Chapter 1.1

Chapter 1.1

"As what our client told us, they want to change a little of their house. As it is an ancestral house, they want to preserve it but they want to put some modern touch on it on terms of the furniture. As a designer, it's our job to make it happen so I want you all to pass me a portfolio and I'll decide which one we'll present to the client," Miss Nathalie explained. She's the leader of the team and I liked how they handled all of our projects so well. She always make sure that we'll do our best and get the best of us.

This is our third huge project this year and we've been doing good so far. The other team has been praising us for always getting the best project but still turned it out well despite of the pressure.

I've been working at G&G Designs for two years now and I'm so happy to do the thing that I have loved to do ever since. Sobrang bait at supportive ng mga ka-trabaho ko kaya mas lalo akong ginaganahang magsipag pa.

"May we sometimes get the biggest projects on our firm, but to remind you, as always," Miss Nathalie eyed us all and we all laughed. "Please don't let it get to us. Let's just do our jobs wholeheartedly and we're all good, okay?"

Nabalik ako sa kasalukuyan nang muling narinig ang boses ni Miss Nathalie. Pinilit ko ang sariling huwag nang mag-isip ng kung ano at makinig na lang. Muli kong binalik ang tingin ko sa monitor sa harapan at mas tinutukan ang pinapakitang malaking bahay na may kalumaan na. Sa kabila ng kalumaan ng disenyo, makikita pa rin ang ganda ng istraktura ng bahay.

I stayed silent the whole meeting and only talk when I'm asked to.

Sa loob ng isang taong 'yon, ang dami kong natutunan hindi lang bilang isang artist kundi bilang ako. Mas nakilala ko ang sarili at mas nalaman ko kung ano ba talaga ang gusto ko.

It may seem a small achievement to everyone, especially from my parents, for me it's already a big stepping stone towards my dreams. Para sa akin kahit randam kong malayo na ang narating ko bilang isang baguhan, alam kong marami pa akong pagdadaanan na mas lalong huhubog sa akin bilang isang artist.

"Everything's already set. You'll have to pass the portfolio before the end of the week so we can proceed with the meeting with client by next week, yeah?" she added. We all nod in agreement. "Okay, this is the end of our meeting. Thank you." We all started to fixed our things to leave the conference room.

"And by the way," Miss Nathalie stopped us all. Dumako ang tingin niya sa akin kaya napaigtad ako sa gulat. Mabuti na lang at hindi naman nila napansin 'yon.

"Huh?" I nervously asked, afraid that I might have done something while I'm spacing out earlier.

"The meeting with the Lankov's Hotel team is tomorrow right?" She asked. And I almost want to slap myself for almost forgetting about it. How could I?

I mean, The Lankov's Hotel has been one of the biggest chain of hotels now. They're now starting to build another empire here in Amsterdam, and gladly they chose our firm to be the interior designer of their hotel. I'm also happy that Miss Nathalie chose my portfolio, my ideas and that's also the reason why she chose me to meet the team of the Lankov's Hotel.

I smiled gently and slowly nod my head. I saw the relief from their face. Kinakabahan siguro sila kasi ito ang kauna-unahang pinakamalaki kong proyekto magmula no'ng nag-umpisa ako.

"Yeah..."

"Okay..." She clapped her hands once before she looked at us. "You may go now. Keep me updated okay?" Baling na naman niya sa akin.

"I will," I answered.

We left the conference room after she reminds us of the schedule this week. I sighed heavily as I walked through the hallway. I'm nervous but at the same time I'm excited. All of my hardwork is now slowly paying off.

I don't usually stay longer in the firm after work, I always go home straight and spend my time cleating new designs on my room. So after finishing some designs, I went home.

Living in a foreign place still feels strange but I'm getting used to it. Each day, I need to adjust and know how to adapt to their culture.

I remember how culture shock I was the first time I lived here. It's so different here compared in the Philippines. Everyone's different and everything felt strange but as I adjust, I learned to love this place. The place I didn't expect to embrace me without any judgement as I walk through a different path. The path that know one seems to understand.

It's my new found safe haven.

I tiredly slouch on the sofa as I got home. I rest my head at the sofa's backrest and I closed my eyes as I make myself comfortable on my seat. I put my arm above my closed eyes as sighed heavily and calm myself. It's a stressful day and I want to relax a little. I'm getting nervous for tomorrow even though I knew that I can do it.

After a couple of minutes, overthinking things that I shouldn't, I removed my arm from eyes and lazily stood up to make myself something to eat.

I'm silently rummaging the cabinets on my small kitchen when my phone started to ring from the living room. I sighed and leave the cabinet's door open and walked back to the living room. I found my phone inside my bag and when I saw who's calling, I immediately answered it.

"Yeah?" I sat on the sofa and waited for her to answer.

"You home?" She asked. I nod my head and lift my right legs to crossed above my right thigh. Tinukod ko ang siko ko sa ibabaw ng hita ko bago sumagot sa tanong niya.

"Yes, why?"

"Doesn't it so lonely to eat alone?" I can't help but to roll my eyes on her remark. I heard her chuckle on the other line.

"Yeah, yeah. What do you want?"

"Oh! Don't bother, gorgeous. I got it!" Now it's my turn to chuckle. "See you in a bit!"

Before I could even bid goodbye, she ended the call. I sighed. Typical Iris.