Love Me Like I Do

22.

"Tinanggap mo?" My friends asked when I plastered in front of them the offer  Nadia gave together with the invitation letter.

"Yes." Napasinghap sila nang sabay sabay. Yeah I know. Ang laking tanga ko sa pagtanggap ko sa alok ni Nadia. But what can I say? Nadia knows how to deal with people and  business. Our company has been eyeing to put a branch in Europe and her offer is the best way.

"I heard of your plan to put a branch in Europe. I'll make  you a deal. Cater the food on my wedding day and you'll have an instant place in Europe to wherever you think your business is feasible. I'll help in advertising and believe me when I say you'll get your investment back in less than a year."

I'm a businesswoman and above being hurt is my company to prosper. This is a one-time chance and I can't afford to lose  it. Maliit lang naman ang sakripisyong gagawin ko hindi ba? Magpapanggap lang akong hindi naaapektuhan sa mga pangyayari.

"Hindi ko na alam kung saang banda kita titingnan Lauren. I mean, will you really sacrifice a lot for that plan? Pwede mo naman kasing unahin ang sarili mo. I'm sure tita and tito will understand. Ikaw lang ang hindi." Giit ni Andrew. Nagbuntong hininga na lang ako. Hindi ko alam kung paano ieexplain sa kanila without being questioned.

"I  know what I'm doing. Cause if not, I won't proceed. Hindi dahil nasasaktan ako, tatalikuran ko na ang ikakabuti ng kompanya."

But even when I got home, my parents are not convinced of my decision.

"Ma, that's final. I'll go personally there together with some staffs. Mag a-outsource na lang ako kung kukulangin ang staff na dala ko." Sabi ko habang kumakain kami sa hapag.

"Just send one of our managers to handle that from there. Handle it from here." Mom said firmly.

"Nadia specifically said that I should come personally. I am negotiating with ths royals mom. I can't just let any of our managers handle it. Not that I find them incompetent. It's just improper. A head should be welcomed by a head." My mom sighed.

"Anak, paano kung kami na lang ng mama mo ang mag aasikaso niyan doon?" Napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi ni papa. It sounds good huh. I think pwede kong itanong kay Nadia iyan.

"I'll talk to Nadia about it. I'm done. Can I go to my room first?" They just nodded.

After I took shower and did my night routine, I immediately called Nadia's phone. It rang so she's still here in the Philippines. Ano kayang ginagawa niya rito? Hindi ko alam to na may business siya rito. Posible kayang magkakilala na noon pa silang dalawa  ni Azrieel?

"Yes, hello?" I heard her chuckle a little bit. May mga kasama rin siya. I wonder if nasa bar sya ngayon dahil sa ingay sa background.

"Uhm, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, go on."

"Can the President of our company go instead of me?" Sandaling natahimik ang background. Baka umalis siya sa maraming tao.

"So you're telling me you can't accommodate me?"

"The President wants to meet you personally and  that he wants to be involved in the project. He volunteered to manage this project."

"Oh Antonio Dominick Kleriff. He's your father. Anyway, you can bring him together with you. But the head of this project is non-negotiable. I want it to be  you. If it's not you, then I'll find another company."

"But-"

"You are already giving me bad impression. Don't add on it more. Good bye. I'm enjoying  my last night here in your country. I will be back to Europe after today. You can contact me directly when you finalized everything. I will prepare for a place for you in the palace." Then she hang up the phone.