Planned Baby

Chapter 27 DOUBTS

Time flies so fast. Many unexpected things happened. Who would have thought that my plan of having someone to be with will come to this?

I only want to have a child of my own, but God gave me more. He gave me a great partner-not romantically, but he can still be considered as family. Ulysses is a great dad to my soon-to-be five years old twin. Aside from Ulie, God gave me his family. It’s like a package deal.

I couldn’t ask for more. I am very contented with my life right now, not to mention how my company grew for the past five years. We are now one of the in-demand architecture and engineering companies.

Our company starts receiving clients abroad. My parent's vision for the company is now happening. I am sure that they are happy with all the company’s achievements.

Speaking of international clients, we are currently waiting for Mr. Schulz of Schulz Technologies.

Schulz Technologies are planning to have their office building here in the country.

Most international clients, especially in IT companies, are only renting floors to set as their office since their main office is located outside the country. It was more cost-efficient on their part.

Schulz Tech also has other offices nationwide. However, I am not yet sure if they were planning to have their own building office in their other offices or just here in Manila.

“Ms. Cabello?”

I look at the guy who called my name. I smiled and nodded at him.

“Yes, I’m Penelope Quinn Cabello, CEO of Cabello International Corporation.”

“I’m Harold Ortaleza, the CEO’s secretary of Schulz Tech here in the Philippines. And here with me is our CEO, Mr. Enrique Schulz.”

He extended his hand for a handshake. I gladly accept it, and then I offered a handshake to Mr. Schulz, which he obliged to accept.

“She’s my secretary, Ms. Luna Bianca Nielis, and our head Engineer Mr. Dominic Rosales and head architect Ms. Lorie Belle Garcia.”

After the introduction, we proceed to the conference room and start the meeting.

This is another big project. It is as big as the LHI Resort Project we did five years ago. I was surprised when Mr. Ortaleza contacted me about this project. It only proves that our company is making a name not just here in the country but also in other countries.

They showed us the land that they had newly acquired. It was located in Taguig. The land was ample. I am sure that if this project leaks to the media, it will be another talk of the town. Many people will anticipate this project.

“We want this building to be as grand as our main office in the States.” Mr. Schulz said.

I nodded. It makes me more excited to start the design of this project. It was one of my dreams to do a unique and high-tech design. Most of our projects for the past years were hotels, resorts, restaurants, and mansions. It was our first time doing this kind of project, and I can’t wait for it to start.

“I guess we were all clear about the requirements of this project. I have seen your project with LHI and Hearst, and I must say that I’m impressed that’s why I am expecting a lot from your team.” Mr. Schulz said in a formal voice.

I smiled at him. “I will not disappoint you. And thank you for trusting our company.”

“That’s good to hear. But I hope you don’t get too confident because I made myself clear that this meeting is not considered a close deal yet. Getting another company is still in our option if we are not happy with your design.”

“I understand, Mr. Schulz. We will do our best to close this deal.”

“Good.”

After a few discussions, the meeting ended well. The contract will be given once they approved our design. They made it very clear that providing this opportunity for us to design for them is not an assurance that we will get this project. Acquiring another company for this project is still on their option. What we need to do is give our best to close this deal completely.

***

“That was hot!” Lorie exclaimed.

After the meeting, we went back to our office and had an initial discussion on this project.

“You mean Mr. Schulz is so hot!”

Luna and Lorie start to giggle. I just shook my head. These girls are like that whenever we met a handsome client.

Though, I can’t deny their claims. Mr. Schulz is genuinely a handsome guy. He’s a cold and serious type of boss, which made him hotter. I smiled to myself when Ulie popped into my mind. I am sure that he will throw tantrums if he heard me say this.

“We must get this project, Ms. Cabello! I can’t wait to see him again!” Lorie said in complete determination.

“Yes, of course! I will not miss this for the world.”

Luna then went to me with a malicious stare. “What do you think of Mr. Schulz, Ellie?”

I just shrugged. “Yes, I can’t deny it. He is hot but-“

I was not able to finish my statement because Luna cut me off.

“But Ulie is much hotter than him! We know what you will say, Ellie!” Then she rolled her eyes.

My eyes widen. “Of course not. What I was about to say is that, yes, he is hot, but I am not into hot guys right now. I am contented with my children.”

“Yes, you are contented with your kids and ULIE. I know Ellie.” Luna said she even emphasize Ulie’s name.

“Whatever, Luna! You and your delusion!”

***

Weekend came. We are here at the Escarrer Mansion. Aside from Ulie’s family requesting us to visit them every weekend, the twins also wanted to see their grandparents every weekend because they spoiled them a lot.

“The twins will turn five in two months. Do you have any plan?” Kaela ask me. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“I don’t want to throw a big celebration for their birthday. I want it to be as intimate as possible.” I told Kaela my plans.

Ulie and I became so busy these past months. We want to make their birthday our opportunity to spend quality time together.

Ulie bought a private Island. We were the ones who did the renovation of the island. He named it Kade Quinn Island. He wanted it to be named after our twins and also ours.

Ulysses changed so much after we had the twins. He was still playful and naughty, but he became a family man. I have barely seen him going out at night-his only exception was if the event or party is related to business, then that is the time he will go to parties.

I have never seen him date any girls for the past five or six years. It was as if the twins are enough for him. I ask him one time about this.

“Ulie, I have never seen you going out with other girls these past years. Don’t you want to date anymore?”

He looks at me intently. “Do you want to?”

I furrowed. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Because I will only consider to date someone if it’s you.”

I felt a strange sensation in my stomach. “Why? If it's because of the twins, Ulie, please don’t do that.”

“Do you think that it was only because of them?”

I wasn’t able to answer. I feel very weird, and I can’t think of anything right now.

“You still don’t believe that I already like you.” He concluded.

“You are not part of my plan,” I told him my usual answer.

“I was never part of your plan; I know that, Ellie. But can’t you see, us being together now, my family and the twins carrying Escarrer’s surname, was also not part of your plan, but we are all happy

about it. Why can’t you accept my feelings?”

Because there is a part of me that doubts your feelings for me, I can’t forget the conversation you had with Nick. I am scared that all of these were just lies.- This was the answer I want to tell him, but I just chose not to answer him.