New Partnership

"Uncle James, come here and congratulate ninang. She got the job!"

This is one of the reasons why I love my niece. She always has the right timing. I intend to visit them for this purpose. I knew that Yelle will call them at this hour to share the news.

Last night, I got a call from Bradley, my assistant in the main office. He informed me that Yelle passed the interview and it was David who did the interview.

Up until now, I still can't believe that Yelle has this kind of adoration in my company to the point that she was willing to move to New York just to work there.  I already notice that she was using my company's furniture when she did a project with Andrew. But I never imagine the reason behind her patronage of my furniture.

JD Legacy International is my company. I was only planning on doing a furniture business but David's situation with his family gave me the idea to offer Interior Design services which automatically a sales in my furniture business.

I wanted to see the excitement on Yelle's face as she share the news with Denise and her family. Good thing Yelle was done sharing the news and was discussing other stuff with Denise when Tanya noticed me.

I went to the laptop to show my face to Yelle. "Congratulations Wi-, I mean Yelle! I'm so proud of you!"

Yelle's reaction was epic. Her eyes widen when I almost called her wife she even blush which made her look cute.

"Thank you. But why are you in Mara's house this early?" She asked with an annoyed face.

I shrugged. "I got lazy to cook breakfast." I reasoned.

"Got lazy? But you have a maid in your house!"

I smirked at her. "How did you know that? Have you been in my house?" I said to tease her.

Her eyes widen and panicking. "O-of course not! Why will I go to your house?! I just assumed it because I know you're a busy man!" She reasoned while stuttering.

"Really?"

"Oh! Look at the time, I promise my family that I will call them at this time. Bye!" Yelle said and quickly end the call.

I burst out laughing which earn a dagger look from Tanya and Denise, and a known look from my brother.

"Yelle is starting to get allergic to you." Denise blurted out.

"I agree with Mom. Ninang didn't like it when I told her that she might meet you in New York since the headquarter of your company is there. Maybe you are one of the reasons why she wanted to leave this country."

Well, maybe it's a good thing that I married her before she went to New York. I told myself.

"It's a pity. I want you and ninang to end up together." Tanya added.

I was aware that this mother and daughter are trying to match make me with Yelle. And I'm sure they will be delighted when they found out that Yelle and I were already married.

They invited me for breakfast since I came to their home so early. Denise went up to prepare Tanya for school while I stayed with Maru drinking our coffee.

"Are you supposed to say wife a while ago?" Andrew suddenly asked.

I knew he was sensing something. It was visible on his face.

"What do you mean?" I said acting innocent.

He just smirked. "Vincent called me and share to me the news."

Vincent was the mayor who officiate my wedding. He was also friends with Andrew.

"Did he also tell the news to Mom and Dad?" I asked.

"I told him not to." Andrew just said.

Andrew's statement gave me a huge relief. I don't want the seniors to meddle in my business with Yelle. I want them to know about our marriage when Yelle and I were settled.

"I see that Mara wasn't aware that you own JDLI," Andrew commented again.

I nodded. "Will you tell her?"

"You should be the one to tell her. And from the looks of it, you need to find the right timing to tell her about it." Andrew said.

I smile and patted his shoulder. "Thanks, bro."

"We finally meet Ms. Laertes."

I have a meeting with Ms. Laertes, the CEO and President of Cabello International Corporation. She's also an Architect and Engineer. She was behind the success of her company which was inherited from her parents.

This year, JDLI wanted to extend our furniture and design services to the world. We offer all our services in America and Europe while in Asia, we only offer our furniture. But now, our company is ready to full blast in Asia. Especially now that I found a perfect company to partner with which is CIC.

The meeting was scheduled to last month but was not able to push through because she was busy with her wedding. She married the CEO of Laertes Hotels International.

"Same here, Mr. Feria or should I say Mr. Ottave?"

"You can just call me James," I said.

When I was starting my career in New York, I was using James Feria. Ottave is well-known all over the globe. Even though using my father's surname will give me a great advantage in my business, I don't want to live in my parent's shadow. It will depict the purpose of leaving my family to create my own empire.

"You can also call me Penelope or Ellie. I heard so much about you and Mr. Lewis. I'm really looking forward to the possible partnership with JDLI." Penelope said in a formal tone.

Penelope introduce me to her team, and I also introduce some of my team here in the Philippines and my team in the US (through video conference). The meeting started, and we laid out all our objectives and plans for the possible partnership. And I must say that this is a fruitful meeting. We saw how the objectives are similar to ours. And the plans to penetrate the targeted countries.

After the meeting, I invited Penelope and her assistant for lunch. We went to one of the Ottaves restaurants.

"I like the interior of this restaurant. It was different from the other restaurants of your family." Penelope commented.

I nodded at her. "You're right. This was a new restaurant that was launched last year. All the furniture here is from my company, recommended by their Interior Designer and my wife."

Penelope and Luna's eyes widen. "I didn't know you were married."

"It was a sudden marriage. We married a day before she went to the US." I said casually.

"Wait, she went to the US for what?" Luna asked curiously.

I saw Penelope pinch her to make her stop asking more questions about my wife. I don't mind though.

"She went to work in JDLI as an Interior Designer," I said like it was planned by me and Yelle.

I could imagine Yelle's reaction when she heard about this. I can't wait to see that.

"But you're staying here, right? Is that okay with the both of you to spend the first year of your marriage in long distance?" Luna became more curious.

I chuckled as I look at Penelope. She was trying so hard not to look interested in my situation with my wife.

"It won't be for too long. After our contract signing, I'll be staying in the US for a while to be with my wife."