The phone beeped a few times, and Antony looked at the screen to see several photos pop up. He clicked on each one, confirming that it was the North Bay Plan before nodding in satisfaction.
He turned to Queena, who instinctively flinched in fear as she looked at him, not knowing what he was going to do.
But Antony just chuckled and patted her cheek lightly. “You should have given this to me earlier. Next time, be smarter and don’t think you can outsmart me.”
“Okay, go now. Remember not to let Patrick find out or… I don’t need to remind you what will happen,” he said sternly.
Queena was now extremely nervous after her close call earlier. She nodded quickly and took a deep breath before getting out of the car and watching it drive away. But even then, she still felt cold all over with sweat soaking through her back.
Antony had been staring at the photos of the plan on his phone throughout their ride together with a determined smile on his face.
“Patrick, you always think you’re so smart? Let’s see how you’ll compete with me this time!” he thought triumphantly as he closed the photo page and dialed a number he had seen earlier.
“Hello? Is this Mr. Swanson? This is Antony from BPL,” he said into his phone after it connected.
“Oh my goodness! Mr. Swift! Hello hello hello…” came an overly obsequious voice from the other end of the line
Antony raised an eyebrow slightly but casually turned his head towards the street view outside while continuing, “I heard that you’re currently supplying materials for Pansy Group’s new North Bay amusement park project? I wonder if you have some time today for us to meet up? I also have some business matters I’d like to discuss with you.”
…
Queena couldn’t focus during her entire journey back home; she felt more anxious by every passing moment until they reached her apartment complex where she almost wanted run away instead of going inside.
Her mind kept replaying Patrick catching her in his study room that day – What if Antony did something bad against Patrick because of what Queena did?
What would happen if Patrick found out about Queena stealing those plans?
She didn’t even realize how she got inside until later when she noticed sweat dripping down both palms while feeling relieved upon finding no sign of Patrick in their living room area…
But then again… the door leading into Patrick’s study room was half-opened revealing him sitting there holding onto those blueprints for Pansy Group’s North Bay amusement park project which Queena had stolen only days ago…
Queena stood still for a moment, her heart racing. She forced herself to calm down and lightly knocked on the door.
“Patrick.”
“Candy.” Patrick looked up and smiled when he saw her. He gestured for Queena to come over. “Did you try on the ring? How does it feel?”
Queena felt relieved that Patrick’s expression was normal. She leaned against him and said obediently, “I tried it on. The ring is very beautiful and fits me perfectly… Can you go with me next time?”
“Sure.” Patrick rubbed Queena’s shoulder a few times. “There’s a project at work recently, but once it’s settled, I’ll take some time off to be with you.”
“Great!” Queena smiled happily, feeling less nervous now. She looked at Patrick and asked tentatively, “Patrick… Since we’re getting engaged soon, when will you take me back to your family home to meet your grandpa? We need their blessings for our marriage… And elders have to pick an auspicious day too; otherwise I’ll seem impolite.”
Queena spoke softly as she glanced at Patrick.
She was clearly trying to make progress by retreating.
Mike was the head of the Pansy family; if he didn’t agree with their engagement, then Queena would never truly be accepted into the family.
But she didn’t care about pleasing another elder.
Patrick paused for a moment before patting her shoulder reassuringly. “Grandpa is old now and just got out of hospital not long ago; he needs rest in his own home without any disturbance from visitors like us… Let’s not go there for now. Besides, I’ve already set the date for our engagement ceremony. It will be on 18th this month in just a few days’ time, so we can plan everything else slowly after that.”
“On 18th?” Queena wasn’t worried about meeting Mike anyway but hearing this date made her eyes light up instantly.
As she saw Patrick nodding his head in agreement with what he had said earlier about their engagement ceremony date being fixed already, she hugged his arm affectionately saying, “Then I must plan everything well because this is our most important day!”
“You can do whatever you want,” replied Patrick indulgently while smiling warmly at her, “I have something else urgent right now though so why don’t you watch some TV or gossip while waiting? Once I’m done here, I’ll come back here straightaway okay?”
Clear Lotus Japanese Restaurant
“Mr. Swanson, it’s settled then. I’ll be waiting for your good news,” said Antony.
As a private room door opened, Antony stepped out followed by a middle-aged man with an intelligent look on his face, in his thirties and smiling from ear to ear.
This Oskar Swanson was the same person Antony had contacted in the car earlier, who supplied building materials to Pansy Group’s amusement park.
Upon hearing this, Oskar smiled meaningfully and said, “Mr. Swift, you can rest assured that as long as BPL shows sincerity, I will handle everything for you properly.”
Antony politely shook hands with Oskar before the haggling man left with a confident and sly smile on his face.
If fake and inferior materials were used to build North Bay Amusement Park this time around and an accident occurred…
Pansy Group would never see the light of day again along with Patrick in Guavo.
At that time, everything BPL wanted would be within reach.
In the afternoon, Patrick arrived at work on time to process documents and attend video conferences. After which, he closed his eyes and rested against his office chair while pinching his nose bridge when he heard a knock at the door; he responded briefly saying, “come in”.
Morton walked into Patrick’s office area stopping by his desk before telling him, “Sir, just as you thought, Mr. Swanson has already informed me about it; Antony has indeed begun taking action.”
Patrick smiled slightly while looking sharp like an eagle; he knew about Queena stealing information but only did so to lure Antony into falling for their trap.
“Good job Morton! You continue keeping tabs on Antony’s every move. Let me know what happens,” said Patrick coldly but triumphantly knowing victory was soon within reach.
After Morton left, Patrick turned around looking outside through window panes watching clouds drift past and muttering quietly under breath, “The show is about to begin…”