Chapter 8

Yassmin's POV

Mr. Lee faced Yassmin after a lengthy explanation by Mr. Arevalo's secretary. Honestly, all of those fabrics are beautiful and she would say that it was worth it to use in the new designs that they're planning to release.

"What do you think, Yassmin?" Harry asked his secretary.

"I think it's okay Sir, those 8 fabrics that she mentioned earlier are the simplest options to settle on. It goes with a saying that when creating a high-quality garment, a designer is probably going to go for the most effective, best suited, and also finest forms of fabric. Although these high-end, natural materials typically include an expensive tag, when building a solid, timelessly elegant wardrobe, these fabrics are definitely worth the investment. Not only do these materials look expensive, but they also feel luxurious, and can stand the test of your time." Yassmin serious explanation. He smiled as a sign that he likes her suggestion.

"Okay, send those fabrics to us immediately, Mr. Arevalo. When can we receive it?" Mr. Lee then asked Mr. Arevalo.

"We can send it to you tomorrow morning, Mr. Lee," Mr. Arevalo replied with a wide smile on his lips. The two talked a lot more about things being barely connected to the fabric. It was there that Yassmin realized how good a boss was Harry Lee was. He takes good care of all his employees.

A wonderful trait of a person who has already reached high in life. The two shook hands, signaling that their conversation was over. Mr. Lee stood up, followed by Mr. Arevalo.

"We'll go ahead, thank you for the transaction Mr. Lee, " Mr. Arevalo said while still showing his warm smile and gratitude.

Mr. Lee nodded and smiled at Mr. Arevalo. "It was our pleasure to have you as our trusted supplier, Mr. Arevalo," he exclaimed politely. Mr. Lee faced Yassmin again when Mr. Arevalo left the conference room.

"We're going to the factory, right?" he sought to her.

"Yes, Sir," she replied.

He nodded and then walked ahead. The factory they were heading to was just in the back part of the HLC company building. Yassmin discovered why it is only close to the company itself is because Mr. Lee always visits it to greet the workers there. He also said that it should be closed by so that he can easily know and take action in case there is a problem in the factory. They rode the elevator and went straight to the company's exit, which was the way to the factory. But even before they had time to enter the factory, a man greeted them. The man is already smiling, though he's still far away from them.

"I think he's still in his mid-40s," Yassmin thought. He still has the smile on his face and glanced at Yassmin, then greeted Mr. Lee when he finally gets closer.

"Good morning, Mr. Lee," he greeted Mr. Lee warmly.

"Good morning too, Mr. Venzon," Mr. Lee greeted the man back.

"Are you going to visit the factory again, Mr. Lee?" He asked Mr. Lee.

"There's nothing new there, Mr. Venzon," Mr. Lee stated while laughing. Mr. Venzon agreed.

"Of course, that's not new to you, but until this day I still admire you for being a hands-on boss. You always make sure everything is in order. We are very lucky to have you, Mr. Lee," Mr. Venzon exclaimed and praise Mr. Lee.

It doesn't surprise Yassmin anymore when his employees were proud of him because she also admires the dedication of Mr. Lee to his work.

"I just want to make sure that there are no problems to happen because with that amount of our competitors, I’m afraid that they will do everything they have to do just to bring me and my company down. I'm not afraid for myself but for my employees who depend on me. If you are lucky with me, I am luckier because if it were not for all my employee's help we would not have achieved what my company has achieved," Mr. Lee gratefully stated.

Their conversation continued as they walked into the factory. When Yassmin finally got inside, the order and beauty of the interior amazed her. She'd only just gotten into it for the first time, so she can't help but to be amazed. Unlike other factories or sewing factories, it is spotless inside and won't see any clutter on the floor.

Amazing!

With Mr. Venzon, one by one, they approached the seamstresses to say hello. It was only then that she found out that Mr. Venzon turned out to be the supervisor inside the factory. He takes care of the needs of the seamstresses, who informs Mr. Lee.

Next they approached was a seamstress who was quite old. She's coughing a bit, looks like she's not feeling well.

