The day of the design presentations came so fast and everyone was a bit excited as well as worried. With me and Sarah, Anthony and a few of our team accompanied the event. I had made arrangements to get Alex at the last minute so he can bring our plan B - the design done by me and Sarah.
Everyone there was from former friends and it was nice to see a few new faces as well.
"Hmm... Everyone seems a bit too excited for our design," said Alex, who went around to catch up on some titbits.
"Well, we will see what will happen. But I have a good feeling, someone has got the first design," I said looking at Sarah, who sat beside our designated place and chatting with Jason.
I had Jason positioned as a bodyguard to her inside the hall, as Markus doesn't have an invite to come in. Something I noticed while looking around was a person, I have never seen before was seen to be pretty interested in Sarah.
"Alex, look at that guy"
"Hmm... who?"
I pointed him to the guy in a black suit with a ponytail. He looked a bit like a gangster to me.
"I will Markus know," said Alex taking a photo of him secretly and sending it to Markus.
At that same moment, the bidding presentations started, and I went with Alex and sat beside Sarah and the team. The designs look impressive and many have given so much thought to the aesthetic side. Before our presentation was - the Bolton Architects.
I looked at Anthony, who had his fists turned into a ball with anger. Yes, They had done it again. The only difference is a new company. I whispered in his ear,
"Don't worry, we have already made a plan B,"
He looked at me with a thumbs up. But went on acting as angry to convince our opponent that they had won.
"Mr.Bolton seems very confidant with what he had done," said Alex.
"Yes I saw him looking at us a few times. Maybe to judge our reaction and confusion,"
"Ben, Alex, are you sure our plan will work?" asked Sarah a bit worried.
"Sweety, you trust me right?" I felt a reassuring squeeze from her on my hand.
After about forty-five minutes, the Bolton presentation was over. He looked at me and nodded as to ask me to accept the challenge. I looked at Alex as he went and gave out the presentation.
As the presentation opened up on the big screen I looked at Sarah. She gave me a reassuring smile. Then I saw the face of everyone presented from the Bolton Architects, who looked confused.
*Alex POV during the presentation....
I looked around after Ben stood in front of everyone. He looked composed and his expressions softened after looking at Little Bud. Even their emotions are interconnected just the same way as the work they do.
Anthony and the team looked at Sarah, and I saw her explain the reason for the design change. Yes, we had made a plan with his team too but what Ben suggested to do was far better than what we thought. And I can see the uproar coming from the others in the hall. Even the committee looked awe strung. A deja-vu moment.
The initial design idea came from one of Sarah's sketches that Ben improvised to be able to make into an architectural monument. The concept was simple but had a warm feel to it than the one that Anthony's team created. Ben explained the design like he was telling a story that grabbed the attention of others in no time.
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After forty-five minutes, I ended my presentation and looked around to hear a standing avocation from everyone on the committee. Well, I knew this design would be a highlight among others but this was something over the board.
The Bolton's looked so confused and kept on glazing at our side many times. This didn't bother me as I kept listening to the others and especially the newcomers. After a few more hours they gave us a break for a while. Alex escorted our team to the nearby restaurant that had been booked earlier for lunch.
As we were about to go out, Mr.Bolton came across with a look that I couldn't make up.
"Mr. Ben, Mr.Alex,"
"Nice to meet you, Mr.Bolton," I said.
"Did you like our design, sir?" asked Alex while our team looked at him.
"I was surprised how you could come up with such a new design in a short time?"
"OH..hmm... well... I have my own methods and I have a lucky charm with me," I said to him looking at Alex.
"We have a Diamond, Mr.Bolton. And Ben had been prepared a Plan B just in case things won't repeat for the second time," said Alex. "Well, Mr.Bolton we will see you at the venue later. Please excuse us,"
And we went to have lunch and discuss the other presentations. Some of the new competitors came and talked to us. I was so happy to see Sarah discussing and encouraging them as well as guiding them by giving little insights into their designs. We turned the lunch into a free seminar as Alex called it later.
We went back to the hall to hear the final verdict. After another hour of speeches and other debts about the designs, they came to conclusion.
"We are pleased to award this bidding to Clifford and Co. for their unique design concept and the detailed building proposal," said the committee member.
With huge applause, we won this round again. I do feel sorry for The Bolton but whoever stole an idea first made us prepare for the second one. But now we have to find who did it.
Alex had been missing since the announcement and saw him again only after getting home.
"Little Bud, can I have dinner with you guys?"
"Why where's Meg?" she asked.
"She's patching up pieces,"
"Ok, I will go and get ready for dinner. Will you be ok with pasta?"
Alex nodded and headed into Ben's room.