Tú Eres Mi Sol

III

To @titaellie, Thank you for reminding me that "we are allowed to scream, allowed to cry but to never give up."

To @unmasked_maiden, Merci du fond du coeur. I will always remember fondly. ~ Tari

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"We have to do better. Look at all these graphs, we aren't making as much sales as we should. There has also been a decline in the numbers. I need ideas!", RJ frustratingly said to a group of people. 

The group underestimated Richard. They heard that he was your run-of-the-mill rich privileged kid, who spends his time changing girlfriends like they were shirts and who wasn't interested in running the business. Boy, they were wrong. 

In the last year, under his leadership, sales grew 15% which was unheard of for companies of this size. They crashed the target, which was a measly 5%. He was on top of things, he's meticulous, creative and that memory of his, is quite terrifying, he remembers charts presented several weeks ago and quoting figures from last month's report. 

There was a knock on the door.

"Come In"

It was Tom, RJ's Assistant. "Sir Richard, Valerie Bunavete is here to see you."

"Thanks, Tom."

If it was possible to double one's frustration, that's what he's going to call what he's feeling now. 

"This meeting is dismissed. Come up with ideas and we'll meet next week."

The group rushed out, it was so fast that they were out in less than 3 minutes.

RJ sat down. It was very very frustrating. It was that kind of day. 

"Arrrgghhh!"

He leaned back on his chair, wanting a few minutes of solace. 

Another knock was heard. 

"Come In"

It was Tom. He quietly closed the door behind him. "Sir Richard, Dei Mendoza is here."

RJ stood up abruptly. "Did she say why?"

"She said that she's waiting for your mother and not to disturb you."

He wondered what his mother was up to.

"Where is she now?"

"She's outside, Sir."

RJ walked quickly past Tom and opened the door. He looked and saw Dei, who was sitting in one of the sofas and quietly reading something from her kindle.

"Dei"

"RJ! I told Tom not to disturb you. Did he? I'm so sorry. Auntie Rose asked me to wait for her here. I was just a little early." 

"You're not a disturbance. Let's go into my office. It's more comfortable there."

Dei gathered her things and was standing up, when they heard a voice. "Riccchhhhaaarddd..."

Ah, he forgot about that. Valerie, who was scantily clad, he wonders if he should send boxes of linen to her as a Christmas gift, it seems her clothes are always a few sizes smaller or it's incorrectly sewn together. 

The woman who was wearing a bright pink dress, silver heels and bright red lipstick, was now walking towards them. 

"Ricchhharrd, Tom here won't let me into your office. I said I wanted to see you. There's an awards show tonight. I need an escort! And I only want you!", Valerie said in her high pitched voice.

Richard looked at Dei, who was wearing a black dress, white sneakers and her hair in a ponytail. Very simple and elegant. 

"Riccchaard, I brought a tux, it's in the car. We have to go. The ceremony starts in a few hours!"

At this very moment, Richard could only recall one crucial mistake he's done in the past. It was accompanying Valerie to one awards show. He was raised a gentleman, so when the lady called in a panic, he came to her rescue, not knowing it'll be his demise. She's been after him every since and it's been two years, this woman is relentless.

Richard looks at Dei again and winks. He put his arms around Dei's shoulder, who was standing next to her and kisses her temple.

"I'm so sorry, Valerie. My girlfriend and I have plans." 

Looking at Dei, Richard remarked,"Love, I just have to finish up something and we can go"

Tom looked puzzled at what was happening. Richard has a girlfriend? He knew that he went on dates but between his schedule, his gym time and his obsession with the company and his ideas, it was surprising that his boss has a girlfriend.

"You okay love? If you're tired? Let's just go home?", Dei said and winked at Richard while fixing his collar. They were one gorgeous pair.

"Oh Love, where are my manners. Dei Mendoza, soon to be Faulkerson, meet Valerie Bunavete"

Valerie looked at Dei from head to foot and started stamping her feet towards the elevators, when she was gone, Richard and Dei laughed.

Unknown to them, a regally dressed Rose Faulkerson saw everything from the sidelines and smiling.