As we walked through the lobby of the company, I could feel the stares and smiles from the people around us. Lan, as usual, kept his calm demeanor, walking confidently by my side. I tried to match his energy, pero hindi ko mapigilan ang ma-conscious sa mga tingin ng tao. Some were discreetly taking photos, pretending to be busy with their phones, while others openly smiled and waved at us.
I nudged Lan lightly, whispering, "They are taking pictures of us."
He gave me a sidelong glance, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Let them."
I chuckled, shaking my head. He’s always so composed, like all the attention doesn’t faze him at all but then again, why would it?
We finally reached the outside of the waiting room, and I noticed how quiet it was. There was no sound coming from inside, as if everyone was waiting for something. I glanced at Lan, who raised an eyebrow, signaling that he was just as curious as I was.
Taking a deep breath, we stepped inside—and suddenly, BOOM!
Confetti exploded everywhere, filling the air with colorful pieces that rained down on us. I blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned. Cheers erupted around us, and I saw familiar faces smiling and clapping, their eyes filled with excitement.
"Congratulations!" someone shouted, and soon enough, everyone was congratulating us for our work.
I couldn’t help but smile. It was overwhelming, but in the best way possible. I glanced at Lan, who, despite his usual stoic expression, looked genuinely pleased, a rare, soft smile on his lips as he accepted the praise with a simple nod.
The executives' faces beamed with joy as they approached us, their smiles wide with genuine excitement. "Thank you for being our ambassadors," one of them said, holding our hands eagerly.
"You two have been incredible. Napaka-effective ng chemistry ninyo. Ever since we launched the joint collaboration with you as our faces, sales have skyrocketed!"
I glanced at Lan, who gave a polite nod, while I tried to keep my composure, feeling both proud and a little shy at the overwhelming praise. Another executive chimed in, "You’ve become the talk of the industry. Everyone is admiring the work you’ve done for us. It’s not just about the visuals—it’s the connection you both portray."
I couldn’t help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. It felt good to hear how well things were going, especially knowing that Lan and I were able to bring that level of impact together. Lan, still composed as ever, simply nodded again, acknowledging the gratitude in his calm way.
"We couldn’t have asked for a better pair," one of the executives added, clearly pleased with the results. "Thank you for your hard work and for being such a perfect team."
The energy in the room was infectious, and even though Lan wasn’t one for big reactions, I could tell he was pleased. There was a quiet understanding between us—we had done something significant, and it was a moment to savor.
The room buzzed with excitement as more people gathered around to congratulate us. The executives continued to sing our praises, highlighting how our campaign had captured the attention of the market. "You as pair has set a new standard," one of them remarked, nodding in approval. "You’ve not only elevated the brand but created something memorable. People can’t stop talking about you two."
I glanced at Lan again, his stoic expression unchanged, but I knew him well enough by now to notice the subtle pride in his eyes. It wasn’t like him to bask in attention, but moments like this—where our hard work was recognized—were important.
I turned back to the executives, thanking them with a humble smile. "It’s been a great experience working with the brand. We’re just glad everything’s turned out well."
