Twenty-three-year-old Cristina glanced over at her boyfriend, Adam Kim, as he drove the rental car. He looked over at her and grinned. They had just flown in from their latest project in Mexico to their company's head office in Houston, Texas. She was a junior project manager and he was a construction engineer at Farralon International. They had met on the Mexican project, six months ago and had started dating about four months ago.
Her parents were pleased that she was dating a nice Korean guy. Well, actually, he was only half Korean. His mother was Irish and while he had dark hair and brown eyes, his facial features were a mix of Irish and Korean. He was quite good-looking. Joseph had said that at least he was half-Korean, he could understand all of the family traditions and food and therefore, he didn't have to explain things to him, like he had to do with Justin.
She thought back to the day when she was offered this job at Farallon. She had hesitated at first because it was where Owen also worked. But the company offered such great learning opportunities, a chance to work all over the world and great benefits. Owen had been right about that.
Ah – Owen, she thought. The last time she saw him had been that fateful day at the airport, where she had told him that she wanted them to be a couple. She still felt embarrassed whenever she thought about it. When she had finally got home after her long road trip, she got a visit from Clarissa who said that Owen had wanted her to call him. Clarissa gave Cristina the phone number that Owen was using in his job in Buenos Aires. When Clarissa had left, she had stared at the phone number for a long time. But she never used it. It was too embarrassing. She had put herself out there and had been shot down.
Adam parked his rental car and together, they showed their company ID to the security guard in the lobby. He ran them through his system and they were allowed to enter the building. "The meeting is on the 12th floor," he told them and pointed out the elevators to them. It was rare that they would ever come to Farallon's Houston headquarters, so they were not too familiar with the layout. When they got to the 12th floor, they were ushered to a very large meeting room. They were not the only ones as there were people from all of the different projects from around the world. It was only the American employees who were based outside of the United States that were at this meeting.
Adam got her a cup of coffee and a Danish pastry from the table with refreshments. He sat down next to her. "This must be very important," Adam said. "It's like everybody is here from overseas."
"I think so," she said. She was worried. If it were that all of the employees from overseas projects were here, then that probably meant that Owen was going to be here, too. She stared around the room, looking for that head of strawberry blonde hair. She didn't see it. He probably hadn't arrived as yet.
There was some activity at the front of the room, so she and Adam straightened up and paid attention. It was the CEO of their company, Fergus Robinson. He was an older man with brown hair, slightly graying at his temples. He was quite tall, about six foot four. Cristina knew that if she stood up next to him, he would dwarf her.
"Good to see you all and thank you for coming here for this meeting. I know it was a mighty task for some of you, given that you are in the middle of some major projects," Mr. Robinson said. "I know it was short notice but this is very important."
He continued, "Farallon has had an eye on expanding the company into new regions. It's the only way we can grow. To this end, Farallon has decided to merge with Wexler International." There was an audible gasp around the room, as Wexler had been Farallon's major rival for many of the project. They had won a few, while Wexler had won others.
"I know that this might come as a shock for some of you, since we have been bitter competitors with Wexler for many years. However, it was decided by the two boards that instead of fighting with each other, it would be to the benefit of all if we joined forces. We will not be undercutting each other on our projects. As of Monday of next week, the company will now be called Farallon Wexler International," Robinson said. "I guess many of you will have questions. So please use the microphones that have been set up in the aisles."
There was a murmur and a shuffling of feet, as people lined up to use the microphone. Then, she saw him - Owen. He was the first one at the mic on the left aisle. She shrunk down as low as she could on her seat. Adam looked at her, wondering why she was all scrunched up on her seat.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked. "What are you doing? Sit up straight."
"Um, nothing," she said, as she straightened herself up. She knew she looked ridiculous.
Owen started speaking into the microphone. His voice boomed across the large room. "How does this merger affect our operations and projects overseas?"
Robinson spoke, "For now, it won't have that much effect. There will be some initial teething problems. We are aware of that. But eventually, we hope that there will be Wexler personnel on Farallon projects and vice versa. We have to fully integrate our projects." As Owen turned away from the mic to go back to his seat at the rear of the room, he spotted the head of curls sitting in the middle of one of the rows. She was staring straight ahead. He knew who it was immediately. He smiled to himself. Cristina. He hoped that she would look at him but she kept staring straight ahead. Never mind, he thought, he would catch up with her after the meeting. He wondered who was the young man next to her.
Robinson was being constantly peppered with questions from employees. It went on like this for about an hour and a half. He eventually had to say that he was tired and had to cease with the Q&A session. However, he told them that there would be a gathering – a getting to know you event – to be held at the Hotel Marymount. It would be the overseas employees of Wexler and Farallon and the attire was cocktail wear. The event was to start at 8.30 p.m.
"Oh, great," Adam said. "We can finally get some drinks and food out of this. Party!" Cristina groaned.
"I didn't bring that kind of dress," she said. "I wasn't expecting to go to a party."
