I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Forty-Eight: Engineer

Chapter Forty-Eight
Engineer

"Is there a way to minimize the number of workers while maximizing productivity?" I asked Jayden over the phone when we're talking one night.

Hindi ko kasi ma-check kung sapat na or marami ang workers na kailangan niyang i-hire. I wouldn't resort with many workers when a few can already work it out productively. That's one of the things I learned in Economics during college.

"A few will do. Don't worry, we'll make sure it'll be done in two months," he said in an exhausted voice.

I heard he just finished another project after focusing on my contract with him. Several times, I told him not to take it. Pinilit kong idiin na kunin niya na lang iyong ibang trabaho. But he didn't. He said he wants to focus on the renovation of the building. It was me who conceded defeat.

"Okay," sagot ko sa kaniya.

"We'll start once everything's ready then," he said, his weary tone making me want to end the call immediately.

"Thank you. I hope Architect Sares discussed the blueprint with you."

The redesignation plan is a bit tricky. I want some to be changed and some to be retained. I hope he'll be able to do it just like what Architect Sares and I have talked about.

"She already did."

Tumango ako. "That's good."

I hanged up and tossed my phone in my bed. Dumiretso ako sa banyo para maligo. I spent the week further discussing the plans with Engineer Parker. Meron ring pagkakataon na sumasama ako sa pag-asikaso ng building permit at pag-canvass ng materials.

I trusted him for picking the accurate materials that we need. After all, pinag-aralan niya naman iyan. Sa calculator lang naman ako magaling.

And so, the next next week came like a whirlwind. The renovation starts today and everything is ready for it.

I visited the site after I was done with my errands in the house. I honestly haven't told Mom or anyone that I have Jayden as the engineer of the property. They're too busy to ask me kaya hindi rin sumasagi sa isipin nila. And to say I don't have the preparation on how to tell Lola would be evident.

Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, napansin ko kaagad si Jayden na kausap ang mga workers. He's probably coordinating my plans with them. I figured out that he's working under Silveria Builders too. Nakita ko habang nagsa-sign ng papers at kontrata namin.

I wonder if he sees Kingsley around. Mukha nga lang hindi dahil busy sila pareho. Hanggang ngayon din, hindi pa alam ni Kingsley na siya ang kinuha kong contractor. And if they talked, he would have known it. I know it'll speak trouble.

Jayden's back is turned to me but I can see how his hands gesture as he speaks. Lumapit ako sa kanila. I wasn't even five feet close when he glanced over his shoulder to see me bossing my way towards him.

His forehead wrinkled at the sight of me. Biglang natangkang lumapit sa'kin. He even got himself a hard hat from one of his workers. Napaatras ako ng ilagay niya sa ulo ko nang makalapit siya siya sa banda ko. I held and fixed it in my head when he move his hand away.

"Is this necessary? Hindi pa naman nagsisimula."

He grunted his teeth at me. "Safety precautions start when you step on the site."

I sighed in defeat, not wanting to create any more arguments under the early morning sun.

"Fine."

Naglakad siya papalapit sa workers. I followed behind him. He walked so fast na para bang ang bawat minuto ay importante sa kaniya.