Chapter 1
Nova went straight to the company where the old man Montalan can definitely be found. Earlier, her Boyfriend expressed all his frustrations regarding Montalan’s pulling out their support for the research team.
“Lucas and everyone have been working their damn ass day and night for this research and they were blessed by the old man. How come he suddenly pulled out?”
Nova is not an important person in the company nor in the research team. It’s just that Lucas always brought her with him whenever Professor Uy brings the whole team in the company to have a meeting to give updates regarding their research. People in the entrance and some who can normally interact with while going to the place of the meeting and the attendees are already familiar with her face.
Nova reached the top floor where the office she was aiming at, and was surprised it was easy. Very different from how it is in the dramas huh, no, actually, very different from the past. Not even a secretary in the area?
“Ehh, is it really always like this?” Recollecting if memories are betraying her, she took a trip down her memory lane to figure it out while both her eyes are wandering the area. Something really has changed. It was just a few months since she last seen the place.
Knocking the door for three times, she didn’t get any respond. Deep inside she wanted to break open the door and asked the old man like the goons in her imagination, but also want to maintain the respect in she has for him. Nova in disbelief, turned around ready to leave with her time wasted and imagination let down. After a single step or two, she heard a sound inside the office, and immediately placed her ears in the doors as she calmly listened to the sound. There are things that are moving, and after some seconds, something fell down.
The worried Nova started pounding the door anxiously and called for the old man, Sir. Some seconds later of worrying, her hands unconsciously reached the knob and twisted it open until she realized it is not locked in the first place. At least she can sigh with relief. Nova stormed the desk organizers and a laptop in the floor guessing she’ll find the figure of the old man there and aid him just in case.
Moving closer, Nova did not know if what she is seeing is true. It’s not just office supplies looking like a mess in the floor. There were necktie, blouse, skirt, and even undergarments, but before she had the time to realize and react what she’s about to encounter, the swivel chair that is turned back from the table suddenly swirled to face her. In it is a familiar face, but it is not the old man, a younger version of the old man she’s trying to find, and in his laps is a completely naked woman with her hands trying to unbutton the third of the man’s shirt.
The situation is unsurprisingly way too embarrassing for the three of them even though the two seems like not to care at all, or maybe the girl was just too inebriate and so into what they are doing. She LOL’d in her mind awkwardly.
“I’m sorry, I must be in the wrong door. I’ll go now.” She turned away swiftly, but before she has made a step
“Didn’t expect a you would come here.”
Huh?
“Ahh, don’t worry, I HAVE NOT seen a thing. I have to go now. Goodbye and I am sorry again.”
She started half running while head bowed down so she wouldn’t see anything again until reaching the lobby. Only at the lobby she can be at ease.
Many questions are trying to connect themselves in Nova’s head regarding the incident while reaching the button for the ground floor inside the elevator although she already knew that it need not be answered as they are not related to what she came for, so why bother?
At the 7th floor, someone familiar walked in front and was about to pass by. To her surprise, it was the old man Sir.
“Mr. Martin...”
“Ms. Nova? How come you’re here?”
Nova pressed the hold button to keep the elevator open and was about to walk toward the old man, but the old man got inside first instead. Mr. Martin signed his people to let the two of them talk alone, so the two subordinates nodded their heads acknowledging it while the door closes.
“Mr. Martin, I know I am not in the place to ask, but how come you can stop supporting the research? I understand that Professor Uy is the core member of the team, but he can’t possibly do it all alone. He can only progress that much with Lucas and others working with him. The team is also surprised and all feeling down after Professor Uy’s sudden resignation was revealed to them, but it’s not like the research cannot be continued, after all, they were all hand-picked, trained, and tailored by Prof. Uy himself.”
The old man only nodded.
“I understand your frustration and concerns. You very well know that I sincerely support this research, Professor Uy, and the whole team, but I have to postpone it for the time being. It’s not like I will stop in this investment. However, I will need you to have patience.”
Nova felt her chest tightened. It’s sad. She didn’t get the reason why, and it seems like the old man does not intend to tell her based on his expressions. He was like politely rejecting her, but at least she knew that the man in front is honest about his respond.
She knew this man can only be respected, and in her subtle defeat she could only think of Lucas. Lucas is so disappointed to drank a lot last night that he could not even answer her calls. It was thanked to the bartender in the bar that she reached him and was able for her to fetch him onto his house.
They reached their destination floor greeted by the two subordinates earlier.
“If you have time would you mind coming at my office and try my new blend coffee?”
Mr. Martin politely asked, but in her head, she’s confused. They must have gone up if they want to go to his office. Is this sign of ageing? She imagined her facepalming in her sudden thoughts.
“Let’s go.”
Before she can even refuse, the old man walked forward to a specific area where she never tried going closer before. When finally near to a hall, Nova found the area isolated, strangely different from the entrance part where many people are moving around. The look of the walls are uniquely patterned. It’s like in another place outside of the campus-like building. The color around the area is captivating, manly, and sleek- black and gray is the theme, and some parts are while. She felt like a loss child as her head is moving side to side and her eyes are obviously rejoicing the beauty of the hall they are walking. It’s so manly that almost every girl will like and approved of, probably. She forgot about refusing the coffee even though she promised to go back to Lucas’ house and check on him again.
When the subordinates are opening the door, Nova felt like entering another dimension. The office is so almost therapeutically relaxing. It was very common to have a nice outside views from the top floor offices, but she saw life in this office. There is a huge aquarium as if it’s a built-in fixture, and inside that thing is like a garden. Around the area are small plants you would never expect in the office of a distinguished business man. It is such a beautiful and calming view, and then it hit her.
“Is this your office from the start Mr. Martin?” Nova innocently asked trying to catch if he really mistook the office earlier as his.
The old man shook his head lightly and smiled sincerely.
“This is my new office. The old one at the top floor is now occupied by my grandson, Harris. It’s now boring there, so I came here. It’s better, isn’t it?”
Shocked, her eyes were open wide whilst her jaw dropped a little listening to his answer. That must be the Harris man she met up there, but what the fudge are they doing there making a live show?
I wish they won’t remember me.
