Chapter 3 – I Am Impressed

Chapter 3 – I Am Impressed

Kiara’s POV

“Really? This is one of my hotels and it is successfully built and being managed very well.” He replied.

“I know that, sir. I can see that. But… as we were talking earlier about cost effectiveness and its relation to the product or in your case we call it structures since they are hotels, I do not think that this project did very well.” I said and with the way Mr. Ramirez smirked, I saw how the girls went flustered with wide eyes staring at him. Well, I am stunned at how he looks so good with that smirk as well, but I know how to control myself.

“Care to enlighten me and your point?” he said.

I stood up from my seat and I raised my eyebrows at him and pointed at the presentation projected on the digital touch screen in front. Mr. Ramirez nodded in understanding that I was asking his permission if I can use the presentation projected in front.  

The white screen showed the digital plan of the hotel Mr. Ramirez was talking about. It can be moved in 360 degrees as well. Mr. Ramirez turned to me as I started swiping my fingers on the screen, rotating and examining the plan.

“Did you personally request this type or this design of your hotel sir?” I asked.

“No. There was no personal request made, just some adjustments we made on the original plan.” He replied.

“I see… so you did not really need two huge lawn and garden, am I right?” I asked and zoomed in the garden area. He frowned at the screen, probably thinking. I took his silence that I am right, so I continued.

“Does anyone actually used this garden right here? I understand that there is this huge lawn here for golf sessions and other recreational activities, but two gardens? Okay let us say that it could be used as a party venue, but you can either use the hotel’s function hall instead or use the garden number 1, or the huge lawn. What was the use of this other garden here beside the pool? I do not think you guys planned that there can be clients having a party here in garden 2 with their formal attires, in gowns and suits… while this pool beside this garden 2, there will be other clients who are not part of the formal event, that will try to have a swim in this pool, or worse a skinny dipping, while the clients of formal party in this garden 2 are dressed formally. What would be the view if there are people in swimsuits, and skinny dipping here in the pool? Will these formal guests in this garden watch those in the pool?”

My classmates snickered at my words “skinny dipping” but hey I was just stating the worst case scenarios.

Mr. Ramirez was quiet and was just staring at the screen with his arms folded on his chest and he was leaning his pelvis back on the edge of the table. The sleeves of his white polo were rolled up to his elbows, and it fitted him properly, showing his perfect manly physique.

“I am sorry, sir, but I would see this garden right here to be useless and just an additional unnecessary expense……” I paused for a while and stared at the screen then I zoomed in the area of the pool again.

“The space taken by this garden number 2 could have been utilized instead for expansion of the pool area since this hotel was not located in a beach resort. You could have put some more swimming related things here. Plant a coconut tree or something else, put beach hammock and more chairs, and you could have put a particular bar here in the pool area which would be specifically only for the clients who wants to be out here swimming and drinking. Maybe a small cottage or infrastructure could have been built here as well where you can put other recreational activities that are accessible for people who are drenched in water and wearing their swimming attire. Billiards, darts, card games, ping pong, and the likes. This pool area can be expanded so it would have a wider and better place for people who want a pool party…” I stated while facing the screen and pointing out at the areas of the plan, and when I am done talking, I zoomed out the screen and stared once more at the project.

The room was very silent when I was talking… I do not know what they are thinking right now but I know that I have a point and my statements have sense.

I turned around and faced the class. My eyes landed on Mr. Phoenix Ramirez and he was already staring at me, I do not know for how long but when I looked at him, our eyes immediately met. I cannot read his mind.

Was he offended at my suggestions and insights?

I glanced at my classmates and they were also silently looking at me.

Oh shoot, did I really do something wrong?

“I… I am sorry. I apologize, Sir Phoenix, I did not mean to offend you and your hotel, and whoever had designed it, I was just… s-saying my insights. But please correct me if I am wrong and there are points I was not able to notice.” I said and glanced at the hotel again. I cannot really figure out what wrong did I say. There really is a flaw in it. I mean yeah, no one is perfect and the architect who designed the hotel probably did not notice what I saw, but… well.

“You are an architecture student, am I right?” Sir asked.

“Y-yes sir. I apologize.” I replied and bowed a bit to show respect.

“I am impressed.” He uttered and gave me a smirk and I swallowed an invisible lump in my throat, fighting myself not to blush at his compliment and his smirk. Though his eyes showed mischievousness, I do not really know what is running in his mind.

My classmates then clapped for a while and smiled at me.

I humbly walked to my seat when the clap died down. It was already almost time and so, Mr. Ramirez started shutting his laptop already and the screen.

“I was really impressed at what you had noticed and at the recommendation. I will discuss this with my directors and make changes in this particular hotel. Thank you.” He uttered and held his things on his hands.

“See you all again tomorrow.” He added and started to walk towards the door, but he stopped on his track when I spoke and called him.

“And, Sir Phoenix…” I called and so he turned to look at me.

“Compared to your other hotels that I have seen in person and digital blueprints… the front of that hotel looks so dry and dull, different from the welcoming and sophisticated fronts of your other hotels. You might want to consider looking into it as well… That’s all, sir. Have a good day.” I finished and he looks like he was taken aback, or did he not expect met to openly criticize his hotel and say that it was dull and dry?

Oh, just telling the truth hun.

But what I thought that he was pissed off, I got a different response in return.

He looked at me straight in the eyes and gave me his infamous look of amusement from his eyes again that can make every girl collapse on the floor due to excitement and probably a heart attack. Okay that was too exaggerated, but hey it really has that similar effect. His eyes that can pull you in, and his smirks that can make you want to pass out in bliss, or you could just think that as if he has something devilish running in his head by the way he looked, and he rarely smiles tho, even in pictures, he would just look so serious and all.

“I will surely remember that one.” He replied and went out of the room.

I leaned back on my chair and put on my earphones to drown myself in the music.