23 Speechless

Yoko’s POV:

“Oh my, I didn’t …. that was … how do I …” were all the unaudible that came out from my mouth. I don’t know if she understood what I was trying to tell her. Miss Aashna stood up then patched herself up and just raised both of her hands as if to silence me and straddled towards the table.

She glared at Anntonia for a brief moment and the latter just raised one of her brows with a slight smirk on her face.

Everybody was silent for a moment wondering what the hell is going on. The meeting proceeded as scheduled without even addressing the elephant in the room.

Team 9Starstudios and ASI Holdings Incorporated have already agreed and inked an agreement that will seal the process in creating their very first project which is the Zoom Magazine.

The magazine in the works will have  both print and digital copy that focuses on everything GL related. The two companies wanted to get the project started the soonest time possible. For the limited premium introductory edition the cover will feature the three GL powerhouse of Thailand, EngLot, FreenBecky and LingOrm.

The production team plan to incorporate the photoshoot during the Paris Fashion Week to maximize the availability of the six cover girls as well the different  scenic places in France.

Upon hearing the good news, my six friends went on a frenzy and became overly excited. They knew that the six of them will be together during the  “Battlle of Versailles” in Paris and they already made plans of the new places they’ll visit together because their schedule for the Paris trip have been extended to seven days with two off days just to squish in the magazine shoot.

What made them even more hyperactive is when they found out that I will be accompanying them as part of the executive team.

Miss Aashna remained silent almost the entire duration of the meeting. She just paid attention while  Anntonia and Michelle presented the proposal to the team. With the occasional nodding and  showing off her beautiful teeth while smiling at the innovativity  and introduction of new ideas to the table.

From how I look at it, Miss Aashna seemed pleased of the outcome of the meeting. After the lengthy discussion and the preparation of the documents needed for our out of the country work, the meeting finally ended. Everyone had said their goodbyes and left the room immediately. I, however, purposely stayed behind to personally explain to Miss Aashna about the incident earlier this morning.

I was a bit hesitant on how to approach her. Based on my limited interactions with her, she give me the impression that she's a fair and objective person. I’m sure she’ll listen to me and absolutely believe me when I tell her that it wasn’t me who shot her with a nerf gun while she was resting earlier.

I was torn between approaching her straight away or just carry on with my daily routine and brush it off.

Miss Aashna was seated at her table, heavily concentrated in typing on her laptop. I gathered all the courage I have and mooched towards her table. It’s now or never, I reminded myself. So I went straight to the point and finally said “I apologize for what happened earlier Miss Aashna. You see, P’Anne handed me the nerf gun and I panicked and didn’t know what to do. I sincerely apologize for….” Miss Aashna raised her head and faced me with her brows frowned closely displaying a confused look, that’s why I was not able to finish my apology speech to her.

She put her eye glasses at the bridge of her nose while removing the air pods in her ears and uttered to me “I’m sorry Yoko, you were saying something?”

Yoko (while mumbling to herself): “So all this time I was talking to myself…”

Faye/ Aashna: “Huh?”

Yoko: “As I was saying about the nerf gun…”

Faye/ Aashna: “Don’t worry about it. I know you couldn’t even hurt a fly. And your vision is not that clear so I’m a 100% sure that you’ll miss the target even if you’re a foot away from it, tsk. That power starfish is the culprit.”

I looked at hear a little bit confused.

Faye/ Aashna: “What if I put a pillow on her while she’s asleep, do you think Anntonia will put up a fight or she’ll reunite with her grandma peacefully?”

Yoko: “Huh ….”

Faye/ Aashna: “Nah, don’t mind me I’m just messing around.”

A cat must have gotten both our tongue because any of us dared to say another word. We were in a stare down contest, as if challenging each other who will blink first. Then the sudden opening of the door startled us both  and in came the very handsome, my P’Mali’s doppelganger, the very good looking young man, Rafa, accompanied by Anntonia and Michelle.

He excitedly run towards me upon noticing my presence in the office.

Rafa: “Mama Yoko! Up, up.” he said while raising both his arms wanting me to carry him. I happily obliged and raised him up to greet him with kisses on his checks. He was giggling and rested his head on my shoulder.

