I Get What I Want

Kabanata 18

"Good morning, ladies. The pleasure is ours. This is my secretary, Carol, and this is Atty. Lao." Nakangiti nitong pakilala sa mga kasamahan.

"Let's settle first." I gestured them to sit.

"I've seen your works and I must say you are good in this field. I've also heard from your satisfied clients before. In fact, a friend of mine recommended your services to me. And I sincerely thank you for having an interest in this project." Mr. Lee was all smiles nang magsalita ito.

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Lee. You made the right decision to listen to your friend's recommendation. Although we are still a startup business, we've been doing big projects for the past two years. I'm sure you've seen it in our company profile." I said proudly.

"Yes, yes. I've seen it all. Well, the reason why we agreed to have this meeting is because I want to make a proposal."

I glanced at Rorhy at pati ito ay parang nagulat din.

"What's your proposal then?" I asked.

"I'll let you take charge on the designs of my residential units in LA only if you'll participate in the construction bidding of my condo units in the Philippines." Anunsyo nito.

"That's interesting but we don't do business in the Philippines, Mr. Lee. We are not registered there." Singit ni Rorhy.

Tumango ito. "I know. Don't worry. Open naman ito sa lahat ng architectural firms. All you have to do is submit your building design. You don't need to have a physical office there 'cause we can just do teleconference once you're chosen. Or you may visit the site or temporarily stay there for a couple of months until the project is done. Anyway, the construction period is only 6 months. Please think about it. I really want to see your designs on this project." Mahabang paliwanag nito.

"We really appreciate the invitation, Mr. Lee. Please give us time to think about it." I told him sincerely.

"All right then, my lawyer here will discuss some legal terms on how you can participate in the bidding. If you made up your mind, please give us a heads up as the bidding will start any time next week." Pahayag nito.

"We'll think about it thoroughly, Mr. Lee. Thank you for inviting us. By the way, our food is here. Shall we eat first?" Anunsyo ko sa lahat.

We talked about our respective businesses over lunch. I found out that he has his eyes specially on startup companies dahil pinaghirapan niya ring palaguin ang kanyang mga negosyo. Gaya namin ay nagsimula din sya sa wala.

Pagkatapos ng lunch meeting ay bumalik na kami ng opisina para asikasohin ang iba pang bidding na sasalihan namin.

Mabilis na lumipas ang oras. Nagpaalam na si Rorhy na mauunang umuwi. I stayed until 10 PM in the office bago nagpasyang pumunta saglit sa bar.

"Cocktail, please." I smiled at the petite bartender.

"Hi! I haven't seen you hanging around in a while. Have you been out of town?"

"Yeah. I went to my home country for a while." I smiled as she handed me my drinks.

"That's why you looked different."

"Really? Thanks!" I waved goodbye and roamed around. I haven't seen my friends in a while kaya I tried to scan the whole place hoping na andito sila.

Nang wala akong makitang friends ko ay inubos ko nalang ang inorder at nagdesisyong umuwi na. I better call my friends tomorrow. I needed some wild night life.

It's already past midnight nang marating ko ang condo. It's now over one week nang huli kong makita si Gok. I haven't heard of him since I left. Nakakalungkot dahil part of me is expecting na kakamustahin niya ako.