Chapter 10: Decisions

It was one of the hardest week Dave had to go through. Work was as busy as it can be. But the hardest part was settling everything on his personal life, which was now invaded by business too. Belle left for New York a few days ago. Though Dave knows he should personally see Di to end it with her formally, he can't afford giving himself a reason to change his mind. He had made a decision and though he knows he will regret it later, he can't let SkyRock fall.

It was two sleepless nights. Di had been trying to call him. But he can't talk to her. He needs to focus. And SkyRock is the focus.

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Samuel knows he's been giving too much time for Dave to think. But he can't rush things. Dave had to learn to decide on his own. And although Samuel knows something was wrong with Rica the past days, she just kept quiet and would not tell him what was wrong. And so he was glad when he heard his secretary calling this morning to tell him that Dave had finally asked for a schedule with him. He had to give the first slot of the day even if he knows his secretary will need to work overtime just to reschedule all his appointments for the next two months.

Dave came in early. He wasn't wasting time.

"I didn't know how hard the decision is for you, but three weeks was a really long time to give a Yes or No answer" said Samuel.

"I apologize for just coming now. I know the decision was long overdue, but I needed to settle some things first. I want to make sure everything was in order before telling you my decision." said Dave. "I really think that SkyRock is my father's most precious treasure. And I won't let it fall apart. What I mean to say is…"

Dave knows this was the only thing he can do now.

"I am accepting the condition you were asking for. I will be your niece's Fiancé." said Dave

That formed a smile on Samuel's lips.

"Good, I am glad to hear that." said Samuel. "But let me tell you that my most precious treasure is not FlyAir but Rica. Take care of her because I am sure she'll take good care of you."

Dave knows how important Rica was to Samuel. He can only hope that this decision was for the good of all.

"Let's meet for dinner later. I'll ask Rica to come." said Samuel.

Dave's heart started to beat faster than usual. He hasn't seen Rica the past weeks. The last time he saw her was when she gave him the resignation letter. And he was so furious then. What will she say once she learns that the engagement is now a go?

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Rica doesn't want to go out for dinner. But her Uncle said she had to. She had refrained from anything social. She doesn't go out that much the past week and even declined calls from Amy and Victoria. She exhausted her energy on working out and studying baking. She just wanted some peace and quiet for a while. So when Uncle Sam asked her to meet him out for dinner, she said no. However, he told her that it's been a long time since they got out and he misses her company as if they don't live in the same house.

Rica dressed up a little more elegantly than usual. Her Uncle usually chooses a fancy restaurant for their dinner dates. It was her Uncle's favourite restaurant and she already knew the table that the restaurant would always give her Uncle. In no time, Rica found her Uncle already waiting for her. But to her surprise, Dave was also there on the table chatting with Uncle Sam. She wanted to back out, she already took a step back, but Uncle Sam saw her.

"Hey Rica, you're here." called Uncle Sam

"I didn't know we have company." said Rica a bit awkwardly as she approached the table.

Uncle Sam asked Rica to sit beside Dave across him. Though Rica doesn't want to, there was no other chair and so she had to do as Uncle Sam said.

Dave was looking really elegant tonight. As usual, he would always get the attention of women. All the women who passed by their table would either smile at him or would look at him.

Dave had been impatient the whole time Rica wasn't there yet. And when Rica arrived, he was surprised… She looked a bit thinner, but she was really beautiful in her dress. He looked glowing… He doesn't know why he didn't notice before, but her exposed collarbone really looked sexy. He was mesmerized. And as if that wasn't enough, he smelt Rica's perfume when she sat beside him. It was as if she's inviting him to get closer. He took a deep breath hoping that none of what he was thinking showed on his face. That will be extremely inappropriate especially in front of the Uncle.

"I didn't tell you he'll be here because I wanted to surprise you." said Samuel

Everyone ordered food and ate quietly. Samuel will sometimes open a topic of conversation but Rica will just answer with a few words or a phrase. Dave would really try to prolong the discussion but it will just end up a talk between him and Samuel.

"What do you think of the food?" asked Samuel

"It's really good. It's my first time here." answered Dave.

"And Rica?" asked Uncle Sam

"Same as usual." answered Rica, sounding bored.

"Good. Rica there's a reason why I wanted to have dinner with both you and Dave." said Sam

And this was what Rica was waiting for. She knows something was up the moment she saw Dave earlier.

