6 CHAPTER 6 - UNKNOWING FEELINGS

It's been two weeks since they arrive from Japan.

It's been two weeks that she can't stop thinking of Althea.

How come that this woman can get to her this easily?

She just knew her for less than a month and the effect of Althea's being on her is so vast.

It's amazing to say that their trip was successful...….very successful indeed.

Who had thought that their Japanese client signed them again for another 20 years contract?

Jade couldn't believe how the situation turns into 360 degrees in favor of them.

Althea really studies their business partners/investors very well.

Jade so astound on Althea's strategy to get the Japanese attention into her...…..and how she makes TGC back in the Japanese Business Industry to be the most valuable tie-up.

She remembers that day when they're on their way to officially meet their Japanese client...….how Althea briefs her about the Japanese Business etiquette.

And Althea is so cute and nervous, so worried that she'll be offended.

Thinking back to her past relationship.........no body...…not even one, considering her feelings and suddenly this woman......as a whole of her glory just show it to her.

How can they top that!?

FLASHBACK

Two weeks earlier.....(Tokyo, Japan)

Jade, Althea, and Mr. Lim were on their way to the site, where they will meet up with their Japanese Partner.

You could say that each of them has prepared for this encounter.

Even though it's quite nerve-racking because of the unfortunate situation they come upon, nevertheless, they will face it dignifiedly with their head up high and ready for battle.

"Jade?" Called out Althea.

"Yes, Althea?" Answered Jade, looking up at Althea from her phone, she's busy replying to the text messages from her family.

Jade's family is all the way behind supporting her from these quandaries the TGC faces now.

Jade is so thankful to have a compassionate family-like hers'...…..that's why she is so full of pride to be a 'Tanchinco'.

Jade and Althea were setting together at the back of the car, while Mr. Han Lim was in the front seat beside the driver.

After they were pick-up from the airport, Jade instructed the chauffeur to drop them at 'The Heiress Hotel'.

Yes, you guess it right...…the Tanchincos has their hotels in Japan.

One of them is 'The Heiress Hotel' which Jade's favorite hotel to stay in, when she's coming to visit...…..either for their business or for her pleasure and when sometimes on her personal works.

When they were settled in the hotel, the three of them just freshen up their selves.....because after two hours, the chauffeur will pick them up again and drove them to their Japanese client.

"Jade hope you'll not be offended by my question...…..mmmm". Althea trailed off, a little bit hesitant on what she's about to ask.

"Go ahead Althea.....don't be shy...…I will not bite". Joke Jade, just to ease Althea's dilemma.

She even nudged Althea's side by her elbow playfully.

Althea smile and feels relieved.

"You know that Japanese Businessmen are somewhat different from other Countries right?" Ask Althea.

"Really? I didn't know that...…since most of the businessmen and women I encountered in our company meetings and gatherings are from Western or sometimes in European Countries.

How so? Can you elaborate it for me?" Ask Jade, she's glad Althea brought this up to her attention, or else she'll look like a fool in front of their Japanese client if she behaves Westernly.

"Well, Business etiquette in Japan is more formal than in the United States and other Western countries. Respect for authority is essential, so we should address superiors with far more deference than you would someone of equal rank." Informed Althea......Jade was nodding telling her to continue.

"Even with peers, you'll be expected to maintain a professional tone, addressing them in ways that demonstrate respect for their standing." Continued Althea.

"And Jade......pay attention to their hierarchy.......I mean their order of position. Social status is clearly defined and always respected in Japan. When you are greeting a group of Japanese businesspeople, address the most senior executive first. In a group setting, Japanese businesspeople often stand according to their rank, so the senior official will likely take a prominent position within the group." Althea elaborated.

Althea wanted Jade to be knowledgeable and ready in handling or conversing with their Japanese client or another prospect Japanese Investors.

Jade was just listening closely to Althea's facts about the Japanese Businessmen.

Actually, she can listen to Althea all day long.

The way she converses........the way her facial expression change, when she's explaining to her, and the way Althea's mouth move.

Her lips......Althea's lips, she wanted to taste that lips.

How deliciously sweet it would be.......to savor it with her own.

Wait..........wait a minute, what just she's thinking? She's a woman.........Althea is a woman, this is not possible.................isn't it?

Oh my Lord.........is she a les................No!No! No! It can't be............No she's not a les.......bi.......an!!!! No.......No way!

"Jade?.....are you okay? Did I bore you?" - Althea, with her concerned look.

"No!......of course not!" Jade feeling embarrassed about her thoughts about earlier.

'My goodness Jade get a grip of yourself.' She thought.

"Okay...........are you sure you're alright?" Worried Althea. Jade just give her an assuring smile.

"Alright then if you say so........let's continue, by the way, Jade.........(Trailed of Althea) avoid too much contact. Japanese people dislike public displays of affection and rarely touch each other in public. When greeting, they usually bow, though they'll often shake hands with Westerners. When greeting a Japanese businessperson, don't initiate physical contact, and don't maintain eye contact for too long since this is considered a sign of rudeness and disrespect. Be gender-specific. Unlike English, which uses the same words regardless of gender, Japan uses different words when speaking to or about males and females. Make sure you use the masculine word form when speaking with a businessman. Women are expected to use a more polite style of speaking than men. Since we are women.......addressing a Japanese businessman, well need to be even more formal than our male counterparts, which is Mr. Lim over there." Ended Althea in her long and detailed explanation of Japanese Businessmen's etiquette.

"Thanks, Althea for the head start, I'm glad you brief me on this matter. I'll be looking like a jester in there." Jade a bit disappointed in herself she's a God D*mn Heiress for crying out loud.....she's a daughter of a business tycoon.....how can she be so illiterate in this matter.

"Hey..........don't bet up yourself........everything will be fall in place, okay? So compose yourself." Althea holding her hand resting on her lap.

With that being said..........they are ready...........definitely, they are.

End of flashback

Jade is looking at the view of the metropolis from her glass window.

She rests for a while just to relax her mind.

She's been so busy, right after they came back from a Japan trip.

The demands are getting higher and higher.

Their Investors are getting overwhelmingly larger.

The demands of their company services were so desired by Stakeholders.

Reminiscing her trip to Japan makes her smile........actually, just with Althea.

From the time they came back from Japan, never a day or we could say an hour........no definitely, not a minute you would say Jade is thinking of her.

Thinking about that day..............the day she really confirms her feeling towards Althea.

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