A Beautiful Creation

part 17 solving problems

Part 17

"Half of the house was built decades ago and that's the bottom level. It made of bricks and it's foundation was still intact. That means, you are just building second and third floor. Less labor and less materials," she explained

They were standing on a certain gated community in Sanders City, a city away from Brinson where she live and work. Another project on her hand which they already finished the proposal and now they were looking for a builder. She's now explaining to five small construction firms what was the current condition of the site. They will battle against each other on financial aspects. The best offer would always the winner and that is not always the smallest in bid price

She's still have that Luke problem on her hand, bracing herself on what will going to happen. It's been days since they met at his office and he's been silent. That's not how she knew Luke because she knew that the guy possess determination if he really want something else. Or someone

"Ms. Thomas, I have a question," a woman spoke.

She smiled and nodded to her, "Yes ma'am?" She worked with that firm before but that was long time ago that she forgot the name of the quantity surveyor

"I want to confirm, we need to demolish the existing building on top but maintain the lower stoned walls?" the woman asked

She nodded, "Yes, I am expecting that it will be part of your bid. But I would like to remind you that it will be very hard for you to get a demobilization permit here as there's a strict regulation in this subdivision. Just so you know, the head of this neighborhood is the retired head of Supreme Court. You know…." She shrugged. They already know the drill. Those people will look at you with a piercing eyes and scrutinize your reason on why you need to take out something in their place. All they want is safety and she's ok with that

Sanders City is the home of various television and movie outfits so there's too many showbiz stars walking around who would want to live in peace for a while

A guy then lifted his hand with a grin. She knew that man. The always assuming winner of them all from Monroe Design Consultancy. He's the only son of the owner and Jb's arch nemesis, Pancho Monroe. She smiled politely, after all, she respected the father. "What is it sir?"

"Who did the feasibility study of this foundation and shearwalls?" he asked. Of course he will flaunt that.

"It's Monroe sir but that doesn't mean your company has the advantage. We look at the bidders the same way," she explained in professional tone. She doesn't like the guy though. He heads the construction side of that company and her friend heads the structural design and Tin was told of the many times Jb wants to kill the guy for his ineffectiveness

"I understand Ms. Thomas. But I would ask my engineer about it. It would be my advantage right?" he announced. Ah, very assuming

She smiled as she wiped her forehead from the heat of the morning sun. "We can go inside of the house so you'll see other details," she just said in reply

"We have the advantage Tin. I know you're friends with my darling," Pancho whispered as they entered the abandoned place. He winked and tried to put his hand on her back so she walked faster

"It's not Pancho, I'm sorry. We designed the place yes, but our client will still choose the firm," she explained.

And she hated the guy's work. That's why Mark usually take the design side of Monroe and not the construction firm

After that site visit, she went in to Frida's shop which also located inside Brinson instead of getting back to her office. She really wants to take that Luke problem out of her and she knew Frida is the best girl to talk to

"Anything you need Ms. Thomas?" Frida asked professionally but with a tease plastered on her face. She rarely go in her friend's shop and all those times she have a bombed to drop. Like that time she said she's pregnant.

Frida collects old things and create something from it. Like radiator became sofa arms and scrap metals for headboards. That's upcycling and that helped her friend in being unique in her field. No one has the same furniture or display if it comes from her

Her friend is now sitting on a stool, unposhed in her friend's standard. Frida is fashionable and a society jetsetter but if she's doing a project, she will trade it to short shorts and tank tops. Like now, her friend is doing a weave from whatever raw material she's using

She saw a rustic balluster that probably came from stairs and turned to dining table with the help of a certain metal joined by weld

"Wow, that's a piece of art you got there," she commented

Frida looked at the piece she's pointing to, "Oh that yeah, found it at the junkshop on Millers. Like it? Buy it now!" Frida laughed at her, "Somebody bid at it already on my online shop but if you're interested, you're my priority"

She shook her head, "No thanks. It won't work with my Victorian style home"

"Hmmm, you have a point," Frida replied

"You assembled that?" she asked again

"Yep, but the weld was courtesy of our bad ass girlfriend," Frida replied winking

"Oh she welds too. I'm not surprise"

"Engineering school seems hard for princess, imagine having that as your minor block. She told me it's one sem subject," Frida replied

"But we had the longest T square," she replied laughing

Frida bobbed her head smiling, "Yeah, and the longest blue case. Imagine my height? Carrying those?"

"I hate Pancho," she blurted

"I'm sorry, I have a short term memory loss when it comes to unnecesssary things. What is Pancho?" Frida replied chuckling

She laughed at that, "It's a who actually but it would have been better if it's a what. Easy to scrap and recycled to a better shape"

"What did he do this time? Did he tried to ask you out with the help of his mystical grin?" her friend asked with chuckle

"Still the assuming one," she joked. "I wonder how J stand that guy"

"She has no choice, rumor has it that she's cornered to marry that prick," Frida joked and that sent them to laughing. Jb Queen cornered into marriage, Earth would tipped its pole before that happens

Tin sighed, "Anyways, forget about him"

"You have a bigger problem, you are just doing this extravagant opening to me. Cut the chase," Frida said with a sliding head

"Luke"

"A, Star Wars? You need to ask J instead," her friend said sarcastically

"You know who I'm talking about"

Frida stopped her weaving and looked up to her, "A it's the guy who must not be named. What did he do?"

"That's the problem, he's silent!" she exclaimed

"So you mean he's into something?" Frida guessed

"Yes I think so"

Frida exhaled, "Girl, you need to lay low. Change routine. He must've someone else following you. You know, guys like him? He would want to know where you live first, so he can corner you into seeing Charlie. You take the advice on Charlie's school security right?"

She nodded in reply. "Ok, you solve your first problem," Frida said