forty-four

Pete

"I finally heard from the Sumitsomo, said they could only give us five percent which is much lower than the ten they gave us last time. I told them I'd talk to you about it and get back to them once you made the decision. Also, there seems to be a problem in one of our factories in the north, they need two more forklifts. I already checked on the report and talked to the maintainer,the lifts are old yes but they could still be used till maybe early next year but I think it would be best to buy new units. And lastly, your father asked me to ask you when will you be back here?"

I heard my Thailand based envoy and trusted employee, Tavy, gave his reports and suggestions as what I instructed him to do ever since I came back and I was glad with my decision to appoint him as he was as reliable as Kaleb.

We had been doing this conference for months now and Tavy had somehow knew the drill.

I was supposed to give my feedback after he delivered his report but as of the moment, I didn't get anything that he just said and all I could do was bit on my lip as I tried not to smile every time I think about the kiss Kao and I shared just this morning.

Damn!

It's not like it was my first but why the hell am I feeling and acting this way!?!

"Young master? Sir?!"

I barely heard Tavy called me but I was more focused on Keno's face on my mind.

"Sir?!"

This time, I scraped my teeth over the whole of my lower lip.

Okay, I know I should not be like this, specially because I am still yet to talk to Kao about this whole thing.

I planned to earlier but Kaleb and Rein requested for a video call with him and so I had to reschedule.

Then I had another call from Tavy that I excused myself and told him I'd be calling him later that night only to come back to the home office to Kao running off again and I didn't know what happened.

I was going to follow him and ask him what's wrong but then Tavy called again and now, I am in a conference with him as he said he has an appointment with the people from the nearby factory that he needed to present his report to me that moment and I thought, I could just talk to Kao later maybe during dinner.

But as I went with the conference, I am now slowly realizing that it was a bad idea since I couldn't concentrate with how my mind kept drifting back to Kao.

I really need to get a grip!

Or I should go and see him!?!

Yes!

I stood up from my swivel chair with all the intention to go and check on Kao when Tavy's loud call stopped me half way through the door.

"I'm sorry sir. Didn't meant to yell but, where are you going?"

I saw Tavy gave and apologetic smile which brought me back to the case at hand.

Right, I'm still in a business call.

"Yeah, no, it's okay. Right, I'm just, ah, yeah, you were saying!?!"

I asked as I got back on my seat and tried to focus on the meeting.

Tavy seemed confused.

He had never seen me flustered or out of sort since.

"Uhm, are you sure? I mean, we can just reschedule if you have something else to do. My meeting is later at six, maybe we can do the conference after that?"

I shook my head and motioned for him to continue.

"No, it's alright! Just go on."

He looked at me and reconsidered before he nodded and made his recount.

"Okay. So Uhm, as I was saying the Japanese could only give us five percent. And we needed new forklifts. Two. For the factory in the north. And yeah, your father asked when will you be back?"

I nodded at Tavy and deliberated on the options.

In normal occasions, I would love to persuade my associates to turn things my way and the company's but at the moment, there are far much pressing matters I needed to attend to that gander with the suppliers.

Besides, we did the analysis for this transaction and we internally anticipated on a three percent discount from the Japanese suppliers but the had given us five so it's a win win still.

As for the the forklifts, it's a good investment and a much needed equipment for the operation.

So no doubt it should be a go.

Now, for my father, I didn't know what they still have to nag at me to come back to Thailand when I made it clear how I'm staying in the Philippines for the time being and do my stuff.

We had agreed on the matter before I flew over and he was good with it. I didn't know what changed his mind.

Well, actually, I think I have an inkling and I'd like to call her mother.

I groaned inwardly.

I did my end of the bargain, they should too.

"Okay, then, send me the contract for Sumitsomo and prepare the papers for the purchase of the lifts and lastly, stop talking to my father."

That's what I did.

Tavy's reports would included updates about my parents and as long as I know that both my parents are fine and healthy, I didn't mind cancelling calls from my parents-my mother specially and just send them belated text few hours after.

Don't get me wrong.

I love my parents, but sometimes, they could be too much.

"Okay. Noted. Although I can't promise not to talk to your father. He had been regularly visiting the company together with your mama. I can not not face them when they come over."

I nodded.

I knew about this case already and actually I was glad that they did so.

For one, they'd have something to do away from home to entertain them.

And two, the employees are afraid of my parents more so of my mother, guess it's better to have them some tough nudged from time to time.

"Of course you can. Make excuses. Or do whatever you see fit so they'd get off my tail."

Tavy shook his head.

In fairness with this guy, he had been doing just that, or at least trying to, since I left the country about a year ago.

"You know what would make them get off your tail."

I shook my head and scoffed at my assistant.

Thank you for today, Tavy, great work as usual. And although I wanted to chat, I still have some things to do, so, yeah, check on you soon. Bye."

I said before I ended the call.

I didn't want to go there and talk about going back home.

At least not yet.

Not when I still have things to settle here and people to talk to.

Or in this case, person.

And it's Kao.

The guy who always pushes me away all this time but ended up pulling me in for a kiss just this morning.

And although I promised not to pressure him and that I'd give him time, I can't promise not to make things clear with him before this day ends.

It was hard enough to have him close all this time and not to be able to touch him.

Now that I was finally able to have a taste of how it feels to hold him close to me after all this time with him initiating, I don't think I could just let him be and ignore me again.

I needed answers.

And I wasn't tagged as the golden boy of business if I can't persuade him to talk to me and be honest with what he really feels.

The waiting has been long enough.'

It's time.

I heaved a loud sigh before I stood up from my seat and made a way towards the door.

It's now or never!

I extended my hand on the knob and pulled it open only to see Kao with his had up the door as if he was knocking.

He stood still when he saw me.

We both did.

He took a step back and I blinked at him.

Fvck!

I was never this tense even with huge deals, what's wrong with me now!?!

"Kao..."

I didn't mean to but it came out as a whisper.

Kao didn't speak but I saw him swallowed instead.

Then he took a step closer before he halted right in front of me.

Our faces so closed I could almost hear his breathing and feel breath on my face.

We stayed there like that for sometime and I would like to commend myself for not pulling Keno in for a kiss even I really wanted to.

I was surprised with my self control.

But what happened next surprised me more.

Kao slowly held my face before he pulled me in for yet another kiss.

But unlike with the one this morning, it was more demanding and careless and I could feel us biting on each other's lips.

I was panting when Kao pushed me off to break the kiss only to pull me again just right before what he said which almost pushed me off the edge.

"Let's do this!"