Chapter 114
Patricia gave it some thought and was a bit wary of making a hasty decision. She nodded, “Sounds good. Let’s hash it out and we’ll hit you up once we’ve made up our minds.”
Don couldn’t be happier, “Cool beans.”
He added, “Hit me up anytime if you’ve got some ideas.”
Patricia nodded, “Will do.”
After stepping out of Daniel and Patricia’s office, Don couldn’t resist texting Sophia, [Just showed our architectural proposal to the clients and they’re over the moon.]
Sophia was curled up in a hanging chair, lost in a book.
She had thought about taking a stroll outside. It had been two years since she was last in town, and she harbored a bit of nostalgia for the city. But after burning the midnight oil on the proposal, she was beat and opted to stay in.
The hotel room came with a nest-like double hanging chair, situated right in front of a floor-to-ceiling window. The view outside was a serpentine river and a ribbon of greenway-super cozy to either read or just soak in the view from the chair.
Having just submitted her resort design, the weight was off her shoulders and she instantly felt more chill.
She was surprised to see Don’s message, [You sent it over already?]
[Strike while the iron’s hot,] Don texted back.
He had his own reasons.
He was really digging Sophia’s design and was even more keen on keeping her around.
But he didn’t have the gift of the gab to persuade Sophia, so the plan was to show the proposal to Brandon while she was still in the country. If Brandon was on board, they could set up a meet and have him try to charm Sophia into staying.
Don had faith in Brandon’s ability to make people stay; there wasn’t a soul Brandon couldn’t keep around.
So, the second he got Sophia’s design, he hustled it over to Brandon’s office. Unfortunately, Brandon was tied up in a meeting and they couldn’t get into the nitty-gritty.
Sophia was oblivious to Don’s scheming but was cool with the quick decision-making, nodding, “Alright, keep me in the loop about any updates.”
“You got it. Take it easy for now,” Don said, already heading toward Brandon’s office, recalling Daniel’s concern, “Oh, and the client mentioned a worry. They dig the proposal but are anxious about the execution matching the design, so they’re hoping the designer can oversee the whole shebang on-site.”
Sophia was a tad troubled, “Mr. Dempsey, we’ve been over this before.”
Truth be told, she wouldn’t mind being on-site if it weren’t for the project being in Zion City, near the West district. She wasn’t keen on setting up shop there for a year or two.
“Can’t I just swing by every now and then?” she asked, “Construction’s a long haul; can’t be there all the time, right?”
“I’m on it,” Don reassured, “It’s just that they feel it’d be a bummer if they fall head over heels for the design and then the lead designer bails on the company.”
Steering the conversation back, Don pressed, “So, about that head designer gig, you sure you won’t reconsider?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr. Dempsey,” Sophia smiled in thanks, “but I’m really not cut out for such a big role. But don’t sweat it, Mr. Dempsey. If they go for this design, whether I’m still with the company or not, I’ll see my project through to the end,” she added, “So no fears about me running off or anything. Wherever I am, if there’s a need for me on-site, I’ll be there till everything’s wrapped up and passes muster.”
With Sophia’s assurance, Don felt a bit better, “Thanks, that’s mighty kind of you.”
Still, having her stay with the company would be a load off his mind, and Don did hope to keep the collaboration going. After hanging up, he made a beeline for Brandon’s office, but the guy hadn’t returned from his meeting, and Kent was absent too.
Don had no choice but to head back to his own office and shot Brandon a text, [Showed your folks the Zenithan-style resort architectural design. They’re all for it. Looks like they’re keen to lock it down but want to mull it over a couple more days. Take a gander when you can, I’ve emailed you the digital copy too.]
After shooting off the email, Brandon quickly replied, [Let’s wait for their verdict.]
Don sent back an “OK” emoji.
The wait stretched out for almost two days.
Patricia was prompt and decisive with her feedback, “We’re going with this one.”
Don was in his office when he got Patricia’s response and was chuffed. He grabbed the proposal and scooted down to Brandon’s office.
He barged in without knocking, “Your folks are sold, what about you?” He handed over the design once again.
Brandon took it and asked, “Love at first sight?”
Don was like, “Totally. Your mom’s especially smitten, insists on this one.”
Brandon wasn’t sold on Patricia’s taste or expertise.
“What’s my dad’s take?” he probed.
Don explained, “Your dad’s a bit more cautious. He’s cool with the proposal, but he’s got reservations about the designer staying on top of things on-site, worried about any major discrepancies between the actual and the design.”
“I’ve already talked to the designer about it. She said no matter where she is, she’ll own the project till the end, until it’s done and dusted,” Don added, “But I reckon keeping her in the company is the best bet. Anyone who can whip up something that catches your picky mom’s eye off the bat is not to be underestimated, and that’s not even mentioning making a splash with both your folks.”
“Who knows if they’re really into the work itself or just itching to break ground?” Brandon said, flipping through the proposal. “If it’s the latter, they’d take anything that’s not too shoddy.”
His calm voice trailed off as he opened the design.
Brandon was fixated on the architectural proposal, momentarily lost for words.
Don assumed Brandon was struck speechless by the design’s wow factor, and he was stoked, “Right? Got some pizzazz, doesn’t it? Pretty slick creativity, huh?”
Brandon’s fingers gently traced the lines on the blueprint.
“Uh-huh.” His voice was faint, continuing to flip through the pages at a snail’s pace, his eyes glued to the design renderings on the paper, as if he couldn’t tear his gaze away. His handsome face was the picture of serenity, but there was a subtle hint of nostalgia lurking beneath the surface.
Don finally sensed something was off. “Hold up, does this style look familiar to you?”
Brandon’s eyes shone with a mix of amazement and a touch of remembrance-it was clear he knew the designer.
“Nope.” The reply came in the same indifferent tone.
Brandon flipped to the last page of the design proposal, his gaze lingering on the renderings for a moment before slowly drifting to the bottom right corner where it read, “Designer. Sophia.” He paused briefly, then looked over at Don. “So, is she the design director you’ve been raving about?”
