Love Encounter

Chapter VII

"You're here."

Ms. Bea greeted us. She is wearing a red gown, holding a glass of martini.

The place is crowded with people wearing tux and beautiful gowns. Cheers and different kinds of noises could be heard. The atmosphere is lively.

"Good evening Ms. Bea." I greeted. "You look lovely tonight."

"Only tonight?" She frowned.

I chuckled.

"You look handsome." She continued. "Wait. No. I think the word 'pretty' suits you better."

She laughed hard while I stared angrily at her.

"Why are you giving me that look? Look at yourself. You're so pale. It looks like you don't have blood in your body anymore. You're skin is smooth, almost hairless. You're slim as well. You even have the curves."

"Argh. Ms. Bea..." I grunted.

"Haha just kidding." She said. "Ethan, on the other hand, looks very handsome. You could be a model."

"Thank you Ms. Bea." Ethan said. "But, I don't intend to be a model."

"Aw, that's unfortunate."

A man in dress holding a tray of martinis approached Ethan. He offered Ethan a drink. Ethan took two glasses and offered one to me.

"Put the other one back." Ms. Bea said. "Drew does not drink alcohol."

Ethan was surprised. He put the other glass back on the tray.

"You don't drink alcohol?" He asked.

I nodded. "I haven't taste a single drop of alcohol."

"Haven't you tried?"

I shook my head.

"Oh believe me." Ms. Bea said. "We already tried making him take a sip, but he is just reluctant."

"Drew."

Ken called as he walked towards us. I looked back to the source of his voice. He was wearing a black tuxedo, holding two glasses. He joined us and offered me one of the glasses.

"Don't worry. Its cola." He said.

I took the glass. "Thank you."

We all took a sip from our respective glasses. After moments of chatting, a woman approached us.

"Mr. Mendoza (Ken's surname), Mr. Soriano (My surname), you are requested to come up the podium." The lady said.

"Drew, let's go." Ken said.

"Wait for me, Ethan." I said.

Ethan nodded. We followed the lady towards the podium on a small stage. She introduced us. Ken stepped forward towards the podium and gave a speech. The audience clapped their hands as he finished his statement.

"But ofcourse, our success wouldn't be possible without the help of each and everyone of you. So, I humbly ask for everyone to do their best." He stated. "But I want to further acknowledge a particular person who helped me through a lot, who has been with me even before the company was established. Please welcome my partner, Mr. Drew Soriano."

The audience gave a round of applause as I approached the podium. The applause became quieter as I adjust the microphone. I cleared my throat.

"Good evening everyone." I started. "This evening, we celebrate yet another success of our company this year. I congratulate everyone on this success of ours. I thank you for dedicating yourselves to this company Ken have established. As I have told you many times already, this company was just a dream of Ken. When I accelerated in highschool, I was the youngest among our class. As a result, I was the most silent. Being two to three years younger than my classmates, it was hard for me to adapt with them. On the other hand, Ken was there and approached me. I was weirded out by him at first because he is just talking about his plans about this business. We don't even know each other well yet but he still talks randomly about his plans for the future."

The crowd started to laugh. I paused a while to let the audience settle.

"It didn't took long for me to give in. He got me interested with business as well. And so I helped him. We were lucky for the help of his father. He supported us althroughout even until now. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend today. So, Ken, please extend my appreciation for him. Moving on, we were finally able to establish the company. We left our studies to dedicate ourselves to this company. And I appreciate everyone for doing the same. This isn't Ken and my success only. This is all for us."

I held the glass of cola and raised them.

"Raise your glasses." They did as I told them. "For the future of Brightworks!"

We drank altogether and the audience clapped. I stepped down and went towards Ken.

"Yet another great speech." He said.

"Same to you." I pat his back. "Come, let us join the others."

We went down the stage and greeted different people - some are from the same company as ours, some are from other companies. We gave short talks before joining Ms. Bea and Ethan.

We met a lot of people. The conversations just kept on going on and on. One after the other, people came. Same cycle happened for hours. As time pass by, the people became fewer and fewer until there were only us left.

"I'll be going now." Ms. Bea said.

"Take care." I said.

She parted from us.

"You go also Drew." Ken said. "Ethan seems a bit sleepy already."

I looked at Ethan. He is sitting alone. I can tell he is feeling drowsy.

"Thank you, Ken." I said. "Are you fine by yourself?"

"Yeah I'll handle the rest in here."

I went towards Ethan. He became alerted.

"Let's go, Ethan."

I helped him get back at his feet. I escorted him out and to my car. He sat at the passenger seat and passed out. I buckled up his seatbelt and closed the door. I went around the car and sat down the driver's seat. I started the engine and adjusted the rear view mirror. As I put my hands on the wheel, I turned to face Ethan. His position looks uncomfortable. I reached in beside his seat and lowered his backrest. I positioned his head and body into a comfortable position. I leaned back on my seat still looking at him. Then suddenly, I smiled. He even look handsome while sleeping. I put back my hands on the wheel and eyes in front. As I was about the step on the gas, I heard something.

"Thank you, Drew. Thank you for everything."

I looked back at Ethan and found out he's sleeping soundly. I smiled and felt incredibly weird... but good.

I faced the road again and stepped on the gas and started driving with the smile still attached on my face.