Pretend Perfect

Part 8 : A Detailed Presentation

The following morning, dressed in their formal attire, Ella and Zoey made their way to the entrance of the hotel. A line of cars awaited outside, ready to transport all the designers staying at the hotel to the meeting at Lee Architect & Co. Ella's attention was drawn to a driver holding a sign with their names. They both approached the driver, but as they were about to get into the car, they noticed Mike Jordan approaching them.

Ella, noticing his presence, swiftly got inside the car before Zoey, who stayed outside and greeted him. Jordan, extending his kind gesture, offered them a ride in his car. Catching Ella's signal from inside, Zoey gently declined the offer, saying, "That's so kind of you, Mr. Jordan. Perhaps another time. We are already on the move. Thank you. We will meet you at the venue." With that, Zoey entered the car, and they departed for the meeting venue. Mr. Jordan watched them leave with a sigh of disappointment.

Their car came to a halt in front of a towering skyscraper, and as Zoey and Ella stepped out, they gazed up at the imposing structure, their hearts filled with a sense of anticipation and accomplishment. This was the moment they had long dreamed of—the opportunity to make their mark in the industry and achieve their ultimate goal. Fully aware of the significance of this meeting, they exchanged a nod of determination before making their way inside.

Inside, the architecture of the building captivated them, causing a slight tremor of nerves to course through their bodies. They followed their guide to the designated meeting room, where their names were neatly inscribed on the chairs awaiting their presence. The room itself was vast, an expansive conference space. Glancing around, they realized that a minimum of 50 interior companies had been invited to participate in this meeting.

A hush fell over the room as everyone rose to their feet, their attention drawn towards the entrance. Mr. James Lee, the esteemed President of Lee Groups, entered, accompanied by Jonny Miller, the billionaire client, and George Lee, James Lee's son and The CEO. Alongside them was Marcus, George's assistant, who assumed his position with a laptop ready for the presentation.

The President graciously greeted everyone, expressing his gratitude for their attendance. He introduced the client, a New York billionaire, who sought to create the grandest and most lavish palace in the city as a birthday gift for his beloved daughter. The palace itself was already complete, with only the interiors pending—an extraordinary design challenge to reflect her unique style and taste. Marcus proceeded to deliver a comprehensive presentation, with George taking the lead in explaining each slide in meticulous detail. He exuded professionalism and a sense of formality that permeated the room.

As the hours ticked by, Ella diligently took notes in her diary while George meticulously explained each slide with unwavering focus. In the midst of his presentation, George's gaze unintentionally met Ella's, momentarily distracting him from his script. Quickly averting his eyes back to the screen, he mentioned that the project was estimated to cost around 10 million dollars, with the possibility of extending the budget if the design exceeded their expectations. He announced that all the project specifics would be shared via email, and they expected the designs to be submitted within the next 10 days. He concluded by emphasizing that the selected designer would receive a fee of one million dollars for both the design and execution of the project.

Zoey's eyes widened in disbelief, barely able to comprehend the magnitude of such a figure. She whispered to herself, "Did he just say a million dollars?" Ella, aware of Zoey's astonishment, gently pressed her thigh, reminding her to regain composure and stay focused. With the presentation concluded, George invited everyone to partake in the lunch that had been thoughtfully arranged, marking the end of the formal proceedings. The room buzzed with lively conversations as attendees shared their thoughts and exchanged excited chatter.

Exhaling deeply, Ella and Zoey exchanged relieved sighs, their minds buzzing with the weight of what they had just witnessed. They continued their discussion about the meeting, finding solace in each other's company. The room hummed with animated chatter as everyone immersed themselves in lively conversations, echoing their shared enthusiasm for the opportunity at hand.