"Dave and I talked this morning. And Dave came to a decision to accept the condition I set for the contract he needs from FlyAir." said Samuel. "He will be your Fiance."

Dave saw the crease between Rica's brows and knows she was confused.

"No." said Rica "There won't be an engagement, Uncle. That will not happen."

Though this was a scene Dave saw as a possibility, Rica's reaction still squeezed something inside his chest. Shouldn't she be happy? She said she likes him right? Did she already move on from him? Would she reject him flat now?

"I think we have to talk, Rica." said Dave. "There are things that you need to hear from me."

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Samuel allowed Dave and Rica to talk. They went to a nearby coffee shop.

Rica's mind was going to blow. What was Dave thinking? Why did he say yes to her Uncle when he doesn't want to marry her?

Rica had been looking at Dave with that confused eyes of hers and Dave can't take the scrutiny anymore.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to talk to you first before I talked to your Uncle." said Dave

"I don't understand you, Mr. Lopez." said Rica "I know SkyRock was your priority, but you clearly told me you can't marry me. So what was this about telling my Uncle that you will?" asked Rica.

Dave doesn't know how to explain everything. He was also confused.

"Around two thousand." said Dave

"Two thousand?" asked Rica

"That's the rough estimate of how many employees SkyRock has. That's also the estimate of the number of families that will suffer if SkyRock falls." said Dave.

"So you're going to marry me even if you don't like me, even if you can't be with the person you love, because you can't let those families suffer?" asked Rica.

"Yes, for now." said Dave. "I will use the time of the engagement to convince your Uncle to sign the contract. I will re-evaluate all the options and look for a way to improve the contract. But I need time to do that. And your Uncle would've said no straight ahead if I didn't say yes to go with the engagement." said Dave.

Rica closed her eyes tightly trying to control her anger.

"So you are using the time that we are engaged to convince Uncle to change his mind?" asked Rica

"That's the plan." said Dave

"And you think I'll just play the part of a good Fiancée knowing that you are only using this engagement for SkyRock?" asked Rica

"No. I know I need to convince you too. And that's why I wanted to talk." said Dave

"The woman you love, does she know these things?" asked Rica

"She probably had an idea. I broke up with her." said Dave.

Rica's mind just went still for a moment.

"It will be unfair for her if I get engaged with someone else and I still keep her by my side" said Dave. "I am not that selfish, Rica"

"But… You mean you broke off temporarily until you could change my Uncle's mind, right?"

"I… broke up with her, Rica. In case I can't change your Uncle's mind, I will push through with the wedding. I had to let her go." said Dave. "I do not want her to suffer more."

"But it's fine to make me suffer? To use me like this? " asked Rica

"you don't know her, Rica. You're stronger than her." said Dave

"I am not as strong as I look." said Rica

Dave closed his eyes tight.

Rica sighed. Dave was going to use her to get what he wants from FlyAir just like that. He was concerned over his girlfriend's feelings but does not care about how she feels. Rica was extremely angered by this.

However, something inside Rica was growing in her chest. Hope. She will be spending time with Dave more frequently because of the engagement. And although she was trying to accept that Dave was not for her because he loves someone else, she wants to be with him still. The love she has for him has not left her heart. It's a battle between her pride as a woman and her still lingering feelings for Dave. If she does not agree with this, what will happen to SkyRock? Can she bear seeing Dave miserable?

"Let's have a deal then. You will convince Uncle to sign the contract without the need for the wedding. But for the time being while we are engaged, we will be a real engaged couple. I will continue to like you. And you will need to pay attention to me from time to time. And if my Uncle gets to sign the contract, I won't hold on to you." said Rica with her hesitant smile. "I will let you go so that you could be with the woman you love."

Dave smiled at that. He feels relieved that Rica was smiling at him again no matter how awkward it looked. It's like finally getting a shower after a really hot day.

"It's a deal then." said Dave giving Rica one of his sweetest smile.

Rica knew she just threw away her dignity as a woman. But she will not allow Dave to lose his chance of saving his Dad's company… and also her only chance to make his heart fall for her.

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The first role as Fiancé tonight was to take Rica home. From the outside, the house seems a bit small for a multimillionaire family. It's even smaller than Dave's own family home.

"Are you sure this is where you live?" asked Dave

"Yes." Rica almost laughed to see how unconvinced Dave looked.

