Under The Cherry Blossoms – Chapter 9: Raviga Meeting

“Only ten days remain in our sessions, Lily,” Ethan announces.

“I know, Ethan. I can't believe how fast time has passed,” Lily replies, her tone tinged with melancholy.

“Time flies when you're having fun,” Ethan teases.

“Haha, that's true, I guess,” Lily replies, a soft sigh escaping her lips, "No Ethan, time flies when I'm with you."

“Anyway, let’s wrap up today's session. I have a meeting in Pasadena,” Ethan states.

“Oh, you seem to have many meetings,” Lily lightly prods.

“Perks of my position,” Ethan replies with a laugh.

“That's true,” Lily agrees, her gaze softening.

“Let’s…” Ethan starts, but his words are cut short by an abrupt knock on the meeting room door. “Come in.”

A flustered employee enters, his face flushed. “Mr. Harris, we have a major problem.”

“What's up, Harry?” Ethan inquires, raising an eyebrow.

“Sir, Caitlyn isn’t here today. She's stuck in New York due to flight cancellations,” Harry spills.

Sitting quietly, Lily's eyes dart between Harry and Ethan, questioning whether she should excuse herself or stay.

“Oh, I heard the storm there is worsening,” Ethan muses aloud.

“Sir, without Caitlyn, we don't have a project manager to lead the Raviga client meeting. She has always handled Mr. Franco, and without her, it won't look good,” Harry explains hastily.

“That indeed is a problem, but I'll inform Franco that we need to postpone the meeting,” Ethan suggests.

“No sir, ever since we raised our prices, Raviga expects top-quality products. Postponing might give them second thoughts about us,” Harry points out.

Ethan begins to mull over alternatives, his gaze lands on Lily. An idea flashes across his face. “What if we bring Lily along?”

“Huh?” Lily, caught off guard, points at herself. “Me?”

“Umm, sir, isn't she an intern?” Harry asks, his eyebrows shooting up.

“Yes, yes, am I not an intern?” Lily echoes Harry, her eyes widening in mock surprise.

“She is, but she's fully briefed on the Raviga project. She's been doing a great job,” Ethan states confidently.

“But sir, she's only been here a month. She may not be familiar with all our products,” Harry voices his concern.

Lily quickly nods in agreement with Harry, her anxiety starting to show through her fidgeting fingers.

“Thanks to the sessions we've had, she knows a great deal. Besides, the Raviga project requires only Polaris, which she's proficient in,” Ethan defends.

“Well, sir…” Harry is at a loss for words.

“We don’t have many choices. We either bring Lily or risk losing this project,” Ethan decides with a smile. “And remember, it was Lily who drafted the budget report you're all working on. She brainstormed all the innovative ideas for this project within a week.”

Ethan's words hang in the air as Lily listens, her chest swelling with a sense of accomplishment. The feeling swiftly subsides as she realizes the magnitude of the task ahead.

“I'm aware, sir,” Harry concurs.

“So it's settled then. Let's bring Lily,” Ethan declares, his gaze meeting Lily's, a reassuring smile playing on his lips.

Lily is left speechless, her mouth opening and closing but no words come out.

“Can you come, Lily?” Ethan asks.

“Ethan, I'm not sure if I'm...capable of handling such an important task,” Lily admits, her voice barely above a whisper.

Harry glances between Ethan and Lily as she addresses Ethan by his first name. A hint of surprise flashes across his face, but he chooses to remain silent.

“Don’t worry, Lily. I know you'll do fine,” Ethan reassures her with a warm smile.

“I'll give it my best shot, Ethan,” Lily manages to say, trying to summon some courage.

“Good. Harry, assemble the team working on Raviga. Let's discuss our strategy with Lily before heading to Pasadena,” Ethan instructs.

“Alright, sir,” Harry promptly exits the room.

“Pasadena?” Lily questions, her brow furrowing.

“Yes, Raviga's office is in Pasadena,” Ethan explains.

“Ethan, I don’t have a way to get there,” Lily confesses, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her shirt.

“No worries, I'll drive you there,” Ethan offers, his tone assuring.

“Okay,” Lily agrees, her voice barely hiding her lingering anxiety about the upcoming events.

Ethan's voice echoes in the room as he outlines the strategy for the Raviga meeting, his words leave a trail of disquiet. The team members glance at each other, their eyes eventually land on Lily. The room fills with a combination of surprised looks and furrowed brows - she is just an intern. Aisha and Daniel, who have been working on the project longer than Lily, hunch their shoulders subtly, a silent sign of their jealousy. Yet, they can’t deny a glimmer of respect for her hard work.

"So, it's settled. Harry, Lily, Matthew, and I will attend the meeting," Ethan declares, seemingly oblivious to the ripples his words are causing.

The room starts to empty out, but the unease lingers, materializing in hushed whispers.

"An intern leading the project?"

"Didn't she join just a month ago?"

"Will we be okay?"

Each question hangs in the air like a ticking time bomb.

