Chapter 2 The Meeting

Eunice POV

After that night, I left our house and lived alone. I still remember what my dad told me when I went home to get my things. They were there: Dad, Lucy, my stepmother, and Irene.

"Where were you last night?" Dad asked.

"I went to the hotel. I need to clear up my mind because of what your daughter has done." I replied and gave Irene an accusing stare.

"Calix loved me; he only felt sorry for you since you had been together for so long; that's why he couldn't break up with you," Irene said.

"That's why, when he spotted me, he shoved you from your bed to the floor, not caring if you were harmed or not; that's how much he loves you," I mocked her.

"Eunice! Is that how you treat your sister? " Lucy accused me.

"Oh, don't worry; the next time, I'll make sure I get to f*** with her boyfriend since you believe that's how I should treat her, right?" " I yelled fiercely, and Dad struck me across the face and shouted,

"I accepted you here, and that's how you repay us."

"I do all the housework, give you money, and you all act like a wealthy family who employs a maid on my behalf; you never gave me money for my own needs or a school allowance; even a housekeeper is paid for a day's labor."

You can't accuse me of being ungrateful when you've never treated me like family. Everything is paid for by me. My studies too. Don't ever ask for reimbursement since I worked hard and I served you well. I said fiercely, "You owe me."

I climbed the stairs to my room and began packing my belongings. They're all mine because I paid for them with my own money. They did not purchase anything for me.

I only need to take a few things because I have already transferred some of my things little by little.

I rented an apartment around two months ago without their knowledge. I picked it since it was within a few minutes' drive from my workplace. I gradually brought a couple of my belongings and placed them there.

When I got down to the first floor, I saw Calix there, sitting beside Irene.

"Eunice," he called while Irene was stopping him to get near me.

I gave him a smug smile and waved my hand, telling him to get away from me. Just like that, I got out of that house and left.

That was the last time I saw them, and it had been almost a month. I decided to change my phone number because Calix had been calling me. I no longer want to see any of them.

I can't help but think of that night when I recall that episode. I give myself to a stranger at the exact moment. To get rid of the recollection, I shook my head.

It was Sunday today and I was trying to relax when I heard my phone ring.

"Hello," I answered lazily, as I knew who the caller was.

"Is that how you answer your favorite friend's call?" Lia, my best friend, told me

"I am sorry your highness, it will never happen again," I said, teasing her, and she laughed.

"Alright, the boss called me and told me that she couldn't contact you." I told her that you should change your phone number. She wants you to prepare a layout for a liquor commercial. "

"When will it be needed?"

"Just make a simple one and bring it tomorrow." The Boss said, "We will start from that."

"OK, so I need to hang up and start working. I love you, friend. See you tomorrow. Bye. " I said, "End the call."

****

I had finished the layout last Sunday, and on Monday morning we started to deliberate on every detail of the ads.

The advertisement was promoting Lloyds Distillers' new liquor brand. It appears that our advertising firm was given the opportunity to execute their commercials for the first time by Lloyds Company. So we worked really hard and brainstormed for the last four days in order to meet the boss's deadline.

Lloyd's has a very high standard in everything. Even in their ads, they spend so much just to make sure they're effective.

Today is the day of our presentation, and we're crossing our fingers that Mr. Lloyds will enjoy it. I went to Lloyds Building with our manager, Lia. Lia drove the boss's car and stated they were already at the presentation room on the 10th floor, while I parked my car in the basement.

I make my way to the 10th level in search of the presentation room. When I arrived, I was expecting to see a few other ad firms, but there were none.

I merely shrugged and assumed they'd planned the presentations on different days so we wouldn't see each other's work.

I found the room easily as every room has signage. I knock and open the door.

I entered the room and there I found Boss and Lia, who were smiling at me. Seated on the right side was a man that looked familiar.

Because this was a crucial presentation, I quickly dismissed the thinking. When he glanced at me and said good morning, I bent a little to meet him, thinking he was a Lloyds agent.

He just looked at me, and the man standing beside him told me to sit down.

I said OK and as I sat, I handed the presentation to our boss, which she gladly accepted.

I've been feeling uneasy ever since I woke up, and the man from Lloyd's made it worse. He had been staring at me, and I didn't know why.

"Good morning, I am Paul. Mr. Xavier Lloyds assistant. " The man who asked me to sit down started

"And the man over there is Mr. Xavier Lloyds" The three of us were surprised. We never thought that the CEO himself would attend and witness the presentation.

"Let's start the presentation." Mr. Lloyds said.

The boss stood up and connected my laptop to the projector. While she discusses the details of the ads, I do the scrolling of the screen.

I can see how the boss started to get nervous, maybe because she was seeing Mr. Lloyds reaction as she was facing him directly. I decided to focus on the screen and never look at him to lessen the nervousness I was feeling.

My boss completed her presentation, and I am certain that everything went well. Mr. Lloyds threw a lot of questions at her, and she answered them all. I'm sure Mr. Lloyds would enjoy it as well.

I had turned off my laptop and put it in my bag when Mr. Lloyds words made me look at him.

"My assistant Paul will inform you of the result." Whether you pass or not, you will know. "

Mr. Lloyds merely glanced at it, and his assistant Paul grasped the boss's hand and said, "Thank you for your time as well."

"Boss, Lia, and I look at each other. We said our goodbyes to Paul and Mr. Lloyds and went out of the room.

"Hey friendzy, you look pale. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think I just lack sleep. We have been busy these past few days." I replied to her.

"OK, rest well and go back to work on Monday healthy." the boss said with concern.

"Yes, thank you boss," I said, getting the keys from my bag. And then I realized I had forgotten my bag.

"Boss, Lia, you go ahead. I left my bag in the room."

"Alright, we parked outside the building. "Boss and I need to go to the filming site of the soda ads we were working on." Lia and I nodded at them and went back to the room.

I knocked and opened the door and saw Mr. Lloyds still sitting on his seat.

"Ahm, I forgot my bag, sir. I will just get it. " After saying that, he stood up and took my bag. He handed it to me, and I said thank you and goodbye.

I went for the elevator and found him following me as well as Paul.

"Hi again, Ms. Eunice, which floor?" Paul greeted and asked me.

"Basement 2, thank you." He pressed the button.

No one was talking as we rode the elevator. My stomach has become uneasy again, just like earlier.