Chapter 56 Best friend

Chapter 56 Best friend

"Are you okay, ma'am?"

My assistant asked.

"Just a little nervous." my smile croaked.

This is my first ever proposal in this industry. I would lie if I'll say that I'm not nervous nor worried about everything.

Even though I knew everything was fine and my team did what it was supposed to do, I was still nervous about the possibilities or what could happen.

"What are you ma'am, I'm sure I'll receive your proposal right away! With no revisions yet, I bet." I just smiled at him.

Great thing because even her jokes makes me feel at ease, at least. My team and I went inside the conference room beforehand, to further prepare the folders and projectors, we did some run-through's and checked everything to avoid any mistakes.

Levi: Good luck with your presentation. I know you'll be great.

I smiled looking at his message. He can't go to the meeting, he will just send his brother which is one thing I thanked in heavens.

This is my first time and I don't want to see him nor I don't want him to see me presenting my works for the first time.

"But are you not bothered? What if you don't like my designs? What if it deserves a call off?"

"If they won't approve your designs then I won't sign the contract." I laughed at the thought. I know it's a joke but he seems serious about it. Of course, this should not be the case in this industry.

This is a serious matter and our feelings are worthless when it comes to considering. He just wants me to feel light. But I also knew that deep inside him he wants to pull some strings to make my way clear which is I knew he also knew that I don't want it to happen.

Me: Thank you. :)

While waiting for the exact time I was able to reply to him, I didn't expect him to reply so quickly.

Levi: Did you eat your lunch?

"Ma'am, the boards are going up."

One of my team informed me. Reason for me not to answer Levi's last message. I straightened up and a deep sigh was made as a few more entered the room. I smiled at some and said my greetings, sometimes just nodding.

I saw Cali entered, so different than the usual Cali I know.

Now it seems serious and you guys are very good at this. I wonder if he has accepted his fate in managing their group of hotels. When he saw me after greeting the few inside he sneered at me and I timidly smiled and nodded softly.

He got busy talking to the man beside him afterwards. If maybe Levi was here, I would be even more nervous or I might even lose myself. Then when the chair are all occupied except the only chair that is supposed to be occupied by someone, people started to stare at me and compose their self. I looked at my watch and smiled lightly. It's not exactly yet so there's still time to wait.

I asked one of my teammates to ask for the attendance lists today on the board but he approached me to whisper.

"Mrs. Vidalio is supposed to go up."

The scene was quite unbelievable. I no longer had a chance to think because at the door I had already seen the cause of my nervousness. The child is gone but he is here. Probably on behalf of VGH. My mind was sent reeling, unable to comprehend when our eyes met. Nothing changed, her eyes are the same as her sons.

Very intimidating and dauntless. You seem to be being judged and you can't do anything right. I don't know what gotten inside me, but my self-consciousness just kicked in. I was living for this, I was trained for this kind of events in my life. I took a deep breath and ignored my personal emotions. We are professionals here, we should act as one.

I proceeded in doing my job which I actually expected to turn out. I was well presented with everything I had to do. But when my eyes trailed to Mrs. Vidalio, who's looking into my fingers, my chest will easily throb again. I gently placed my right palm on my left palm to cover it without damaging my front posture.

"But Architect Suarez, looking at your designs it seems like you value designs over high speed and low cost structures. I believe we're all well aware about the set budget in this project."

"Me and my team are aware sir. My designs may look high maintenance but the cost is just negative 10% in the indicated budget which means it can still change or adjust in a matter of time. Perhaps, after having some deal from our suppliers . "

"No. Your job is to do your designs within the budget given to you. Why would you make your own decisions? Clearly this proposal is off." I was taken a back. I want to be weakened by what I heard. This is my first project and just thinking about my teams hard work makes my heart ache.

"Mr. Yuji, we understand your concerns and we're sorry for that."

The president spoke and turned to me. I was even more nervous because I knew I was ashamed of them all.

"You heard Mr. Yuji, and I have to agree with him. We understand that it's your first project but you also have to understand that you're dealing with this serious matter. A business is a business, it's not just principles you sell you but the name of the company. " I gulped and looked at them.

I saw their eyes staring at me, I shrank even more when I saw Cali who seemed to want to answer. I no longer look poorer than his mother.

"I apologize and accept my mistake. If you have to give me a chance again then I'll correct my wrong doings." I bent down for a moment and closed my eyes tightly. All I can remember is Levi's messaged to me. He expected me to be great but I turned out to be a failure.

"Can I speak?" I looked up at the voice and their eyes were also fixed on Mrs. Vidalio. She flawlessly closed the portfolio in front of her. The president nodded suddenly in agreement. I'm even more nervous about what he's going to say, I'm sure it hurts even more when this project fails. My fvcked up ass is so ready.

