My Greatest What If - Moira Gokongwei (Published)

Chapter 29

I knew that Gio is territorial. She was, in fact, quite vocal about it. And I never really thought that it would be a cause of conflict between us since I wasn't exactly popular and I was never friendly. So, it wasn't a reason for worry to me.

Until of course, someone just had to test how possessive Gio could get.

"Are you okay, Baby?" Gio asked touching my cheek.

I nodded.

"I'm not. Let's leave," she whispered as she firmly grasped my hand. "Dad, I'll see you later. Nice meeting you Atty. Alarcon, Elias..." she added intentionally leaving Emil's name out.

"Wait," I heard Emil say.

Gio looked at him. "Yes?"

"You don't have to leave. I'm sorry because I was too forward. My apologies. That was very rude of me."

Engr. Ortega cleared his throat. "It's okay, George, you and Moira may leave. Please call your Tito Gilbert—"

"No, Engr. Ortega..." Emil smiled apologetically at Gio's father. "This is a business meeting and I would rather that we all set personal issues aside. We are professional men and women, after all. Am I right, Dad?" he said before he smiled at his father who looked surprised at being addressed by his son.

"Yes, of course, you're right, Emil," Atty. Alarcon said before he turned to Gio and me. "Pagpasensyahan n'yo na itong anak ko. Masyado lang kasing palakaibigan ito.

Emil flashed a smile at Gio. "Unless my presence threatens you?" he issued.

"Oh, don't worry it doesn't," G said returning his smile.

"Everything's good then," Emil remarked before he smiled charmingly at Engr. Ortega. "We are excited to do business with your company, Sir."

"Thank you, but, we haven't even talked about business yet," Gio's father pronounced before he gestured for the Alarcons to take a seat. "George, you and Moira sit here beside me."

We obeyed.

"I am so sorry! Na-traffic ako, I came from another meeting. Pasensya na..." a man of about Gio's father's age said smiling at all of us.

He looks a lot like Gio and his eyes twinkled when he saw mine and Gio's linked hands. "Moira, right?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I am your Tito Gilbert, George's mother's brother. I heard a lot about you but let's talk later." He smiled warmly at me before taking his seat.

"Napag-usapan na namin ni Gilbert 'yung tungkol sa mid-rise building na balak kong ipatayo. This project is actually Emil's idea kaya naman mas s'ya ang nakakaalam kung ano ang balak n'ya. He actually used his own money to buy the land," Atty. Alarcon proudly announced.

"Wow. That young and your mind's already into long-term investments. Masuwerte ang mapapangasawa mo, Iho," Gio's uncle praised.

Emil laughed. "Masuwerte talaga," he said looking at me.

I pasted a polite expression on my face.

"Anyway, mixed residential and commercial building ito but I want something distinct that would separate this from other residential and commercial buildings that have sprouted around Tagaytay in the past decade."

"Good. We're talking about how many floors? But of course, we need this surveyed first kung feasible ba 'yung gusto mo."

"Around seven or eight..." Emil said before he turned to me. "What do you think, Moira?"