Three Men Plus She (Completed)

15 - Book Cover Designer

Emily is uneasy while she and the Chairman walks towards the restaurant's private room which they reserved to meet the JACP's Chief-Editor. She already met Grace several times but today is different because Don Jose will introduce her to Grace as the author of the winning entry 'Bridesmaid Forever'. But she got more surprise seeing Yago in the private room, waiting for them.

"I really like your discipline, Santiago. I am not expecting you to arrive earlier than us," Don Jose uttered. "Parehong-pareho kayo ni Gabriel, turuan nyo nga si Francisco ng ganyang displina para naman hindi nya ako madalas pinaghihintay," the old man added.

"But definitely not like Papa," Yago uttered.

"You are right, malamang sa Papa mo nagmana si Franco at kayo ni Gabriel naman ang nagmana ng ganyang disiplina sa Mama nyo," Don Jose said.

"Nice to hear that, Lolo," Yago said. "Hello, Emily, you look shocked went you see me here. Hindi mo ba expected na kasama ako sa meeting na ito?" he then greeted.

"Good afternoon, Yago. With all honesty, I thought si Ms. Grace lang ang ka-meeting namin ni Mr. Chairman. Hindi kasi nabanggit ni Ms. Grace na kasama ka," Emily said.

"I was the one who told Yago to join us today," Don Jose said.

"Kung si Kuya ang nandito, malamang paparinggan ka nun about efficiency," Yago teases.

"I agree," Emily said when Grace came.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, I am very sorry, I am late. Hello, Yago," Grace greeted.

"It's all right, Grace, you are just in time. We were just early but not as early as Yago," Don Jose commented.

"Ipa-serve na natin ang food para magaang ang pag-uusap natin," Don Jose said.

"Hindi ba natin hihintayin si TheLostGirl, Mr. Chairman," Grace asked, but the old man ignored her and instructed the restaurant staff to serve their food.

"Maybe our romance author is caught in traffic kaya medyo late sya, Mr. Chairman. But she confirmed to come to this meeting," Grace said.

"He is already here, Grace," Don Jose said.

"Talaga, Sir? Nakakahiya, ako pala talaga ang late," Grace said.

"It's fine, Grace, hindi ka naman talaga late, we just arrived early," Don Jose said.

Thinking that TheLostGirl just went to the powder room she did not comment anymore and give the chairman the status of JACP contest. When their food is served, Grace looks around as the author they are waiting for has not come back yet.

"I hope TheLostGirl is fine, medyo matagal na sya sa powder room, Sir," Grace could not help but comment.

"Grace, the author you are referring to is already in front of you," Don Jose said.

Grace and Yago got stunned as they could not believe that it is Emily the chairman is referring to. "Excuse me, Sir," Grace uttered.

"Grace, please meet Emily a.k.a TheLostGirl," Don Jose said.

"You are kidding me, Sir," Grace uttered.

"The Chairman is telling the truth, Ms. Grace. I am TheLostGirl, the author of 'Bridesmaid Forever," Emily said.

"Seryoso ba yan, Emily?" Yago asked and Emily nodded.

"This is such a surprise. Nice to meet you TheLostGirl," Grace politely uttered.

"Thank you, Ms. Grace," Emily replied.

"You write really good and please know that I am a fan. Unanimous ang votes ng project team para sa entry mo. Sigurado ka bang hindi ka professional writer?" Grace asked.

"This is the first time na inilabas ko yung mga nagawa kong stories," Emily replied. "Kung hind inga ako kinulit ni Hector, hindi ko ilalagay sa wattpad yung isang story ko," she added.

"Very impressive, Emily. I did not know na writer ka pala," Yago commented.

"May itinatagong pangarap na maging writer," Emily responded.

"So far how many stories have you completed?" Grace asked.

"Medyo marami na rin, kasi I started writing when I was in high school," Emily replied.

"I hope you don't mind my concern, Mr. Chairman, baka magkaroon tayo ng issue since Emily works in the Office of the Chairman," Grace commented.

"I did not see in the guidelines that employees of JAGC are not allowed to join the contest," Don Jose replied.

"I have nothing against you, Emily, I am just worried at what the other authors will think once they learned that you work for JACP's Chairman," Grace said.

"We will not let them know," Don Jose said.

"How can that be, Sir? We are preparing for a simple dinner for the winners," Grace said.

"The authors have the option to hide their identity and we will respect that," Don Jose said. "Yung trabaho ng mga authors ang kailangan natin kasi yun ang ibebenta natin," he added.

"Does this mean, hindi ka makikilala ng iba pang winners at kahit pa ang project team members," Grace said.

"That is the reason why we meet you today before the contract signing," Don Jose uttered.

"I read the draft of the contract and there is a clause that I may opt to hide my identity, only the chief-editor and the lawyer from JACP will be present in the contract signing. I would like to use that option," Emily uttered.

"All right, Emily, I understand," Grace said.

"I have another concern," Emily said.

"Go ahead, hija, what is it?" Don Jose asked.

"Okay lang po ba if I choose my book cover designer?" Emily asked.

"Ayaw mo na ako ang mag-design ng book cover mo?" Yago asked.

"Hindi naman sa ganon, Yago. I just promised a friend of mine na sya ang magdesign ng book cover ng libro ko kapag nanalo ako sa JACP contest. I want to keep that promise," Emily said.

"I'm sorry, Emily but I don't think we can grant your request," Grace said.

"I agree with Grace. Yago already signed-up with us on this special project. He will design all the book covers ng mga winning entries. Perhaps we can consider getting an outsider in designing your next book if ever," Don Jose uttered. "Pasensya ka na, hija. Designing the winning entries' book cover is Yago's job, kasama ang libro mo sa trabahong pinirmahan nya sa JACP. Hindi practical na magbayad pa tayo ng ibang designer kung may kontrata naman si Yago sa atin," the old man further explained.

"My friend will do it for free, Mr. Chairman," Emily uttered.

"You are probably very special for him to design your book cover for free," Yago commented.

"Let's just avoid complication, hija. That is the reason why I invited Yago in this meeting. I want Yago to a discussion with the authors on what book cover they have in mind. And since we a hiding Emily's identity, I want both of you to work discreetly. You are not allowed to discuss it at home at baka marinig ni Gabriel," Don Jose said.

"Hindi natin ipaaalam kay Kuya Gabriel, Lolo?" Yago asked.

"Mas mabuti kung hindi malalaman ng kapatid mo ang tungkol kay Emily. As I have said earlier, let's just avoid further complications," Don Jose meaningfully uttered.

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Hayaan mo na Lolo mo, Yago. He knows what he is doing. 😉😊

Please stay safe guys. 😊

Pagpasensyahan nyo na ang wrong spelling at grammar, maitatama ko rin yan kapag may panahon na ako. 😁😙😜.

Letme know what you think of the update guys and thank you for the reads and votes😘😊😘😊😘😊.