Chapter 13: CHAPTER 13 PIORITIES… OVER?
"It's not easy to date these days…"
"Why? Are you and Yuan having conflicts?" Yang said sitting across the table of my office…
"That's not it… you! Golden Dragons must be doing well these days huh? Seeing that you often visit me here…"
"Thanks to you we've been doing really well…"
"Hmmm"
"What's it that you're working that you can't even take your eyes off?"
"ahhh… you can't tell anyone about this, but a colleague of mine from the prosecutors' office sent me a case regarding the Mendez tragedy, well, I didn't even told her that Yuan was my boyfriend but she sent me the files to ask for advice, I became interested of the person she suspects…"
"Why is it someone you know?"
"Not particularly, but I met her once…"
"w-who ~~ is she suspecting?"
"I can't tell you that yet… besides this is confidential…"
"fine, I respect the privacy…"
"Anyway! My company's into cosmetics these days. We're going to have a distributor contract bidding with a company. Would you like to join hands with me?" I asked
"That sounds nice… so what should we do?"
"Golden dragons will hold the physical distribution and your company holds an entertainment company so we'll let it hold the product advertisement"
"The profit?"
"60:40… My company will hold all the expenses, the shipping, distribution costs, advertisement costs, product control, permits, and the rest of the work. So, how does that sound?"
"Write a contract and a proposal, I'll propose it to the boards tomorrow…"
"Actually, I already wrote one…"
"As expected, you're always prepared…" he said
"Of course!"
"Fine! I'll read it first then present it to the boards tomorrow…"
"Wait! You said it was a contract bidding?"
"Yeah…"
"Against who?"
"Raven company…"
"They're known to be a huge distributor of cosmetics, right? Will we be able to get it?"
"You know… your lack of confidence towards me is really insulting…"
"Fiiiiine!! Miss Ivy in you, I lay my trust."
"Anyway, I have a dinner date you better leave…"
"Waaaaa! How could you ditch me your best friend, for a date?"
"Exactly!! You're my BESTFRIEND not my BOYFRIEND…"
"Ouch!! HAHAHAHA!! Anyway, I'll give you the boards' decision tomorrow…" he said as he walks towards the door of my office
"Mmmmm!!" I waived my hand to say goodbye
*Ting!
From: Yuan
"Ivy I'm really sorry I got caught up in a meeting can we postpone our dinner"
To: Yuan
"It's okay… take care…"
He must be busy, I waited for a reply but he didn't… I'm starting to get hungry…
*tok *tok
"Ahh!! Glad you didn't leave yet!!" Yang came back
"Did you forget something?"
"No, ummm I left my car keys inside the car…"
"You could've taken a taxi…"
"Yeah… the problem is… I thought…��
"Your wallet is also inside the car…" I said
"HA! HA! HA! y-yeah that sound like it…"
"It's fine, I'll drop you off, let's have dinner first…"
"But I thought?"
"I got stood up… He said he's caught in a meeting…"
"So, you're dining with your BESTFRIEND??"
"Yes!!"
"What if I say I don't want to?!"
"Then you're walking home…"
"Just kidding Yin… so where are we gonna eat?"
"Go somewhere you like" I said as I pass him the key…
"Okay Madame!!!"
So, I let him decide where to eat, I'm actually not in the mood because I got stood up for couple of dinners this month and today was supposed to be our monthsary! I rarely see Yuan's face these past few days… I get it he's busy, but he could have told me that he's having a meeting today so that I would've expected that he'll end late and I wouldn't have made an effort to reserve a whole restaurant for us. Plus, there's a rumor that reached me her sister in law, his ex, always hangs out with Yuan.
"you seem to be in a bad mood suddenly…"
"I'm not…"
"Come on Yin!! Seriously? Tell me what bothers you?"
"Fine… Yuan's sister in-law bothers me a lot…"
"why?"
"There's a rumor that's been spreading that the new CEO of Mendez and his sister in-law are exceptionally close…"
"Maybe they just had a good relationship…"
"Yeah… ex-lovers…"
"What?!"
"She was Yuan's first girlfriend…"
"Really?! But… maybe they're just cool about it…"
"Well I'm not cool about it. I had her background checked. Yuan's brother was never interested with her at first, knowing that she's Yuan's girlfriend, to make the story short, she basically threw herself to Yuan's brother. Yuan caught them being intimate at a club, after that Yuan never talked to his brother."
