Chance of a Lifetime

Chapter 1 First Encounter

The first impression lasts. I never thought she was that sarcastic, she’s beautiful enough to be kept as my woman. But I think she’s kinda difficult to deal with. I am Hashima. I was never turned down by anybody or they may know what I am capable of. Jenny, Sir, get that woman’s identity, I want everything about her. Copy Sir

She lost her balance, she was like a ball thrown in nowhere, she fell on the ground and she felt the aching of her thighs. What the heck! Are you blind? This is not one way for Pete's sake. Excuse me?Excuse your face. He was frozen by the non-stop barking of Abbey. Sir, we are in a hurry, his assistant said. Okay, let's go. Then they pass her by without saying sorry. Bastard asshole, she murmured, hmp of all places, if not for that Chinese bull****, I would not attend this conference, wearing heels, its disgusting.

But he was handsome, she thought. It's a bit painful on my thighs, but never mind. She fixed herself then headed back to the hall. Anyway, this is the last day of the conference and good thing Mr. Ang booked me into this luxurious hotel. I will really grab this opportunity to roam around.

From what company he represents, he’s very handsome and his cold demeanor, wow, stern. I went back to my seat and got ready for the last speaker. Uhm he’s from Japan. I haven’t missed anything in this whole conference. I just hope Sir Richard won’t ask for a summary and its really great I could file my three-day leave. Whoah!

They were rushing because of the delayed flight. He didn’t mean it. He was startled by the non-stop barking of the woman. He even held his laugh when she was thrown in nowhere, he pitied her, she looks in pain. And he felt something in his heart beating. He was mesmerized by her innocent beauty, not to mention, her figure was very attractive. And he like her.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? Our last but not the least speaker is a half Filipino Japanese, but don’t worry, he will speak in English. Please help me welcome Mr. Hashima Tanichi, let's give him a round of applause. Everybody stood and, because Abbey was only 5 ft 1 inch tall, she didn’t see the man. Once everyone got their seats, Mr. Tanichi began his speech. Oh my, him!. Startled, she bangs the table loudly out sense damn it, it gets the attention of all the people in the hall, which made her face turn red. Everyone looked at her. She grinned and wished to vanish.

He was happy to see the girl he bumped in the hallway, so he teased her a little bit. Well, I guess the lady needs some refreshment. I can offer you a martini if you want, but in my room maybe, I would love to see you on my bed, then winked at her. Everybody laughed and she was embarrassed by the way he said it. She became the laughing stock in the area. Asshole lad, she whispered, she grinned and lowered down her head, just to avoid people's eyes. Anyway, shall we proceed? Eyes on me please, thank you. Abbey is uncomfortable, Mr. Tanichi kept on staring at her the whole time he spoke. If a stare could kill, she was dead already. Am I the only audience here? Fuc***g asshole. While she was panting, her phone vibrated, a text message puffed up from Mr. Ang, “abbey please take note of Mr. Tanichi’s time, if possible don’t miss out anything, he’s our new investor”. ask him anything if he permitted queries. Huh. What bad luck for me.. s*it.

Any more questions or queries? Sir, sir, sir! Yes, the lady bangs, she frowns, damn you, she whispers. Sir, how is it possible that a small bean could accommodate thousands of files in one, even a sack could only fill a number of coconuts. What more is a small rice bean? Miss, we were talking about technology here. If you used the sack as your luggage, it wasn’t convenient and too ugly to present in a very high-class five-star hotel like this one, instead you had zipped luggage, a cellphone and a laptop for you to look more presentable and beautiful. What I mean is the nano disc has a cache junction rectifier that can input millions of bytes so that you can store thousands of files. You can also store coconuts there if you want, winking at her. She threw a sarcastic look then said, okay I get it, thank you Sir. My assistant will be handing each of you the hard copies of Nano. Any queries will surely be attended to and, lastly, please make yourself comfortable, the dinner is on me, he said. Applause gets back to her senses.

Hello Sir. Richard, okie Sir, I have it all. Abbey, don’t imitate my speaking or you will not get your leave, Sir. Just kidding, everything’s fine. I have all the handouts and a USB provided. That’s good. Get back here early tomorrow, and my leave? Filed it! Whoah, thank you Sir, he hung up instantly. Ma’am, here’s your ticket and vouchers for some entertainment charge free from Mr. Tanichi, oh wow thank you. Enjoy your meal, ma’am. Yuri watches her from time to time. She’s really cute in her own way. Uhm okay, bar on third floor, swimming pool on roof top, theater on ground floor. Oh, but I don’t drink or swim. I don’t even know how this one is cool. I’ll check out what, oh die hard, mission impossible 4, orphan, breakthrough, comedy, adventure. This is fine. After the meal, she goes back to her suite. I’ll take a nap first. I’ll set the alarm so I won’t fall asleep.

