Will it be the same? (COMPLETED)

Chapter 16

Cont. Anne's POV

Today is my presentation for our international partner. I prepared very well last night. Sobrang importante nitong para sakin because this will be my first time to present for a business deal. Kinakabahan ako sobra pero confident ako na maganda ang dala ko, we all worked hard for this. Our company, togther with iCAds.. pinaghirapan namin to. Sana lang talaga magustuhan nila. 

"Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen" bati ko sakanilang lahat as soon as I entered the board room. Napatingin ako sa lahat ng tao sa loob, nakangiti silang lahat pero.. alam kong nageexpect sila na di masasayang ang oras nilang lahat. I am with Stacy and Mr. Hap ngayon, kaming tatlo ang makikipag deal. 

Nagsimula na akong magpresent, I must say.. ang ganda ng kinalabasan ng portfolio na ginawa namin for this deal. 

"So Ms. Curtis, what is your inspiration for this idea?" wala pa man pero nagumpisa na silang magtanong. Yung kabog ng dibdib ko, sobra sobra na.. pero kino-control ko because I don't want to look nervous in front of them. 

"Well, Mr. Yakimoto, you requested for a particular theme which is urban fashion.. so we thought of incorporating something to the theme to make it more exciting. We chose to add elegance and simplicity because that is our company's mission.. that is to make women feel beautiful and elegant all the time" tumango lang siya, then he wrote something. Shit! kinakabahan ako lalo. 

"How long have you prepared, Ms. Curtis" questions after questions ang inabot ko dito.

"We prepared honestly, a matter of week only, Mr. Hiroshi" I honestly answered his question at kitang kita ko kung anong naging reaction niya. Parang pinagsisihan ko pa tuloy na nagsabi ako ng totoo. 

"So it was a rushed project?" napalunok ako sa tanong na iyon. I composed my self before I answered him. 

"No, Sir.  We, in Amanda's always makes it a point to give everything we can for a particular project. We always make sure that we never release a half-hearted collection" 

After ng presentation, pinalabas muna ang lahat.. naiwan lang ay ako at si Mr. Yakimoto. Sabi niya gusto niya daw ako makausap ng personal. Habang naguusap kami, nakangiti siya pero.. may kutob ako na di maganda. Hanggang sa sinabi niya na di na daw muna mapupush through ang deal because it's too early for us though he liked the concept. He's giving us a chance after the launch kung matutuloy ba ang deal. Honestly, ang sakit. I felt that I was rejected. It's beyond words but I remained composed and strong in front of him. I didn't show any emotion kahit sa loob loob ko ay gusto ko nang maiyak. After namin magusap ay naiwan ako sa boardroom magisa. I was breathing heavily, not now Anne. Not now. Mr. Hap and Stacy went back inside, dun ko sinabi sakanila yung pinagusapan namin ni Mr. Yakimoto. They were too disappointed pero sabi ni Mr. Hap, totoo nga na masyado pang maaga ang lahat para sa deal na to dahil di pa nga kami nagla-launch. 

It's only 10 am pero pakiramdam ko ay pagod na pagod na ko. Ang aga pa pero ang dami nang nangyari. Tinignan ko ulit yung portfolio namin, okay naman siya ha? bakit ganon? Naiiyak ako di dahil sa dahilan na nareject ako, naiiyak ako dahil naalala ko lahat ng taong naghirap para sa deal na to. We gave too much for this one. 

"Ms. Anne?" natigilan ako sa pagmumuni-muni nang biglang may kumatok. Pag ikot ng swivel chair ko, I saw a smiling face. Yung mukha ng isang taong naging malaki ang kontribusyon para dito. Si Vhong. 

"Ma'am.. dinala ko lang po itong hard drive, natapos ko na pong iedit yung mga ibang photos natin." Vhong is wearing a school uniform, his hair is nicely fixed and from where I am seating, I can smell his scent. Mukhang papasok palang siya sa school.