Chapter 7: Dead End

Dave was distracted the whole week. He couldn't wait to meet Samuel Spencer and know what FlyAir's CEO has to say about the contract. Though Samuel asked for a month to think about it, his secretary already called Dave for a meeting next week. Was there any question? Were the terms not that beneficial? What could Dave still offer Samuel when he had already given the best offer he could under the circumstance? He worked with the best in his team to come up with that proposal and he didn't have any contingent plans if that does not succeed.

Looking around his team, Dave couldn't be any prouder. Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses, but his team was a good blend. A person who was weak at one thing can be supported by another who was strong. Everyone was always busy and tired but they get things done and their team was soaring with all the contracts they were able to close. Especially the past week, with the Dave-Luis-Rica tandem, they were able to close three contacts. Just last night, Mr. Shepherd called him up to say that he had signed the contract and it's on its way to Dave's office. That news made Dave jump with joy. But that doesn't solve the BIG problem.

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Early in the morning, the company Lawyer called Dave up and they met in a coffee shop near the office.

"I heard some news that Samuel had been talking with a lot of his Board members the previous week. He was seen paying a visit to them and heard they were talking about some contract with SkyRock. I think that old man really wants to help your Father. He's going through a lot of trouble to influence his Board." said the Lawyer. "But of course, he is a business man. Let's admit that the contract does not give much benefit to a company as big as FlyAir. So what can he be thinking to go through all that effort for us? "

The Lawyer is right. Even though Samuel seems to be a genuinely kind person, he is still an intelligent business man. The contract with SkyRock is high risk. Even if Samuel decides to bring it out to their Board, he does not need to go out of the way to meet the members individually to convince them about it. Although Samuel's actions means the man really intends to help his friend's company, Dave knows nothing comes for free.

"That's what I like to know. He wants to see me tomorrow for lunch. I've been thinking of what he will be demanding. But as far as I know, we've already put everything in the contract. I don't think we can give anything more." said Dave

"That's really worrisome. What can he ask from a drowning company? Hmm…But Dave, whatever it is, you know there is only one answer right?" asked the Lawyer. "Whether we can give what he demands now or something we can only give in the future, the answer will always be yes."

"I know." said Dave taking a deep breath.

"It's hard when you know everything is not within your control. And that you have to say yes to everything he might ask of you. I know how hard this is for you and I've seen you work hard the past months. But for your father's sake, please bear it for a bit longer." said the Lawyer "And please always remember SkyRock when you talk to him. "

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It was a Japanese style restaurant with the expensive food ordered from the menu, something that Dave was usually fond of eating. But today, Dave had no appetite at all. He came to the restaurant early and practiced his greeting a few times. A simple good afternoon seemed so dull. Dave had a list of small talk topics in his head in case he would need to lead the conversation.

When Samuel entered the room, Dave immediately composed himself and made his presence known.

"Good Afternoon, Samuel. It's good to see you." said Dave

Dave offered his hand for a shake and Samuel gladly took it.

"You arrived early. I thought I was early." said Samuel

"I wanted to arrive here before you do." said Dave

Samuel smiled at that and proceeded to sit on the cushion on floor by the table.

"Ah, the food is already served. That secretary of mine is reliable… well sometimes." said Samuel

Samuel laughed. And Dave smiled in response.

Dave sat across Samuel

"She called me in the middle of the night for this lunch, she seems to be working really hard." said Dave

"Well, she's dedicated. Anyway, how are you doing these days? I heard a lot of good things about you from Rica." said Samuel.

"From Rica? I wonder what she had told you…" Dave got nervous, did she tell Samuel how strict he was? Did she tell her Uncle how he scolded her on her first day and how she had to stay late that night?

"She said you are a person who is gifted with foresight. She said you know who the right companies to go to and you know what package is best to offer them that they can't say No to." said Samuel. "Now I understand why they call you a business genius."

"She said that?" asked Dave.

He did not expect that Rica would praise him like that. He absolutely did nothing for Rica to see him like they way she described him to Samuel.

"But I am still far from your abilities, Samuel." said Dave.

That compliment made Samuel laugh.

"Yes, But above everything, Rica would always say that you take care of your people. That your team is the A-Team in the company because your team is already known to be the best of the best." said Samuel

That's a relief. Rica seems to be helping him get the contract with FlyAir.

"That's good to hear. Rica and I haven't really talked that long except for presentation, preparation and stuff. I'm glad she thinks that way." said Dave.

Samuel checked his phone and seemed to be waiting for someone.

The door opened and Dave was surprised to see Rica. Rica was also surprised to see Dave.

"Boss, why are you here?" asked Rica

"Why are you here?" asked Dave

"Sit down Rica, I've invited Dave for lunch same as I've invited you." said Samuel.

Rica sat beside Uncle Sam.

Dave thought they will discuss the contract today, so what was Rica doing here?