"Crooked!" he said as he lightly swings his head sideways.
"She visits Yuan��s office without agenda… that's what his secretary told me…"
"Oh, you must be close with Yuan's secretary…"
"She's from my company…"
"Ahhh… Anyway, we're here"
I went out of the car and we went inside together…
"Table for two, miss…" Yang said to the attendant
I scanned the place with my eyes, it's a fine diner and I love the ambiance. Everything I saw pleased my eyes the interiors and the lighting of the place. I liked everything apart from something that caught my eye…
I'm the type of person who does things calmly, so I went first to the table where we were assigned, we ordered and ate. If I were to start a battle I should always be prepared.
"Yang, I'm going to the restroom…"
"Okay, I'll wait for you here…"
I was about to open the door of the cubicle so I could wash my hands and fix my make- up I heard someone talk…
"Yeah, the rights will be turned over soon…" she must be talking to someone through the phone
"Do you think my beauty can't make it?! Ha! I don't think he even has a girlfriend… Yuan? Hmmm…" I finally know who this girl was… I kicked the trashcan to inform her there's someone in the bathroom
"Oh!? Umm I'll talk to you soon… bye…"
Then I heard her went out… I also came out long after she left…
"What took you so long?"
"Use this card to pay the bill…"
"I'll promise to treat you on a dinner soon…"
"It's fine, just escort me after you pay the bill, I'll be over that table…"
So, I walked over the table I saw when I entered the vicinity.
"Yuan…" I called out his name while he was enjoying the meal while laughing…
"Ivy!" he stood up and gave me a hug… but I really think it's not time for a hug. Of all people I hate liars. He cancelled our dinner to have dinner with someone? I'm really not up for this.
"Yuan, who is she?" he couldn't answer her so I did in his stead, which made me disappointed.
"His girlfriend…" I said with a cold voice… I know Yuan would feel the change in my tone…
"Ivy…" he was shocked
"I thought you were caught in a meeting how come you're dining here?" another cold tone…
"Ummm…"
"Yuan" he then touched and grabbed Yuan's hands softly, those touches when you try to seduce someone.
I raised my brow and kept composed.
"You should tell this girl here, that she shouldn't be acting like your boss… you don't have to report everything to her"
"Excuse me whoever you are, but this is our issue, would you mind if you don't stick your nose?" I said in my most cold and calm voice
"I don't like the way you talk!"
"Neither do I" I countered in a calm way
"Ivy…" Yuan grabbed my arm
"Who are you anyway!! I bet you don't have a status in this society even though you look prim… Yuan! What's with her…" oh! She's raising her voice how uneducated, now who's looking more like a low class in this society
"She's L---"
"Yang…" I stopped him from telling who I am
"You're with Yang?!" Yuan whispered to me and his voice was stiff…
"I don't think you have the rights to question me that right now… remember who stood up with our plans tonight. You don't even remember anything…"
"Ivy…" he called out my name again…
"You seem to be enjoying, I might as well leave you…" I said
"Yeah you better go!" the b*tch told me…
"Ivy…"
I shrugged off Yuan's grip from my arm
"Yang let's go…"
We went out of the vicinity and Yang drove me to the Villa…
"Are you okay?"
"Of course…"
"You could've insulted her the same way she did to you…"
"It's not what a smart person would do I don't stoop down to a peasant's level, to the point of having a cat fight in such a fancy place? Not my thing, you'll see how she'll pay for tonight…"
"Yin, how about Yuan? I don���t think he's cheating on you so you shouldn't be hard on him."
"He'll probably explain soon… but what he did today really annoys my ego…" I got off the car
"Thanks for dropping me off, take the car and bring it to the office tomorrow."
"okay, sleep well…" he said
"you too!"
Sleep well? Hmmm… I found myself at the wine cellar grabbing a bottle, then I went to my room to drink… because I can't get my-self to sleep I kept drinking until I chugged down the last drop. Eventually I fell asleep, I'll be expecting a headache tomorrow for sure…
"What's with the sun glasses?"
"I didn't get to sleep well last night…" I said as I massage the temple of my head
"Here's your car keys"
"Did you get yours?" I asked
"Yeah…"
"Don't leave it again inside your car."
