Violet's are Blue - Completed

CHAPTER 63

"Are you ready to present your designs?" Untag ni Mr. Lee sa kanya.

Rei swallowed the lump on her throat. Parang sasabog na ang dibdib niya sa kaba habang nakatingin sa foreign investors nila but Lila is just smiling there calmly. Nakasuot ito ng appliquéd cardigan na ang ilalim ay isang boxy white shirt na pinaresan naman nito ng kulay beige na wide twill trousers. It was a casual wear na madali nitong na-pull off. At hindi niya alam kung saan nito hinuhugot ang self confidence nito dahil pormal na pormal ang suot ni Mr. Lee. Kumpara sa kanilang dalawa.

She on the other hand was wearing a white motif-detailed sweatshirt na pinaresan niya ng gray pleated skirt. Pinatungan niya na din ng light gray single breasted blazer para hindi ganun ka impormal kung haharap siya sa kliyente.

The investor leaned on his chair and expectantly looked at her.

It was too much. Usually kasi ay si Emma ang nag sasalita sa unahan dahil mas confident itong humarap sa mga clients nila. She was the one who manages the company from behind the scenes at ang ex-girlfriend niya ang nag p-present ng idea niya. Now she had no idea how to act in front of clients.

But then she felt a hand on her back like it was trying to calm her down. Napalingon siya kay Lila. Tumango ito.

"We can do this." Pabulong lang nito na sinabi iyon.

Umawang ang mga labi niya. Vi is confident enough to stand in front of the investor. Siguro ay alam nitong solid naman ang idea na i-p-present nila. There's no need to be afraid of. It gave her the strength to straightened her shoulders and back. Saglit siyang ngumiti dito at tumango. Then she turned towards the investor and smiled.

"A-As you can see sir. Our companies are both small and we are a start up, but I assure you if you will give us a chance. We can prove that we are the best choice amids the big names here in the Philippines. Even if the company is small. You can already see the ROI of the building we designed. We have large gross margin and a revenue growth. Not only that we have a rock solid plan for our investors. And we will stick with your company even when everything seems to be going wrong. We would find solutions to every problem that we would encounter along the way, together."

Rei proceeded to present the data regarding Gross margin, revenue growth, MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue), Net income, Churn rate, Customer acquisition and Liquidity of the company. Kahit kinakabahan, Rei was able to present the idea dahil sa tuwing kinakabahan siya ay bumabaling siya kay Lila. Lila was just there cheering her on. Inaangat pa nga nito ang nakakuyom nitong kamay and mouthing 'kaya mo yan'. It was the reason she was able to stand in front of the investor with a calm demeanor.

Pagkatapos niya mag present. Mr Lee finally smiled and clapped his hands. "I'm impressed Ms Montefalco. You are right when you said that your company is the right choice for this project. I'll recommend this company to other investors. I am so happy with your presentations."

Tumayo ito at nilapitan siya. Kumabog ang dibdib niya sa kaba. "Congratulations on a job well done Ms Montefalco."

Inilahad nito ang kamay sa kanya. Napatingin tuloy siya sa kamay nito. Then she looked at Lila's way.

Ngumiti ito sa kanya at tumango. "You deserve it, Rei."

Kumurap kurap siya. Her heart hammered against her chest again not because she was nervous but because Lila's words are making her heart flutter. It was also heart warming at the same time.

Inalis niya ang tingin kay Lila dahil ramdam niya ang pag iinit ng mga pisngi niya. Lila is supportive of what she does. There are things that she doesn't like with the current Lila she knew but some things never changed.

Inabot niya ang kamay ng investor. They shook hands and the investor was about to turn around but Rei stopped him.

"Mr Lee. This is Violet De Silva. She's the engineer who made the building possible. It wouldn't be possible if she didn't do an effort on her part."

Lila looked at her with a question on her face. Mr Lee looked at Lila and smiled. Iniabot din nito ang kamay at kinuha naman iyon ni Lila.

"You are the engineer? That's good. I didn't know they had a beautiful engineer."

Kumunot ang noo niya. The Korean investor looked at Lila up and down na tila sinisipat nito ang dalaga. Lila bit her lip and blushed.

Bakit naman ito nag b-blush? Lalo atang kumunot ang noo niya nang hindi pa binitawan ni Mr Lee ang kamay nito. Is Lila his type? Hindi pa naman siya makakakilos para makapag paliwanag o makaporma man lang kay Lila dahil kakabreak niya pa lang kay Emma.

She cleared her throat.

Mr Lee slowly let go of Lila's hands and smiled.

Habulin ba ito ng lalake at babae? Napatitig tuloy siya sa mukha ni Lila. Lila had a beautiful yet handsome face. Para nga itong magnet ng lalake at babae sa klase ng mukhang meron ito.

"Can I invite you to dinner sometimes?"

Lila looked at her and iniwas ni Rei ang tingin niya. She can see from her peripheral vision that Lila looked at her for a few second bago ito tumingin kay Mr Lee.

"I'm sorry sir but I'm not into guys. I prefer girls."

Sa sinabi nito ay napaangat siya ng tingin at pinanlakihan ito ng mga mata. Mr Lee laughed.

"Is that so?"

"But I hope it doesn't affect our company's relationship with yours."

Mr Lee shook his hands in front of him. "No it's alright. It's my bad that I assumed you were straight. From now on I'll be inclusive."

Naibuga ni Rei ang hanging pinipigilan niya. Mabuti na lang at malawak ang pang unawa ng kliyente nila.

"Oh then do you prefer Ms Montefalco?"

Mr Lee turned towards her and she felt her cheeks warm. Bwisit. Siya pa ang nakita nito. But she couldn't help the warmth that made its way to her heart. She knew Lila still likes her. Pero hindi niya alam sa ngayon dahil nakita nga nitong may girlfriend siya at hindi din naman siya pwede because its too soon.

Inilapit naman ni Lila ang bibig niya sa tenga ng kliyente at may ibinulong. "If she wants me sir. She's actually my type."

But she didn't quite catch what it was dahil sa sobrang hina. Mr Lee only smiled and nodded his head.

"I'll be going in my room then. If you have anything to do, I will be recommending the pools or the entire resort. You are all free to roam. Enjoy the whole week for this business trip."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Lila. Umangat lang ang labi nito sa kanya. Mr Lee exited out of the door.

Rei turned towards Lila's way nang lalabas na din sana ito sa board room. "Lila, wait."

"Hmm?"

"T-Thank you, for helping me with the presentation and making me calm."

Lila's face lit up. Unti unti ding lumarawan ang ngiti sa mukha nito. Umiling ito. "I merely gave you the courage to be yourself. I'm proud that you made it through."

Pagkatapos nun ay lumabas na ito sa pintuan. Rei's heart hammered against her chest. Damn it. Bakit ang cool nito sa pagkakasabi nitong iyon? Kung malapit nga lang siguro ito ay siguradong nahalikan niya na ito. 

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A/N: 

Late upload, Medyo out of whack po ang aking schedule this week. Salamat po sa pagbabasa. ^^