Fascinated by you

Chapter 5

They started the day as if nothing happened. Today they will be meeting one of the prospective investors. They needed to close a deal. That means she needs to set aside her personal feelings and do the job as expected.

Mr. Choi is a Filipino-Chinese business tycoon who is known for his meticulous work. They needed to persuade him to invest in HG Multinational. For the past months, HG Holding stocks and bonds have been down due to the financial crisis and factors from competitors, so they came up with a project-and now they need investors for that. And Mr. Choi can be of great help.

They headed to the ancestral house of Choi in Batangas. Mr. Choi is a family-oriented businessman. He values his family over anything else. When they arrived, they saw a man in his early 50s wearing a camiso as if he was doing farm work.

“You’re here! Mahal (it is an endearment for your loved one), kindly give them their clothes so we can start now while the sun is not yet angry,” Mr. Choi said smilingly.

Bella was not surprised because she had already met Mr. Choi before.

“Thank you Mr. Choi, we’ll just change our clothes,” she said while holding the clothes handed to them.

“We’ll do it quickly,” Charles said, even if he didn’t know what was happening.

“Okay then, I’ll wait for you at the farm,” Mr. Choi added.

Mr. and Mrs. Choi headed to the farm holding a basket made of rattan.

“Mr. Parker, I think we should change our clothes so we can go with them in no time. I know you are quite shocked, I’ll explain to you everything later,” Bella said in a hurry.

When they finished changing their clothes with the camiso given to them, they went to the mini farm that Choi has. They see the couples happily harvesting green and red bell peppers.

“Oh, you’re here,” said Mr. Choi. “Can you please harvest the tomato, Ms. Bella? And Mr. Parker, please get some carrots. My wife will be cooking afritada for lunch,” he explained to both of them.

Bella went in the direction where the tomatoes were. Besides, it was the carrots that Charles needed to get. She thought that Charles would be having hard time harvesting carrots but he did not. He’s enjoying it. Charles wears a big smile as if he’s not doing this for work. And she’s happy about it. She didn’t notice it but Charles was coming to her showing the carrots.

“Do you want me to help you, Bella?’” Charles asked.

“No, it’s okay. I’m almost done,” Kara replied. “You seemed to enjoy farming,” she added.

“Yeah, it’s quite refreshing,” he replied.

“I think you’re done. Let’s go,” Mr. Choi shouted from afar.

“Yes, sir,” Charles replied.

When they were walking back to the house, they noticed that Mrs. Choi can’t hold a chicken.

“Mr. Parker, can you please help my wife to get hold of a chicken for our lunch,” he asked.

“Of course sir,” he replied, without even thinking if he could do it or not. He went inside the big cage and started to get one, but it wasn’t easy at all. He used his strength as well as his charm, but it was no use. He was determined to get one, so he jumped to corner one of the hens that were inside the big cage, and there he was. He got one. He’s very happy. He looks like he won a lottery. He doesn’t even mind his looks.

“Yahoo! I got one. Did you see it?” he said happily. You can say that he is smiling genuinely.

“Yes, we saw it,” Bella said proudly.

“Good job Mr. Parker,” Mr. Choi applauded Mr. Parker.

While waiting for lunch, they were on the bench in front of a man-made lake while drinking the hot chocolate (tablea) being served to them.

“I didn’t know you were good at catching hens. You are like a pro,” Bella admired Charles for easily adapting himself to the environment.

“I don’t know what to do but I’m determined to impress you,” Charles said assertively.

“And I’m impressed with you, Mr. Charles, Bella said while having her two thumbs up. “I think you’re good at everything you do,” she added.

“If that’s what you think, thank you,” he replied. He was about to speak when his phone rang.

She unintentionally sees the name registered on his phone and it’s Honey.

Honey? I thought he was single? He’s just like others.

“Excuse me, I’ll just have this call,” Charles said.

Charles stood up and walked towards the lake. She didn’t want to hear their conversation but she heard Charles say

“Yes, I miss you too. Once we're done here, I’ll be back. See you soon.”

Why does she need to hear those words? At one point, she feels her heart aching for real. The same feeling she had when Greg left her. She must be foolish. Why would she feel that way? They don’t even have an ‘intimate relationship’. She feels like her tears will fall anytime soon and she doesn’t want Charles to see them.

“Oh, Mr. Choi? Anything I can do for you?” Bella asked as she didn’t notice that the businessman was beside her.

“Nothing but I think you should go to the powder room before he approaches us,” Mr. Choi said as if he understood what might happen if she stayed longer.

“T-Thank you, sir,” Bella replied thankfully.

“Sir, where will Bella go?” Charles asked out of curiosity.

“I think she heard something that she shouldn’t have heard. Don’t worry about her. She’ll feel better once she releases it,” Mr. Choi said while laughing.

“Girls become emotional at times,” he added.

“Emotional? Did something bad happen?” Charles asked.

“I don’t know, I think you should ask yourself, instead,” Mr. Choi puzzled Mr. Parker. “By the way, the table is ready, let’s go now to the Gazebo,” he added.

Charles thinks about Mr. Choi’s statement. She heard something that she shouldn’t have heard. And ask me instead? But it was just fine - is it because of the phone call? What did I say to upset her? No, it’s not a phone call. Then what?

“Mr. Parker, you seem to be bothered. Why not ask her directly?” Mr. Choi suggested.

“Okay, sir. I will,” he replied.

They had a simple lunch. They had afritada and buko juice where all the ingredients were freshly picked from their mini-farm. Choi’s lifestyle tells more of their values.

After lunch, they were about to discuss the proposal with Mr. Choi but he refused. Instead, he wanted them to ask their questions.

For Mr. Choi, the character is what he values most.

“I noticed that you enjoyed everything that I asked you to do. And I know you did that not because you’re here to close a deal but because you wanted to. I just notice that there is something special between the two of you,” Mr. Choi said to them.

“Mr. Parker and I were good friends,” Bella said.

“Thank you Bella, but I want Charles to answer my question,” Mr. Choi pleaded.

“Bella and I are good friends. I have known her for almost two months and I enjoyed her company all the time,” he answered Mr. Choi’s question.

“So, you’re good friends. I thought there was something between the two of you. Maybe I was just mistaken, but most of the time, I’m not,” he said jokingly.

Mr. Choi and his wife smiled at each other.

“I’ve heard that you’ll be here only for three months, right?” he asked.

“Yes sir, that’s true,” he replied.

“Will you still keep in touch with your friend when you go back to the US?” he questioned Charles as if he wanted confirmation.

“I can’t see any reason why we shouldn't keep in touch. ng to get to know her more,” Charles said to Mr. Choi while looking at Bella.

Bella’s heart is happy but her mind tells her not to. Maybe he was just saying that because he knows that it’s part of Mr. Choi’s test.

“If that’s the case, it’s a closed deal then. Hand me the contract and I’ll sign it now,” Mr. Choi said as he was satisfied with his answer.

“There are lots of beautiful places here in Batangas. Tagaytay is nearby too. Enjoy the rest of the day,” Mr. Choi added.

“Thank you very much, Sir,” Charles and Bella said.

“Hope to hear good news soon,” he teasingly added.

“We’ll keep you informed, sir,” Charles replied.

They left the couple happy. They seem to be truly in love with each other. And at one point, she becomes jealous not of what they have but of what they feel for each other.