CHAPTER TWO: HELLO STRANGER
Everybody in the company is ecstatically busy on the last minute preparations, for today will be the day that the CEO will be home. Our department, consisted of eight creative minds are also excited to present our recent achievement, to be the exclusive advertiser of the country's tourism with cooperation with the Department of Environment and National Resources along with Private NGOs.
The dress code is black and white, I am actually starting to feel ecstatic, I don't know why but my intuition is telling me that something big is bound to happen tonight.
Six o'clock, and the whole building started to get loud, wherever I walk I feel like the walls are humming the song that is being played in the Control Panel Room, Oh this is really going to be fun.
Time check, Fifteen minutes after six, so this is it, everyone are gathering at the function hall, the setting itself is chic, with touch of eccentricity and modern up beat music. This is seriously an event that will mark the history of the company.
We are already seated around a table that is good for ten people; luckily our table is near the stage, enough for us to witness everything that is going to happen tonight.
** ** ** **
Sigh. Slouch. Slump.
I am adjusting my cufflinks, I am wearing a slick black tuxedo, my hair, I left it the way it really is, curly and ashen brown in hue.
I let out a sigh, honestly I am feeling seriously uneasy, since last night I am thinking of what will I say to her when we face each other.
"It's been so long, and you still look the same..." she might slap me with that...
"Stunning as always." she might turn back and leave...
Unmindful, I slouch and rest the back of my right hand on my forehead,
"Don't sweat it, a simple hello or hi will do, I'm sure she'll be caught off guard, don't torture yourself on a simple introduction." Victor said while still staring at the blinding lights of the busy street while we are travelling in my Mercedez Benz S-Class.
"It's just that..." I groan, "Mixed emotions, you know what I'm going through, don't you?" I ask childishly.
"First of all, don't slouch; you don't look like a multi millionaire, over the top CEO."
"Cut it, I'm not a multimillionaire." I protest while staring outside,
"Humble as always," I see Victor smile with his statement, ever since, I never claim myself a multi millionaire, an over the top rich man, it's just that I'm not. I started from nothing, so therefore I'm not.
As we pull outside the building, I compose myself, this is it, and it's NOW or NEVER.
Mixed emotions, why am I feeling so nervous, I can handle this, I sure can.
** ** ** **
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the long wait is over, please welcome, Mr. Victor Lopez, General Manager with none other than Mr. Harold De Rege, CEO of Archana Entertainment!" with the crowd roaring with warm welcome, we all stood up, clap our hands as we welcome the...
"Wait a minute..." I murmur to myself,
"It can't be..... HIM...." as he walks nearer the stage, I, I can't believe what my eyes are seeing...
It can't be him...It can't be.... It's... HIM...
He walk pass our table but stop right in front of me, holy mackerel!! Is this seriously real?? He slowly turns his eyes on me, those eyes... those gray eyes... I step back; I am holding my breath, I... I...
He then withdraws his gaze and makes his step up to the podium.
The thundering applause from the crowd minimally disappear, spotlight on him... His ashen brown hair, his gray seductive eyes, his perfectly shaped nose, those... those... Thin but manipulative lips... Okay, snap out of it Vanna Allen, you are caught with your mouth open... sucks this is embarrassing.
** ** ** **
As we walk our way inside the Function Hall, everybody are standing, applauding, smiling at me and Victor, but aside from the glamour that is scattered everywhere I got my stare to only one person... and there SHE is.. Standing near the stage, sporting that now fuller body, wow, she really did improve herself. I am no more paying attention to what the crowd is saying nor what Victor is whispering, I just want to stand in front of her and... Embrace her... the way I do before...
"Harold De Rege..." somewhere someone is calling my attention,
"Earth to Archer, time to get up to the podium..." Victor discreetly whispered.
Hell yeah Archer a.k.a. Harold, get a grip. You don't want to make it to the front page of the business broadsheets don't you?
** ** ** **
Due to that short breathtaking moment, I drink straight the champagne that was served to me earlier, the people around remained standing while he is giving his welcome speech or so it is called, I don't actually understand whatever it is he is promising or what, only then that I digest what he is talking about when he said...
** ** ** **
"Thank you for this warm welcome, I am so honoured to finally be home and show myself. It's been so long since this company started and thanks to all of you who worked hard every single day, just to give the company the service we can extend to our dear clients and end users.."
I made it, honestly I'm not good in public speaking, but this rush of thoughts really does help me, she seems uncomfortable, I can see her through my peripheral...
"And of course, I came back because I have so many unfinished businesses left..." With that our gaze met,
"And I want to stay for good!" I exclaimed and I get a crowd full of approval but except for one I suppose as I see her raise an eyebrow at my last sentiment.
A glass of wine was handed to me, and as a symbol of the start of a new horizon for the company, I raised the glass of wine and exclaimed CHEERS to the crowd and of course except for one, I just can't wait to encounter her, alone.
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