Chapter 33

Reige entertwined his fingers and looked at me intently.

I don't want to looked at him back, but seemed like there's something in his gaze that pulled me to look back at him.

He didn't focus on my designs, but he focused on me only.

Shit.

"The last two floors of tower three, two and one there, as well as the remaining, were designed accordingly to what Mr.Servantes told me. I included this report to Mr. Steven Ochea. I will also set up a meeting with him soon. We will talk about this unit."

"That's great. I will give you his contact number, or do you already have his number"

Mr.Servantes asked.

He meant the famous painter.

A famous and hearthrob in his century, Steven Ochea.

"Yes...i already have."

"Are we gonna get her designs for five towers? It is reductant."

Reige suddenly asked.

And my heart was beating so fast when i heard his hard, and barritone voice.

Dammit.

Is he counting my work?

I'm totally shaking.

I won't let him under-estimate me.

This is not the right time for that.

" I-i have already prepared more designs. But of course, it still depends on the clients."

Dammit. My voice were shaking.

"How many designs do you have?"

"I have thirty designs."

I answered.

"Are you even aware if how many rooms in every tower? "

He raised his brow.

I didn't answer,because i only did what Mr.Servantes asked me to do.

He asked me to prepare thirty samples.

I didn't know that they need more.

"Have you ever once tried to design some condos?I bet this is the biggest project that you got."

Reige leaned on his seat.

I cleared my throat,and felt my legs were getting melt.

Some businessmen were just looking at me.

The two interior designers can't even look at me either.

It looked like, they felt the shame for themselves and not for me.

"Our clients are businessmen, celebrities, Miss.Gomez. My i remind you, if you're not aware. I'm sure you know the designs they wants. You're a celebrity. For sure you already know what the celebrities wants for their condos."

Is he mocking bout my work?

" Do you think they have time to design of their own unit and contact their own designer? For sure they won't bother themselves.But instead,they settle for the company's design rather than doing that. " he added.

I didn't answer again.

My throat went dry. And i can't find the right words to say.

He's very ovious that he doesn't want me in this project.

I turned to Mr.Servantes who only looked at Reige.

" I want to see more of your designs. Give me more sample boards.Do you agree with me Mr.Thomson?"

He asked the old man in mid-40's of age.

I can' t almost breath.

Shit

This is the biggest embarrassment i've ever recieved.

"We need sixty more of your designs for the coming next week. Stick to what Mr.Servantes wants."

My jaw dropped,and my eyes widened.

What the hell?

Sixty designs for the coming week?

Is he kidding me?

Asshole.

He asked me so many designs.

And the worst thing is that, i'm going to do it alone. All the sixty designs!

Fuck!

I don't have team to help me in this project because Mr.Servantes took me immediately when he saw me at art gallery.And told me the designs that he wants.

I don't expect that it could turn to be like this.

"I-is that even possible?"

I can't stop myself to ask.

I want to cursed him.

He's still the beast Del Rio i've known.

He intentionally do it for personal matters.

"Reige, that's too much. Can we reduce it to at least fifty designs instead?"

Mr.Servantes suggested.

"We have almost 2000 units, all in all. Mr.Servantes.I'm sure you're aware of that. We deserve to asked her that number of designs. And more.."

I violently gave a sighed when he looked at me.

It felt like every words which came out from his mouth was insults for me.

This is how hard the businessmen are.

Especially him. Reige Del Rio.

The freaking beast.

He is really a monster when it comes to business.

Dammit.

And shouldn't think that he's doing it in purpose personally.

I should stop thinking that he wants my confidence down..

"If you can give more designs that i required, the better. But at least you can give sixty designs Miss. Gomez."

Reige formally said.

"We need an early deadline for this.What if i won't approve your designs, right? Your third sample board was like for a teenager. We're not expecting our clients to be a teenager you know."

"But you can't say that you can never have a clients like them, right?Let us say that maybe some businessmen will buy some units for their teenager child, isn't it-"

"One is enough. Don't add more. Focus on the clients. And about these furnitures, have you contacted already the companies which involved in this project? I bet you have architect Jim's Alonzo's furniture. Have you contacted him?"

I nodded.

"He knew."

"Architect Alonzo recommended her Reige. We met her at art gallery."

Mr.Servantes finally explained.