Lily remains rooted to her spot, the hum of skepticism wraps around her like a chilly wind. A hand rests gently on her shoulder, shaking her from her thoughts. She turns to find Aisha, her eyes warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, Lily. You'll be fine," Aisha says.

Daniel pipes in from the other side, “Yes, no intern has ever been given such an opportunity. I know you'll do well.”

Lily manages a faint smile. “Thank you both.”

Across the room, Ethan beckons, “Lily, let's get going. We should leave now.” Harry and Matthew, looking somewhat more relaxed, are already by his side.

She nods at him and gives Aisha and Daniel a final glance. "I'll see you two later."

They send off their cheerful replies in unison, “Good luck, Lily.”

As they tread towards the elevator, Layla unexpectedly crosses their path.

"Hey, Lily! Where are you off to?" Layla calls out, wrapping Lily in an affectionate hug. The surprise on her face is genuine and welcoming. Trailing a few steps behind, Liam waves nonchalantly in their direction.

"We've got an off-site meeting, Layla," Lily clarifies, returning the hug just as warmly. "Harry, Mathew, Ethan, and I will be back late."

A few steps away, Ethan finds himself observing the exchange. There's a sensation of satisfaction, unspoken but present, stirring within him. He doesn't fully understand why, but it's a feeling he can't dismiss. When his eyes briefly meet Liam's, he notes that the other man's focus is solely on Lily and Layla. An unfamiliar smile tugs at Ethan's lips. Today, he would be sharing the day with Lily alongside the others. This, somehow, stirs a sense of victorious contentment within him, a feeling he cannot pinpoint but that boosts his confidence, enlivens him.

Breaking away from the scene, Ethan redirects his steps towards the elevator. There's an undeniable spring in his stride, his smile unwavering, a light of anticipation kindling in his eyes for the day ahead.

Pulling away from Layla's embrace, Lily offers her a wave. "Sorry, Layla. I've got to go." She then darts after Ethan, the echo of her heels against the polished floor a rhythmic testament to her departure.

The elevator doors slide closed behind Ethan, Lily, and the others, muting the outside world and sealing them away from Layla and an oblivious Liam. This start to the day is oddly satisfying to Ethan, a peculiar sweetness that he can't quite identify but appreciates nonetheless.

In the parking lot, the tension seems to lift slightly. Matthew and Harry hop into one car, while Lily gets into Ethan's GTO. As they pull out, Ethan’s car takes the lead, slicing through the quiet noon.

Ethan breaks the silence first, “When was the last time you visited Pasadena, Lily?”

“I usually go there with my brother. It’s been years since I last visited,” she replies, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.

Ethan hums in acknowledgment, his mind filing away the mention of her brother. A few moments pass before he asks, “So, are you nervous about today’s meeting?”

“Very, Ethan. I still think you shouldn't have asked me to do it,” she confesses.

Ethan gives a slight nod, his eyes still on the road, “Don’t worry, Lily. From our sessions, I know you are capable and you will do well.”

“Hopefully,” she replies, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

With a glance in her direction, he throws out his final question for the drive, “I trust you, Lily. Do you trust yourself?”

“I most certainly don’t,” Lily admits, her voice barely above a whisper.

A chuckle rumbles deep in Ethan's chest, the sound of it rippling through the tense atmosphere as they continue their journey.

The journey concludes smoothly as they reach Pasadena. After initial formalities with the Raviga staff, the Mystique Holding's team settles in the meeting room. Lily, though nervous, feels a sense of calm with Ethan by her side. Soon, a middle-aged, rotund man with long orange hair, a mustache, and a thick beard enters the room. The sight of him strikes Lily as resembling a retired Viking, the only divergence being his formal attire.

Ethan rises from his seat and introduces the team, shaking hands with the man introduced as Franco. Lily watches him, trying to pinpoint his accent. It seems vaguely Gutnish, but she isn’t certain.

With everyone settled, Ethan launches into the meeting, presenting the initial strategy and roadmap. "This is our preliminary approach. Now, Lily will elaborate on how our product will cater to your needs," he announces, casting an encouraging glance in Lily's direction.

As she gets up, Lily feels the room's attention shift to her. Her hands shake slightly as she moves towards the presentation board. Franco's inquisitive gaze follows her, his interest apparent.

"She seems quite young. How old is she?" he inquires.

"I'm 21, sir," Lily replies.

The surprise is evident in Franco's voice. "21? So, you've got an intern steering my project, Harris?"

Ethan's response is swift. “It's not as you think, Franco. Caitlyn is stuck in New York due to flight cancellations, hence Lily is leading today. But rest assured, she is competent.”

"Harris, Raviga is a huge ship with over 350 sailors. Are you seriously expecting me to go along with this?" Franco asks.

“I'm not asking for anything, Franco. But remember, when you hooked us for our AI, I joined because I trusted you. Now, just trust me, Lily is fully capable," Ethan shoots back.

Franco pauses, studying Ethan, then Lily. "Well, alright, if you insist... So, lass, ready to set sail?"

