SAVANNAH
Michael was at his desk when I got home. I knocked on his already opened door to get his attention.
“Savi,” he said, looking at me through his glasses.
I lifted the take-out Chinese food I bought on the way. “I got your favorite.” Michael’s favorites were dim sum, while I craved wanton noodles. I had to better focus on my brother, who was also alone in this house.
He smiled and removed his glasses. “I know when you’re nice to me. Do you need something?”
I laughed. “You know me well.”
We both went down. I took out some plates to prepare snacks and served Michael what he liked.
“It’s not every time I can do this, you know,” I said. “When you find a new girlfriend, I’ll leave you alone.” I placed chopsticks in front of him.
I loved our little moments like this. It always took me back to when I was just a little girl who didn’t want to be separated from my only brother because we were the only ones left in the world.
He took the first bite of his dumpling before he asked me. “What’s up?”
I now remember what Brett and I talked about earlier.
There were many advantages if I accepted his help. First, he was more capable than Edward. And with Brett’s power and influence to move things, the process would be faster. I could finally make up to Michael for everything he’d done and given me. After all, he could have left me when our parents died to find his relatives, but he stayed.
I sat down and sighed.
But that wasn’t what I would tell my brother since I hadn’t agreed to Brett’s offer. He just didn’t give anything to anyone for free, so I needed to talk to Edward first.
Today, we were talking about Rafael. I was nervous about Michael’s reaction.
“I have a new boyfriend.” Those were the exact words to it without having to explain so much.
The dumpling fell from his mouth, and he was stunned for a few seconds. His confusion turned into a deep frown.
“What?” he asked emphatically.
I chewed my bottom lip. I knew he would be surprised, and he had every right since he always looked after me.
He shook his head, then continued to munch his dumpling. I guess it was too delicious for him to waste. “I hope you’re just joking, Savannah.”
I winced. “I hope I am, but I’m not.”
“But it’s only been a month since you and Edward broke up.”
“Five weeks,” I corrected.
“Whatever, Savi.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t you think it’s too soon? You’re still married to him.”
“Please don’t judge me. He cheated on me first. This doesn’t mean I cheated back,” I defended. “There’s no hope of us getting back together, and I don’t wish to. I’ve been confused about my feelings and our relationship for a long time. I told you that.”
“So you just got yourself a new boyfriend, is that it?” Michael put his chopsticks down and then served his own drink.
“Don’t worry about it. Our divorce will be finalized this week.” Michael didn’t need to know how.
“This week!” The information added to my brother’s shock. “Is that possible? I may not be married, but I know how divorce works. Savi, did you engage in something illegal?”
“No! You can trust me, okay? Everything is fine. Edward has a new girlfriend too. It’s Sofia, remember her?”
Of course, he did. Michael knew all of my friends. He frowned as if thinking. “I don’t know, Savi. I just think it’s too early for you to meet someone again.”
“I thought so too, but this guy, he’s… He knows everything. He knows about Edward and the divorce, and it’s all fine with him. We’re still getting to know each other, but he’s different. He makes me… excited.”
“So, who is this new boyfriend of yours?” He drank his red tea and grabbed his chopstick again. He picked up another dumpling.
“It’s Rafael Sebastian.”
He stared at me and exhaled. “The Rafael Sebastian? Your boss?”
“No. Technically, Carter, his brother, is my boss.”
His brows knitted. “But isn’t he your company’s CEO? Whatever, that’s not the point. Savannah, just what else are you going to drop to surprise me? Is there something else I need to know? You can tell me now.”
“No…” I hesitated. God, I hate hiding things from him. “And it’s not what you think. I met him before I went to SEG. I didn’t know he was the company’s CEO then. Please believe me.”
“And you telling me this now means something else. What is it?”
God, why did my brother have to be so perceptive? As I always thought, you couldn’t truly deceive a genius.
“Nothing! I just want you to know before you read anything about me on some gossip site,” I reasoned, which was partly true. I was telling him because I didn’t want him to know about it from anywhere else but me.
“But you telling this doesn’t make it okay, Savannah. I don’t have a good feeling about this. He’s basically just like Edward, or his brother, Brett. Aren’t they in the same industry?”
“Yes, they’re kind of competitors in business.”
“See? And what happened with you and Edward? Watch your behavior, dear sister,” he pointed. “Know him better before you proceed on something you might regret later.”
I gave him a smile. “Yes, I know. I’m sorry. Do you want to meet him?”
“Uh-huh. Not so fast. I’m not interested,” he said without hesitation. “But if I think he’s good to you, then yes. But not right now, Savi.”
“Of course. I respect your view on this, but thank you for listening.”
Michael’s expression softened. “Tell me more about this guy…”
My brother and I went on the subject for the rest of the evening, and he listened attentively. How I met Rafael, what I thought about him, and how we decided to date, minus the agreement. At the end of the night, he spoke about a co-professor who had a crush on him and whom he liked back...
***
“Good morning, Ms. Gibson,” Alison, the receptionist on our floor, greeted me on the phone after I arranged the papers I needed for the meeting.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Stuart said the conference room is ready, and Mr. Estrella of PeekFlix is on his way to the CEO’s office.”