It’s already eight o’clock , the last full show, so around 12 midnight. She peeps at the bar before going to the ground. Ooops bar is crowded, hmmmp movie much better. Hello ma’am voucher please, here thank you. Almost full, this way, ma’am. How about snacks and drinks, free? Yes, delivered here. Pop corn and ice tea are the least available ma’am. Its fine, thank you. Here you are, ma’am. Is this also provided by Mr. Tanichi? Yes ma’am, impact, he owns this hotel, ah kaya pala. What’s the hotel name?, “Leeschim”ma’am, lights off. Thank goodness I brought my jacket, it's so cold in here. Almost all the audience are girls and, in the bar, all boys. I guess everyone is satisfied with the accommodation, that bastard has good management, she said to herself. Walking to the hallway and going to the elevator ,the movie is very long. It's almost 2 am.

Mr. Tanichi is already drunk. He crosses his legs while walking to the elevator. Hey wait, he gets inside, oh hi, miss lady bang, which floor, eight floor Sir, oh were the same, okay. He was falling, so Abbey grabbed him. Uhm next time, leave some strength so you can still get home safe and sound ding, she’s still holding him when the elevator opens. Ah Sir, where is your room? Get my card here, Sir? Okay. I’ll get it. She was too careful to touch anything. Here I got it. Okay, stand still Sir. He’s smiling secretly, he’s pretending to be drunk 7339, here it goes, okay you are next to mine. She swapped the card, Sir, you can get in. Oh okay miss beautiful lady bang. You’re welcome Sir and my name is Abbey, not Lady Bang. Okay, where are you from, company? Richardson Corp. Sir. Uhm okay, goodnight. He closed the door, so Abbey walked to her room. He didn’t know how to say thank you she whispered, but he didn’t escape from his ears, he was lurking at his door. She was pretty and kind-hearted, he thought. I’ll find you in any way. He took his cellphone out of his pocket and dialed. Jenny, yes Sir, did you have it? Yes Sir, on your desk? Okay thank you.

At his office, Yuge, I heard Highland Grand Casino had a huge loss of net gross. Yup, almost 80% of shares are withdrawn, share holders are pulling out. The authorities said it has almost 10 million in tax revenue under audit that hasn’t been filed since it was being converted into a casino. I think Daniel Tan’s father didn’t file it during his management, then forgotten. When Daniel took his office, the new accountant found out the list of bail charges. Where’s the money then? Nothing was reported yet. Ricky died of a heart attack after bringing the issues to the board meeting. Since Tan has the larger shares, Daniel got the chief executive officer position. And he just assured everyone that the issues of tax evasion would be solved within a month.

I am sure it has something to do with Ricky. It's not easy to pay that large amount within a month. Yes, of course, we know that’s hard. Anyway, put someone to get more facts then investigate. Okay bro, just if, what is our next step? buy it. I want to have it in Leeschim. I’ve been there several times and the place is great. I also bought a piece at Highland and the construction is half way done. Whoah whoah bro, really, yeah so give me the report as soon as possible. Got it Brother.

Yes Sir, I’m on my way out, holding her phone and luggage abbey rushing out from her suites. Mr. Tanichi also rushed to the elevator, hey wait. Ground floor? Yes please. Abbey on the corner was feeling dizzy but kept holding it. Are you alright ms. Bang, she frowned, my name is Abbey. Don’t call me that way, okay. Are you okay, you’re pale, she’s also breathing hardly and slowly falling down. He grabbed her before she fell down, then took his phone and called the medics. When the elevator reaches the ground, the medics wait. Abbey is now sweating profusely, Sir, take her to the clinic. Yes Sir, the medics got her things and they put her on the stretchers. Yuri followed,

Ma’am, how are you feeling? I can’t breathe and I’m feeling hungry, but I’m not. Okay, doc, I think she’s having an oxygen falling, take her vitals and oxygen level. Doc,. It's dropping. Okay, take out the blood sample faster. Ma’am? Have you been in this situation before? No doc just now. Thank God you are conscious. We will take you to the hospital for some random test, uhm doc please don’t, I need to be in Manila as soon as possible. Oh okay, we will just wait for the results of your blood test, but if you need to be taken to the hospital we will not allow you to fly back, she nodded.

