4 At the Restaurant (1)

The siblings headed back to their hotel and just had lunch at the cafe across the street. After checking their pending emails and calling the office for any updates, they took a quick nap afterward. They wanted to have enough energy for their nighttime activity, flying in that morning zapped their energy.

‘Hey guys, I want to be there at 6:30, so we can take pictures. I want to show those foos back home where we’re going,’ Max reminds them as they got ready.

He acted like he was still in college, hanging out with his friends. At SST, the policy required them to dress business casual most days. Being partial owners allowed them to occasionally break the rules.

The rule was, as long as they didn’t come wearing their pajamas and beach attire, the staff could dress as casually as they wanted. Clara wanted it to be in an environment where everyone felt comfortable and didn’t need to put on airs.

This was because most of the people working for them were from local orphanages or student workers. Their salaries usually went to their studies or lodgings. She did not want them to feel pressured to spend hard-earned money on fancy clothing. They could do that later when they earned actual salaries.

She only had one exception. When there were presentations, she required everyone involved in that project to dress their best. That way, people do not underestimate them and their capabilities.

As for the rest, the technicians and other people who visit the sites, they have uniforms provided to eliminate the confusion of being mistaken for intruders.

Clara’s personal philosophy was that clothes do not make the person. SST employees give it their all, no matter what background they came from.

-=-

The Johnson siblings got to the ‘V’ at exactly 6:30. They got there early, so there would be enough time to take pictures and get drinks before ‘The President,’ sarcastically termed by Clara, came to join them. She wanted the siblings to enjoy this time together. They seldom go out these days, being too busy launching their product and developing their technology. It left them tired all the time. It was as if the more money they were taking in, the more drained they became. Some days, they don’t even see one another at home.

The ‘V’ had an outdoor balcony where people hung out while waiting for their reservations. So the siblings chose this as their selfie spot. Yeah, selfies seem foolish to some people, but when you have no pictures from when you were younger, you compensate by taking lots of pictures of your activities and places you visit in the present, so when you grow older, you can have something to look back on.

To thwart Sebastian’s advances, she decided against wearing the off-shoulder black dress that she brought just for the occasion. ‘I don’t want him to think I was dressing up to impress him. Plus, I don’t like the way he stares at me. I feel like his prey.’

‘I’m a grown woman, and I will not be a subject of anybody’s fantasies.’

‘Whoa, whoa, whoa... When did this happen?’ Max reacted. ‘What is going on here? I thought he was a very nice guy. Very handsome, if you ask me.’ Max chided. He was pretending not to know what was happening. He winks at Jeremy.

‘Sis, maybe it’s time you thought about someone that way. You are not getting any younger. You know, biological clock and all, plus you don’t want to end up as a cougar, preying on the young, do you?’ Max added, smiling to himself.

‘Oh, shut up! Cougar? You think I’m a cougar?’ she slaps Max on the arm.

‘I think you look lovely, Clara. We both know what you’re talking about. This idiot here is just teasing you.’ Jeremy stared pointedly at Max.

‘Heeey! I’m not an idiot. I’m a matchmaker!’ Max said, forming a heart with his hands. ‘I love you, Clara,’ she shook her head and laughed.

‘If you do not want his attention or his comments, let me know. I’m here. I will protect you,’ said the ever-loyal Jeremy. Being the youngest, he had always been protective of his siblings. He would do anything for them to always be together. No CEO would steal his sister any time with his sweet words, just to play with her feelings.

‘Thank you, my dearest,’ she says as she holds his face in her hands and kisses him on both sides of his cheek. ‘See, this is the reason you are my favorite.’

‘Hey!’ Max pouts. ‘Why is he your favorite? I’m much more handsome than he is.’

‘You are such a kid, Max. Just stop it.’ she glared at him. ‘But kidding aside, I’m glad you guys came with me today. It wouldn’t have been the same without you. Remember when we did these installations a lot in the beginning? Those were memorable.’

‘And for the record, I love both of you equally. I am so lucky to have you in my life,’ she says as she kisses Max’s cheek. And gives them both a hug. Then she wiped the lipstick off their faces. ‘We just need a little more patience, and all our hard work will pay off soon. This is it, guys. I think this calls for a drink,’ she says, looking around for the bar.

Sebastian arrived ahead of time just so he could have drinks with the SST staff before dinner. He overheard them saying they were going to be at the bar at 6:30, so they could take pictures. He wanted to be in on their activity and thought of volunteering to take their pictures, to get closer to Clara.

As he tries to look around the restaurant lobby, he witnesses the touching moment between them. Suddenly, something primal within him seemed to have awoken, and he felt a little angry.

‘What is happening here? Are they that close? Why are they hugging?’

‘Jeremy seems too young for her, but Max? Are they in a relationship?’ He frowned,

‘I checked her files. It said nothing about a boyfriend or a husband. She’s supposed to be single. That’s why I’m actively pursuing her.’

‘This can’t be happening. I just found her.’

‘She’s MINE!’ his head roared. The thoughts screaming at him shocked him and rendered him immobile. So he took a few minutes to calm down and regroup.