Chapter 23 Site Visit
As what Thyago said, he sends a driver that picks them up at exactly nine in the morning and they reached the site for about an hour. His Assistant guided them on the site as they saw Thyago talking with the engineers and workers. Roaming her eyes all over the place, she noticed the building was almost done. Furnishings and interior design are what's only missing and the building will be available and utilized.
"Oh! Hi there, Ms. Watson!" Thyago greeted cheerfully as he saw them walking towards his place.
Now he seemed cheerful and sweet? What's with him sometimes?
She noticed his eyes are on hers shamelessly examining her from head to toes. She suddenly felt uncomfortable with the kind of gaze he was giving her. He seemed pleased with what he was sees and drat him for not hiding those meaningful stares. She felt a sudden jerk in her arm beside her as they walk that caught her attention. When she turned her head to see who it was, it was nothing but Chris giving her a malicious stare.
"Looks like Mr. Williams have a thing on you, uh." He muttered teasingly.
She glared at him as a response and gave him a warning look. Chris just smirked at her and gave her a teasing look. Chris really reminds her of her friend Mackie. He was funny and love to tease her. That's maybe one of the reasons why she likes Chris because she could see her late friend in him.
"Hi, Mr. Williams." She greeted back formally. Her co-designers greeted him also.
"Everyone, this is Ms. Bea Watson the major Interior designer, and her co-designers. Ms. Watson, meet our efficient engineers and their diligent workers." He introduced her to his employees.
"Hi everyone!" She gladly greeted.
"What do you think about the building?" He asked then.
"Huge as expected. Well, I can see construction is almost done. Furnishings is what's only needed and that's the why we're here I guess..." she commented.
"Yup, so shall we roam the whole place so you guys can examine the whole building?"
"Sure." She replied.
They kindly bade goodbye to the workers before they left then they proceed to walk to roam the whole place. He motioned her to go first and guided her in a very gentlemanlike that made her feel uneasy and wonder what's this act all about.
"This is the ground floor where the reception area, front desk, and front offices are located." Thyago declared, they were currently at the supposed to be the main entrance of the ground floor.
"Chris is expert in designing in front desk and pools area. That part is definitely yours, Chris." She uttered pertaining to Chris.
"Yeah sure, Madame!" He replied enthusiastically.
Excitement radiated Chris's eyes, a kind feeling that she can relate to. The same feeling where different ideas playfully rushing through your mind as if you can't finally wait to start the job. It has been months since the last time she designed a project for she got busy handling the firm and by the look of Chris, she suddenly felt the excitement to design again. If your job is your passion, you'll surely love and enjoy what you do. It will be more like a recreation than a job, she realized.
They proceeded on the next floor as Chris decided to stay on the ground floor to acquire some ideas in his floor plan. They continue to roam the different parts of the building as Thyago assisted them until she didn't notice that only the two of them were only left. They were currently on the west wing of the building checking the rooms and units. She bother to roam her eyes around to search for Angelo and Rachel but she failed to find them. They were just right behind them as far as she was concerned while explaining her ideas and now she wonder where the hell they were because she haven't assigned them what to do. Feeling a bit uneasy being left alone with Thyago, she still checked where could possibly Rachel and Angelo might be but she failed to find them still. Being left with Thyago was a bit awkward and uncomfortable. She kept herself busy checking the rooms and writing something on her pad. She could feel he was silently gazing at her by the side of her eyes but she tried to not mind it and focus on what she do.
"I never thought you'll become an Interior designer." He suddenly uttered that caught her attention.
"I mean... Your name in the Interior Designing Industry was such a fame. I can't believe you're now successful." His words seem to be sincere. When she looked at him, a glint of amazement was written in his eyes.
"Because you don't know me." She couldn't help to snap back.
What is he trying to insinuate? That he never thought that I was capable of reaching my dreams in the future? Am I that dumb and stupid in his thoughts way back then?
He bent down his head a bit and went silent for a moment. What she didn't notice was the sad look in his eyes towards the impact of what she said. Thyago never intend to insult her, he was just glad for what she became and proud of her achievements.
"Yeah, your right. I never had a chance to know you more better before." He stated sadly.
"Because you knew nothing is interesting to know more about me, right?" She sardonically replied.
"That's not true! I knew you're smart and--"
"Oh come on, stop fooling around, Thyago. As if you're the only one who thought that way about me. I know everyone on the campus thinks the worst of me before. You see I was Ms. Pathetic, Fantasy girl, Thyago's stalker, wait-- did I miss a name they used to call me before?" A sad smile painted her like as the bitter memories from the last hit her.
"I'm sorry that's not what I'm trying to insinuate. I don't intend to insult or mock you. I just got amazed by your accomplishments and I'm sincere about what I said." He explained. He suddenly got alarmed and looked uneasy.
