Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Alexander Martinez's p.o.v;

At the breakfast table,

"I talked to Olivia's secretary about the meeting, Sir, she asked us to be there at 2 pm."

"Okay."

"About the meeting with Mr. Miller, he said he's going overseas tomorrow so he asked me if you're available today, Sir. How should I respond to him?"

"Well, arrange a meeting with him after I return from Rodriguez."

(Rodriguez - Alexander Martinez is referring 'Rodriguez corporation' as 'Rodriguez' in here)

"Yes, Sir."

"Do you have any idea where girls like to go these days?"

"You sound like we're from the ancient period, Sir."

I gave a stare and searched on my own in my phone.

"Did you ask me for a suggestion for taking Bella, Sir?"

I gave a nod and continued searching for outdoor places to visit near Santa Rosa and not far from here since I've got to meet Olivia after that.

He said, "Since Bella does a lot of jobs, I think she'll like places like clubs, parks..."

"I'll take care of it. Go and arrange a meeting with Mr Miller."

"Yes, Sir."

Clubs and parks? I let out a sigh and searched on the internet where teenagers like to hang out and I got the results like coffee shops, malls or stores. Mr Johnson's suggestions were not in the list which I got from the internet. I shouldn't have asked him. I forgot that he's older than me. Coffee shop... Isabella's working in a coffee shop as a part-timer. Will she like it if I take her to a coffee shop? I don't think so. Mall or store... But there will be a lot of people so let's strike out the mall from the list. After looking at certain attractive places to hang out, I ended up with the Sonoma County Museum.

When I checked the review about the place, it got pretty good feedback so I decided to take Isabella to that museum.

After finishing breakfast, Isabella and I headed to the Sonoma County Museum.

After reaching, When I was about to enter the museum, Isabella wasn't beside me. I turned and saw Isabella staring at the name board of the museum while standing in front of the car.

"What are you waiting for? Come on." Signalled her to come inside.

She gave a nod and followed behind me.

The atmosphere inside the museum was how I wished it to be. It was silent and calm. The painting here was amazingly beautiful. It was well drawn and the nature depicted well in the paintings.

I saw some people staring at Isabella's outfit while passing by. I know she's really bad in choosing the outfit for her but the outfit today she was wearing was better than others. I don't know why she always picks flashy outfits for herself. She looked like a tourist in that outfit.

I started walking since I don't want people to stare at her and she followed me behind. I thought the local museum didn't look that good but it changed my perception when I stepped into this museum. The way they portrayed, the way they made arrangements are well done. While I was mesmerised by the paintings and sculptures in the museum, I saw Isabella yawing in little. Was she feeling tired?

Some couple asked her to take a picture of them and she helped them. She directed them like she knew how professional pictures are taken. After she handed over the camera to them, they thanked her and left.

"Do you know how to take a picture?" I asked her out of curiosity.

"Yup! I worked in studios too. I worked along with my friend, Sophia, so I had so much fun while I was working along with her. I didn't become a pro at taking pictures but I know a little about landscape and the lighting while taking a picture."

She worked in photo studios too? I wonder if there are jobs left for her to try. While I was thinking about Isabella's job, I lost her. Where did she go? I looked around and found her along with the tourist people. What is she doing there with them?

"What are you doing?"

Isabella ran to me and walked along with me.

After we came out of the museum, we got into the car and I asked him to go to the house since I asked the chef to prepare meals for Isabella.

When I looked at her, she was already asleep. I thought she would be hungry but she's sleeping peacefully. Wasn't she hungry?

After we reached the house, I asked the driver to wake her up and I made my way to the house.

While I was walking to the dining table, Isabella ran over to me and said she's going school since there was an emergency and left the house after changing into her school uniform. What emergency was it?

I got a call from Mr Johnson as a reminder to go to Rodriguez.

I changed into a suit and left the house for Rodriguez corporation.

When I stepped in, everyone greeted me since I was the CEO of this company six months ago. I greeted them back and walked to the president's cabin. I saw Olivia in the seat talking to her secretary.

I sat opposite her and asked, "What is this meeting about?"

"Nothing serious. The reason I asked you to be here is because I want the Skyland corporation to collaborate with Rodriguez corporation…"

I knew this would happen but I didn't know I'd be this soon.

I stood up and said while adjusting my suit, "I have to discuss this with the other board members and inform you. I can't decide on my own since it's a big decision."

"Are you denying me?"

"I'm not denying anyone here. I'm asking for time to discuss it with my other partners."

"I know you're the one who takes prime decisions in your company. Who are you trying to fool here?"

"If you knew it then why are you asking me?"

"Where did you learn to speak back to me? Where did this new habit come from?"

