False Alarm

"So, let's play your song first?", he asked when the light turned green and he stepped on the gas.

Ah,... they were talking about the songs to play, she realizes, as she chokes on the surging emotion on her chest. When the intro of her chosen song played on the car stereo, she turned her eyes outside the car window.

I don't like being played, was the notion on her head watching the skyscrapers blurs within her sight.

Grand glancing at Dana noticing how her mood changes. He wanted to kick himself for being an asshole and a coward. He knows Dana won't reject her, but he suddenly grows a conscience. He doesn't want to play around with her.

Which he finds crazy. The timing, the opportunity, the mood was all set up. If he plays it like how he used to with other girls, Dana will be his. But he doesn't feel like doing it. She is not just like those other girls.

The awkward silence inside the car continued until they reached their destination. Grand doesn't know how to fix Dana's sullen mood.

"I know this place," Dana said when they entered the parking lot.

Grand raised his eyebrow and gave Dana a questioning look.

"Bobby brought me here once, and he talked about his ongoing project for this place."

Grand felt annoyed with the information Dana told him, but he kept his mouth shut.

Bobby was already waiting for them when they got out of the car.

"Hey Princess, good thing you're here! I don't have to look for you," he said grinning.

Grand's face turned a shade darker when Bobby and Dana greeted each other with such familiarity.

"Let's head in," he said tapping Grand's shoulder.

"The elevator is working now?" She was surprised at how quickly Bobby and his team worked on his project.

"We have to make it work, our offices are on the top floor.

When they reached the eighth floor the changes were evident. Right ahead of the elevator is an open garden with different varieties of orchids. Dana knows most of them because she likes using them when she makes Ikebana.

Bobby's office was also finished. It's located at the far end of the floor. There are three more doors at the right side near the end wall, while the left part of the building is open to see the panoramic view of tall buildings on the horizon. Half of Bobby's office was covered in floor to ceiling glass walls.

"I like what your architect did with the place!" Dana exclaimed.

"Well, thank you," smirking he answered her.

"You designed the place? Wow!"

Grand walking behind the two, looked around, and also agreed that Bobby did a wonderful job fixing the place. When they entered Bobby's office, he discreetly grabbed Dana's elbow and pulled her closer to him. She faced him, eyes questioning.

Grand avoided Dana's eyes and just led her to sit down on the sofa beside him.

Bobby served them coffee then sat down across the two of them.

He talked about his plans for the place and asked Grand if he wants to invest in it, which Grand agreed to do so.

Dana listening to the two men talked about investments and stocks realized that they have their own money outside of their respective family. She feels a bit ashamed for herself for she is still dependent on her aunt and parents when they are just a few years older than her but they already have made something out of their life.

From their conversation, this is not the first time they talk about business, and Dana was pleasantly surprised because she always thought that they are just a bunch of happy go lucky guys.

Dana was just playing with her phone as they do their business talk, so she was a bit startled when Bobby suddenly asked her about her ideas regarding his plan of using her arts as the official merchandise.

She was speechless when the two men focused their attention on her and were waiting for her response. She sat there thinking if they do really want to hear her opinion. No man asked for her opinion regarding such important matters.

"Uhm…", she says stammering. "You haven't seen the finished painting of your skateboards. Shouldn't you wait before deciding?" she asked.

"I saw your arts in your Weibo account Arbiter. I know your skills." Bobby insisted.

"Arbiter? You were that Arbiter artist?" Grand asked shocked. He was gaping at Dana in disbelief.

"I did talk to you," he said, squinting his eyes at Dana.

"I can explain about that," Dana said ready to explain her side but Grand stood up from the sofa, with his hands inside his pockets, and asked where he could find the toilet.

Dana's face felt warm. She's feeling guilty for not telling Grand that she is the artist Arbiter when he sends her a message asking permission to use her art. Dana feels like she is being judged by Grand's reaction.

Bobby opened a folder of sketches on the table that dragged Dana away from her thoughts of Grand. She and Bobby perused the different designs he wanted to have, but she is being given full artist freedom on the designs. Bobby showed her the pictures as a reference on the feel of the designs he wants.

He wants to incorporate specific designs and colors for the sketches she will do but other than that she has full control over what she will produce.

Bobby talked about the artist fee and the payment mood she prefers. Dana was shocked by how they dealt with these things with precision.

Dana has no idea on how to price her arts since most of them are done just for fun. This is the first time someone will pay for her arts. The stickers she gave to Bobby were done for free. The manga she wrote back in high school has prize money but it was given to the club and it was that much.

She told Bobby honestly that she can't quote him a price yet since she does not have an idea. She promised to get back to him as soon as possible. She remembers the previous designs she did before and decided to show them to Bobby to get his opinion.

Bobby loved the designs and told her to use the color he wanted and send him the finished one soonest because he will discuss with the printing company the terms he wants.

Dana was left agreeing to everything. She thought that was all, but then Bobby handed her a folder saying that it's the contract.

She has to have it checked with her lawyer and get back to him if there are changes she wants or anything she finds not to her liking.

To say that Dana was stunned by what was happening was an understatement.