It's You, Always You

The Uncomfortable Meeting

Lily's Mansion...

A week has passed. Lily just got home from her meeting with one of her business partners. She was about to take a bath when her phone suddenly rang. She checked out who it is and answered immediately.

On the phone:

Lily: Secretary, napatawag ka?

Diana: Good evening Ms. Cortez. Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa'yo na naibigay na saakin ni Architect John yung mga layout designs. Ininform ko ang pangulo tungkol dito at ang sabi niya sabihan daw kita.

Lily: Ahh, oo. Nagpapatulong kasi siyang mamili sa mga designs.

Diana: The meeting starts at 1:30pm, tomorrow.

Lily: Okay secretary. I'll be there. Thanks for informing me.

Diana: You're welcome Ms. Cortez. Have a good night!

Lily: You too! (then dropped the call)

Then Lily went on with her nighttime routine and went to bed.

____

The Palace (Boardroom)...

It's the next day. Oscar entered the boardroom and saw Lily and Secretary Padua checking on the blueprints laid on the table.

Oscar: Andito ka na pala. Kanina ka pa ba?

Lily: Hindi naman.

Oscar: Pasensya ka na, medyo natagalan yung meeting ko with Secretary Borja.

Lily: It's okay. I arrived 20 minutes ago, it's not that long of a wait.

They smiled at each other.

Lily: Take a look at these designs.

Oscar went closer to the table and looked at the designs.

Oscar: These are wonderful.

Lily: Oo nga. He is good. Natapos niya ang lahat ng ito in such a short time.

They continued looking at the designs when Secretary Padua recieved a call and answered it.

Arturo: Excuse me Mr. President, Ms. Cortez, Architect John is at the entrance. I'll just fetch him.

Oscar: Sige secretary.

Secretary Padua left the boardroom, leaving only Oscar and Lily behind.

Lily: Hmm....maganda din 'tong design na 'to. Come, look at this.

Oscar went closer to Lily.

Lily: See.

Their shoulders touch as they look at the blueprint.

Oscar: Oo nga. It seems unique than the others.

Lily: It is unique. You see, they'll have a chapel here, these will be their rooms, and a little garden for the children to play on. (she said, pointing on every part of the blueprint)

He just stands there, observing her, listening to her sweet voice washing him over.

Lily: What do you think? (she looked at him)

Oscar: It's beautiful. (almost a whisper)

Both of them staring at each other's eyes, slowly drowning in them. Their face gets closer.....and closer to each other, feeling each other's breaths. He was about to kiss her but she resist by turning her head towards the blueprint on the table. Oscar immediately held her chin, making her face him.

Lily: Os— (he cut her off)

Her lips were already on his. He was kissing her, feeling every inch of her lips. Lily froze for a moment but she didn't realize she was already responding.

They both lost focus. His heart burned, and so did her lips. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her closer desperately. Her fingers got lost in his hair and her tongue couldn't escape either.

Their surroundings blurred, but came into focus when they bumped on something. She was pressed against the table in the middle of the boardroom. They felt blazing hotness within each other's body.

Lily opened her eyes as she hears indistinct chatter from the hallway. She panicked and her hands came up abruptly and pushed him away from her. He stumbled a couple steps back, almost losing balance. He looked at her with wide eyes. She was breathing heavily, they both were, but the look in her gaze was full of shame.

Lily walked to the opposite side of the room, passing by him like wind and he just stood there. She ran her hands through her hair, and held her face, getting her senses together because of what they just did.

Secretary Padua and Architect John entered the boardroom.

Arturo: Architect John is here, he will be explaining the details of every design.

Oscar just responded with a nod, controlling his breathe.

Arturo: Are you okay Mr. President?

Lily felt nervous as Secretary Padua asked his question.

Oscar: I'm alright. Shall we start?

Arturo: Ofcourse.

They all sat down. Lily and Oscar sitting opposite to each other, Lily avoids to meet his eyes. The meeting went on as Architect John started explaining every detail of the designs. Oscar is pulling the collar of his barong, feeling uneasy as if every minute passing seemed to make things a bit heavier.

Arturo: Are you alright Mr. President?

Oscar: I'm fine, sadyang mainit lang.

Arturo: Gusto mo bang palakasan natin yung aircon?

Oscar: Hindi na. Please go on Architect.

John: As I was saying, the materials that will be used for these structures are earthquake-resistant materials. We intended to use these materials to withstand an earthquake of a certain probability that is likely to occur at their location. And I also made sure that the environment is child-friendly, as per Ms. Cortez's request.

Arturo: Great! Now all you have to do is choose your prefered design. Have you two decided yet?

Oscar looked at Lily, but she still avoids his eyes.

Oscar: Uhm...y-yes.

John: Which one did you two choose?

Oscar & Lily: This one! (both pointing at different blueprints)

Oscar & Lily: No, this one! (both still pointing at different blueprints)

The two panicked but managed not to show it. The air inside the boardroom pressed against them like taking the LRT on a Monday.

Oscar: Actually, I think we need more time to choose.

Lily: The president is right. These are great designs, we can't just choose randomly today. We have to think about it carefully. (she said, breaking her silence)

Oscar: I hope it's okay with you Architect John.

John: Ofcourse Mr. President! It's totally fine by me. You can just tell me the design you choose and we'll start the project.

Oscar: Thank you.

The meeting was adjourned. Secretary Padua accompanied Architect John out of the palace. Lily and Oscar also went out of the boardroom completely silent.
Lily was about to leave but...

Oscar: Lily?

Lily froze, not turning around and waiting for him to continue.

Oscar: Pwede ba tayong mag-usap?