Chapter 16: The Preparation

“Yes,” I whispered. My tears were already in my eyes, ready to flow anytime. 

He said nothing for a while, then drove the car. We were quiet along the way. I tried to calm myself. Did he only think of me as Laura’s replacement? What did she look like? 

After arriving at my parents’ house, he held my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize and didn’t know why I called you Laura.”

I nodded weakly. Without staring at his face, I asked, “Do you still love her?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let out a long sigh. “I won’t lie to you.” After a while, he finally said, “Yes, I still love her, but I like you too. Is it a problem for you?”

Again, I couldn’t say anything. Our relationship was new. It was understandable that he still loved Laura. Later, I said, “I don’t mind that you still love her. As long as you care for me.”

“I care about you.” He stared at me. “Otherwise, why didn’t I ask you to be my girlfriend?”

After thinking about it, what he said was true. Probably he only called the wrong name. He might get carried away with our togetherness and unconsciously call Laura’s name. 

“Want to go inside?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No. We will go together on Saturday with your friends. So, Saturday is better.”

I hugged him. Then, surprising him and even myself, I gave him a peck on his cheek.

He immediately curved a sunny smile. “That’s my girl!” Then he kissed me back on my cheeks and forehead. 

Then I walked inside the house. I was in a wandering state of mind while watching until his car was out of sight. I still felt butterflies in my stomach long after he was gone, though I couldn’t remove unpleasant feelings in my heart. 

My dad and mom were watching TV. She was watching TV while taking notes on something. Probably it was tomorrow’s shopping list.  

“Mom, Dad, I’ll go to Singapore next week.”

Mom stopped what she did. “Singapore? How long? With whom you’ll go? For what occasion?”

“Maybe for three days. With Edward. It’s work, Mom,” I said, though I was tired of my mom’s interrogation style. 

“Just with him?” Her voice pitched higher.

“Yes. Why do you ask?” Before my mom answered, I asked again, hoping she already forgot her former question, “What do you want me to bring from there?” 

“Take care of yourself well there!” My dad advised me. 

“Dad, I’ll be there for work, not for hanging out,” I protested. 

He stared at me with a serious gaze. “Remember what I said, Lana.”

“Yes, Dad. I’m not a child anymore you know,” I pouted.

He shrugged, then continued watching the TV. He wouldn’t miss watching the news daily. 

My mom held my hand and escorted me to my room. When both of us sat on the bed, she started again, “Be careful, okay? Though he is your boss, don’t let him do bad things.”

“Mom! What do you think he’ll do?” I grumbled. “You are overthinking. It’s work. Why do you think so far?” 

“I told you. He’s a man, besides you’ll go abroad. I told you once again. If he does bad things to you, just go home, okay? I’ll give you money so if it’s an emergency, you can go home right away.”

I blew my breath. I knew she meant well. So I nodded. “Yes, Mom. Thanks.”  

***

It was Saturday. I was enthusiastic from the moment I woke up. When I arrived at the office, I checked my phone to see a text from Jenny. ‘We’ll go eat after office hours, right? I don’t eat today so I can eat a lot.’ 

I grinned to see her message. Then, I replied to her. ‘Of course! We’ll go there from the office, okay?’

No need to wait for a long time, she replied again. ‘Great! I forgot to ask. Where will we eat? You didn’t tell me yesterday.’

I tapped my forehead. Jenny was right. I hadn’t told her yet because I didn’t ask Edward about it. When I was about to call him, he entered our working room. 

“Morning!” he said while smiling. 

“Morning, Boss!” I said. I waited until he sat, then I approached his desk. “Jenny asked me, where will we go eat later?”

 “Ah, yes? Where should we go? How about in All Tasty?”  

“Okay. I’ll tell them first, okay?”  

He nodded while humming a song. It seemed he was happy.  

I returned to my desk and typed the message to Jenny. ‘We’ll go to All Tasty, Jen. Please tell Cecil and Anna too. Thanks!’ 

She replied right away. ‘Got it! Woo-hoo! I chose the best day to fast. Later, I’ll eat a lot!’

I just grinned when I read Jenny’s text. Then I heard Edward still humming a song. Since his status on H-messenger was online, I typed there too. 

Chubby-girl: Hi, handsome! You seem so happy today. 

London-man: Yes, I’m so excited today since I’ll go eat with you and your friends. Then, we will go to Singapore on Monday. Just the two of us! 

Chubby-girl: Oh? What do we want to do there? I’m suspicious here. 

I added a grinning emoticon.

London-man: Well, if I tell you now, it isn’t a surprise anymore. Wait and see, darling!

Chubby-girl: Ah, it’s a surprise you call me with an endearment. 

London-man: Yes, do you mind? 

Chubby-girl: Not at all. I love it. Love you!

Then I added the love emoticon.

London-man: Love you too, honey! Can’t wait until Monday!

I immediately prepared the documents to bring on Monday. The fabric sample, company portfolio, then I printed the e-ticket that I ordered yesterday. Afterward, I created the presentation too from the data that Edward sent through email yesterday. 

Since I was busy, I didn’t check the time. I took the company portfolio to a photocopy machine and copied it twenty times for all participants we would meet at the event later.  

I also asked for additional fabric samples. We would add it to the company portfolio too. The plan was if anyone saw the samples and was interested in our product, they could order right away.  

Then I suddenly remembered something. “How come no Marketing staff go with us? If there is any order, they won’t get any commission, will they?”