If you are wondering why Mr. Lee has a worker of that age is because he has no age choice in hiring workers. He said that he wants to give the elderly a chance to earn somehow. But he does not neglect them. There are benefits reserved for them. We do not make them to work hard other than sewing. In hindsight, they don’t give up on the younger seamstress than them. They are good and deserve to be given a chance to earn. Another characteristic of Mr. Lee that deserves to be admired.

"Oh, Manang Pacita, how are you? Looks like you're feeling bad?" concern is visible in Mr. Lee's voice.

Yassmin was just standing next to him. Waiting for him to ask her to do something or ask a question.

"Good morning, Mr. Lee. It's ok, I'm just getting a bit of the flu because I got wet by the rain yesterday." Manang Pacita explained politely.

"Oh, if that was the case, you wouldn't have to come to work so you could rest." Mr. Lee advised her. The old lady smiled.

"I'm fine, Mr. Lee, it's not that bad," she assured Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee shook his head. "Don't continue what you're doing, Manang Pacita. Please go to our clinic first and rest. Let Gela take care of you," Mr. Lee advised her again.

The Gela he was referring to was the company’s nurse. Manang Pacita had no choice but to leave what she was doing and follow the orders of Mr. Lee. It was almost one o'clock when the visit of Mr. Lee at the factory got finally over. The lunchtime is already over.

"Yassmin, my meeting is still at 3:00 pm, isn't it?" He asked her as they walked back inside the HLC's main building.

"Yes, Mr. Lee," she answered.

"Join me at the Mall. I need to buy something, then we'll eat there too," he exclaimed.

'Okay, Sir,' she simply replied and think.

What will he buy?

Harry's POV

Harry was so happy with his visit to the factory that he didn't even realize it was one o'clock. Lunchtime is already over and Yassmin must be hungry.

He glanced at his secretary, who was just quietly standing next to him. He smiled in admiration. Harry can see that she is just as excited as him to visit and greet the seamstresses.

He doesn't find her being bored or numb at all while they've been walking and standing for a while. After visiting and greeting every seamstress, he approached Yassmin to invite her to eat at the Mall.

"Yassmin, my meeting is still at 3:00, isn't it?" he asked her.

She nodded. "Yes, Mr. Lee," she replied.

"Join me at the Mall. I need to buy something and we'll eat there too," he stated and saw his secretary nodded her head.

"Okay, Sir," she replied again.

Harry's car is the one they had used because it will be a hassle if they will use a separate car. When they arrived at the Mall, the two immediately went in then looking for a place to eat. In the end, the Korean restaurant which is near to the entrance of the Mall is the place they chose. They wasted no more time and ate fast.

It's about two o'clock and they need to get back to the company before three o'clock.

The two went out to the restaurant, and he invited Yassmin to the bookstore. 'Since I am already here, I will also buy new books and pocketbooks.' he thought.

Yassmin didn't say a word and just followed him to where he was going. Harry immediately went straight to the part of the bookstore where the pocketbooks are place.. He grabbed ten pocketbooks. Then looked at what Yassmin was doing. Harry saw that she's also buying a book on the other side of the bookstore. He saw she took three books and put them in the basket that she's holding.

"Wait? Where did she get that basket?" He said in his mind. Then looked around and saw baskets near the counter. He went there and got one. Harry went in Yassmin's direction to buy books as well. She looked at his basket with a surprising reaction.

"Are you buying all of that, Mr. Lee?" she sought, as if it's so unbelievable that a man was buying lots of pocketbooks.

"Will, I put it in my basket if not?" Harry thought jokingly.

"Of course, why?" he asked her back.

"Nothing, Mr. Lee, I didn't know you like to read books. I thought you were only reading on the App," she replied as the realization hits her.

He laughed. "No, I love to read its books or in the App," he revealed.

After choosing random books they would like, they went straight to the counter. Harry also insisted that he's paying for the books that Yassmin chose. She refused at first, but also agreed when he didn't stop begging.

"Thank you for this, Mr. Lee," she thanked him shyly.

"You're welcome," he replied then gave her an assuring smile. That's all and they rode his car back in the company.