BECAUSE OF YOU

WILL MEET HIM SOON

Tamara never knew the weather in Cebu was more humid than in Manila, and she instantly felt the sticky heat. Her eyeglasses accumulated moisture as they wait for their service to arrive. She took off her glasses and wipe them with her handkerchief, momentarily exposing her attractive face. She didn't notice that their CEO looked at her while she took it off and adoringly looked at her face. He did not say a word but continue to stare at her vividly.

The five of them, consisting of 2 bodyguards, his assistant, Tamara, and Alex, arrived at Cebu airport about 2 hours from the time they loaded the private jet of the Brias family. Their service was held, waiting for the airport personnel's clearance longer than they are supposed to. Then, they saw the two vehicles coming to their side. Tamara was supposed to ride in the other car together with a bodyguard and his assistant.

Suddenly, she felt the strong but warm hand of Alex as he holds her arm when she's about to go to the car at the back of the Mercedes Benz assigned for Alex.

"Tamara," Alex said in his soft tone, the thinnest she heard him speak since they met.  

She also noticed he called her name without the prefix.

"Sir?" she asked, looking at his hand before looking at his face, his discerning dark eyes hidden from sunglasses she cannot see his emotion.

"Join me in the other car as I have something to discuss with you before we go to the meeting," he said, his tone changing from soft to commanding.

"Okay, Sir," she said. She saw his bodyguard occupy the front seat, so she was stuck at the back with the Boss.

"Tamara, are all the tax details of this company verified and the financials? He asked inquisitively.

"Yes, sir, we had the due diligence performed. Everything is in order," Tamara said in a toneless voice.

"That's good! The itinerary tomorrow will be with the legal team and the owner, right?" he knew about this, but he wanted to engage her in a conversation. Tamara was still stiff. Alex was finding ways on how to break the coldness. 

"Yes, sir," she briefly answered.

They arrived at their destination shortly. It was right at the very Hotel that they would soon buy. They were received by the Hotel owner's entourage as soon as they step down from the vehicle. The task today will be a meeting with the hotel management team and facility inspection.

Alex kept Tamara by his side as they inspected the facilities and talked with her when he rated the hotel's amenities.

The owner wants JV to upgrade the entire Hotel, but Alex wanted to buy it instead. He will knock it down and rebuild a new Hotel once they gain ownership. Their final decision will be discussed with the owner tomorrow.

It took the team the entire afternoon to finished the inspection. Tamara secured proof for her presentation in aid of the negotiation. She gathered information that would support Alex's position.

It was almost dinner time when the team finished the inspection.

Tamara was exhausted, but she didn't show weakness. Alex could see her discomfort as he continues to observe her when she's not aware.

They were escorted to the dining area to try the buffet diner the Hotel was known for.

Although there were many choices of food, Tamara tempered her meal to her usual diner intake.

"Don't you like their food?" Alex whispered in her ear while they sat at a dining table. His tone shifted again to a soft sexy sound.

Although she was a bit surprised by his closeness, she remained emotionless."It's all I can take for diner," she uttered calmly and tasted the food.

She never expected that Alex would whisper a direct put down on the bland food.

"The food sucks!" then he laughed. He couldn't contain his laughter as he tasted one of the variants.

Tamara looked at him, it was the first time she saw Alex in a more relaxed mood. She never expected that the infuriating man would look more appealing when his laughter reached his eye. It made him more human.

"Food is alright!" she told him with a little grin.

"We can do a lot better than this." He dismissed, as his assistant and the hotel management representatives joined them at the table.

After dinner, they proceed to the Hotel booked for them. It was a two-bedroom with a connecting room, which made it a three-bedroom suite all in all. Tamara had her own room, and  Alex too, while his assistant share with the bodyguards. Tamara could see the point of Alex why he wanted his MA head to be a man. During trips, the lady couldn't share a room with the men. The travel cost will be higher.

Although in reality, Alex never thought of the accommodation expense as an issue. It was more of the job's toughness and complexity, which could make any lady suffer, and he wouldn't want any of his people to experience such. The MA's head job is rigid; even a man will find it difficult.

It was after 9 in the evening when the whole team retires. Tamara decided to go to the balcony to get some fresh air after she took her shower. She saw the magnificent view of the city and the stars above as soon as she reached the balcony. 

For a while, there was peace and quiet.

The tender air was swaying her long curly hair. She was wearing a white top and leggings. She anticipated that she might be mixing with the guys, so Tamara made sure she will be appropriately attired even during nighttime.

Then suddenly,  she received a call from her friend Clarise, she recently arrived from her short honeymoon, and she wants her to join them for a get-together tomorrow night.

"Sorry, Clarise, but I am currently in Cebu. I'll be back next week. I'll drop by to see you," she said in her sweet tone.

"Oh, no! We thought you are in the area," she said. She would like to give her a gift she bought in Hong Kong.

"Work!" she said, exasperated. She also missed her friends.

"Humph. You are married to your job. How can you find your prince charming?" she joked but was very disappointed. Tamara's job was eating her alive, and she did even know it. 

"I'll meet him soon," she laughed at the disappointment of her friend. 

Thinking about what Clarise said...

How she wished she could meet her prince charming soon so she could finally escape from such bantering. Tamara released a deep sigh. She loves her friends, but sometimes their worries were not the same as hers. Although to appease them, she silently wished to meet the person that could capture her elusive heart as soon as possible.