“Our... our product Polaris...” Lily begins, her voice barely audible.

Initially faltering under the pressure, Lily is at a loss for words. But catching a glimpse of Ethan's confident smile, she takes a deep breath. Ethan believes in her, and she decides to prove his faith right. She closes her eyes, counts to three, and with newfound determination, she commences her presentation with a strong, clear voice.

“Our product, Polaris, is an AI that can…” she smoothly transitions from explaining the product to its applications, justifying the high costs by emphasizing the time and effort required to develop such a large-scale product. As she speaks, everyone in the room watches her attentively, Ethan beaming with pride.

“...With this, I conclude my presentation on our revised pricing and its justification," Lily wraps up, taking a deep breath.

Everyone is taken aback by her professional delivery. She doesn't come across as an intern, but a seasoned professional.

"Well, you weren't bluffing, Harris. The girl knows her stuff," Franco concedes, clearly impressed.

“I knew she would," Ethan replies, the pride in his voice evident.

"Lily, isn't it? Keep up the good work. You guys can have those two months you're asking for," Franco announces, causing Matthew and Harry to exchange relieved smiles.

"But," Franco adds, his grin never wavering, "I'll be needing a full detailed report in ten days."

“That's a bit early, Franco,” Ethan interjects.

"I'm giving you two extra months and more funding. The least you can do is give me this," Franco responds, his grin holding steady.

Ethan, at a loss for words, simply agrees, and with that, the meeting concludes.

Harry breaks the silence, his voice filled with gratitude. "You've saved us, Lily," he says, a genuine smile spreading across his face as they step into the open air outside Raviga's imposing building.

"Without Caitlyn, we were toast," Matthew adds, his usual light tone carrying a note of sincerity.

Lily shakes her head, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "I'm sure if I had presented better, they would have granted us more time for the report."

Ethan turns to her, admiration evident in his gaze. "You did well, Lily. They just need some visual proof, that's all."

Harry, running a hand through his hair, chimes in, "True, but we still need a game plan for the project report. We're in the dark ourselves."

Ethan's eyes radiate calm determination as he addresses his team. "We'll find our way, Harry. But right now, we need to decompress."

Harry nods, visibly relieved. “Okay, sir.”

As twilight casts long shadows, Matthew suggests, "Since it's getting late..."

Ethan interrupts with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Yes, yes, go on home."

"Really? Thank you, sir," Harry replies, gratitude in his voice.

With a nod of thanks, the two men hurried away, leaving Ethan and Lily walking towards Ethan's GTO.

Lily turns to Ethan, curiosity in her eyes. "So, what's the deal with the accent?" she asks, referring to Franco.

“Accent? Oh, Franco. Well…” Ethan chuckles, a glint of amusement in his eyes, “I think he might have Viking blood, though who really knows?”

Lily blinks in surprise. “Oh.”

“But don’t mistake his choice of words; he's fluent in modern English. It's his style, you could say," Ethan explains, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Lily nods, her eyebrows knitting together in mild confusion. “I see.”

Ethan leans against his car, crossing his arms over his chest. "But Franco isn’t just some character; he's a key player in this business. His 'iron hook' has a reputation for snatching up companies."

“Iron hook?” Lily’s eyes widen.

“Yeah, it’s just a metaphor. He likes to invest, then usually takes over. He tried that game with us too, but we didn't bite," Ethan elaborates, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Lily falls silent for a moment, processing the information. “Oh...”

Laughing, Ethan pushes away from his car. “I'm probably boring you with Franco tales. Let's change gears. You must be hungry, right?”

Taken aback, Lily manages a surprised, “Hungry?”

Ethan looks at her, his eyes softened. “You haven't eaten anything today, have you? Between nerves and the early departure, you missed lunch.”

Lily smiles faintly, acknowledging his observation. “It's okay, I can eat at home.”

Ethan shakes his head, his tone firm yet gentle. “No, I insist. Today, I'm treating you.”

“Treating me?” Lily’s laughter fills the evening air.

“Yes, you saved Raviga today, didn’t you?” Ethan shoots her a playful smirk.

They reach Ethan's GTO, getting in and buckling up. The car roars to life under Ethan's touch.

“Or we could hit up Burger King,” Ethan teases, a chuckle in his voice.

Lily laughs heartily, shaking her head. “No, no, not Burger King. Not with you.”

“So, what's your plan?” Ethan asks, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Lily bites her lip, studying Ethan for a moment before asking, “Can I really choose anything?”

Ethan grins at her, his gaze warm. “Of course, Lily. Anything you want.”

“Then let's head to Solara Blossom Park, there's a Sakura festival there. I used to go there with my brother. It's been a while, though…” Lily’s voice drifts off, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Ethan blinks, taken aback. “Solara what?”

Seeing Ethan’s confusion, Lily quickly adds, “I mean, only if you want to go.” Her smile is pure, her eyes bright with anticipation. Caught off guard by her choice but captivated by her sincere smile, Ethan gives in. “Of course, Lily. Wherever you want to go.”

To be Continued