Finally! I couldn’t count how many times I had checked and reread the final version of the business agreement with PeekFlix in a couple of days. Everything was good, but I had mixed emotions churning in my chest. I was nervous about whether the man would sign or not, but it was also today, and I’d be Rafe’s official girlfriend.
“Got it. Thanks, Alison.”
“You’re welcome, miss.” She hung up.
I sprang up and went to Carter’s office. I just saw him come in. I knocked and opened the door.
“Emilio’s here,” I told him. He was standing by the window and a phone in his ear. “Are you joining us?”
“Ah, yes. You can go first. I’m after you. Thanks, Savannah.”
“Okay…” I closed the door again and went on my way.
I went straight to the conference room, and I was in awe to find about a dozen people inside who weren’t SEG employees, and there were cameras.
Rafe’s assistant, Billy, was already there, looking at the projector screen while typing something on his laptop.
“Good morning, Mr. Stuart.”
“Ah, Ms. Gibson,” he greeted back, but his eyes focused on the screen. “Boss will be here in a moment. He’s only discussing briefly with Mr. Estrella in his office.”
“Thank you.” I moved toward him. “But are these people reporters? I thought we still weren’t sure Emilio was signing with us?”
“Yes, it’s kind of an impromptu. It’s a hassle, actually. It’s not easy calling these people here, but I know my boss. He’s very keen on every single detail.”
“Are we finally closing the deal today?”
Billy shrugged. “I guess so. Emilio’s assistant called me yesterday, and they’ve decided to sign with us. And what I’m putting here now is a presentation,” he said, and pressed the enter key on his laptop. A clip started playing on the projector screen.
“Oh my God!” My mouth parted. “How come no one told me this? I’m not mentally prepared.”
“Really? That’s odd. I asked my boss if I should tell you when I called last night. He told me he would. Carter was there with him.”
I wondered if he knew I was seeing his boss. “Yeah, odd. But Rafael’s probably busy, and Carter just came in, so we haven’t spoken yet.”
“Anyway, last-minute things can happen here. Welcome to SEG.” He chuckled. “I hadn’t even gotten any sleep.”
“Oh, damn. You should probably ask for a raise now,” I joked.
“God, I can only hope. He just gave that three months ago.”
I stared at the contract I was holding. This was a new future in the palm of my hand. I grinned. This needed a celebration.
Moments later, Rafe, Emilio, his wife, and Jacob finally entered the room. The cameramen began snapping photos, and a couple of reporters approached them. Billy then invited me over to them.
“We’re making history here, don’t you think so, Mr. Sebastian, Mr. Estrella?” the woman reporter said, holding a small recorder in her hand.
“Oh, no. That term is an exaggeration,” Emilio said, holding up his hands. “But if you ask me if we’re going to open many great opportunities and make big things happen, yes.”
“What do you think, Mr. Sebastian?” she asked.
“We look forward to what our studios can do together. Plans have been made, and we have more exciting things to offer in the future,” Rafael answered.
Billy and I sneaked behind them during the interview, but Rafe noticed me. He pulled me to my waist and brought me to his side. The camera captured exactly that. I gasped.
“Billy,” Rafe called him and whispered into his ear.
“Yes, sir.” He moved in front to attend to the reporters and made a path for his boss to walk in. “Ladies and gentlemen, my friends, we will happily answer more of your questions later. But we must first proceed with our meeting…” Billy’s voice trailed off as we moved forward.
“Oh, Savannah, dear. Fancy meeting you here again.” Jocelyn took my hand and squeezed them.
“Thank you. I’m glad to be joining you today too.”
“We are looking forward to talking with you again. I know what our daughter did. She told us, and we are really sorry. And I can’t believe it’s you. Sofia has told me about you before.”
Whoa. That was unexpected. “Jocelyn, I’m… I’m fine. Really.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“Darling, we can talk to Savannah privately after this,” Emilio interjected. “We are embarrassed, but there are reporters here. Is it alright with you, hija mia?”
“Of course, Mr. Estrella.” I nodded, smiling. I was so glad they weren’t the kind of parents who tolerated their child’s caprice.
Rafe possessively linked his arm to my waist again and pulled me close to him. “Do you mind if I join this meeting?”
“We prefer that, too,” Jocelyn agreed, smiling back. “Anyway, Congratulations.” Her gaze dropped to Rafe’s hand on my waist. “What did I tell you the last time, Savannah?”
“Yes. Thank you, Jocelyn.”
“Excuse me? I hope I’m not interrupting this super serious conversation, but shall we start now?” Jacob interjected. “I have an appointment at eleven.”
“Of course, Jacob,” Rafael said. “Let’s take a seat. I just need a minute with Savannah.”
The Estrellas proceeded to the table when Rafe’s grasp on my waist suddenly tightened, and he spun me so I was facing him.
“Why was Brett here yesterday?” he whispered sharply.
Crap. He saw us in the lobby. It wasn’t that I’d forgotten, but I hadn’t had the chance to tell him. What could I tell him anyway?
“He just… visited.”
“Brett Reed doesn’t visit. Especially here. Aren’t you going to tell me about it?”
“Um… I don’t know.”
He frowned. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“Are we really talking about this right now?”
He sighed, then glanced at our visitors. “No, I’m sorry. But we’re talking about this later.” He released me, and we joined the Estrellas at the long table.