Secret Doors

Portia’s P. O. V:

I go to my office with a smile on my face. I feel okay now but I don’t know what will be Sherlock’s gameplay today. I greeted everyone as usual and headed to my office. I saw Sherlock already sitting on the couch with Aleksei. What now? Did he decide that he doesn’t want to continue the project with me anymore? Does he think I’m gonna be begging him for this project?

“Hey, good morning.” I greeted both of them. “Good morning Portia. Please have a seat.” Aleksei said. “We have to tell you something,” Sherlock said that making my eyebrow arched but I keep my cool and sit in front of them. “Yes, what do you want to talk about?” The air become tense and the happy morning became serious.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Aleksei smiled at me so I did too. “Well?” Sherlock started the conversation. “Yes?” I smiled sweetly at him as if nothing happened. I wanted to relax and keep professional. “We decided to open another business about online shopping and since everything is going well with our first project with you. We trust you with this another project.” Sherlock announced that startling me. We are going to work together longer and it stresses me out but I have to be grateful for their trust also.

“Really? Thank you for trusting me Aleksei with another project.” I happily accept the project. “I’ll do my best to make it better and greater,” I stated and they both look at each other. “We both know that’s why from now on we will be partners,” Aleksei said that confusing me. “What do you mean?” I asked them and Sherlock handed me a folder.

“Sherlock and I have thought about this for quite a long time. Sherlock always insists that we will make a great team.” Aleksei continues. “You are very dedicated to your masterpiece Portia and we had smooth transactions with you. We never encountered any problem from the past month.” Sherlock then joins the conversation again. “That’s why we wanted to invite you as our partner in this newly opened business.” Sherlock continues.

I read the proposal thoroughly. “You mean I’ll get 25% of the income?” I was shocked at how good the partnership contributions my team will get. Both of them nodded at my question as an answer. This will get us rich and we might be promoted to one of the greatest teams in our corporation if this becomes successful.

“Let me review this and let’s talk about this by tomorrow is that okay?” I told to both of them. I am very overwhelmed right now so I can’t just make decisions that will make me regret in the future. “Sure. Take your time Portia.” Sherlock said and smiled at me. “Thank you. For now, let’s focus on our meeting later at lunch.” I told them as a sign of dismissing the meeting. “Yes, we’ll go ahead,” Aleksei said and I accompanied them at the door.

As soon as they take their leave I immediately sit on my office chair to review the contract. “This seems pretty big for my team. I should call the board for a meeting.” I said and press the intercom. I told my secretary the details of the meeting. I didn’t tell them the whole details yet. In fifteen minutes we assemble the meeting.

At the meeting hall:

“What’s with the urgent meeting Portia?” Seiza said as soon as she sits on the chair. “Is there a problem with one of our contracts?” Airi asked and everyone looks at me. “Calm down, let the boss speaks first,” Gabriella said she is one of the engineers. “Well, I wanted you to open your folders and review them,” I told them. “That’s a partnership contract with Mr. Aleksei and Mr. Sherlock. I need your suggestion asap.” I ordered them.

“This is pretty big for us it will be a good start for the competition for the best team of the year,” Airi commented as they started to review the contract. “I agree. This is a good potential project also as online shopping is pretty accessible and on-trend lately.” Seiza always has informative thoughts. I am never wrong in asking for suggestions from them.

“And this project is continuously growing with technology so I think this will be a very hit and long term,” Gabriella suggested. “Plus this is pretty challenging to grow with.” Celso our ad manager said. “So do you think we should be partners with them now?” I asked for their opinions. “Press your green button for Yes and red for no,” I stated the voting immediately.

So that if it turns up Yes I can immediately come up with the plan for starting the project but if not. I have to decline it without damaging our current status. All of them surprisingly voted for Yes and I can sense the excitement in their eyes. “But we have to make outlines first before we started the contract.” Seiza said. “We agree. We should be more careful with this type of big proposal.” Celso said along with Gabriella.

“We suggest that you sign the contract after we run a test on a sample app,” Airi suggested. “Don’t worry we will work on that as soon as possible with double time,” Gabriella assured me. “Thank you so much, everyone. I really can always rely on all of you.” I thanked them. “Of course, we are family here.” Seiza said. “So boss will you order us now to do the app and work us overtime?” Gabriella excitedly told me which made everyone laugh.

Gabriella is younger than us and she always has this never-ending energy. “Yes, please. I’ll do the memo.” I said. “Can you give us free dinner as a reward?” Gabriella asked. “Why not? I’ll order food for your overtime later before I leave.” I assured Gabriella and it makes her power boosted. “Shall we start now?” Gabriella excitedly invites everyone. “Sure, so this is meeting adjourned for now. I’ll see your progress in three days, everyone.” I ended our meeting.

“Count on us Portia,” Airi said that made me secure. I know we can win this year’s best team if we sell this great on the app market. “Thank you, everyone.” I thanked him and we all leave the meeting hall as I dismissed the meeting. I saw everyone pretty energetic about the project and it made me feel the same energy too.

My whole day become very exciting and very fine as my team and I shared the same vibe. I forgot the stress and the pressure of working with Sherlock. I work in peace the whole day. This day may be tiring but it’s all good, I got out of the office early because it’s mom’s death anniversary and I should be sharing her the good news I have with my team now.

Before I leave I ordered food for my team and make sure they will have a good dinner. I drove two hours and thirty minutes to reach the cemetery. I bought her favorite flowers at the near flower shop and made my way to her. I was surprised to see Sherlock at mom’s tombstone paying respect. He was holding incense and he also brought flowers and candles for her.

I watch him first from afar. We used to do it together. I didn’t imagine that he will do this after what happened to both of us. I bite my lip in guilt for treating him bad. Then I remember I haven’t told Levi about mom’s death anniversary. I made a call to him even though I know he might not answer me.

But to my surprise, he answered me. “Yes?” He coldly answered. Why? Did I do something wrong? “Oh, I am about to tell you that it’s mom’s death anniversary.” I almost hesitate to tell because he might be not in a good mood. “Where are you right now?” Levi asked. “I am almost at mom’s tomb why?” I told him. “Wait for me. Send me the address and I’ll be there in minutes. Just stay where you are.” Levi ordered me.

Tsk. This man surely is weird but that’s what makes him handsome to me. I waited for him as he told me. What does he even thinking right now? I asked myself while waiting. I watched Sherlock almost done paying respect. After a few minutes, I saw him leave. Now I know he’s doing it with clear intentions. Not because he wants to cross paths with me and have another round of confrontation. Sherlock became attached to mom even though they didn’t meet each other in person.

In twenty minutes Levi arrived in front of me. He has flowers the same flowers my mom loves and the same arrangement mom always love. How did he know? “Shall we go?” Levi said to me. I scratched the back of my nape in shock. “Sure. Let’s go.” I answered and he holds my hand and made our way to mom.