Chances on Love

The Meeting

Pete looked at the building in front of him and laughed as he slowly scrutinize its structure.

It's a five storey building owned by one of the top five construction firms in the country. We'll known for it's quality and modern designs, they practically built most of the buildings in the business district.

"This is an odd one", he thought to himself..
The shape of the building resembles a spaceship per floor. An extraterrestrial vehicle with plants and verandas per floor.

"Maybe all employees are smokers", he stated the obvious as some employees were smoking outside.

It's really a spaceship, Pete though again, as he noticed that all the equipments and even chairs are space bounded.

Meaning some are not even touching the ground and he doesn't know how they were made and he doesn't care.

Everything inside has a modern facade to it and it looks elegantly crazy..

He approached the friendly receptionist in the lobby and asked for the office of the person in charge of their project.

"Great!.." He said.. "It's the top floor.."
Pete had developed a little bit of claustrophobia after the accident so he, as much as possible avoids closed spaces unless he really needs to.. and this is one of those moments..

The elevators are transparent and made of thick fiber glasses. You can even see the bottom floor while you are moving up.

"Crazy place.." Pete sighed..
"Why can't it be a normal office like others are?"

The elevator stopped at the second floor and it opened.. An employee went inside the lift and smiled at Pete..

"People here are really friendly.." he thought to himself and gave a short smile.

He glimpsed at the second floor and the design was different from the main lobby..

Then the person went out on the fourth floor and the design was also different..

"Wow.." Pete was amazed..
Every floor is different from the other..

He arrived at the top floor and there was a woman seated outside who stood and greeted him upon arrival.

She also showed him the way inside and they stopped their steps at the second door to the last.

She knocked and a woman answered.. "Come in"

"Sorry to interrupt Miss Mei.."
"I have here a client from the company L'Amour.. Mr. Pete..." the receptionist ushered Pete inside..

Pete went in, then the woman called Mei stood up and smiled at him, there was also another person seated but his back was facing Pete and he can only see his hands holding some documents.

Pete introduced himself.
"Hi, Sorry to barge in unannounced, I'm Pete,
We were suppose to start the project 6 months ago.. But due to unfortunate circumstances the person you dealt with is no longer available so I'm taking over in coordinating the project with your firm.."

The woman approached Pete and signalled the receptionist to leave. She held her hand up for a handshake while introducing herself..

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Pitchaya, I'm Mei, one of the partners of this firm, the person in charge of the project is out of the country but it's great you are here as Ae here will take over.." she pointed her hand to the seated man.

Pete blinked and unconsciously touched his right ear.. was he tricked? Did he heard what she said correctly?

"Pete, I'd like you to meet one of the top Engineer and Partner our company can offer to work on the project".. Mei continued but Pete felt a thinning of the air he breathes as the other person sitting slowly faced him...

"Ae.. here is our client Mr. Dee has informed us about.. You will overlook the project with Pete.."

Pete caught his breath..
"I'll leave you too alone and I'll just grab some refreshments", Mei said but Pete wanted to pull the woman back and tell her to stay but his body froze..

Pete heard the door shut behind them.

"So.. Pete. It's been a while.."
"Anyway, Should we just sit and start discussing the project?" asked the serious man who wasn't even looking at him.

Pete did not answer.. Ae eyed him coldly...

"Cat got your tongue?" Ae couldn't help but grit his teeth a little.

Pete breathe in..
"I... I.. just need to go to the restroom.. I'll leave these documents and I'll be back in a few minutes."

Giving Ae no chance to speak..
Pete left.. without looking back.. he rode the elevator and walked outside the building..

He hailed a cab that passed by and asked the driver to drop him off near the river bank..

Pete sat down in the stone railings as he felt his energy getting swept away by his nervousness and fear. He could feel his tears falling uncontrollably.

The coldness he felt when Ae looked at him sent shivers to his spine and it made him fear these unexpected encounters.

"Oh mom.." Pete moaned..

"Why.. why of all firms.. Why Ae's?.. Mom.. Whyyy?"
"You're so unfair Mom.. You left me to deal with this.. All by myself.."

Pete covered his face with his palms as he continued to release his misery.

Mei came back and looked for Pete..
"Where is our client Ae?"

Ae looked up while reviewing the project and answered her.. "Well, he said he needs to go to the restroom.. so he went out.."

There was a knock on the door and the receptionist entered the room.
"The security downstairs said Mr. Pete left and hailed a taxi.."

Mei took the documents from Mr. Dee and looked for a phone number, she dialled it but unattended..
"He's not answering.."

Ae sighed.. "Maybe he left because of an emergency.."

Mei frowned..
"As per Mr. Dee, this project was supposed to be completed a year ago.. but the owner of the company died in an accident.. so it got delayed and the son had to go several surgeries plus therapy and he had just recovered so he came back here to continue his mother's plans." Mei stated.

"Pet...e is.." Ae stammered.

"Yes Ae.. Pete is the son of the owner who passed away.. I heard he almost died but he survived.. So this is really special to Mr. Dee as his wife is a patron of their products." Mei continued..

"I.. I.. need to go.." Ae remarked.

"Waittt... Ae....." Mei called him but he ignored her.

"I need to see Pete.. I need to..."
Ae regretting his actions earlier..

He rushed to the parking lot.

"Oh Damn.."
Ae groaned as he started his car..