Okay Jenny, take the private plane, copy Sir. Shirley , how is she? She’s alright Sir, we just need her test results so we will know if she needs to be confined. Okay, I have a flight back to take. Just make sure she’s okay. Yes Sir. And he left in a rush.

Ma’am as your test result, you need to do all this: a city scan, ECG and a complete blood test. You have a weak heart so you need more tests to assure your condition. Now doc? I’m late on my flight, actually as soon as possible. Could I do it in Manila? Yes you can and do it as early as you can. Okay po doc, thank you doc, how much is my fee? Uh nothing, you’re still in our hotel, so there is no charge.

May I leave now? Yes, but take this medicine first so you’re safe to travel. Thank you, my phone and things please. Glenda, rebook my flight please. She yelled" ma’am Sir Richard is pierced.I know I have an emergency, that’s why I can’t come back early, besides why he’s mad my leave starts today . Yes but you haven’t filed it yet, ma’am. Sir needs your report that quick? Yes, he will have a meeting with Mr. Tanichi tonight before going back to Japan. Okay fine, rebook my ticket. I’m on my way to the airport. What happened, ma’am, I really don’t know, Mr. Tanichi sent me to the clinic. They said I was collapsing and too pale and sweating profusely, so how is it? They wanted me to go to the hospital for a random test but I said no, so they gave me a referral. I told them to do it there, your boss would shoot me, haha, true ma’am. Okay, I’ll send you the new ticket, then hang up.

Ma’am, we’ll take you to the airport, the staff said. Ha, no, I can hail a taxi, sorry po ma’am, Sir. Yuri’s instructions. Yuri? Who is Yuri? The owner of this hotel. Ah okay, wow, impressive, thank you. Ma’am your folder from Dr. Shirley Ibanna, um, referral. Actually, it's not needed anymore, it's just normal, but anyway, thank you. I’ll think about it, thank you Sir, here take it, huh no. ma’am were not allowed to take any penny, we are monitored pointing to the dash camera. Ah okay, thank you again. Have a safe flight. She nodded, then left.

She’s been on the plane for two hours and she has 15 missed calls already. Glenda, I just came out, okay I’ll go there and wait. Do you have a raisor? No, ma’am, why, can you lend me one? I’ll make your boss's head bald. Ma’am, its fine, you’ll have your leave then. Just don’t let Richard hold it or else I will resign. Is that Abbey Genda? Yes Sir and it's Glenda OK, give it to me. Abbey come here now, we need to talk okie. alright Sir, I’ll be there soon if you sign my leave, I will sign it when you’re here, no Sir, sign it first then have glenda the screen shot for sure, why, you don’t trust me abbey, yes Sir,what? Ah Okie, I mean I requested my leave for a long time, right? Okie, don’t imitate my speaking, then hang up. Ouch..hmmmp.

Glenda told Abbey to go to my office okie. Yes Sir. Psst Glenda, where is he ? Ma’am he waiting for you in his office, okay, where is my leave? Here ma’am, mwah yeah thank you at last. Why is it effective tomorrow? Yes, ma’am, so that means I’ll still work today. Yeah I think so. Then abbey’s eyes turned into a tiger growling on the way to her boss's office. Glenda is shocked at Abbey’s bursting. She knows her friend and her chief supervisor.

Abbey, please sit down. She looked at her boss with reproach," Sir, why is my leave effective tomorrow? I’m sorry, Abbey, I need you for my meeting with Mr. Tanichi this afternoon, you know all the information about it. But Sir, I already emailed everything to your secretary, including the files on the USB are already transferred. Yes, I know, but I don’t have enough time to review all that. Don’t worry, you will just take note of the minutes. Please abbey, okie I’ll duck one day on your leave. Uhmm, here sign it here, what? The duck sir, okie, she grinned, hey what’s the smile about. It's add Sir, not duck, don’t dare imitate my speak. okie, go home first then get back here 3pm. Okie my leave, Sir, OK plus one day. Mr. Ang signed it but held it, got it later after the meeting. Hmmp Sir! She yelled," That’s business Abbey. Fine, I’ll wait for the email Sir or else. Get out now! She was about to murmur but instead lifted her hands then left her boss's office. Glend, email my leave with one day duck, what? my leave with additional 1 day, signed. You mean 4 days leave? Yes, be back around 3pm. Yes ma’am.

On her way back to their building, she again felt what she felt in Cebu. She had also lost breathing, she found her seat and lay her head so she would not fall. After some time, she gained her strength, so she rushed to the office because Glenda texted her that she needed to come first before the guest arrived. I feel this hard breathing over and over. I think its normal because I haven’t had a rest and good sleep since the conference,she thought. When she reached the office she was fine and the feelings gone.

