Chapter 4 Lhi

• "You better tell me what the hell happen? How did you get pregnant? You don’t even have a boyfriend!” Luna asked me, almost hysterical.
• I just rolled my eyes. "Simple. I had a one-night stand."
• "What?! Y-you had w-what?!" Her eyes widen from what I said.
• I giggle upon seeing her reaction.
• “Stop giggling, Penelope Quinn, it’s not funny! How did you have a one-night stand when you don’t even go to a bar alone because you are allergic to people?!”
• My head hurts from all Luna’s rants. I don’t think she will stop interrogating me until I tell her everything.
• "I planned this pregnancy, okay?! You know that for six years I've been living alone. I miss my family. I want my family back, but I know that’s impossible to happen! I want to have a family of my own but with my attitude and achievements, do you think I will find a guy who is perfect for me?” I said frustratedly.
• Her face became serious, and she sat on the chair across mine. He held my right hand and gently pressed it.
• "Of course! You're a great woman Ellie! Someday you'll meet your perfect match."
• "But I want it now," I said almost in a whisper.
• "Ellie..."
• I smiled at her while tears are forming in my eyes.
• "Luna, I feel so empty. What will I do will all of these — my company, money, achievements if I don’t have someone to offer or dedicate all these?! My parents are gone! I have nothing but myself. I badly wanted a family. That's why I came up with this crazy idea. And I never regretted it because right now, I have my babies with me. In a few months, I'll be able to see and hold them."
• Her forehead creased. "B-babies?"
• I nodded. "As per my OB, I have a twin!"
• Her eyes widen, and she went to me to give me a warm and tight hug.
• "Omg! I'm so happy for you. I will help you with your babies. And never think that you're alone because you have me, okay? I will always be here for you."
• I was not able to hold my tears anymore. Damn hormones for making me this emotional!
• "Thank you."
• Due to my condition, Luna decided to lessen my meetings for the coming weeks or maybe months until I gave birth to my twin.
• Yes. She was the one who made the decision, and as per her, I don’t have any right to contradict her because all of these are for her godchildren.
• I just shook my head.
• I was almost done with my work when Luna entered my office.
• "Ellie, I talked to the secretary of Laertes Hotels International. The only available schedule for the meeting with their CEO is next Friday, at 10 am. I already agreed on the given schedule because I know how hard it is to set a meeting with them.”
• I agree with her. "Sure, no problem."
• LHI is a major account. They have more than 300 hotels and resorts in 35 countries. They only have a few hotels here in the Philippines. I heard that most of their hotels are in Europe, so their main office was located in Spain.
• Mr. Laertes Escarrer IV is the Chairman of LHI. He is based in Spain. From what I heard, his son Kade Ulysses Escarrer is the CEO of LHI and handling their business here in Asia. Luckily, their office is here in the Philippines.
• I never had a chance to have a business with them. As I have said, they own only a few hotels here in the Philippines. And the time that they are expanding their business here in the Philippines, I was still studying.
• Most of their expansion now is in other countries. They have here in the Philippines were renovations of their existing hotels. We never had a chance to work with them, even in the renovation, because from what I heard, they prefer to work with the same company who built their hotels regarding the renovation.
• And I've heard that after ten years they will have a new project here in the country. But instead of the hotel, they are planning to bring here Laertes Resorts.
• Many were excited upon hearing this news. It’s not surprising, though, because Laertes Resorts are known in other countries. It is a big deal here in the Philippines.
• The world of architecture and engineering here in the Philippines is all going crazy to get this account, and my company is one of those.
• It’s such an achievement to have Laertes Resorts in our portfolio. After we get this project, it will be our stepping stone to getting projects outside the country.
• I gently touch my belly. My belly now has a small bump.
• “We will get this account. You guys are my lucky charms.” I whispered to my twin.
• I was so busy the following day in preparation for my meeting with Mr. Escarrer.
• I gather my team for a kickoff meeting. We need to make a good impression with LHI.
• "It's almost 9 am. Are you ready?" Luna asked on my intercom.
• "Yes. Call the driver, and I'll be out in a bit."
• "Copy. Thanks."
• I heaved a heavy sigh
• "This is it! Wish me luck, my babies."
• I saw Luna’s waiting for me as I went out of my office.
• "Let's go," I told her.
• She just nodded at me and went out with me.
• My office is near the LHI hotel, but because of the traffic, our supposed 10-minute drive became 45 minutes.
• As expected LHI hotel is grand. The quality can compete internationally. It has the same vibe as their hotel in Berlin.
• I just carefully evaluate the interior of the hotel as we went to Mr. Escarrer’s Office.
• I have already gone to some of their hotels, and I always wanted to do a project with them.
• Their hotels and resorts were beautiful and unique, the reason why I wanted to work with them. As an Architect and Engineer, you treat Laertes Hotels and Resorts as a masterpiece.
• We reached the CEO’s office, and a handsome guy welcomed us. He looks like in his late 20’s and is very Filipino-looking, so I’m sure he is not Mr. Escarrer because from what I heard, he has Spanish blood.
• "Cabello International Corporation? I'm Jace Nuñez, Mr. Escarrer's secretary." He introduced himself.
• "I'm Penelope Quinn Cabello, CEO and President of CIC," I said, introducing myself.
• "I'm Luna Bianca Nielis. I was the one who talked to you on the phone. I'm Ms. Cabello's secretary." Luna formally introduced herself.
• He nodded, and then he opened the door. He signals us to go in first.
• As expected, their CEO’s office is bigger than mine. The office has a minimalist design; black and brown are the theme of this office. It’s very manly.
• My eyes suddenly widen when Mr. Escarrer lifts his face.
• This is not happening! I suddenly want to forget that I wanted this project. Of all people, why him?!
• He was equally shocked as I am, but he immediately recovered from the shock.
• I saw him smirk. He stood up and went to us.
• "Ms. Penelope Quinn Cabello."
• I just gave him a forced smile. "Mr. Escarrer."
• I could feel Luna slightly pushing me. She could feel that there is something wrong between this guy and me.
• "You are here for the Laertes Resorts project?" His voice turned to a formal tone.
• Yes, but I wanted to change my mind and back out from this project. I whispered to myself.
• "Yes," I said instead.
• I lost my excitement to talk to him.
• My twins! Why have we always had this interaction with your dad?! We don’t need to tell him about your existence.
• I can’t stop myself from panicking. What if we got this project? We will surely see each other often, which means that there is a strong possibility that he will know about my twins!
• I need to give up this project.
• This is not a good idea.