11. You Will Regret It

After the conflict with Rey, Ari went back into the bathroom, wore his former clothes and quickly stormed out of Rey's room. The situation had become too uncomfortable to even clear out the misunderstanding that he decided to head downstairs and confirm whatever both Rey and Ned had said. Turns out, that had been indeed Rey's room. No wonder the key card wasn't functioning. It was even more surprising to find out the rooms had been purposely connected, room B being a suit and room A, a single room.

"Will you really be okay sir? The chairman had specifically pre-booked the suit for you under special instructions."

"Don't worry madam. The business center is the best place for me to be at the moment. I have a lot of pending work required of me for the event."

"Well, the AGM will have seven speeches expected of him and as his secretary, I can not remain comfortable, retiring when the chairman's guest is working overnight by himself."

"You don't need to inform him of my presence here. I was hired for this in person by him, and I have a certain way of executing my work. I hope you can understand me madam."

"That only means my colleague and I did a sloppy job for you to still be here."

Ari rubbed his neck to stop himself from throwing his mug of coffee at Ned's secretary. His temper was being coaxed by the woman's reluctance to leave but still, it would be uncouth of him to loose control on someone who had nothing to do with what had just happened moments ago.

"You should probably get some rest yourself. I shall take care of the draft myself since most of what's required is already done from your end and no. Your drafts were exemplary. They provided me a format to follow on."

"If that is the case, then I shall leave you to your work sir. Thank you and I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Resting his head on his palm, Ari wondered to himself how a perfect day turned out sour just from a simple mistake. He admitted to himself at having gotten the rooms mixed up, perhaps as a result of the receptionist informing him Rey's room number. It was the last thing he could remember in his fatigued state. Slapping his forehead from embarrassment, he wished he'd have payed more attention.

<i>'If Mun had been here, he'd have broken his ribs from laughter.'</i>

Ari didn't know whether to celebrate or regret considering coming into Rey's room saved him from Ned's trickery. Still, the matter went from bad to worse when Ned assumed Rey and him in a relationship. That assumption bought him time however, knowing Ned, he wasn't going to stop at that. He still looked optimistic about pushing his luck but then, the most important factor of all this was Rey. '

<i>'Any respect he has for me is as good as gone. I can't redeem myself even if I try.'</i>

Ari remembered Rey saying something whilst he dressed up in the bathroom but couldn't pick out his words for his mind was completely out of it, dying from embarrassment with only one voice in his head telling him to get out of there as fast as possible.

"I take back my words Mun. This was a total disaster and I'm to blame for it all."

Ari hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep until he felt himself opening his eyes. He was relieved to find out he had a couple of minutes before the restaurant opened and resolved to wait for Rey as agreed the previous evening, something he wasn't looking foreword to.

"May I sit here as I wait for my colleague to arrive?" Ari asked one of the food and beverage attendants.

"You are the chairman's guest, Mr. Ari?"

Ari seemed puzzled from the acknowledgement and simply nodded his head.

"He requested for a table to be reserved. I'll be happy to escort you to meet him if you don't mind."

Nodding, Ari followed the staff behind towards a far end corner table that had both Rey and Ned sitting on it. They appeared to be in a deep conversation that only until he'd reached them did they notice him.

"Good morning Mr. Ari." Ned spoke in enthusiasm but then hesitated for a moment. "You seem...disheveled."

After dismissing the staff, Ari stared at the two refusing to acknowledge how unsightly he appeared and inquired about the day's activities.

"I have a meeting in the afternoon so I was planning on inviting you two to a golf tournament at seven however, I do not believe it will be something you'll fancy in your current state." Throwing an accusatory look at Rey, Ned chuckled. "How ruthless were you to have him looking disheveled as such...?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Rey retorted back, his comment leaving Ned even more confused.

Placing his laptop on the table, Ari opened it up quietly and pushed it towards Ned. "I've done seven pages so far, which encompasses four speeches. However, the first page contains a summary of the contents with a simplified description." Pointing at a specific part on the screen, Ari added, refusing to clear their misunderstanding. "I got a draft of your former speeches from your secretaries and followed their format in this section. I found it simple and easier to read out however, the edits done in this section will be amended later last minute. If you can go through the first page and give me your thoughts, I'll have something to work with."

From Ari's body language, it seemed that was not a request and Ned almost laughed at his effort in avoiding the subject at hand. Skimming through, a smirk continued to grow on his face as he nodded his head continuously. "I'm impressed but not surprised Mr. Ari. The introduction is perfect."

"I'm sorry...?" Ari's face beamed with relief.

"This is why I wanted to work with you. I normally have my secretaries repeat the final draft to a third or fourth revision but you got it all right in your first attempt. As expected, your work is not sloppy at all, flawless to the very end."

"This is just an incomplete draft Sir. Ned... I mean Ned. There is still a lot more to be done..."

"Mr. Ari, if you push yourself further than this, you might end up destroying your work and we can't have that. Your secretary will take over from here for today. Right now, I'd like you to get some rest. I would have loved it if you used our room... Well, I hadn't planned on giving you any rest in the first place but seeing how worn out you are, perhaps it's best to keep off your boyfriend as well for the remainder of the trip. I am a jealous man..."

"Sir Ned," Rey cut in. "I'll be honored to take over from my superior but I'll have you know that he and I are not in that kind of relationship."

"Well, that's some good news." Ned's expression lit up. "You won't come between us if I pursue him now would you Mr. Rey?"

"Can you two stop it. I want nothing to do with either of you and please, respect the reason why we are here? Sir Ned, if you continue throwing your advances towards me from now on I'll be forced to terminate the contract I signed with you to partake in this speech and Mr. Rey, you and I will somehow have to share the room together. I don't have money to book a room myself because this hotel is outrageously expensive therefore, once you return, wake me up and I shall be out of your way."

Without waiting for Rey's reply, Ari continued, "I will take my luggage from your room sir Ned and transfer it to Mr. Rey's room. If you have a problem with that then arrange the first flight for me out of this place."

Ned seemed amused by Ari's lost temper and offered to escort him upstairs.

"No. I'll go by myself. Now, can both of you give me the keys and have the reception inform me once you return from your morning activities?"

Both Rey and Ned obliged after Ari growled at them. It was evident to them that Ari was going to raise his voice if neither of them obliged.

"You two should try and get along." Ned spoke once Ari had left. "I'm going to make him forget you. You made a big mistake when you decided to let him go."

"With all due respect sir, I'm not gay."

"I know. It was written all over your face yesterday night when I trailed my hand down your superior's cheek and you simply stood behind him wearing a straight face. I meet people like you everyday Mr. Rey, and you're equally easy to read. If you can't stand your superior's orientation then why don't you just quit? Pitying him only makes things worse."

"I don't pity him. I'm choosing to respect him as a human being even if I don't agree with his peculiar preferences."

"Yet you are aware that he yearns for you. I'm not blind Mr. Rey, neither are you."

"He is confused, that is all."

"Oh I can assure you he isn't. His mistake was to fall in love with someone like you. My job is to make sure he regrets it."