"How about the other furnitures?"

Reige and his never ending question.

"It's all confirmed. The sixty designs that you wants, maybe i will call the company once you approve it. I don't want them to expect and get disappointed whenever you don't like their furnitures." i said, as a matter of fact.

"You should.Good thing that you have that kind of initiative."

Reige said and opened the clearbook again.

The meeting was done on time immediately because of the sixty designs that i need to do.

He actually needs to finalize it now. But because of some designs that are needed to add, it didn't happen.

I want to cry while fixing my things.

The businessmen started to step out from the conference room while Reige was still in his seat.

I took the clearbook, but because of my trembled hands, i unconsciously fell down the clearbooks.

All of it were scattered down the floor. Shit.

I muttered a cursed and bent down to fix it.

Shit.

My eyes heated because of my tears that immediately fell down.

I suddenly wiped it violently.

I have no time for this. I have no time to cry. It's pointless.

"Why did you get the project?"

He suddenly asked.

Because of your son, idiot. I answered it in my mind.

Of course i won't say it.

I almost jumped from fixing all the things when i suddenly heard his question.

I stopped a bit. But then later i continued.

Why is he still here?

I thought he went out together with his business colleagues.

"It's non of your business. Mr.Servantes offered me this project." i answered.

"You're lock of experience. It is shown in your works." he mocked.

Shit.Damn you.

I stopped fixing the things and turned at him.

I don't care if he'll notice my fallen tears.

Damn this beast.

I don't care if he'll notice how i got affected from what he said from the meeting earlier.

I don't fucking care at all.

"I already signed the contract so i can't do anything about it. If you don't want me in this project, then find a good and qualified designer for you! And if you want me to be out on this, then fire me! You're the owner. You can do that! I can't get out from this because i already signed the contract. Even if i really wanted to back out earlier. " damn you.Asshole.

"Fire me now! You have all the rights to do that."

I challenged him. And saw how he got surprised.

Seemed like someone held my heart when i saw it.

I'm literally staring at my son's eyes.

The tears in my eyes fallen more. And i can't almost clearly see him.

I turned away from him and took out all the thing i have fixed.

I passed beside him and walked out from the conference room with teary eyes and broken.

But no matter how broken my heart is, it is still beating violently into pieces.

Damn.

During afternoon on that day, i went to the company individually where i can get my furnitures.

This is my first and big project. So i don't have any contacts for some suppliers.

And good thing happened, is that architect Jim helped me out to get through in this.

I was totally drained when i came home at my condo.

I visited many companies just to confirmed them the designs that they needed to do.

I also asked them for an additional designs for the sixty more designs that they need to do.

"Have you already eaten mam Cathy?"

Clarry asked, when she caught me lying down at the sofa in the sala.

I oviously looked drain. And i know she noticed it.

"Not yet Clarry. Can i ask you to buy food for me outside? I didn't prepare. Don't worry. I will be the one to take shower for Geu. Jeoffry will come today."

"Yes, mam. What do you want?"

No matter how tired i got from this job, i still want to take care of Geu personally.

I took out my son and Clarry was already out to buy food.

My son smiled at me as i took him a bath.

I didn't change yet. And my clothes were wet already. But i don't care. I felt tired to change though.

"Baby, your father was giving me a hard time in work." i gently talked to Geu.

"Mommy!" he said and laughed.

He pointed the rubber balls.

Seemed like he was surprised when he saw it.

I smiled.

This project will end soon. Surely.

And after this, we won't meet again.

Besides,i'm doing this because of my son.

When i'm done from this, it can pay all my expenses for about ten years, even if i won't work.

That's how big was the offer they gave me for this project. So it's fine.

I will endure Reige's insults. I used into that ever since. I will endure it all.

Not that i won't work after this.

I just really need to earn and save money for my son.

After i changed clothes for Geu, i took him out in my room for me to change too.

Clarry already came when Jeoffry came in.

I glanced Geu who was busy playing his robot toy in my bed.

After i changed, i put down my son from the bed so we can get out from my room.

He ran as fast as he can to Jeoffry when he saw him.

"Geu!"

Jeoffry said and carried my son.

"Daddy!"

Geu said.

I closed my mouth using my palm.

I even saw how Jeoffry got surprised because of what my son said.

