Love Deferred (Andrei Roxas ans Fides Mondragon Story)

chapter 43: white lies

As Andrei's last night in Norway approached, he received a message from the daughter of the CEO of one of the major affiliates of Roxas Holdings. She insisted on inviting him for a dinner, a sort of thanksgiving for the successful affiliations and collaborations they had forged during his visit.

Andrei: (Reading the message) "Hmm, a dinner invitation. I guess it's a nice gesture of appreciation."

He thought about it for a moment and decided it would be a good opportunity to solidify their professional relationship. He sent a quick reply, accepting the invitation.

Later that evening, Andrei arrived at the upscale restaurant where the dinner was to be held. The ambiance was elegant, with soft lighting and a serene atmosphere. He was greeted warmly by the CEO's daughter, Ingrid, who had been instrumental in facilitating many of the discussions and agreements during his stay.

Ingrid: (Smiling) "Andrei, it's so good to see you again. Thank you for accepting my invitation."

Andrei: (Smiling back) "Thank you for the invitation, Ingrid. It's a pleasure to be here."

They were seated at a beautifully set table, and soon, a variety of exquisite dishes were served. As they ate, they talked about the success of the conference and the promising future of their companies' collaboration.

Ingrid: "Our team is really excited about the projects we discussed. Your vision for Roxas Holdings is impressive."

Andrei: "Thank you, Ingrid. I'm confident that our partnership will bring great benefits to both our companies."

As the dinner progressed, the conversation shifted from business to more personal topics. Ingrid was charming and engaging, but Andrei's thoughts frequently drifted to Fides. He was eager to share this experience with her and looked forward to telling her all about his successful trip.

Ingrid: "So, Andrei, tell me more about yourself. What do you like to do when you're not working?"

Andrei: (Smiling) "Well, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, especially my girlfriend, Fides. She's an incredible woman, and we share a lot of interests."

Ingrid: (Nodding) "She sounds wonderful. It must be hard being away from her for so long."

Andrei: "It is, but we make it work. Her support means everything to me."

The dinner continued pleasantly, with Andrei maintaining a professional demeanor and ensuring that the conversation remained cordial and respectful. By the end of the evening, he felt he had not only strengthened the business relationship but also reinforced his commitment to Fides.

As they said their goodbyes, Ingrid thanked him again for coming.

Ingrid: "This was a lovely evening, Andrei. I hope we can continue to work together and achieve great things."

Andrei: "Thank you for the dinner and for your support. I'm looking forward to our future collaborations."

Ingrid extended another invitation to Andrei, this time for a farewell party at a trendy bar in downtown Oslo. It was meant as a casual send-off and a gesture of appreciation for their successful collaborations during his visit. Although Andrei was already feeling a bit tired from the day's activities, he didn't want to refuse and offend their important business partner.

Andrei: (Smiling politely) "Thank you, Ingrid. I'd be delighted to join you for the farewell party."

Ingrid: (Grinning) "Great! It'll be a relaxed evening. Just a chance for us to unwind and celebrate a productive week."