"It's smaller than I thought." said Dave

"Is it? Hmm…I thought it's already big. It's only me and Uncle there. A household help comes in the morning then leaves at night. So we don't really need a big house." said Rica

"That makes sense." said Dave "Well then, which one is your room?" asked Dave

"Umm…There." Rica pointed to a room on the upper floor of the house.

"The one beside the tree on the upper floor, that's my room." said Rica. "Umm…It's late. You need to go home."

Dave doesn't know what to do. As a Fiancé, he should at least kiss her on the cheek right? But…are they really dating?

"Goodnight, see you!" said Rica.

Rica waved her goodbye and then got off the car. She went inside the house without looking back. She left him just like that.

Dave had to laugh at himself. What was he thinking? It's like he just went back to having his first date not knowing what to do. Was he seriously thinking of treating Rica like a Fiancée? That would mean treating her more than a girlfriend. Just the thought of it was already crazy.

Dave saw his phone ringing and knew whose call it is. It's Di. Dave sighed as he closed his eyes. And then he ended the call.

He had to be firm on his decision. There is so many at stake.

Dave saw the light on Rica's room opened. He saw the window open. As soon as Rica looked out the window and saw his car still there, Rica immediately closed the window and hid somewhere inside. That made Dave laugh. He wanted to see Rica's face red in embarrassment. He wants to pinch her cheeks.

That's his cute Fiancée, Rica Spencer.

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Carl saw Dave drinking and smiling on his own.

"You look crazy, Man." said Carl. "Next time you smile like that alone, do it more discreetly. People may think you have loose screws on your head."

"Let them think what they want to think." said Dave.

"Yeah and then it will be the headline of magazines soon after." Said Carl.

What happened today? What was happening with Dave?

"You seem to be in a good mood. This is a great improvement from a few days ago." said Carl

"Yeah, a break up is never easy." said Dave "Especially if it's with someone important to you"

So what really happened?

"But you look better today."

"Yeah, I told Samuel that I'll marry his niece. And then we met for dinner, Rica was there." said Dave

"I bet she was confused" said Carl.

"Yes, she was, especially when she learned my decision."

Dave chuckled when he remembered their deal.

"Are you drunk, Man? Don't laugh out of nowhere." said Carl

Dave continued to laugh harder.

"She's really cute you know." said Dave.

"Yup, you've said that five years ago." said Carl.

"No, I mean now. She is still cute. But she's no longer that little girl. Still…Hmm…"

Dave recalled how he could not take his eyes off Rica when she arrived at the restaurant. And that made Dave laugh again. How did he start realizing that Rica is no longer a child? She was totally a woman now! A very attractive woman.

"But seriously, Man. You look better. And if there's anything happening that makes you feel better, then I'm all for it." said Carl

Rica, that 'Cute girl' was making Carl really curious. His effect on Dave was undeniable. Just a few days ago, Dave was wallowing in his misery. He was so broken from letting Di go. But now, Dave can already smile and laugh. Whatever Rica did, it seems to be effective.

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The next day, Rica went to meet Amy and Victoria. Both her friends couldn't contain their excitement as usual. It took them over an hour of catching up before they parted ways. Rica went to the mall just to look around. But the truth was she wanted to invite Dave for lunch so she didn't want to go far from Dave's office. She sent Dave a message but did not receive a reply.

"Hmm, I guess he's busy. By this time, the documents would've already been submitted to accounting. But if he has a presentation later today, he would be busy during lunch preparing for it. I shouldn't have asked him out for lunch." thought Rica

She should've think things through before she sent that text to Dave. Rica went towards the SkyRock Building to get a cab. From afar she saw Dave running the other way.

Huh? Where is he going? And why is he in a hurry?

"Dave!" Rica called out

Dave stopped running when he saw her. He immediately crossed the street towards Rica.

"Where were you going?" asked Rica

Dave was still catching his breath.

"I thought you said you were in the mall waiting for me for lunch?" asked Dave

"Oh, yeah. I was. I sent you a message about that. But I don't think you'll have time so I decided to just go home." said Rica.

Go home? Rica was on her way to leave?

"I have time now. So let's grab lunch." said Dave.

Did he run to see her? The reason why he was in a hurry was to catch her?

Dave looked away.

"I wasn't able to reply immediately and I only read the message a few minutes ago. So…" Dave explained.

. It made Rica smile.

"Don't you have a presentation this afternoon?"

"I do"

Tsk! Rica bit her lip. This really was a bad idea.

