Paint my love

Meeting

Daniel's POV

I never knew that it will be this fast. I told my Ate Ella about it, and she's quite skeptic about how fast went by between me and Jill. 

"Little bro, I don't want you to be heartbroken. Although it's inevitable but please, please take care of yourself. I'm actually happy that your prayer is answered instantaneously. Maybe you can visit me here? Our little Bella is looking for you." I really wish my sister is here with me. She knows a lot about love life. She's like a mom to me. Especially when I don't know the whereabouts of my mom, she became my mom instantly. My dad is travelling too. I just hope they will soon let us know where they are, and hopefully they found the answers to whatever they are looking for. It's been like 5 years since I came back.

Flashback, Daniel's back in LA

"Hi Mama! Dad! Ate Ella, I missed you all!" I said with all of my heart, because indeed I miss them a lot. 5 years in the Philippines for college is no joke, plus the constant harassment of my Filipina friends who just wants to flirt all the time. Geesh, I'm so glad I'm not there anymore. But our house seems awkward and I feel like there's something that they want to tell me.

"Son, sit down." My dad said in a very serious tone. All I did was nod. "Your sister Ella is pregnant. We don't know who's that bastard because she doesn't want to tell us. Now, Daniella. If you don't want to tell us, fine. But let Daniel know who it is, then we'll let you go. Go to Italy as you wish. You have my blessing." I looked at my mom who's really fuming because I know how she protected us. How she want us to live a life a purity and love. I lived by it but I guess my sister rebelled at some point. My dad is always the very open one. The tension between my mom and dad was quite severe. I never see them argue or even get angry like this.

"What the hell happened?" that's my only reaction. It turned out that my mom slapped my sister. It's the first time that she laid hands on her. My dad wants to know the guy, but my sister doesn't want to tell them. She said that she will only tell it to me. So we went to my room and talked. She's older than me but I feel like a big brother to her. I hugged her and told her that it's okay. She needs to relax because it's not good for her baby when she's stressed. She didn't tell me everything but she did told me that the father of her child went abroad. A Fil-Am, one of his sorority friends introduced him to her. They clicked and she didn't know that he had a girlfriend. I hate that guy but all my sister said that she regretted rebelling from our mom. She regrets being peer pressured, being alone in the states with only mom and dad, it would have been avoided if I was there to help her and even guard her. I may be her little brother but I protect her as if she's my little sister. So she just told me that she's glad that I'm back but she would have to go to Italy for her masters. She said that she can raise her child there and will be in contact all the time. 

End of Flashback

She went to LA 3 years ago with her kid. Lovely Arabella Walter. I'm a doting uncle and she really likes me. When she left for Italy, that's the time I see my parents always fighting. I got a job in an architectural firm and busied myself with all the work. That's the time I won the landscape exhibit competition. But it was too late, my mom and dad separated. They said they need time off for the meantime. My dad said he has some investments worldwide and would be busy. My mom? I think she went back to the Philippines. Both of them have deep pockets, I think. I never saw them file for a divorce, so I guess there's still hope in them. I was able to talk to my mom 2 years ago but after that, I didn't see her anymore. I just hope she's okay.

Having business meetings like this reminds me of my dad. He wants me to take over his company but I always reject because I told him that I want to make a name for myself. He's a great man. I saw him how he loves my mom despite their cultural differences. Being British, he's quite different from all the Brits I know, especially my grandparents back in the UK. My reminiscing was cut when I saw a lovely lady walking towards the conference hall.

"Hello everyone. Our main investor's representative is here now. Ms. Jillian Lee is Mr. Jun Lee's daughter, the Chairman of Lee Jun Group (LJG)." one of my bosses introduced her. She looks really beautiful. I just smiled at her and she smiled back at everyone and I didn't see that she's surprised to see me. Maybe she knows that I'll be one of the presentors. I'm quite nervous. Well, maybe because I want to impress her and of course, impress my bosses too.

Jillian's POV

When I learned that Daniel Walter is one of the most sought architect in the Bricks and Stones Corporation, I'm actually excited for this meeting. Don't worry, I won't be biased, although I will really root for him in this presentation. I smiled after one of the heads introduced me to everyone. I know that he noticed me because I see his dimpled smile again. He's so cute when he does that. 

There will be three presentation and the last one was Daniel's pitch. We were actually looking for a contractor for our new office in New York City. It will be my permanent office as my dad said that I should settle down and find a decent man. When he said decent, he doesn't want an ordinary one. But I hate the conglomerate's sons. They are so full of themselves and they are not as good looking as the one presenting right now. I really love how he presents the design, he's really knowledgeable and he really researched about the location, the type of owner who will occupy and even the details of the materials he would like to use. He's geeking out but I love it. I guess that's why he's the last because the company knows he's really the best asset they have.

After all the presentations, I was then asked by their department head on what I think.

"All of the designs are good. It's quite hard to decide. We have had some meetings also with other contractors and I must say, one of your designs really stand out." I paused because I can see all their smiles. So I continued, "This design is really special for me because my dad told me that this will be my office, so I get to call the shots on this. I'm grateful that I was able to meet you guys." They clapped. "I know you are wondering who among the designs I will choose. So I won't delay."

I just hope I choose the right thing this time.