Do Us Part

42. "Trouble in Techland?"

Chapter 42

Later that day

"Hey." I smiled at Amanda and Sam as I noticed them at the elevator doors.

"Hey." Amanda nods. I instantly felt something was off with her response, but didn't read much into it.

"You're here." I heard Sam say, and I smiled brightly.

"Hey."

"I'm here too." We heard the familiar voice and all the way to the direction of the voice.

"Hi, Isaac." I smiled as I stared at him.

"Natalie." He beams brightly and pulls me in for a surprise hug.

I gasped a little, then relaxed as he kept his arms around me and whispered in my ear. "Thank you."

I smiled, and wrapped my arms around him too. As we pulled away, he kissed my forehead and I smiled.

Sam stared at us, his eyebrows raised, and I just smiled.

Isaac and I have been talking a lot since Maya passed. We have gotten so close that we talk about nothing and everything at the same time.it has been an incredible experience getting to know the amazing young man he's becoming.

On the surface , Isaac appears to be a spoilt brat who just does life on his accord but he's so much more than that. He was the kind young boy I remembered and even better, he has grown into a responsible adult.

"How is Thelma?"

"She's good. Sends her regards" He replies, and I smile.

"Hi, Amanda. Hi bro."

"Nice of you to join us, Mr Sanderson." Sam remarks with a grin on his face.

"Where is Maria? She's not picking her calls."

"I'll tell you about it later." He says , and Isaac nods.

"Shall we proceed?"Amanda asks once the doors open.

"By all means." I replied, and we all got in.

--------
"And that's how we end it." Gregory took a dramatic bow, and we all applauded.

"Wow."

"Great job, boss."

"Well done, Greg."

Gregory's smile brightened as compliments for his presentation were showered on him.

It really was good. His team has absolutely improved and introduced even more features than the one contained in the mypy.

"Really great work, Gregory." Sam said, and there was silence.

"Thank you, sir. It's all thanks to my team and Ms. Natalie."

I was taken aback by that remark. "What? Me?"

"Yes," Your critical analysis helped open our minds and I would like to apologize that I took the defensive earlier. "

"I am just glad it really paned out. I think this is good work. Well done."

"Thank you." He smiled, and everyone applauded.

"Thank you, Natalie. We appreciate you." Sam says, and everyone claps. I laughed and shrugged.

"Oh please. I don't think it's that great." I hear someone voice, and we all turned to the direction of the voice.

It was Bethany.

Oh what lack of suprise

"Sorry?"

"I think it's a little too old fashioned That window start is too boring. "

"And you are..." Someone asks.

"Oh right. Ms Bethany Gates is Ms Bryce's colleague at Toymotors."

"Oh."

"Yes. Hi all." She stands, and continues. "I think the startup is too typical. Old school. You need to be more innovative."

"I disagree. I think it's genius." Isaac says.

"And you are?"

"Isaac and I disagree. I think old school is the new cool. People love the old feel of designs and styles, even music. " He says to her.

I love this man. How does he always come to my rescue at the very moment I need him?

"I agree with Ms. Gates." Amanda suddenly voices.

"What?" Many of the employees were just as taken back as I am.

"What do you mean?"

"As much as I get the sentiments behind Natalie's suggestion,I also feel it's too old school. People want innovation. Not necessarily what they are used to. People want to try something new,not be too relaxed in the typical and familiar. The world sort of seems lazy. We are a 21st century tech group and should act like one. Compared to all the pieces we'd be putting out this year, this seems a little like a downgrade."

Wow..

"Err..thank you for your reviews, everyone. I will commune with the team privately and we'll make our decision, while considering all your reviews." Sam says and Gregory goes to sit.

"So...what's the next presentation on?"

Sam

"That was quick unlike you by the way."

"What?"

"At the meeting...it seemed as though as you were criticizing Natalie and not the work itself."

"Maybe I was."

"What? I thought you liked her and the idea when she first pitched it."

"Well, we like who people show us they are but finding out for ourselves might not always make them likeable."

"Why are you acting weird? Do you not like Natalie or am I missing something? "

"Obviously." She mutters under her breath, but I heard her.

"Look, Sam. You need to remember she's still an outsider until that final document."

"She was an 'outsider' when you said you loved her idea. You practically asked her out on the very first day."

"Maybe I realised she's not who she claims to be and maybe its time you did too."

"What are you talking about?"

"Natalie might be here for a different reason. Have you considered that?"

"Yes. I have. She's here for her company."

"No, I mean, she..."

"Stop it. I won't hear a word against Natalie if it's speculation and not supported with evidence "

"Wow." She scoffs. "Now, I'm the bad guy."

"What are you talking about? Why are you getting so emotional? "

"You don't know that woman. She could be here to hurt you. "

"You don't know her like I do."

" Oh yeah? What did you get by knowing her so much?" She questions folding her arms akimbo. "Dumped. That's what you got. You got dumped by her randomly."

"Did you look into us?"

"Us? You mean, Natalie and you, because you really don't want to be associated with that woman. "

I sighed and raised my hand. "Look Amanda, if you can't be clear, then stop talking, ok? " I sigh again. "Look, I've got a lot of work to do, as do you, so you should go."

She scoffs but doesn't say anything else and walks out the door.