Preparation for Singapore Trip

A week had passed since the National Engineering and Technology Expo, and the buzz around Matthew's electric vehicle project had only grown louder. Their phones hadn't stopped buzzing with congratulatory messages, social media tags, and inquiries from curious strangers. It was a surreal week, but the team had little time to bask in their success.

Matthew, Samantha, Leo, and Saimon were back at the Luxent Hotel, huddled around the dining table in Matthew's room. Samantha's laptop was open, and several notebooks and papers were spread out in front of them. They had spent most of the morning brainstorming potential funding sources and refining their business plan.

"Alright," Samantha said, typing furiously. "We need to finalize our pitch for BYD. If Richard Huang was serious, they'll want more than just a prototype—they'll want a roadmap."

"I still can't believe we might be presenting to BYD," Leo said, leaning back in his chair. "Do you think they'll actually want to partner with us?"

"It's a long shot," Matthew admitted, flipping through his notes. "But Richard wouldn't have invited us to Singapore if he wasn't at least a little interested."

The conversation was interrupted by the ping of Matthew's laptop. An email notification popped up in the corner of the screen. Samantha leaned over to read the subject line.

"It's from BYD," she said, her voice sharp with excitement.

Matthew clicked the email open, and the group leaned in to read together.

[Subject: Invitation to BYD Regional Headquarters

From: Richard Huang's Assistant (Christine Liang)

To: Matthew Borja

Dear Mr. Borja,

I hope this email finds you and your team well. Mr. Richard Huang has spoken highly of your electric vehicle prototype and the innovative approach your team demonstrated at the National Engineering and Technology Expo.

As discussed, we would like to formally invite you and your team to BYD's Regional Headquarters in Singapore for a presentation and discussion about potential collaboration opportunities.

The meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2019, at 10:00 AM. Travel and accommodation arrangements will be covered by BYD. Please find attached a preliminary itinerary and a list of documents we recommend you prepare for the meeting.

We look forward to hearing from you to confirm your availability.

Best regards,

Christine Liang

Assistant to Richard Huang

BYD Southeast Asia

]

The group sat in stunned silence for a moment before Saimon broke it with a loud, "No way! They're paying for everything?"

"They're serious," Samantha said, scanning the attached itinerary. "They've already booked our flights and hotel."

Matthew reread the email, his mind racing. "This is it. This is the opportunity we've been working for. If we do well in Singapore, it could change everything."

"Then we need to prepare like never before," Samantha said, pulling up another document on her laptop. "We have two weeks to make sure we're ready."

Leo frowned. "Two weeks? That's not a lot of time."

"It's enough if we focus," Matthew said firmly. "Samantha, keep refining the financials and projections. Saimon, work on a detailed breakdown of the modular battery system. Leo, I need visuals—something polished, professional, and attention-grabbing."

"And you?" Samantha asked, raising an eyebrow.

Matthew set his notebook down and looked at them with determination. "I'll work on the pitch. We need to tell a story—why this project matters, why it's worth investing in, and what it could mean for the future of mobility in the Philippines."

The group nodded, their resolve solidifying. The room buzzed with energy as they divided tasks and got to work.

That evening, after hours of preparation, Matthew sat alone on the balcony of his hotel room, staring out at the Manila skyline. The city lights flickered like a thousand tiny reminders of how far he'd come—and how far he still had to go.

His phone buzzed on the table next to him. He picked it up to see a text from his mother.

Teresa: Matthew, I'm so proud of you. Whatever happens next, just know that you've already made me the happiest mother in the world.

Matthew didn't know how to respond. It was the first communication he'd had from his family since he left home. His chest tightened with a mix of emotions—pride, guilt, and an odd sense of longing. For a moment, he simply let the words sink in.

After a deep breath, he typed back.

Matthew: Thanks, Ma. I couldn't have done it without you believing in me. Hope you're doing well.

He hesitated before hitting send, wondering if his father or Marco knew she had reached out. It didn't matter. This connection with his mother was something he needed, even if it felt bittersweet.

