nineteen

Aliyah narrowed her eyes as she scans the documents in her hand "There is nothing wrong with the contract" she eyed her assistant "Bakit hindi pa din ito napipirmihan?"

"Mr. Diaz was asking for your presence before he signs it," she said and bow her head

"What the hell? We are cooperating with their company for already two months and it was fine! Why would he suddenly ask for my presence?" bagsak niya sa document sa table nya, massaging her forehead "Tangina. Ano na naman ito Adam" she cursed under her breath

"Inform him that I can't meet him" she eyed her assistant

"Ms. Argania" she called her attention "I already tried to convince him, asking if he has other questions about the project and that I could answer it for him, but he was so adamant to meet you" her assistant sighed

She leaned in her chair resting her head, "Okay I'll contact him" she said while her eyes were closed calming herself. "You can leave" she commanded

"Okay. I'll leave now" the assistant bowed and leaves quietly.

Her breath is getting heavy as she felt she is slowly getting out of breath, her mind getting fuzzy keeping herself calm and in-check she tried to rummage in her drawer, as she found her inhaler. Getting herself together after tons of minutes she checked her phone and found that Adam replied.

'I will not sign it unless it's you, who will meet me you are the head of the project' reading his text she knew he was determined to meet her, but why?

She typed immediately 'I'll send you the best representative in our company I'm sure she can answer your question. Kahit ano pa man yan' she replied 'I will not meet you no matter what' she mumbled to herself

Receiving Aliyah's text, he looked at the night view in his office "It's already six months" he sighed as he types into his phone 'Are you sure she will be able to answer all of the questions?'

Looking at the skeptical question of Adam she just shrugs it off and replies 'Of course'

Seeing the response of the stubborn woman, his lips curved "Okay. If the best representative was not able to answer my questions, forget about the contract" he said

Not knowing how risky it is she replied "Deal." Aliyah was too confident in her people and in her project, he was not able to reject it, it was a brilliant project after all.

Adam immediately sit on the table "Let's make it quick" he said as he eyed the best representative Aliyah have sent to him "Your boss was too confident about you" Narrowing his eyes at the young man "Make sure you could answer all of my questions" he casually said

"Yes, I'll do my best," he said and straightened his posture

"Why are you so confident about this project?"

"This project promotes the normality among kinds of the hospital around the world, also it will be specialized in treating the trauma of patients. It is also one of the advocacies of our project to look at the injury that trauma has been giving to a person, being confident in this project because it will open the new path for the companies like us. I am not the only one who is confident about this project but the whole team, especially Ms. Argania." He confidently said

"Alright" he nods "What will I gain for this project? I'm a businessman I don't want any loss from my part"

"Your company will surely gain something, your company will be endorsed and will be a complex company, we can help you with that," he said in confidence

Browsing on the documents, "What was the disadvantage of this project?"

The young man gulped and hold his breath for a minute "The disadvantage was we are the first will start with this project so it was a bit risky how the people will receive it, but this disadvantage will be surely overcome after good advertising"

Adam just nod at him, looking at him indifferently "Who is the last person with Aliyah yesterday?" he asked

"What?" he pardoned as his eyes went wide

"What did she do for the 5 years she was gone? I need a detailed report" Adam said as he sips on the wine in his hands, looking at the dumbfounded man in front of him, he smirks.

Aliyah who was busy eating her lunch at the next street was baffled on what she heard through the phone call, she was eavesdropping to their conversation. A while ago she felt something will go wrong in the meeting of Adam and her representative, so she decided to eavesdrop them through the call. If something went wrong her and her team's efforts and time will be turned into dust and she cannot afford to do that. Hearing those questions of Adam, makes her furious "You really know how to play, huh?" she said, as she stood up and get her car ready.

Her anger was raging as she dialed the number of Adam while starting her car, "Putangina mo talagang gago ka" that is the first thing she said when he picks up his phone

Hearing Aliyah's unique way of saying hello, he smiles "Oh, hello to you too" he said clearing his throat "So I guess you just heard how incompetent your 'best representative' is" he mocked looking at the puzzled man across him.

"That is a dirty trick!" she exclaimed a straight line was formed between Aliyah's eyebrows as she breathes heavily, "That is not about the project! You scheme!"

Adam leans on his chair while listening to Aliyah's complaints "You said your best representative could answer all of my questions?" he said reminding her "All" ulit nito ng may pagdiin pa sa kanyang sinabi "The contract, just forgot it" he added

Grabbing her caramel blonde hair, she sped up, "Stay there" she ordered "The best representative is just about to arrive" she said as she ended the call

Hearing those words his lips curled up "I guess you have been replaced by being the best" he said looking at the person in front of him.

Dali-dali bumaba ng kanyang sasakyan at pumasok sa restaurant si Aliyah, but eventually her steps halted when she saw his back, cold sweats start to spread on her body, her fingers went numb, trying to clench her fist while she was breathing heavily.

The representative immediately stood up "Ms. Argania" he greeted when he saw a pale woman standing a few steps away from them.