Anntonia: “Why don’t you join us for dunch (lunch + dinner) Yo.” P’Anne mentioned. With Rafa around it’s kind of difficult to decline the offer.

Rafa: “Yes, Mama, please join us.”

I took a swipe at Miss Aashna’s way and noticed that she’s still glued to her screen, typing something.

Yoko: “Are you sure I’m not interrupting something P’Anne?”

Anntonia: “Of course not and I’m sure that twat over there doesn’t mind.” P’Anne muttered while pointing her lips to Miss Aashna. “We’ll order food online. Rafa what do you want? “

Rafa: “Hmmmm, I want ramyeon !!!” I coughed at myself on Rafa's choice of food.

Anntonia: “Ooooii, how about you Yoko, do you want ramyeon too, we can have it at Aashna’s unit.” P’Anne said while showing her smug face.

I coughed again before giving my reply, “I’m not picky with my food P’Anne, anything will do, except spicy food. Any meal will do.”

Anntonia: “How about you Aashna? Would you like some ramyeon too?” Miss Aashna just glared at P’Anne while sticking her tongue out.  P’Anne only showed Miss Aashna her sheepish smile and got her phone from her pocket to order the dish that we’ll be sharing. With a quick tap on her phone, P'Anne muttered,  “Everything’s settled then. All we have to do is wait for a few minutes for our food to be delivered.”

P’Anne and I continued with our little chit chat while waiting for the on the go food. Rafa on the other hand was comfortably sitting on my lap while reading a children’s story book.

A few minutes later, Mario informed P’Anne through the intercom that the food had been delivered. P’Anne just instructed Mario to bring the food to the office quarters and invited both him and Carlo for drunch (lunch + dinner).

Mario and Carlo brought the food to ASI’s office and was helped by Michelle to set the table.

There were mouth watering variations of Thai cuisine served on the table. Pork Satay, Thai curry chicken noodle soup, almond chicken satay, Thai pork and noodle salad, This salmon cakes with dipping sauce, banana blossom, pork and prawn salad and steak salad with peanut-lime vinaigrette and little Rafa’s ramyeon are the edibles placed on the table.

Each of us really enjoyed our meal as there were silence in the room while we busied ourselves consuming the feast in front of us. Miss Aashna looked after Rafa’s meal, making sure that he ate the food on his plate before getting another serving.

I really love the dynamics between Miss Aashna, Anntonia, Michelle, Mario and Carlo. One could really tell that their group is really tight by the way that they interact with one another. I also noticed that they all wear the same black ring around their point finger, only P’Anne wears a diamond engagement ring (my guess).

Who is the lucky person that stole Antonia's heart? Miss Aashna? Michelle?

I must have been pre-occupied with other things on my mind that I missed P’Anne’s questions addressed to me.

Anntonia: “Yoko?”, she said while snapping her fingers. “Are you okay? I hope you enjoyed the meal.”

Yoko: “Of course, yeah of course. Thanks again for having me.”

Rafa: “Mama, Mama?”

Faye/ Aashna: “Mmmmm?.”

Rafa: “I want …. I want to go with Mama Yoko to visit mamita y abuelo … please please ….” I chuckled at Rafa’s statements. The little boy pleadingly asked Miss Aashna.

Faye/ Aashna: “Rafa, Yoko might be busy and maybe her parents too.”

Miss Aashna stared at me momentarily before giving a heavy sigh, “No no … it’s ok, my parents have been asking about Rafa actually.” I commented.

Anntonia: “Why don’t you accompany them Aashna? Yoko did you bring your car with you?”

Yoko: “No P’Anne, I just took a grab. I didn’ t want to play tug of war with the volume of cars on the street.”

Anntonia: “Perfect! then Aashna will take you home.” P’Anne said while grinning widely at Miss Aashna.

What’s up with these two – P’Anne and Miss Aashna ….

Rafa happily run fast to his room to get some of his stuff that he’ll bring to my parents.

Faye/ Aashna: “&%#_$^° #@&+/  nyah nyah nyah ‘’ I couldn’t pathom what she was mummbling to herself while P’Anne was holding her laughter down.

____________________________________

A/N:

Thank You ….. 🙏🏻

An interesting week for 9Starstudios.

Looking forward to more projects by the company with the new Interim CEO.

Take care always guys and be safe 💖🙏🏻