I don't know if i will be happy or what.

My chest hurt when i heard it.

"Sorry Jeoff. Maybe Daisy and Grace taught him.You know sometimes they teased my son. " i explained.

Clarry started preparing the foods in front of us.

Geu sat in his highchair and ate some chocolate cakes that Jeoffry brought.

"Sorry? For what? Why Cath? It sounds good if he call me that name. He can have me as his daddy though. . And besides, i planned him to marry my daughter in the future.Hope i can have even one with my fiancee after we got married. Anyway, Martha wants to meet you soon one of these day. As long as you're free. " he chuckled.

He meant about his girlfriend and soon to be his wife.

It was so sudden when he told me about his girlfriend, last week.

I even teased him after he told me because he don't want to piblicized it.

He wants to keep it in private and that sounds good.

"Come on Jeoff, she deserves to be publicized. All of us wants our fiancee publicized us and own us possesively." i said last time when he told me about his gilfriend.

"No Cath. I want to keep it in private. I don't need publicity. I want to make our life is in private."

I nodded and smiled.

The're planning their wedding engagement next month and i don't know if i can attend.

"Good thing, she didn't get angry that you payed to much attention on us. Even if you can spend more of your time with her. Knowing that i have a child." i chuckled.

"I don't mind it Cath. Especially when it comes to Geu. I didn't hide anything from her. She knew all the things you went through. And honestly, she adores you. The reason why she wants to meet you personally."

Jeoffry sighed and smirked at me.

"Cath, i forgot to tell you."

I frowned.

"What is it Jeoff?"

"I don't know what happened or i don't know how Reige knew about me. But earlier, we met somewhere at the restaurant. I was with my clients.I didn't notice who he was with because he approached me on my way back home while walking through my car. He asked me why i didn't let you used my last name. Good thing i wasn't with Martha"

My eyes widened. The fork i was holding fell down.

"Are you working for him? I thought you don't want to be involve in his life again." Jeoffry chuckled.

"It was late when i learned it. I signed the contract without even asking. Mr.Servantes,one of the board director is very kind and his offer tempted me... What was your answer when he asked you?"

"I told him to mind of his own business. If i was not with my business clients, he might probably hit me on my face because of his anger. God. Poor Del Rio. If you could have just saw him." he chuckled and shook of his head.

"He looked so annoyed when i said it." Jeoffry added and laughed even more.

I don't know if what Jeoffry said was right, or what.

I don't care what Reige may think about it too, but i don't want to add more lies about this.

"I don't know that he's the owner of that tower buildings Jeoff. I'm sorry for this mess."

Jeoffry held my hand and pressed it gently.

I can see the concerns and sincerity in his expression.

My heart almost cracked when i looked at him.

"You don't have to say sorry. I've known you for a long time Cath. And i know that you don't deserves these shits. But i'm still hoping that you can find the right one for you. Do you want me to cancel my engagement party and marry you instead?" he teasingly said.

I know that he just want to comfort me from this situation so i laughed.

"Crazy." he laughed even more when he heard my answer.

Damn.

Almost everynight Jeoffry visited us.

Grace already moved in, at my condo but she's would not be here tonight.

And she won't sleep here often either, like what she said.

I don't know what's in her mind but i will let her deal with it.

Jesus. I don't want to interfere.

Sometimes, when Jeoffry visited us, he caught me together with Grace.

I was thankful that i got busy with ths sample boards that i need to do.

I need sixty samples to do. And Mr.Servantes called me for an urgent meeting.

Damn.

I will not do this kind of job again.

They only gave me one week to finish all the sample boards and it pressured the hell out of me.

Damn.

I don't have even enough time for Geu. And i don't have time to do something that i usually did. Even like painting.

I won't accept any kind of job like this for the next one year.

Damn this.

"You look thin Cath."

Grace said when i caught her one time busy in her phone while comfortably leaning at the sofa from the sala.

"I got busy. And i need to to finish something." i answered.

"Did Reige give you a hard time?"

"Yeah. And swear i won't accept any other offer after this. I don't have even time for Geu.God."i sighed.

My phone rang and i glanced it.

I immediately accepted the call when i saw it was from Trexie from the other line.

" Cath, how are you? "

She greeted while my attention was still on the laptop.

It's been a while since we met last time.