"I won't… anyway I talked to the board this morning, they said we'll go with it…"
"That's good!! We'll go to the contract biding together… tomorrow…"
"Tomorrow?!"
"Yes!"
"O-okay…"
"Have you heard from Yuan?"
"He texted me earlier, he told me that they were just talking about business since her sister in law holds a share in the company and that he was just consoling his sister in law that's why he took her out for a meal… I told him he should've just told me honestly that he's taking her out I would've have been less angry. Then I reminded him that it was our monthsary yesterday he told me that I should understand his priorities. It was like, telling me I'm only 10% of his priorities but consoling her sister in law slash Ex GF, holds a much higher percentage of his priorities. It annoyed me more… so I didn't reply…"
"I thought he'll come here and talk with you personally" Yang said
Well I thought so too…
"Don't expect! He has priorities…"
"Yin…"
"Don't worry I've learned my lessons from five years ago, if we'd end breaking up then that's it…" actually I'm worried that it will really end up that way, I'll be back with my old self again…
"As you say so…"
"Yang, you better prepare yourself tomorrow, you'll be having fun…"
When I said he'll be having fun, he'll probably be witnessing a different me tomorrow.
*Ting
From: SnowMist company
"Miss Ivy Lee, your competitor, Raven company is already here. However, the director of our company is still on the airport because the shuttle has had problems on its way."
To: SnowMist company
"We'll be passing by the airport on our way to our venue, tell Mr. Baek we'll be picking him up, we're 5 minutes away from the airport."
From: SnowMist company
"That's very kind of you, he says he'll be waiting."
To: SnowMist company
"We're at the airport gate…"
When we passed the gate. I got off the car to look for him.
"Mr. Baek! It's very nice to see you…"
"Same here Miss Lee… But I have to tell you picking me up here doesn't mean an automatic pass…"
"Of course, sir! We are business persons we only want the best terms for our company…"
"Yes! You are right."
"Hop in sir…"
When we got to the venue Mr. Baek went to the rest room before we start so Yang and I decided to come in first.
When I entered the conference room, I saw Raven's representative it was Yuan's sister in law, Portia, I just didn't expect Yuan to be with her today. As what I've said we may be meeting as competitors. But as what I know Raven isn't in partnership with Mendez group of companies.
We sat across them… Yuan looking at me and Yang.
"What the hell is a low class doing here?"
I saw Yuan looked at Portia to stop her from talking…
"I didn't know that Raven company has such a representative, but anyway…" Mr. Baek suddenly entered. He seemed to be turned off with how the other party behaved.
"I am Portia Mendez, Raven Company's representative… This is Yuan Mendez my brother in law. This is our terms and contract." She handed out a folder immediately, how brazen… ha!
"I've introduced myself to you earlier sir, but anyway, I am Yin Ivy Lee CEO and chairwoman of Lotus group of companies and this here is Yang Ivan Zheng CEO and Chairman of Golden Dragons we'll be partnering with this project."
"Ahhh!! Young fine man! Thank you for driving earlier…"
"No problem sir" then they shook hands
"This is our proposal sir. You may add some terms and we can legalize it right here…"
"Without an attorney? How could that be, such a newbie!" Portia complained
"Excuse me Raven's representative, but Miss Ivy here is also a practicing lawyer. Therefore, she has all the power." Mr. Baek said
Portia looked at Yuan to confirm if it's true and she got the confirmation she wanted.
"So, this is how you'll introduce yourself to her?" Yang whispered
"I told you, you'll enjoy this day. This is how I deal with people who looks down on me…"
"You're scary…"
"No need to say…"
We stayed inside the room as Mr. Baek review the contracts.
"Miss Ivy Lee, it states here that Golden Dragons will handle the physical distribution and the product advertisement, while your company will hold the expenses, the shipping, distribution costs, advertisement costs, product control, permits, and etc."
"Yes sir…"
"Why did you decide that Golden Dragons will hold the physical distribution and the ad?"
"Golden Dragons holds the best entertainment company in the country plus they've been a distributor of products since the 5th year of the company, they've been into appliances, food, and car distribution, and they never failed."
"That's fair enough. Raven has offered 50 Million distribution budgets is that right?"