"No problems," Adam said. "We can go to the Galleria and get a dress for you. I will probably just to try and rent a suit. We can get you something short, hot and red." Cristina groaned again. She hated this extra expense.
After the meeting ended, she and Adam made their way out of the room. He said he had to use the restroom and he would be right back. Cristina tried to make herself look as inconspicuous as possible, so she wouldn't draw the attention of Owen. She leaned against a wall and stared at her shoes. It was then that she heard his voice.
"I have been looking for you," he said. She slowly looked up and found herself drowning in his blue eyes. He was as handsome as ever.
"Oh, hey, Owen," she said, hoping that she sounded casual. "How are you?"
"I am doing fine," he said. "I thought I might see you here, today. Justin told me that you had joined the company after graduation. Was I right about it?"
"Yup, it's a great company," she said. "You were right. I joined for the adventure." She wondered why Adam was taking so long. She needed him to rescue her.
"So where are you based?" he asked. "I am currently in the Philippines."
"Mexico," she said. "I have been there for six months." Where the heck was Adam?
"Good," he said. "So are you attending the gathering tonight? I hope we can chat some more there. There are quite a few things that I want to ask you." She knew exactly what he wanted to ask. He wanted to know why she never called him.
"Um, yes. Just heading to the Galleria to get a dress," she said. "I never expected to have to go to a party."
"Yes, that was a surprise," Owen said. "Good, I will see you then." He walked away and Cristina sighed. Adam came back with a smile on his face.
"Why did you take so long?" she asked him. He could have saved her, earlier.
"I am sorry but I met one of my old classmates from college in the restroom. We were having a great chat, reminiscing about the good old days," he said.
"Is it really necessary that we attend this party tonight?" she asked. Maybe she could avoid attending at all. "So I won't have to go shopping for a new dress."
"Oh, come on, Cristina. You love clothes. Why would you want to turn down an opportunity to get a beautiful new dress?" he said.
"Because I hadn't planned it in my monthly budget. You know that I am saving to buy a house," she said.
"I don't know why," Adam said. "You're never here in the US for most of the year."
"Yeah, I know but I think I need a house. I don't want to keep going back to my parents' house. After all, I am 23 years old and I have to think about my future."
"Yeah, okay. So the dress is an expense you haven't set money aside for. Tell you what, I will pay half of it," he said.
"Thanks, Adam but it's okay," she said. "I can afford to buy my own dress."
"Great," he said. "Let's hit the mall." The couple left, holding hands. Owen, who had been watching her, noticed immediately. He sighed. She had a boyfriend. The young handsome Asian man, who had been sitting with her, in the room, was her boyfriend. Unlike Rory, this young man was as different from Owen as possible. She had not made the same mistake.
Cristina did get a hot, sexy dress. She hadn't wanted to buy it but Adam persuaded her, too. "I am going to be the envy of all of the guys, there, when I walk in with my hot girlfriend," he said. "We don't get much chance to dress up, while we're out on the job. So let's just savor this."
"Okay," she said, as she paid for the dress. They had got themselves a hotel room, where they had changed into their fancy duds. They, then, drove to the hotel Marymount where the party was being held. When they entered the room, they looked around. There were a lot of people they didn't know.
"Those must be the folks from Wexler," Adam whispered. "They look alright, I guess. Oh hey, there is my friend, Pierce. Do you mind if I go talk to him?" Cristina shook her head.
"Sure, I know it will probably be a while since you will see him again," she said.
"Thanks, babe," he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I will bring you a drink." She nodded. As Adam left, she wondered if she should go introduce herself to some of these Wexler people. That was the whole point of this gathering. She was contemplating whom among these people looked approachable.
"A drink?" the familiar voice said behind her. She turned around, her long dark curls flying.
"Owen," she said, as he handed her a glass of white wine.
"Hello, Cristina," he said, watching her take a sip. "You look beautiful. I must say that dress was a perfect choice. You look amazing."
"Thank you," she said. She hadn't really planned to encounter him, this early in the event. She had thought she would have gotten a couple of drinks in her before she spoke to him. She needed liquid courage.
"Can we go out on the balcony and have a chat?" he asked. "It's a lovely, warm night."
"Sure," she said. She really couldn't say no, could she? She followed him out on the balcony. There were some other people out there, admiring the city skyline.
"So, it's been a while," he said. "I need to talk to you about our last meeting. Two years ago, on the day of your graduation. I have been thinking about it for quite a while."
Her cheeks started to burn. Every time she thought about that moment, all she could feel was shame.
"Um, yes," she said.
"You kissed me and asked if we could be a couple," he said.
"But you told me that you couldn't because you were dating Lindsay," she said in quick response.
"You never called me," he said. "I left my phone number for you and you never called me. Why?"
He lifted her chin so he could look her in her eyes. "Why?" he asked, again.
A/N Please leave your thoughts and comments. I really do appreciate them. It gives me the incentive to want to continue.