Mr.Alexander,"
"Thank you. So I guess I will show this and have a chat with Liam, so we can proceed to the Architectural design part," he said adjourning the meeting.
Alex escorted Mr.Alexander to the car, while I took Sarah to my office.
"Mr.Alex, I would like to invite the three of you for dinner tomorrow, as an appropriation for your hard work,"
"I will have to discuss with Ben and see if he is free,"
"Please let me know in advance, so I can book the best restaurant. Be sure to bring that girl, Sarah," said Mr.Alexander.
Alex just nodded his head agreeing but had a doubt as to why he specially wanted to see Little Bud.
In Ben's office, he was discussing something with Sarah, when Alex stormed in with a confused look,
"Ben, do you have any clue what that man is up to? he almost screamed.
"ALEX!!! calm down," I said as I didn't want Sarah to feel ill.
"Oops, sorry Little Bud, I didn't see you," he said while sitting down and drinking some water.
"Now tell me what happened?" Because I know something disturbing must have been said, for Alex to behave this way.
"He wanted us to join him for dinner tomorrow,"
"So what's wrong with that?" I asked as we have gone to dinners with clients before.
"But," he looked at Sarah, "Mr.Alexander specially requested her to join,"
OH, now I see why he was so worked up with a storm. I immediately looked at Sarah, who was going through some documents at hand.
I am ok about accepting the dinner invitation, but, why did he really want her to attend. After finding out about Liam, I have been personally regretting doing this project with them.
"Sarah,"
"Hmm.." who was engrossed in the document.
"Look at me?"
"Why? did I do something wrong at the meeting?" she looked at us confused.
"No, dear. Mr.Alexander has invited asked us to join him for dinner tomorrow. And.. he specifically wants you to join with us," said Alex.
She looked at me.
"HI, sweety, it's ok, if you don't want to go. We can tell him I am busy or something," I said.
"And Ben, Liam is also not here," said Alex, just to encourage her to go for dinner with us.
After a little thought, she said yes. Alex made the reservation at Sarah's favorite place and confirmed it with Mr.Alexander.
This was a slight improvement from her. Earlier she didn't want to meet anyone except the people she knew. On the other hand, I was more worried. So I asked Markus to check on Liam, and if he is in the country or not, to make sure she won't be uncomfortable.