The following morning, the team regrouped at the Luxent Hotel's small conference room. Samantha had printed the itinerary and checklist from BYD's email and handed each of them a copy.

"All right," Samantha began, pacing as she read from her notes. "We have a lot to cover in the next two weeks. BYD's request for documents includes detailed schematics of the prototype, financial forecasts, and a scalability roadmap. These aren't just add-ons; they'll make or break the pitch."

"I've got the visuals covered," Leo said, waving his notebook. "The presentation will look sharp enough to rival the pros."

"And I'll dive into the tech specs," Saimon added. "They'll want to know exactly how we made the modular system work and how it can be replicated."

Matthew nodded. "Good. I'll focus on tying everything together. We need to show them why this isn't just a student project—it's a business with a future."

Samantha crossed her arms, her gaze scanning the room. "Let's also think beyond the presentation. We'll need to anticipate their questions. What if they ask about infrastructure? Or manufacturing costs? We need answers for everything."

The group agreed, and the room buzzed with focused energy as they got to work.

Teresa sat at the kitchen table, her eyes flitting to her phone every few minutes. Matthew's reply from the night before still lingered in her thoughts. It had been brief but heartfelt, and it gave her a sliver of hope that their relationship could mend.

Across the room, Ramon sat with a newspaper in hand, his brows furrowed. He hadn't mentioned the TV broadcast since it aired, but Teresa could tell it was still on his mind. Marco, meanwhile, was glued to his phone, occasionally smirking at memes or updates from friends.

Finally, Teresa broke the silence. "Have either of you thought about reaching out to Matthew?"

Ramon grunted, not looking up. "He's the one who left, Teresa. If he wanted to talk, he'd come back."

Marco shrugged. "Why should we? He's busy being a 'genius' now. Probably doesn't even remember us."

Teresa's temper flared. She set her coffee down with a sharp clink. "That's enough, Marco. Your brother worked hard for what he's achieved. You might not like him, but he's still family."

Marco snorted. "Family? He hasn't acted like family in years."

Ramon slammed the newspaper onto the table, startling them both. "Teresa, stop trying to patch things up. That boy made his choice. He wants to prove he doesn't need us? Fine. Let him."

Teresa's voice shook, but she stood her ground. "You can pretend you don't care, Ramon, but I see right through you. You're angry because you know you were wrong. And Marco…" She turned to her younger son. "You're just following your father's lead."

Marco looked away, but Ramon's face darkened. "I don't need a lecture, Teresa."

"And I'm done giving them," she snapped. "But I won't sit here while you two act like Matthew's success is an insult to this family. If you can't support him, then leave him be. At least I'll be there for my son."

As the days passed, the team's preparations intensified. Samantha coordinated practice runs for the presentation, ensuring their delivery was polished and professional. Saimon worked late into the night refining the technical blueprints, while Leo perfected the visuals that would tie the pitch together.

Matthew, for his part, poured his energy into the narrative. He framed their project as more than just a car—it was a statement about Filipino innovation and resilience. Every word, every slide, was carefully crafted to convey passion and purpose.

By the time the day of their flight arrived, the team was exhausted but ready

The team boarded the flight with a mix of excitement and nerves. The airline tickets, provided by BYD, were business class—an unexpected luxury that underscored the importance of their trip.

As the plane soared above the clouds, Matthew looked out the window, his thoughts drifting to his family. He wondered if his father had seen the broadcast, if Marco still thought of him as the failure who left home. His mother's words from her text echoed in his mind, grounding him.

"Hey," Samantha's voice broke his reverie. "You good?"

Matthew nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah. Just thinking."

"About Singapore?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"About everything," he admitted. "Singapore, the pitch, my family… it's a lot."

Samantha patted his arm. "One thing at a time, Matt. Let's focus on nailing this presentation. The rest will fall into place."

Matthew nodded again, her words steadying him. He leaned back in his seat, determination sparking in his chest. Whatever awaited them in Singapore, he was ready to face it.