"I worked hard for Rodriguez corporation to bring it up after a fall and made it to the chart but I gave up the company to you since you were my father's… since you hold rights in the company. So I couldn't do anything when you demanded it from me. But you don't have rights in Skyland. I brought it on my own. Don't even try it." And left the cabin.

When I came out of the cabin, I felt so light. I've never felt this way. I have always followed her orders but today I spoke back at her which is a surprise to me. To her as well I'm sure. I got so mad when she asked for Skyland. How could she ask like that even when her company is facing a situation like this? A collaboration? I'm never going to do it. I don't care how it falls and breaks. I came out of the company so i don't have any ties with them. They can face it alone.

Mr Johnson called me to remind me of the meeting with Mr Miller. I totally forgot about that.

I got into my car and headed to the Skyland firm. When I looked at the time, there was still some spare time.

I entered the cabin where Mr Miller was, I asked him, "Why did you want me to meet you today?"

"I guess you would have heard about the fall of Rodriguez corporation after you left the company." I gave a nod and he continued, "Are you thinking about collaboration with that company, Sir?"

"May I know the reason why you think like that?"

"I know that you will buy companies that are facing its fall and renew them so do you have any idea of doing collaboration with the Rodriguez corporation, Sir?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Sir?"

"It looks like you already came here to give me a suggestion. What was it?"

"Some of us don't like the idea of collaborating with Rodriguez corporation, Sir."

I smirked and said, "Buying companies, having collaboration are the things which I decide on my own. I don't take others' suggestions in those things. You may leave now." And pointed him the way out.

"Mr Miller, I heard you're headed overseas tomorrow. Have a safe journey, Mr Miller."

"Thank you, Mr Martinez." Mr Miller left my cabin.

Why is everyone talking about this collaboration?

After work got over, I headed to the house.

While I was eating dinner, Isabella came downstairs from her room and sat opposite me.

She asked the chef, "Was someone important coming today?"

He shook his head and said, "Mr Martinez told me to cook these foods for you, Ms Garcia."

"For me? Are you kidding me? How can he say..."

"He's telling the truth. It's for you."

She asked the chef, "Did you put ginger in any one of these dishes?"

The chef said, "Mr Martinez asked me not to include ginger in any of the dishes, since you're allergic to that so I didn't cook the food using it, you can eat comfortably, Ms Garcia."

"Thank you, chef and thank you Mr Martinez." And she started eating the dishes.

I said in a low tone, "I heard that you fainted in school."

"How... How did you know that?"

"Mr Johnson got a call from one of your teachers and informed me."

"Y-Yeah."

"Why did you eat it?"

"I was so hungry so ate hurriedly and failed to notice ginger on my plate."

"If you're that hungry, you could have eaten here before leaving for school."

"I didn't know that you asked the chef to cook all these foods for me, and I was in a hurry to school. It's my mistake."

"Well, Eat."

She gave a nod and continued eating the food which was prepared for her. She looked happy while eating the food on the table. I think she likes the food. I think I have to take her to some restaurant next time.

She said to the cook, "Every dish tastes so good. I have never eaten food like this before. Do you own any restaurant?"

He smiled and said, "No. Why?"

"I bet if you open a restaurant, people start pouring in once they tasted your food. Your restaurant will be popular not only in Santa Rosa but in California. Do you have any idea of opening a restaurant?"

"I've never given a thought about that."

"Then, please give it a thought."

I said, "If you want to eat his dishes, you can come here."

"What about after the contract? Big brother said I won't be allowed in this house after the contract. What if I want to taste his dishes?"

"You can come here anytime even after the contract."

"Really?"

She sounded excited.

I gave a nod and stood from the chair after I finished with my food. I said before leaving, "Your medicines will be in your room."

"Thank you, Mr Martinez."

While I was walking out of the dining room, I heard Isabella whispering, "Don't waste your talent. Give it a thought about opening a restaurant." She whispered to him but it was pretty loud that I could hear it clearly.

I smiled and climbed the stairs to go to my room.

While I was lying on the bed trying to get sleep after taking medicines, someone knocked on the door. Who was it?

I opened and saw Isabella standing in front of my room.

"What do you want?"

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"Since you took me out, I want to take you out in return too."

"It's fine. You don't have to do that. Go to sleep."

When I tried to close the door, she stopped it.

I got mad and shouted, "Do you like getting bleeding that much?" She looked like she got scared from my shouting so I said in a low tone, "Don't keep your hands between the doors."

"Okay. Well, about tomorrow…"

Even though I shouted at her, she still wants to take me out? I smiled to myself and said, "I'm free tomorrow."

She made a bright smile and ran to her room. Did my answer bring a smile to her face? Since I have known, I have never made anyone smile because I thought it's a waste to try to make another person smile.

I wonder where she's going to take me tomorrow. I hope it's not a crowded place.

I closed the door and went to my bed to sleep.