He ignored me and behaved like I wasn't even in the room. He left his former position to the counter with both his glass and wine bottle which he dropped and headed for his seat.
“You know, for an ill-mannered lady, you do know your subject. You surprised me.” He said with his eyes closed and his arms folded as he inclined backwards to rest on his seat.
So this is his own version of a compliment? Seriously?I thought to myself. However, I tried not to show my displeasure and force a smile.
“This is no compliment though; your proposal still needs some shaping up." He turned away from me again and went on.
“Be careful not to get cocky. As the contract states, you and I will be going on a business trip to the UK. So get your stuff ready and please, try not to embarrass this establishment.”
I was in utter shock. I almost fell for his good looks every time but his bad attitude always brought me to my senses. How cansomeone be so cranky and inconsiderate? Just as I was trying to digest the rude statements, he went on again.
“The company will provide for your transportation, meals and accommodation. Meanwhile, you will have to be my P.A. We have a lot to work on.” He said with a sultry voice and an enticing but scary look.
“You may leave. Please close the door while you are at it.” He concluded and switched his attention back to his work.
“Uhm, alright sir. But what about my colleagues? Aren't they entitled to the trip too?” I asked with concern.
He paused. “Did you not hear what I said? Or didn't you read the contract for the London project?” he inquired.
“Ye... Yes sir. I did. I was just inquiring since they also played vital parts in helping prepare the proposal. I just hoped they could come too,” I replied.
“Well, that's cute of you to think so nicely of your colleagues, but the company can only provide for one person for this trip. And since you are the one who spearheaded the project and came up with the idea, you are the one going on the trip. Unless you would rather have one of them pitch your idea instead,” he accurately dissected.
“Oh, okay sir. I understand,” I said with my fists clenched tightly under the table.
He looked at me again and went back to looking at his screen. The lighting from the screen highlighted his face, making him look like an angel. I swear I gulped down a mouthful of saliva at that sight.
“Okay sir, I will be taking my leave now.” I said and he gestured me to skedaddle. This annoyed me so much that I bolted out of the office, slamming the door behind me.
Storming into my office, I grabbed my bottle of water and took three huge gulps and sighed. “I won't let that jerk ruin my day.” I thought out loud.
The day was fast spent. Justin and I rounded up work early and headed straight for home. He insisted on taking me out to celebrate my big success. I agreed, because only Justin knew how to cheer me up.
During the week of the trip, I packed thoroughly, being sure not to leave anything behind.
Justin insisted on dropping me off at the airport, but I let him know that the company already arranged the transportation to the airport.
On getting to the reception, I asked the receptionist for where I was supposed to wait for the ride to the airport. I was directed by a middle-aged man to the spot I was meant to wait.
Thirty minutes later, Ian finally arrived with Ryan along with other suits. They talked for a few minutes before Ian gets ina limousine. Ryan on the other hand waved me goodbye and gestured to text me later as he turned around and headed back into the office building. He was the Vice President of the company after all; he had to stay back and manage operations while Ian is visiting London.
Fortunately, I was given a ticket to be seated in the first-class for the flight to London. My joy immediately subsided once I figured it was Ian that purposely did it to bring the both of us sit next to each other.
“Anything to piss me off, right? Well, we will see who will have the last laugh.”I said to myself.
The flight from New York to London took approximately seven hours. It was a smooth ride, or so I would have said if only that bastard wasn't there.
Just his presence was suffocating enough for me. He seemed to be unbothered by my presence during our flight.
He just fastened his eyes to the tablet screen most of the time in the journey. Only if he learned to leave that tablet screen to at least speak with humans, he would stop being a jerk.
London was just as I had seen in the movies. The air was cold, the driving lanes were switched, the driver's seat was at the right and the accent was something I would need to get used to.
We drove to our hotel which was one of the most beautiful hotels in London. The scenery was nice as the cool air of the city blew into the car.
The car came to stop at a very big parking lot, filled with a lot of luxury cars. My gaze doesn't seem to leave a couple who just parked. They looked good in their vintage coats. The porter immediately came and opened the car door for me to step out of.
“Good morning, miss." The porter greeted with a smile.