Chances (The Girl Ghost Writer 2)

Chapter 10

"Yes, sir. I'm here at the venue. Don't worry sir. I'll get the deal done. Yes, sir. I can win KD. I promised you that, sir."

Binaba na yung phone. Grabe! Is he that atat na makuha ang KD? Well, It's not that big compared nung nakuha naming account with a famous LA company. Sentimental, semimental. Gosh.

Nasa restaurant na ako and tinignan ko yung place. It's a fine restaurant. 

"May I help you, ma'am?" 

"I'm looking for the KD reservation for two."

"Oh. This way, ma'am."

Pinaupo nya ako sa isang private place. Searated with the crowd. For business place talaga ang restaurant na ito. The waiter handed me the menu. I ordered jasmine tea to soothe my nerves. I'm right on time. It's 3 o'clock sharp pa naman.

I prepared my presentation. The project kasi is to impress this KD by making a featured magazine na mabebenta and makakarelate ang public with the contents. The nature of the KD company is touching lives. It's not that hard to create such featured magazine. I can win this account.

Thirty minutes has gone by, wala pa ring representative ng KD. Maybe na traffic or something else got up. Pag hindi ko nakuha ang account na ito, it will be my doomed. Ang laking kahihiyan pag this small account ay hindi ko pa nakuha. Nakuha ko nga yung bigger accounts, heto pa kaya? Impossible for me not to get this.

Nilapitan ako ng waitress.

"Excuse me, ma'am. I think I redirected you to the wrong table."

"Seriously? I waited for thirty minutes para sabihan mo ako nyan."

"I'm sorry talaga, ma'am."

"Pinaghintay mo na ang client ko! Early nga akong pumunta dito tapos, yan lang?"

"I'm really sorry, ma'am."

"Fine! Where's the right table this time?"

She directed me sa isang table kung saan may isang nakaupo na lalake. There, my client might think na late ako. Gosh! Poor ambiance.

Ang likod lang ng lalake ang nakita ko. Kinausap muna sya ng waitress at tumango ito. He got a build like Raphy. Siguro ka edad lang namin. Tumayo sya na hindi lumilingon. Kailangan ko pang pumunta sa harap nya to introduce myself.

"Good afternoon, sir. I'm sorry to meet you up late. I was redirected in another..." hindi na ako natapos.

The man in front of me was also shocked. Is this some kind of a joke?

"Sorry, i must've taken the wrong table again."

Dali-dali agad naming kinausap ang waitress who redirected me sa table na ito. She told us, it's the right reservation for two. 

We were both exasperated. Hindi makapaniwala sa nakikita. So, he's the client na sinasabi ng boss ko. But bakit walang profile?

I took my seat na hindi makapaniwala. Still not able to speak. Of all people na pwedeng ipadala ng KD, why him? Why Zed?

He cuts off the silence.

"So, you're the representative of the Spark Magazine," panimula nya.

"Obviously, I am," sarcastically, I answered him back.

"I see."

"So, let's get to business, shall we?"

Sinimulan ko ang presentation.

"Since your company, Mr.  Seigfried..."

"Call me, Zed. Let's not make any formalities here."

"Zed. Is a touching lives company..."

Pinakita ko yung slides sa laptop na ginawa ko for just an hour. I explained to him the concept of the magazine which Sparks is going to make.

Walang imik nyang pinakinggan ang presentation. Then, out of the blue he asked me.

"How are you?"

"Excuse me? I'm sorry, Mr. Se... I mean, Zed. Is that part of the presentation?"

"No. Kumusta ka na? I mean..."

"Look, Zed. If you don;t like the presentation, just say so. Don't ask me questions which aren't related with the work."

"Isn't this part of the ettiquette, Ms. Sy? To ask your client if he or she's okay or not? I mean, I was asking cordially."

"I'm fine, Zed. Debby. Call me, Debby. Masyado ka namang pormal."

He laughed.

"Excuse me? Is my presentation a prank?"

"No. I'm sorry to ask you that out of the blue. Well, in regards to your presentation, I think we need some modifications with that. Can you come up with a better idea, Debby? As if pinaglalaruan mo ang investment ko."

"Investment ng company na pinagtatrabahuan mo, Zed. It's not a joke. Kaninang umaga ko lang nalaman na I'm handling KD account. If you don't like my presentation, I can come up with a better idea tomorrow."

"So, we're gonna meet up by tomorrow then?" he teased.

Natahimik ako with his sarcasm. I wasn't expecting that.

"Look, Zed. Just tell me if you don't like it. Will you? Nakataya dito ang pangalan ng Sparks and I don't want to ruin Sparks's name."

"I didn't say I don't like it. I told you, it need modifications. Let's meet up tomorrow at 9 AM at the office and come up with a better idea."

"Excuse me?"

Tumayo sya sa kinauupuan nya. Lumapit sya at nilapit ang mukha nya sa mukha ko. I stepped aback.

"Tomorrow at 9 AM. Here's my business card. Don't be late."

At umalis na sya.