Ma’am Abbey, meeting will be held in the training room, Sir. Richard said, I instructed the janitor to clean it up,take it away. I’m off at 4 pm today. My leave? on your table, ma’am. Call me okay. Silly girl, I’m at home with my siblings and mother. Fine and go for a check up before its too late. Stupid, it's nothing. Wee, look at you, you’re pale, abbey. I felt dizzy on my way here. Okay, here are the prints from the soft copies and hard copies on Sir’s table. Okay thank you, she headed to the training room to prepare all the documents needed. She still had 30 minutes, so she went to her table to check if she had already turned off her computer, then laid back until she heard the mic paging her.

After awhile, her boss arrived. He was a full-blood Chinese but lives in the Philippines after taking over their family business. Abbey has all the documents ready. Yes Sir. Except the contract Sir? I need to reproduce that. There is no need, they will have a contract with them. Uhm okay. Please take orders from Shakey’s. Now Sir, yes, they will arrive soon. Copy Sir.

After a few minutes, the intercom buzzed, yes, Angie, Sir Mr. Tanichi is here. Okay, led them into the training room. Yes Sir. This way Sir, ma’am. Jenny, did you check the hotel if ms. Bang has already left and I wanna know the results of her test. Yes Sir, she left after the results came out, but she didn’t go for another test. Huh what? why? Sir, she’s in a rush, Dr. Shirley gave her request to do some more tests as soon as possible and she said to do it in Manila. And then gave her some medicine so she could travel safely. Hmmm okay. Have a seat Sir ma’am, thank you. Mr. Ang will be here in a minute. Anything you want, coffee or juice. No thank you. Okay. The door opened and Mr. Ang greeted them with a hand shake, please sit down Hashima, Angie. Please call Abbey please, yes Sir. How is your staying in Manila? Its fine, great! And let's get down to business. I have a flight back to Japan an hour later, Jenny please. Okay Sir, this is the contract. You can read it first before signing. A soft knock interrupted them, sorry Sir. Come in Abbey. He was startled, he never expected he would see her so soon.

Hashima this is my … Mr. Ang didn’t finish his words, ms. Bang?, hashima said. My name is Abbey Sir, she said, annoyed. Abbey sat down, she rolled her eyes. Stop that. Sorry Sir, pasensya na hashima, its okay. Marunong siyang magtagalog Sir Richard? Ah no ma’am, my boss just understands shallow Filipino but can’t speak, jenny" said hashima’s secretary.

Anyway, I suppose ms. Bang here already understood our business. emm yes Sir, fully understood. Well, Richard, there's no need to explain about this or evaluate. Ms. Bang, Abbey Sir, ms. Abbey, you did have the hard copies and USB so I don’t think it's necessary to explain that again. Richard, I will leave the contract for you to study and take time to understand our contract. This is not a small amount of money, I will not risk anything s**t out of it. I understand Hashima. This is a black and white contract plus email will be sent to you as well. Jenny will assist you on that contract.

He keeps on staring at Abbey while the meeting is going on. After some refreshments, they leave. Hashima has a flight back to Japan. Ms. Abbey, yes Sir, it was nice seeing you again. Make sure to take the doctor’s advice as soon as possible or you may come with me to take you to the hospital. No thank you Sir, I can do it myself frowning. Okay, he spoke near her ears for the last time. I can stay if you say so, come with me on a date, then look at her in the eyes. She smirked, begged for it, no way. Then she said, then I will find a way. Just wait. Then he walk past grinning, jenny followed him. Abbey stomped her foot in annoyance. Asshole,what he wants? Why does he care about my check-up? duh!

Abbey, let's talk first before you go home, okay Sir? It was already 7 in the evening. She fixed first all the documents from the said meeting, then filed them. The final contract will be sent by email and then will be signed by Mr. Richard Ang. Abbey, when you get back, you will handle this project. Why me? It should be in the logistics department, right? Yes, yes, but Mr. Tanichi wants you on the project, he wants you there every time. He needs an update. Sir, that’s not fair. What about Mr. Vanta. He should handle that. I don’t know about technology, besides I’m not an engineer. Mr. Vanta and Chris will join you. If that’s your problem,we’ll talk about that when you come back, okay Sir. I’ll go ahead Sir. Did you get your bonus? Yes Sir thank you and one more thing. Go for the check up, get your health care card from the finance dept., you’re pale. Yes Sir, thank you.