"Yes, and I think that's fair enough…"
"Hmmm…" he nodded his head to her answer
"Lotus offers??"
"50 Million sir… and here is the budget breakdown, I prepared this because you might want to know how we'll use the budget, plus it'll show how the distribution will go…"
"thank you…"
He went silent for a while…
"Okay, I've decided… I'll be signing with Lotus and Golden Dragons. Congratulations…"
"Would you care to explain why?! We offered the same amount of money!!!"
Her true colors showed, an impudent and prideful woman.
"Well, they offered a very detailed proposal"
"You want it detailed?! I'll explain it to you one by one!!"
"It's not just that Ms. Portia! They also offered the best terms, 10 times better than yours… so if you can't accept that, you better leave."
She took her bag and walked out of the room…
"Yuan!!" she called
"I didn't know she was such a short-tempered woman, her working ethics is not of a businessman" Mr. Baek said
We had the contract signing and congratulated each other.
"Miss Ivy… I really love your personality and your work ethic. You've already brought your company high but I believe you'll be soaring more…"
"Thank you for such a generous praise sir… it's nice working with you…"
"Same here… and this young fine man… I believe this is your"
"I'm her best friend sir, the man earlier was his boyfriend."
"ohhh the man who's been quiet, next to the ill-mannered woman?"
"Yes, sir he's my boyfriend…"
"Oh, I didn't notice… Well yeah professional work and personal matters should be separated. Very well… I guess you're busy I'll have to let you guys go…"
"Thank you, Mr. Baek"
"Thank you also…"
Yang and I went outside the building…
"So, are you happy that you beat me?!" She was probably waiting for a long time outside the building
"More than happy…" I said to tease her
"Why didn't you introduce yourself last time if you were this big?"
"I don't usually go brag about my status in the society unlike someone I know who calls people low class… When actually she's just a representative…" I chuckled
She was about to slap me but I caught her hand…
"No one dares… Ms. Portia!"
Then suddenly Yuan arrived
"You thought I didn't know, that you're trying to flirt with my boyfriend, well stop it, I'm not the person you'll want to mess with…" then I looked at Yuan
"And you're just blindly going along with it…" I told him direct into the eyes.
Yuan took my hand…
"Yang, go home alone…"
"Okay Yin…"
He dragged me to his car…
"What do you mean she's flirting with me and that I'm just going along with it?"
"She's trying to seduce you and you're so blind!"
"I am not!"
"She visits your office without agenda, she invites you wherever she goes just like today, you're not even a part of that meeting but you're with her! unless you're her secretary…"
"She's been alone since my brother's gone Ivy!!"
"Oh!! Right! I forgot! She's alone! While I didn't get to see you for almost a month 'cause you kept on cancelling our dates!! Now who's alone?"
He went silent…
"Yuan, I'm not the same person I was five years ago, when I feel that I'm not needed or wanted, I always leave first. I'm not that person who'll confess and stay and accept criticisms…"
"I want you to stay distant from her…" I said
"I can't do that, we're a family, she's my brother's wife and we work on the same company."
"I am jealous but this is not the only reason why I want you to stay away from her…"
"What do you mean?"
"I can't tell you now…"
"Ivy you're just being unreasonable…"
"I am not. Yuan. You'll see…"
I opened the car door and stepped outside… he won't listen… he's different now…
I took a taxi and went to my office…
"Are you okay" Yang handed me a cup of iced tea.
"I'm not, I'm mad…��
"Yuan?"
"He won't listen, he said I'm being unreasonable."
"Just relax Yin…"
I tried to calm my nerves and just worked…
"I need to leave Yin the office needs me…"
"Okay, take care on your way…"
"Always am!"
Just a moment after Yang left, my colleague from the prosecutor's office sent me some files, which shocked me…
"We'll be placing an arrest warrant tomorrow. With all the evidences against her, she won't be able to escape thank you for lending us a hand to find more evidences."
When she first sent me the case, I told Mr. Troy de la Cerna to investigate, he's my personal investigator. I told him to send directly all the evidences he might find to the prosecutor's office.
*knock *knock
"Ivy…"
"Yuan…"
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have called you unreasonable…"
"Yeah… you really shouldn't have and come read this as to why I wanted you to stay away from her…"
"What's this?"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone