Tulips

47. My Date.

Becky.

Freen reached her dad whom she gave a hug. She then faced the crowd.

"Good evening. Welcome to our celebration of FS Inc. 3rd year anniversary. We've come a long way and glad that we could be able to celebrate like this. Thanks Dad for this event that you organized." She looked and bowed at him.

"If you have met me 6 years back you'll know how different I was back then. I was this feisty and hard headed girl who go to school but don't really study. Basically just a happy go lucky girl who do as I please. Until mom had gotten ill. I need to be responsible for her and for myself so I could take care of the both of us. When she died, I learned that she hid from me that she and my dad met. She was still thinking of me even if she's too weak to stand. She told my dad about me and told him to take care of me once she's gone. Selfless as she always is, she could've ask my dad to help her but she didn't. She reached out to him for me." She paused to wipe her tears. Her dad handed her his handkerchief.

This tough girl had been through a lot. She truly deserve what she's getting now.

She composed herself and spoke again. "Dad helped me and I was able to cope with my grief. I admit I went off my path for a while and give dad a headache. Sorry dad." She stopped looking at her dad smiling.

He acted as if he had a headache. "You mean a severe migraine."

The crowd laughed.

"Well, see the result of what caused your migraine." I said pointing at the banner with the FS Inc. 3rd anniversary The crowd laugh again.

"But along the path that I took, I discovered I could do something with my love for drinking..."

"A drunkard, you mean." Someone shouted which sounded like Heng.

"Well thanks Heng for emphasizing that. I'll punch you later."

"I'll go home now. Bye guys." He stood acting like he's really going home.

"Oh shut up and come over here."

He laughed but did came to the stage.

"Guys this is Heng, my best friend from school and also my partner in building 'the Equinox'. He knows everything. He flew all the way to Italy cause I was wasted in a bar there and he didn't go back until I go with him. One day when I woke up I just had this idea..."

"A crazy one." Heng added.

"Yeah a crazy one yet it was the start of it all. I suddenly thought of why not bring home all those delicious drinks that I tried from the countries I've been. I started researching..."

"...While getting wasted." Interjects Heng, who soon received a punch from Freen. He said a loud "ouch" which made us laugh.

"As I was saying, after research I proposed it to Dad who was surprised." I looked at Dad who was smiling.

"Actually shocked would be a more better word for it. Mind you she's traveling to different countries every week that time. Imagine hearing that she's wasted every day then she comes home and proposed a wine and alcohol business. Her proposal was really formal and thorough complete with a presentation. I was really shocked but also impressed. " Freen's Dad said.

"Dad was hesitant at first specially that it came from me."

"Yes. But it turns out her idea was so great and look at where she is now."

The crowd clapped.

"Thanks to Dad who lend me the capital, which by the way I paid back every scent." We laughed as her Dad gestured no but when Freen looked at him he then said: "Yes she paid every scent."

"So I started FS Inc. with FS wine & alcohol inc to launch first, which distributes imported wine and alcohol.  Next was the FS booze - wine & alcohol shop and lastly "The Equinox". From the status of those 3 line of businesses, I couldn't say we're already successful cause we are just starting."

The crowd clapped. A waiter handed her a glass of wine which is the same one that waiters gave to the guest. They instructed us it's to be drank along with Freen. Freen raised her glass.

"This is the Barolo red wine from Italy, dad's favorite. He asked me to sent him 10 bottles of this but he's only allowed to drink one glass or he'll answer to Theia. Waiters, please lock the wine cellar guard it from Dad. He might take a bottle or two." She looked at him who mouthed a long No.

"Please raise your glass. I would like thank each and everyone who worked hard and helped to where FS Inc. is at right now. A toast to everyone and to FS Inc's growth."

We all took a sip of the wine. It is tasty.

"Thank you Freen for that hour long speech. Thank you too to her date Eli Jacobs..."

I was shocked when I heard that but I was more shocked on what happened after.

Freen took the mic from her Dad. "Dad, did you already drank a lot. He's not my date." She then looked at my direction and pointed. "There's my date, Becky Armstrong of Becca's Bloom. Enjoy the night everyone."

I was so shocked that I was frozen in place. I heard Theia said "I knew it". Then Cark said "oh come on, didn't you saw them dancing at your party?"

I then tuned out of everything until I felt a hand on my arm. My eyes focused ahead and saw Freen was now seating beside me.

"You okay?" Freen looked worried.

I suddenly felt my face grew hot as I remember what she said on stage and I also noticed people looking at us.

Freen went closer and whispered. "Did I startle you?"

"Yeah. I was so shocked."

"But I'm not sorry to do that. Dad was shocked too. Serves him right. How dare he to say that and on mic as well. I just had to say it or should I say correct him."

"He might get mad of you."

"Looks like he already is. He just left."