Brian does not have an ordinary day today. Today was the culmination of a hectic week. They have been planning to present the initial launch of their new app today to the investors. Brian was the CEO of a startup company called Counterintuive which offered productivity services to companies. He started this when he was still in New York University where he was studying computer science. He met Gabriel there, his buff nerdy bestfriend who was a genius software engineer and at one time was recruited by Google but declined since they had goals together and decided to build a startup tech company.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Gabriel was panicking as he was driving in the traffic of Makati City. Being the project lead and lead engineer of the mobile app initial launch required him to not actually be late. He had to do a presentation today and punctuality mattered to these investors. Gabriel was a genius software engineer but he was a pushover when it comes to stress.
"Come on people. Move." He could not help but grunt in frustration. Makati was a bustling place early in the morning. Gabriel checked his watch. It was 9 am and the presentation was going to be at 9:15 am. He sweated a bit. He could picture Brian's angry face and could not help but let out a grunted sigh.
Counterintuitive office, Makati
Brian was in his office of a five-floor building preparing all the materials for the presentation. Today was going to be a big day to show the investors to fund the mobile app service. This was a vital milestone for their startup. He had to deliver as he always does.
Brian tried to focus and recapped the important notes on his head but something was bothering him. He could not get Jane out of his mind.
Practicing now will not make a difference anyway, Brian thought. He gazed at the window and looked at the bustling morning trying to resist thinking about Jane. He looked at his watch. It was 9:10 am. You're hopeless Gabe. Relinquishing this thought, he hurried to the conference room.
Brian entered the conference room with a commanding presence. All the investors cannot seem to look away. His dashing suit and piercing eye contact demanded attention. Brian was CEO material, all the people in the room thought.
Brian was eyeing the investors as he saw familiar faces from rich families and entrepreneurs but there was one familiar face he did not expect to see. She was a blonde, pretty hard not to notice from the crowd. He contracted his eyes trying to confirm his suspicions. The blonde girl then smiled at him which clinched his hunch. She was there. Erika was there.
Damn it, Gabe. You caved. Brian took a sidenote. Erika must have convinced Gabriel to give her exclusive access to the launch. She was still the persuasive woman he knew she was when they were still in NYU.
"Hello, ladies and gentleman. Most of you already know me but I am Brian Santos, or commonly known as the productivity guy. You may have seen me on some Youtube videos or some tech startup conferences but basically I own a startup called Counterintuitive which provides productivity services embedded in the IT and workflow system of a company. If you want to increase employee productivity, gain more profits or just build a healthy company environment then we are the company you call."
Still, the smooth talker. Erika commented in her mind. She was sitting there looking at him with a tinge of nostalgia outlined in her face. Brian could notice her gaze from afar.
"Why did I come into this business? Well, as a teenager. I was obsessed with startups and people who use technology to make the world a better place. So, when I was in college, I thought. Why not build my own?" Brian was tiptoeing the empathy-getting flashback method. Meanwhile, Gabriel can be seen slowly opening the conference door and slowly approach an empty seat in the back.
"I did not know the app launch project lead and lead engineer had punctuality privileges?" Gabriel was slightly annoyed at the whisper only to pout when he saw who said it.
"I did not invite you to lecture me on my responsibilities. Remember, I was the one who gave you this access. You should thank me. And besides, it was not my fault. There are too many people relocating in Makati these days. Really could not understand why Brian wanted to establish the headquarters here anyway." Brian was a nervous nelly but an excessive talker. But instead of being annoyed, Erika could not help but smile. Brian was still the same old buff nerd she used to hang out with at NYU. He was still overly full of excuses and slightly all over the place.
Noticing that Gabriel entered the room, Brian paused enabling everyone to look at him. Gabriel who later realized his mistake looked at him too, only to meet a glare.
"So, today. My company is going to launch a new mobile app entitled Trek. Trek has a an algorithm that outlines milestones of a project and monitors, schedules and rates it. It is a scalable service that any person with a phone or even a company looking to incorporate it into their work environment. This scalable service needs funding and I hope you can give us that. Because at Trek, we go beyond. Now here to explain the project details, the lead project engineer and my trusted best friend, Gabriel Jacobs."
Gabriel stood up receiving some applause and started to go to the specifics of the project. Meanwhile, Brian replaced Gabriel as Erika's company.
"Still impressive as ever. Always expected you to deliver. But that Star Trek reference was just icing on top. I missed you, Brian." Erika seemed to have some hidden melancholy in her words. She inched her hand closer to his.
"I must say you are the one that is impressive, Erika. I was sure to tell Gabe to have no press in this initial launch. But here you are." Brian exclaimed while glancing at her. Two eyes met, one with a tinge of sadness and one with a tinge of familiarity. Erika's hand froze and without continuing any further, relaxed.
"Oh, come on. Gabriel did it for old times' sake. He's becoming better at refusing me though. He refused me setting a dinner with you and told me to ask you personally. So what do you say? Wanna catch up, just the three of us tonight?" Brian was finally piecing things together on why Erika came. She missed their company and was trying to rekindle some tie. He smiled at the thought but was quickly reminded of the situation with Jane. This triggered a silent frown that Erika noticed.
Noticing his countenance, Erika disappointingly said, "Busy, huh?"
Erika's face reeked of displeasure. She initially expected Brian agreeing in a heartbeat. Please let the refusal be bearable, she silently prayed. She had always thought Brian was a sucker for these kinds of reunions but now, he was different.
"Umm, yeah. I got some stuff to take care off and deals to do. I have to get these investors, you know. But, maybe this weekend?" A nervous tone could be detected in Brian's explanation which Erika did not fail to notice. A slight annoyance starts to crease on her face but she ultimately calmed down hearing that the reunion was just postponed and not rejected.
In an attempt to hide the slight disappointment, Erika jokingly says, "Deal. I still have to create a story about Trek, anyway. Where we go beyond." Brian laughed instinctively which worked to ease off the tension.
It was still a few minutes before Gabriel's presentation ended but Erika was already gone. She told Brian to go to the bathroom but never came back. Brian knew it was partly her fault. Her cordial motives were met with disappointment after all.
The familiarity of Erika's conversation with Gabriel disarmed her to think that everything was the same as ever. Gabriel was different today, he seemed troubled. She thought. But she knew it was because of one thing and she was slightly brooding over it.
Change huh? I guess we both did. She thought while exiting the building. She smelled a mystery that would drive any good journalist mad.