"You said you two don't talk that much and I wanted to make sure you two get to talk beyond the boss-intern relationship. Dave's Dad and I are good friends. It's a waste if you two end up as strangers." said Samuel

"But Uncle, this situation is a bit awkward." whispered Rica, her face looking really worried. "Dave…Sir Dave… is my Boss. If someone from the office learns about this…"

"I won't tell. So just relax and enjoy the food." said Samuel

Dave tried to look like he was enjoying the food. But the truth is, everything tastes bland. He was getting impatient.

Rica noticed that Dave was stiff and hasn't really eaten much. She also noticed his jaw clenched. That's a sign that he's irritated about something.

"You've been looking at Dave, Rica." said Uncle Sam

Rica almost choked and coughed. She had to drink water to stop herself.

"Uncle, I wasn't…looking!" said Rica in between deep breaths.

Dave looked at Rica then and noticed the piece rice on Rica's cheek. Uncle Sam was not paying attention and seemed to have not noticed it. But Rica was too far away from Dave for him to tell her without embarrassing her.

Rica couldn't look at Dave because of what her Uncle said. So she excused herself so that she could get some fresh air outside. When she was outside, she was surprised to see Dave just two steps behind her.

"Boss, why are you here? You should be inside with my Uncle." said Rica

"I just can't bear it anymore." said Dave

"You can't bear what?"

Dave slowly walked closer to Rica and ever so slowly touched Rica's cheek. At first Rica's eyes widened in surprise. Why would Dave touch her? And his hands are so gentle too. Rica closed her eyes in anticipation. Was this the moment? Was this going to be her first kiss?

After a few seconds, Rica felt cold air brush her face and when she opened her eyes, Dave was already walking back to the room.

What… happened?

"Hey! What was that for?" asked Rica

"What?"

"You touched my cheek…as if…"

"As if what? Oh, you mean this piece of rice that was stuck on your cheek?" asked Dave showing the piece of rice on his finger.

Rica went red in embarrassment

"Don't go imagining things, little girl. Your Boss is not a big bad wolf." said Dave smiling foolishly and laughing.

Rica was filled with embarrassment. How can she even think that David Lopez will kiss her? But at the same time… she felt good to see Dave laughing. He no longer looks irritated.

"It's good to see you laugh, Boss. I thought you were really irritated earlier when we were eating. I never should've come. If I only knew you were here, I would not have come." said Rica

Dave noticed Rica's smooth face glowing in the sun. If he had a camera with him, he wouldn't be able to resist taking a photo of her.

"I don't know how you noticed. But I wasn't irritated because of you. I am an impatient person. You should know that by now. So it's my fault. You shouldn't worry about it." said Dave as he walked back to the room.

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Rica asked to leave first because she still had a document to finish that afternoon. And so Dave and Samuel were left in the restaurant.

"We are left alone." said Samuel

There was a moment of silence.

"What do you think of my niece?" asked Samuel.

"She's a very capable person. She does her work right first time. She's very diligent."

"Good. It's good that you see things in her that you don't know a month ago."

"Yes, a month ago, she was just a cute little girl I used to have a not so good elevator memory with." said Dave, smiling.

"Yes, that's right…But you still don't know a lot of things about her until now, isn't it?" asked Samuel

"Yes you're right. I'm sure not as much as you do."

"What if I give you a chance to get to know her better? I mean on a different level." asked Samuel.

"Umm…what do you mean?" asked Dave, totally confused now.

What was Samuel planning?

"I am asking you to marry my niece." said Samuel

Dave had to stop for a second. Did he just hear Samuel right?

"I think I didn't hear you right…"

"I said I want you to become Rica's Fiancé. I want you to marry my niece."

Dave's mouth dropped. Samuel couldn't be serious. Rica is his intern! She's almost eight years younger than him.

"You need the contract with Fly Air. I can give you that. But you have to convince me to sign it. And your marriage with Rica is the only thing that will ever convince me to do that." said Samuel, his tone firm.

Dave's brain stopped functioning. He seemed to suddenly lost the ability to speak.

Is this what Samuel had in mind all along?

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Samuel's words kept echoing in Dave's mind.

"I said I want you to become Rica's Fiancé. I want you to marry my niece… And that's the only thing that can convince me to sign the contract."

No matter how much beer he drinks, the words just keep getting louder and louder. Maybe he needs something harder.

"Hmm…So what did you tell him?" asked Carl

"I asked him to give me time to think about it." said Dave

"Wow, you were brave enough to ask for time to think? Even if he can just walk away and say, 'Since you don't want to be my niece's Fiancé, then forget the contract.'?" asked Belle, acting out the line as if she's Samuel.

"I don't know what else to say. I was… in a tight situation. I went there thinking that I will be a Yes-Man. That whatever his conditions to sign the contract, I will say Yes because the contract is the only way SkyRock can survive." said Dave "But 'Yes' was the hardest word to say at that time."

"This was why it was never right to keep your relationship with Di a secret from everyone. From the start, the relationship should have been known to the public so that they won't have these kinds of expectations." said Belle

"Stop that, Belle. We all know that Dave did that to protect Di. His Mom would've done everything she could to tear them apart if she learned they were still together. Plus, the public would definitely hate her since Dave had too many fans." Carl raised his glass for a gulp. "Keeping it from public, I would do the same thing too if I were in the same situation."