And good thing she called.

"I'm fine Trex. How about you?"

I stared at Grace but she's still busy with her phone.

Is she chatting someone? Boyfriend?

"Can i invite you here tonight with Geu? Please, i don't have time to pay a visit in your condo. You can ask Grace and Daisy to come with you too. I even missed them both too.I planned this for tonight with you. Anyway, sorry about last time at the bar. It was so sudden when Vince asked me to come with him there. I didn't tell you. "

I stopped from doing my samples and payed my attention on listening her on the other line.

I was thinking if how long will Vince hide my son from his cousin.

" What's up? Have you invited anyone aside from us? "

" No. Only you. But i don't know Vince. Maybe he invited some of his friends but for sure he didn't invite Reige because i told him to invite you.Please don't say no. I prepared something for our dinner. I missed you, Cath. "

I almost laughed because of her pleading voice.

Damn this brat.

" I' m not sure about Grace and Daisy if they can come with me Trex. They have their own business but don't worry i will still ask them. But one thing is for sure,i'll come with Geu."

"Good! That's great! At eight o'clock, you must already be here."

I brushed my hair using my fingers. I can even heard her hands were clapped after i agreed.

God. How can i finish all these samples?

This brat invited me at this time that i'm busy.

Dammit.

I glanced at Grace again. Now, she looked like ready to go somewhere else.

She already changed her clothes too, and was about to leave.

Oviously she can't come with us tonight. So maybe i won't bother to call Daisy too. Maybe she's also busy. Besides, there's still have some time for us to spend time with Trexie together.

"Trexie?" Grace asked.

I nodded.

"She wants us to have some dinner with them in their mansion. She wants to have some cath up with us. But i think.... You can't... Come? I think, you will go somewhere else so oviously you can't come right?"

She nodded and smirked.

"Tell Trexie that we'll visit her next time together Cath. I have some important things to deal for today."

"Oh!" i nodded and raised my brow but she only laughed.

"Jesus!i know what you're thinking. I don't have boyfriend you know. I never been dated anyone."

Now i laughed even more because of her being defensive.

I covered my face with my palm.

I'm not feeling well. I felt like i'm going to have a sick.

My head's ached.

I looked at Vince and smiled as we came in their mansion.

He looked serious.

And trexie approached me happily.

"Cathy! You came! And with Geu!"

Trexie said and hugged me, and i hugged her back.

I glanced at Vince again and smiled too but he only just nodded.

Vince carried Geu.

Oh! Uncle!

"Have i seat" Trexie offered.

There were five seats in there.

For Vince and Trexie, for me and Geu and the other one, i don't know.

I noticed the extra one, and i suddenly felt something strange.

Damn i don't want to conclude.

"I know Grace and Daisy can't come Cath. Vince told me about their new project. They're busy and need to focus on it but i just tried."

Trexie in her certain explaination.

I don't focus to whatever she said because i was focused on the extra seat that placed beside Geu's seat.

I have an idea in my mind but i will never give a damn conclusion.

It was not good to conclude especially this time.

I noticed that we were all just here for a dinner.

I thought Vince invited some of his friend for dinner tonight, too?

Where are those friends of him, anyway?

Vince serious expression made me more got nervous.

"We need a highchair for Geu! God! He's now so heavy Cath!" Trexie chuckled.

"And very much handsome too like his-"

"Tss." i rolled my eyes.

I looked at Vince when he stood up and took his phone.

He stepped away from our table and do something on it.

I frowned.

Is he....

Shit. I hope he won't make a step with out my consent.

Damn.

I looked at Trexie again and smiled a bit.

She played with Geu so she didn't notice my uncomfort feelings.

Good thing that they have buyed a highchair. Seemed like they prepared this for tonight.

I looked at Vince again, but he can't look at me back.

Now i got even curious.

This is not his usual gesture whenever we met.

He used to say so many random thing when we're around. I don't know what's this kind of gesture from him this time.

He's serious and he even stepped away more from us while kept on doing something in his phone.

He checked his phone from time to time and dialled something in his phone again, and put it in his ears.

Damn it. What the hell is happening?

Last time when he acted this way, it was when he asked me to go in palawan and be Reige's secretary.

Is it what will going to happen again?

Shit.

Jesus! I'm fucking nervous!

Shit.