"I have to second the motion Mr. Estrada. You mentioned that we are not only catering her principles or service but also the company's title. I see nothing wrong with her proposal, it's just a negative 10% in the budget. What would they say if they knew how you declined this excellent project just because of a 10% excess on the budget. Isn't that what your company can give? "

My eyes widened. Did not expect her to defend me. Or maybe she's not, she's just really practical and professional in her principles. She sound so intimidating. Who could not be intimidated by him. She's the president of the well known VGH, everyone is looking up to her.

"Of course, the company can provide it. I want to accept this proposal too Mrs. Vidalio but you and I are not the only ones here. Someone may agree and some may not as of Mr. Yuji.

"Our president is obviously afraid of her.

"Well then, Mr. Yuji. How many years have you been in this industry?" The other members tried to shut their mouth when gasps burst out everywhere. That question was insulting and I was even more burdened by what was happening. Okay, just decline this shit! "Excuse me, Mrs. Vidalio?"

Mr. Yuji barked back.

"You heard me. Because you're acting as if you're new." She smiled, so sincere that you won't know if she's being sarcastic or not. "In this industry, if you don't gamble you won't get anything. If you're being concerned just because of a low cost of money then you're not dependable at all. Just hide your money on your piggy bank."

She confidently shifted on her seat. I was even more surprised. It was as if Mr.'s appearance was slapped.

Yuji. The other board and murmured because of that. Good thing our president was able to cut off the meeting. It was agreed that I would fix it again and they would discuss again what should be the decision. I bowed after they all stood up.

My other teammates approached me and told me their assurances. I shrank even more because I felt like I had let them all down.

They fixed the projector and laptop and everything came out as well. But when I managed to pick up myself I saw Mrs. Vidalio and Cali still talking to each other. The son just whispered something to her before leaving as the mother turned to me. I was almost on the map back when I saw him slowly traversing the space between the two of us.

Her sophisticated and classy corporate dress and the expensive bag on her hand made her more intimidating. I know Levi already told me that she invited us for dinner tonight but still I didn't know about her whereabouts. How do I know if Levi and I are doing something different every time we are together?

"Can I have some words with you?"

And so that moment was the moment I never knew I needed the most. The waiter set down on our table the tea he had ordered earlier. Not just far from the building we came from. I remained silent as I looked at the hot tea.

I actually expected this scenario but not this sooner. My door was always open for this. I have forgiven them for a long time but maybe in life there are things we really can't forget.

"How are you, hija?"

I looked up for a moment and nodded softly.

"I'm ... fine ma'am." I said still not looking into his eyes. A long silence first passed before he broke it again.

"Don't you like tea?" I quickly lift my head and shook my head. I reached for the tea with my hand but I was burnt there, not expecting the heat of it. We both focused on my hand, both know what's inside our head.

Sparkling stone on my ring finger and by the looks of it it's not just any stone. I remember for a moment how Levi wore it to me after we did that miracle in his office.

I shut my eyes tight to remove that scenario in my head. I slowly lowered my hand again to hide under the table. I looked at him again, I saw his expression.

An expression I had never seen in him. The sad smile and gentle eyes remind me of her child every time I stare at it. Levi really got his eyes from her, very intimidating yet when it softened you'll melt.

"Did you know that your mother is the reason why I started to drink tea? "She uttered and sipped into her tea. I remained stoned face as I look at her. She smiled slightly again. I never knew that. I never saw mom drink tea. So I don't understand what he's talking about now.

And what did she said? "She would always tell me that I should drink tea rather than coffee. She would always brag about her tea every time I'm having my coffee." I remained silent not understanding the point of our conversation.

"And so, when I started to like her tea, she told me that she likes my coffee now. Isn't that some kind of bullshit, hija?"

I gulped, slowly picking up the pieces of her story.

"I admire your mom. I admire her outgoing personality, her always smiling face, how bright her day always, how she can feel whole by just singing under that rain while I'm beside her, silently cursing the rain. We are so different but you know what I quietly wished I was her.

I wish I'm not the introvert type, I wish I was also free like her so that I can do whatever I want and I can love whoever I want. She have it all, the life that I wanted, the friends that I wanted ... the man that I wanted. "

She sighed and looked at me with her eyes so different that the strong woman I know. The wrinkles around her lips are more visible now that I'm seeing her so intently. Every word he said seemed like a dagger being stabbed into my heart.

"Nobody knows. Even Levi doesn't know about this. I've always thought ... that if I keep it to myself it will just go away in time ... but it didn't. Instead, it grew into something more sinful and treacherous. I wish your father is here to prove it to you but I was the only one left, even my husband doesn't believe me ... even my own s-son. " Her voice broke and my eyes started to be clouded.

"But I'm here telling you and hoping you'll realize that coming to you, and to be healed by you will break me even more. I loved your mother as my own sister, my bestfriend or even more. And I want you to know that no matter how painful her betrayal is ... I would never kill her for that. "