Dave couldn't stop drinking, he wants to get drunk, he wants to drown Samuel's voice in his mind.

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It was already ten in the morning and Rica was worried. Why was Dave still not in the office? He was normally already in the office by eight. She knows there was no presentation because Luis was in the office. Why could Boss be this late?

Luis asked Rica for a document which Rica already finished and had already put on Dave's desk.

"Umm, Luis, do you think he'll come to office?" asked Rica

"Boss? Oh, he'll be out today. He said he's not feeling well and needs to rest." said Luis.

Rica was worried. What happened to Dave? If he was sick, will he be OK? was it because of the sleepless nights he had to prepare presentations to clients? He really does not know how to manage his work within a manageable time frame. And now he's sick? Her Boss has to learn to walk the talk. This was getting Rica irritated. He should be fine right? He will let his family know that he's sick… right?

But just imagining Dave alone in his house made Rica's chest ache. Rica thinks Dave is not the type to call home and ask for his Mom to take care of him.

What should she do?

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Rica was probably out of her mind to be standing in front of Dave's house. But she couldn't stand not knowing if Dave was all right. She asked Luis if she can go out early since she finished all the documents and Luis gladly said Yes. Rica went to a supermarket to buy ingredients for a soup. She had only done it twice for her Uncle and was not an expert. But hopefully, it will help Dave feel better.

Rica knew where to find Dave's house because she saw the information the prior day when Dave was filling up a form. She had to thank her good memory that she was able to go this far. Call her a stalker. But she has a good excuse for doing so.

Rica saw the pure white house that had been featured in magazines a few times before. A woman went out of it. She was uniformed and looked like she was from a cleaning service.

"Excuse me, is this David Lopez's house?" asked Rica

"Are you his girlfriend?" asked the woman

"Umm… No but…"

"They always say No to avoid gossips. Anyway, you're just in time. I tried to lift him but my arthritis was attacking and I can't do it. You have to help him up." said the woman

Rica didn't have to listen any longer. She immediately went inside the house and looked for Dave, her heart pumping heart with worry.

Dave was there in his living room, lying face down on the floor.

Rica dropped the bag from the supermarket and hurried beside Dave.

"Boss! Are you all right? What happened? Sir, please wake up." said Rica while shaking Dave's shoulder.

Rica did not see any wound. Did he pass out?

Dave opened his eyes partially, everything was blurred. But the image of the woman beside him looks familiar. Ah...It's Rica. Dave smirked.

"Well, if it isn't my Fiancée visiting me in my house." said Dave with his croaky voice, still not standing up.

Dave smelt of alcohol.

"Sir, are you…drunk? You need to stand up and lie on your bed." said Rica

"And you are already playing the part of a good Fiancée." said Dave laughing sarcastically.

Rica tried to shake her head. He really was drunk.

"Stop saying nonsense, Sir. You have to stand up."

"Tell me, Rica… Little Rica…"

"Don't call me little Rica. I am not a child anymore." said Rica, her voice is showing her irritation.

Dave's smile grew wider.

"Then older Rica… Tell me… Do you like me?"

Rica dropped Dave's shoulder.

Dave winced as he dropped on the floor.

Rica felt her chest drumming hard.

"Tell me Rica, do you like this Boss?" asked Dave still having that irritating smile on his face, his finger pointing at himself.

But Rica couldn't believe her ears...Why was he asking this?

He was most probably too drunk to understand what he's saying. But that was not an excuse to be a total jerk.

Rica took the glass of water by the table and splashed the water on Dave. Dave sat up from the sudden cold.

"What did you do that for? You're really gonna get it!" shouted Dave.

"You are drunk to the point of being crazy!" shouted Rica

"Crazy? Wow, that might be a bit too accurate. I might be getting crazy. Can you blame me?"

Dave scratched his eye.

"It's not easy thinking of how to save a company like SkyRock. And it's not easy thinking of how you can protect your Father's reputation."

That made Rica sigh. Dave's burden is heavy.

"Oh well, you'd never understand. You had a sheltered life with your Uncle and FlyAir had always been a large company." said Dave

Rica felt Dave's problems as if it were her own. She knew he was going through a lot. The pressure might've been already too much to handle.

"I don't think my Uncle will just sit there and watch SkyRock fall. Your Dad is Uncle's friend. Uncle will make a way to help you for sure." said Rica

That made Dave lose the smile on his face.

"Help us? By what? By asking me to marry you?" asked Dave

Rica still thought Dave was talking nonsense.

"He will not do that." said Rica

But Dave stood up shakily.

"You really don't know your Uncle, huh?" said Dave "Why don't you talk to him? Ask him why he's not signing the contract yet. Ask him what he wants in return for signing. You'll be surprised to know that you might end up married before this year ends." said Dave

Wait… is Dave saying what she thinks he's saying. Is this not jsut some drunken blabbering? He's may look unstable but his words had been consistent and he looks like he really means everything.

Rica gulped.

Did her Uncle ask Dave to marry her?

That made Rica's head spin.