"I'm sorry but that's not the effect on me. I am not pleased, to be honest."
"I-I'm really sorry, Bea if you felt that I-- "
"Just please stop bringing up or mentioning the past? We both know how stupid and crazy I was way back in our teenage days. Remembering those days made me feel ashamed of what I did and yet you keep on reminding me about it." She frankly told him.
This time she doesn't care whatever he might think about her. He might conclude that she was not yet over on the past, that she was still hurting every time she was being reminded about her foolishness in their teenage days, that she was overreacting, and so on. She doesn't care whatever he thinks, she was getting offended and she will undoubtedly tell him what he really feels even she will look rude.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you. I didn't know you felt that way about it. I'm really sorry Bea." He said apologetically.
"To tell you the truth, I was uncomfortable working with you and since we're both professionals here, I set aside the rift we got just for this project--"
"I know, I know. Please forgive me? What can I do to make it up to you." He pleaded.
"Just please stop reminding me about the foolishness I've done in the past. We both know I did some stupid and embarrassing things that I regret in the end so let's just be professionals and do our job here." She said formally.
"Hey listen. About what happened in the past, it was all my fault. I was a jerk. I should have talked to you and apologized before. I should have stopped Elena from spreading your diary to the whole campus and defended you from those bullies who call you such names. I should have-- "
"Enough, Thyago!" She cut him off.
Anger is now flaming in her eyes. He just exactly did what she requested him to not do. Does he think she'll ever believe him with those lies? She doesn't need his sorry. He was too late for that.
"Don't you think your explanation is a decade late now? That doesn't need anymore..." She added bitterly. Long silence occurred between them it's as if he felt guilty for his actions.
"I can sense that we can't talk professionally right now. I'll just go check some other rooms for my concept design ideas. I guess, I should leave you for a while." she uttered formally after she composed herself. She heaved a long sigh before she decided to walk away.
After a few hours of roaming the whole place, Thyago invited the whole team invited to lunch out at the nearby restaurant at noon. After the argument they got, Thyago and her acted professionally as if nothing happened just a while ago. As if they never had a quarrel that upsets and made her back out from him. Well, that's a good thing anyway. This is business so professionalism is a must.
Thyago brought them to a fancy seafood restaurant, one thing that definitely surprised her. As far as she could remember, he was allergic to seafood or any kind of fish. Feeling annoyed and a bit worried, she talked to him when she got the chance. They were the last ones to enter the restaurant so she walked near him and asked.
"As my memory serves me right, your allergic to seafood. What's this about?" She frankly asked him. His attention got caught when he heard her so his gaze automatically flew on her.
"You still remember that?" He looked at her with amazement then smiled sheepishly.
"I-I j-just recalled." She stuttered.
Damn, she was caught off guard. Although she hates him, she is somehow concerned about his health.
"I'm not allergic to seafood, Bea. I just don't like eating seafood and fish when I was younger so I try to tell everyone I'm allergic to it." He stated. With that, her anger flared up again.
He lied to me! He's not allergic to seafood! Does that mean he doesn't wanna eat the tuna sandwich I prepared for him way back then the reason he told me he was allergic to seafood and fish? He's nothing but a total jerk indeed!!!!
"What a big fat liar you are, you jerk!" She said accusingly as she glared at him. She then walked past him and angrily entered the restaurant.
Thyago ordered a lot of food for the team. Lobsters, crabs, tuna's, salmon, and everything she knew he hates eating before. The whole team seemed to enjoy the food mostly Rachel and Angelo. It was Thyago's treat that's why they were in a joyous and energetic mood.
"It seems you love seafood, Mr. Williams.." Chris stated afterward.
"Actually, I don't like seafood before, until there's this one special person that made me realized seafood is delicious. It's her favorite actually, so I made it my favorite too." He answered meaningfully.
"Might be your girlfriend, I guess" Angelo asked.
Thyago just laughed and didn't bother to answer. She then rolled her eyes in irritation not knowing Thyago caught that gesture of her. Whoever that special person is, she pities her. What a shallow reason, she thought.
"That was so sweet of you Mr. Williams." Rachel then added.
Cris and Rachel seemed agitated to know that special person Thyago has been talking about so they kept on intriguing and asking questions about him. She suddenly felt bored and not interested in their topic so she just went silent almost the whole meal.
Honestly, she doesn't care whoever that person Thyago has been talking about. Might be her girlfriend, yes. But whatever that not-so-good feeling that starting to creep in her, she suddenly realized that is not good for her. She disgust the feeling of getting curious and intrigue about that special person he was talking about.
It can't be! She shouldn't be feeling that way...