Aliyah breathed in as she shows a small smile and drags her feet to their table "Hello. Mr. Diaz" she greeted.

Adam look at the pale face of Aliyah "Oh, so you are the best representative" he said mockingly "Please take a seat" he pointed at the chair across him

Not paying attention to Adam she looked at her employee "You can go now, thank you"

The employee bowed at them, bid them goodbye, and immediately leave the two in the restaurant.

Sitting across Adam, Aliyah tried to control her breathing clenching her fist under the table she tried to look into Adam's eye "Let's get to the point, what's your question regarding the project?" diin nito sa 'regarding the project'

Looking at her pale face and the sweats on her forehead, he handed her a tissue "Here"

"I'm fine" Aliyah declines as her hands trembled, looking at the table "If you don't have any questions I guess our proposal was clear enough," she said breathing heavily "I'll be waiting for your positive answer" she said as she tried to stand up but her knees were not strong enough as her muscles start to tense up.

Adam immediately goes to her side "Are you okay?" at inalalayan niya ito patayo.

Feeling the warmness of Adam's hand in her back, she could feel at peace for a moment but eventually get unconscious.

Seeing how Aliyah gets unconscious in front of his eyes, agad na sinalo ni Adam si Aliyah "Ali" he said as he tried to wake her up by shaking her, the people at the restaurant started to panic "Call the ambulance!" he hissed

A man in white approached them "I'm a doctor" he claimed as he showed his identification card to Adam and get the unconscious Aliyah in the arms of Adam.

Looking at the identification card of the doctor, reading his name "Austin Grey Costa" he mumbled, Adam immediately recognizes his name, he was in the project proposal in the trauma center.

Dr. Costa immediately checked the vitals of Aliyah "She just lost consciousness" he said as he commands the people to give way at dinala niya si Aliyah sa maaliwalas na lugar.

Adam followed them "Are you sure she's okay?" paninigurado nito at hinawakan ang noo ni Aliyah

"Yes" Dr. Costa assured him "There," he said as he saw Aliyah opened her eyes

Having a blurry vision, Aliyah tried to blink her eyes a few times "Why I am here?" looking at the man at her side "Dr. Costa?"

The man in white, nods at her "I guess your attacks are getting worse. You collapsed" he stated looking at where she is a while ago "Just now" he continues

Aliyah immediately shake her head "What are you talking about? I was just too hungry that I lost consciousness" she laughs in awkwardness as she tries to get up.

Adam immediately helps her, Aliyah immediately recognizes those warm touch as she starts to tremble again, "I'm fine" her voice trembled as she declines his touch.

Seeing Aliyah's actions Dr. Costa immediately goes in between them and help Aliyah to get up, she immediately accepts his help and get up. Looking at the floor, she tried to look up and look into his eyes but it just lasted for a few seconds, not meeting his strong gaze upon her "I was hoping for you to sign the project Mr. Diaz" she said as she tried to calm herself, she gulps as she said goodbye to him "I'm sorry but I need to go now" she said as she walks away with Dr. Costa helping her.

Adam was still stunned by Aliyah's reaction, he immediately followed them "I'll bring you to the hospital" he said

Gripping the white coat of Dr. Costa, "No"

Adam was about to say something when Dr. Costa butted in "I was heading to the hospital; you don't need to bring her. I will bring Ms. Argania in the hospital" sabi nito at inalalayan na si Aliyah papalabas ng restaurant leaving Adam behind confused.

When they got out of the restaurant Aliyah looked at Dr. Costa "Thanks" she murmured

"You don't need to thank me, because you'll be paying me for this," he said at inalalayan ito papuntang kotse nya

Aliyah chuckled "You really love money" she commented stopping her tracks she pointed her car that was placed across the street "I have my car; I'll drive on my own. Thanks, I'll wire you the money later" she insisted

Dr. Costa holds her tightly "I maybe love money, but I was not an irresponsible doctor, get in my car" he ordered as he opens his backseat for her.

Eyeing the tall man who pushed her inside the car looking at the passenger seat beside the driver she looks at Austin, "Are you willing to look like a driver?"

Austin looks at her "So what? I can just show them this" he shows his identity card before shutting the door off.

When Austin entered and start it, she asked him curiously "How come you are at the restaurant? Didn't you told me that you will be here next week?"

"None of your business," he said and drove

Aliyah rolled her eyes as she crosses her arms "Ganyan ka ba sa pasyente mo?"

Austin looked at her through the rear-view mirror "Good that you consider me as your doctor"

"So anong pinaparating mo Dr. Costa?" she asked raising her eyebrow

"Why didn't you drink the medication I gave to you?" he questioned

Being questioned by her doctor Aliyah can't say something she just smiled at him awkwardly "I forgot, I was in a hurry" she said "I didn't realize that I was walking to death a while ago because I was too angry" paliwanag nya dito massaging her forehead realizing how dumb she is.

Dr. Costa sighed "I guess I know now, why your panic attacks kicked in"

"I am fine as long I can't see him" Aliyah admitted as she looks at the scenery passing by her eyes "Or else he would drag me on the cold road, again" she mutters