"If that's the case, then let me just buy you lunch and you just go back to the office." said Rica. "I know you usually use this time to prepare for the afternoon presentations."

Dave felt that irritating burn in his chest. It maybe from running. But this was one disadvantage of having a fiancee who used to work for you. She knows your schedule.

Dave took his phone out.

"Oh look, Luis is calling.���

Dave answered his phone.

"Hi Luis…what? The presentation is rescheduled tomorrow? Ok then…that's not a problem. All right. Bye."

"What did he say?" asked Rica

"The presentation for this afternoon is rescheduled tomorrow."

"Really? But…"

That does not normally happen. And if it does happen, the presentation was not rescheduled for the next day immediately.

"It's fine. We'll meet them tomorrow." said Dave

"So...you don't have a presentation this afternoon anymore?" asked Rica

"No" answered Dave "I'm free."

"And you don't need to work over lunch anymore?"

"Yes, I don't have to."

"Then we can have lunch together?" Rica's eyes started shinning. She looked excited.

Dave smiled then.

He won a lunch date.

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"You're funny, Dave." said Rica while eating in a restaurant.

"Funny? Me? Why?" asked Dave

"You've been smiling foolishly since earlier. What happened in the office? Anything good? " asked Rica.

"Umm…It's just... I did something that I never imagined I will be doing. It's just a little crazy thing." said Dave "By the way, it's the first time I hear you calling me by my name."

That made Rica smile. Indeed, she did not have the confidence to call him Dave before when she was his intern.

"You look really happy. Was it for a large contract?" asked Rica. "Oh by the way, Uncle asked me to accompany him next week on his business trip. You might not see me around that much."

"Really? Hmm...That's actually just good timing. We also have a team building activity next week. The whole team will be out of town for a few days." said Dave

"Where are you going?" asked Rica

"We'll go to a resort. It's not the luxurious type but it's enough to serve the purpose, which is to build team unity and give everyone some time to unwind. Everybody is excited." said Dave

"Wow, that's really nice. I wonder how company outings are like."

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The weather was nice and the sea breeze was relaxing.

"This next three days is our time to relax and spend time with the team. You have done really well the past months and I know how tired we all are. But you are the best team SkyRock ever had and I want to make sure you enjoy this Team Building!" said Dave

Everyone was excited. The girls keep giggling and the guys were joking around. The out of office atmosphere was really helping his team.

"All right, we have a lot of activities for the day. And we have the resort host to help us with all that is lined up." said Luis.

The resort facilitator gave the ground rules and everyone paid attention.

"So now I will be splitting your team into two. You are six members so each team will be composed of three members."

"Wait. That's not fair. Isn't Boss playing?" asked Luis

"If I join, one team will be four members versus the other with only three members. That's not going to be fair." said Dave.

"I'm here! I will play!" said a voice from behind them all.

When everyone turned around, they saw Rica smiling at them.

"Rica!" The girls went to Rica to give her a hug. Everyone was happy seeing Rica except Dave, who just stood there and did not even approach her.

"Boss! Aren't you happy that I'm here?" asked Rica with her happy smile.

Why was she here? Wasn't see supposed to be with her Uncle on a business trip?

Everyone welcomed Rica warmly as if she's still part of the team. They treated her like she was the team member who just came late. Dave allowed them. Rica had a really good relationship with his team. She was really capable and was able to be good friends with everyone with just the short stay she had with them. When she resigned, nobody got the chance to say their goodbyes. It's no wonder everyone was excited to see her.

"Boss…umm... You don't look happy I'm here."

That smile, that smile that goes up to her eyes. That's a dangerous smile.

"Why are you here?" asked Dave, his voice sounded irritated.

"I heard you need one more member for the games. I volunteer as the additional member!" said Rica raising her hand.

"We can't pay for you, you are not included in the team budget." said Dave

"I can share my bed with her." said one of Dave's thinner female direct report.

"Oh and I don't eat as much as Luis does so I can share my food with her too." said another.

The resort charges per head. But then…Dave actually thinks having Rica around would make the team enjoy the activities better.

"It seems Rica's arrival is making the team united, Boss.That's part of the goal right? Team unity." said Luis smiling.

Luis knows Dave will eventually give in.

"You better be sure you'll take care of her. She's no longer under me." said Dave.

"No need to worry, I can take care of myself, Boss." said Rica confidently, while laughing with Dave's team.