I love flowers but somehow, now I'm not
"Jangan-jangan kau, jangan bermimpi..aku milikmu walau seinci"..I was driving my way to work. It was jammed and I switched on the radio, full blast. I need to clear my head this morning. I supposed to conduct an important meeting this morning. I will be making a presentation to the directors of Dato's company. Arman told me that he will be coming too.

Dato' has been delivering flowers to me every other day. I guess that comes with an obvious intention. Thinking of it makes me sick. He must have treated people as commodities all his life. Life that can be traded. I shared with Arman of my feelings and somehow I think Arman understands me. He advised me to be patient until the project is finished and the company's product successfully launched. In the meantime, I would have to do a lot of pretense.

I hope this would be my last presentation before the launching.

I stayed back quite late last night with my marketing team. We did some brainstorming about my presentation and they gave me tremendous support. Joe, unfortunately, decided to back off at the last minute. The time when we need him, he always managed to wiggle himself out of the situation. But in time of recognition, he will be the first in line. Bosses, we can't live with them and can't live without them either.
- posted by the writer @ 1:35 pm

 
The Days After That
My meeting with Dato's company recently, went exceptionally well. Travelling back to KL was a relief somewhat. Dato' seems a bit disturbed when I told him that I would not be spending a night there. I assured him that I will be coming down to JB quite often if he agrees to award us the project. Apparently, according to Arman, he had make arrangements with some hotel to have a quiet dinner with me. I was thankful that the meeting went smoothly and I came back to KL on the same day. I wonder who gave Dato' the idea that I will spending my night there. Joe, I guess. In his zeal to clinch the deal. Men!. No, not all men, just Joe.

We are supposed to organise a product launching for Dato' company. I am okay with the late hour workings but I am just uncomfortable with how I ended up being the project manager for the event. Dato' has all this while been Joe's corporate clients. No wonder Joe was furious at me the other day.

I did some background research on Dato' the other day. I found out that he is a widower with no kids. Seems that his wife died because of surgery failure while removing cyst from her womb. Well, that was what told to me by Arman.

I have been in constant contact with Arman since our meeting in JB. Despite his cool exterior, he is a warm person after all. He is not as dashing as Dato' but he seems sincere.
- posted by the writer @ 4:03 pm

 
Please..call me Kathy
Vrooommm...

The car wheezes through. Dato' must be super rich to be able to afford such luxury. "Are you comfortable, Cik Kathy?" Arman suddenly broke the silence. "Yes, I'm fine, thanks" I replied. "Normally the traffic is not this bad, Cik Kathy. But there seems to be an accident not quite far from here" Arman explained. I just smiled and look outside. My mind wanders..

"K, you have to make sure that we clinch the deal. By hook or by crook. Use whatever means that you might have so that he sign the deal with us. Got it?" Joe said. Joe is my immediate boss for four years. He was one of the company directors but business have been quite slow lately and the project from Dato' will be a life-saver for the company, as well as his pride. I know his predicament but I don't like the sound of threat in it. Especially from him. "I'll try Joe" I said slowly. "Trying alone is not enough. I want reassurance that he will sign the documents. He specifically asked for you. If given a choice, I would gladly go. But he wants you." I just stared at him, speechless.

"Cik Kathy, we are here". I smiled at Arman and went out of the car. Then I saw him, Dato' was all smiles walking towards us. "Welcome..welcome..Kathy. How was the trip?" Dato' asked. "Okay. Thank you for the ride here." Dato' then said "Which hotel will you be staying tonight?". I gave him a puzzled look "I'm not going to spend a night here, Dato'. I'll have a plane to catch at 6.45pm". "Oh! I was given the impression by your company that you will be spending a night here. I have already booked dinner table at PPP Hotel. Never mind. Some other time then, will you, Cik Kathy..or should I call you K?" Dato' giving me an inquisitive stare. "Kathy will do" I smiled.
- posted by the writer @ 11:39 am

 
Who Do You Think You Are
My head is still pounding from yesterday's ordeal. Running around KL Sentral and KLIA with 3" heel stilleto was not my cup of tea. I should wear something comfortable instead but my mission yesterday was to impress. And I guess I did well in that department.

I reached JB at about 8.30 am and on my way out, I was greeted by a man. "Cik Kathy, I presumed?". I was not expecting anybody to pick me up. "Yes, I'm Kathy and you are?". "I'm Arman, Dato's personal aide. You have a meeting with him at 10.00 am, right?". Ahah! so Dato' was the one sending him then. "Oh I see. If that's the case, shall we go now?". "Ready as you are." I give myself a once over at my reflection.

I was scheduled for a meeting with a prospect client. Since he's a big shot in JB so the bosses in my company wanted me to meet up with the prospect. I was always tasked on important clientele which normally summed up to be Datoks and Datins. I guess I am good at apple polishing and clinching the business. Come to think of it, I think I'm successful so far.

"Is this you first time meeting Dato', Cik Kathy?" Arman asked. "No, this is my second. I've met him when he came to our office last month." I smiled. In fact, it was pure chance meeting Dato' that day. I was supposed to meet another client at their office. As I was fumbling with my handbag, trying to find the car keys, I nearly knocked him, the Dato' himself. He was coming out of the lift. I apologised profusely for my carelessness of which he just smiled. Well, the next thing I know, the bosses told me that Dato' wanted me to handle the project. And here I am.
- posted by the writer @ 1:00 pm

 
A Day In A Life
6.00 am

beep..beep..beep..

I really need to throw away the stupid alarm clock. Shhhhh! shut up will you. The alarm clock continues with its shrill noise. SHUT UP!!! beep..beep..beep

*sigh*

I walk slowly to the clock and switch the alarm off. It's already 6.15 am. Time flies. Realising that I will be late for my flight to JB, I brushed my teeth and have a quick shower. Tick tock tick tock.

6.30 am

Argghhh...my flight is scheduled at 7.45 am. WHAT?! I am doomed. BIG TIME. The distance from my house to the airport would be 1 hour. I don't think I could make it. Maybe if I use the train, I could reach there on time. Tick tock tick tock. Damn you stupid clock. Why can't you just freeze.

7.00 am

KL Sentral is a bit busy this morning. I thought of buying the ticket using the automatic ticket dispenser machine but found out that it does not have change. EXACT FARE PLEASE it said. Stupid machine!, I cursed and went queuing. I'm behind one, two, three, four, five people. Tick tock tick tock. I'm going to miss my flight. Damn the slo-mo cashier.

I'm hyperventilating. Breath in, breath out..

7.35 am

Reached KLIA and was practically running with my 3" stilleto on. I'm going to experience a helluva foot pain after this but heck, that's even better than missing the flight. The check in counter nearly closed but I intentionally went to the booth served by a male personnel. Chances are I might be able to squeeze my way through. This could be achieved by just fluttering my eyelids. Innocent yet purposeful.

Walla! They let me through. Not bad..not bad..Will need to hone the skill more often then.
- posted by the writer @ 2:53 pm