Chapter 114

**Acacia Point of View**

"We will get this. We surely will." I chanted to myself again and again to encourage myself.

I rubbed my hands in an attempt to calm my nerves down and go through the presentation in my mind again. If ID designs can get Thunders' new resort project, then ID's foothold in the city and in this part of the country will be very firm.

Not only we will earn a lot, the gate to further company development will open completely.

I glanced at Viva sitting beside me and noticed that she is answering new emails and checking the presentation again and again to make sure there is no mistake.

Beside us, behind and in front of us, there are several people who were sitting in their allocated seats for the same reason as mine. They are here to present their ideas after getting shortlisted.

The Thunders' wanted to establish a type of resort that was never seen before or something that is so attractive that people should expend a lot just to have a holiday there.

I, along with my team already went to the place where the resort should be built after we were given the details. Although I know that there was beautiful mountain ranges with a large water body in the middle, I never thought that it was not just a beautiful sight but the whole are gives of fantasy aura.

It was that beautiful! It's like a fantasy world!

That was when I and my team realized how tough this job is. To preserve the beauty of this whole place and yet set up a resort that does not disturb its beauty is tough.

What is tougher is that the establishments should compliment well with the natural beauty of the place. And on top of that, the theme of the resort should be unique.

This is truly challenging.

"Ms. Winters, I hope you are doing fine." I looked up to see Mrs. and Mr. Frost, the chairperson and Managing Director of Frost Structures. They have always been a tough business competition between us.

However, other than business rivalry, we are fine otherwise. We all know our limits to keep private and professional boundaries so this is something I admire about them.

"You old Frost people, you are really here." I grinned and shook their hands. They glared at me unceremoniously and scoffed.

"We are only at our early forties. Do you have to go as far as to call us old every chance you get?" Mrs. Frost threw her usual shades of attitude which did not really affect me.

"Right, the youngest people in the range of forties; happy now?" I countered back. "I thought you did not submit your profile to enter the project bid?"

"We were not free to take on this project initially. All our teams were pretty occupied but recently one of the projects from our Nevada branch are done and closed. So did some projects shuffling and handed the Utah project we were handling to them and enrolled our profile in the last minute. We can't let you have such a big project, now can we?" Mr. Frost explained and then challenged me confidently.

"There are others to compete with me, why should you get down in the muddied water? Don't you have a good enough strong company?" I sulked.

I'm sure these two are most probably here to give me a hard time. They do this a lot. If I am to get a project and they know they cannot win it, they will make sure I get it after sweating for it more than I can endure.

These two Frost foxes!

"This is a challenging and an interesting project." They shrugged and went on to take their assigned seats which is right beside me.

We talked for a while before the small meeting hall went silent. A man dressed neatly entered the room with several notepads and files in his hands. He went on to distribute them to each of us and proceeded to introduce himself.

"I'm Normann Ravize, the assistant to the CFO. He will be here any moment now please be seated everyone." He introduced and went on to adjust the projector and the screen and checked the lights again.

Soon we heard a couple of footsteps walking inside so I rubbed my wet sweaty hands on my dress and released a breath to calm myself.

I can do this.

We all stood up and welcomed him. The doors opened and we all stood there with lot of anticipation swimming inside us.

And the moment the CFO entered the room, I looked up putting on professional smile which soon went down when I saw the person who walked inside.

My heart pounded and my eyes, without knowing released series of tears. For a minute there, I forgot where I am and for what reason I was there.

"Hello everyone, I'm Marcus Winters, the CFO and the one who is responsible for the resort project from Thunders'. It's very nice to meet you all." He introduced everyone with a smile.

But when he looked at me, I saw a sudden change of emotion in his eyes which went away before I could confirm.

Viva must've felt my sudden change in mood, she nudged me and composed myself right away. Thank goodness no one saw me crying so I wiped the tears away and inhaled exhaled for a few times.

Once I controlled my emotions, I looked back at my dad who is now not more than a stranger. Several emotions swirled inside me that I kept buried inside all these years.

"What happened? You look out of sorts just now?" I shook my head at Viva and she did not ask about it anymore.

"Dawn, don't you think Mr. Winters and you share some similar features? He should be a distant relative since you share some similar features and same surname." Viva said as she smiled at my dad in a familiar manner.

It was then that it hit. The grandpa money that Igses kept talking about is none other than dad. He was the one who got him pets and introduced his family to the little guy.

Seems like the blood does calls out for own even when you cannot remember. However I don't know if I should be happy or not about this sudden development.

The more they get close to me, the more it pains me for several reasons. I wonder why the fates are playing such cruel jokes on me always.

"As per the requirement document we circulated among you all before, we, Vaettir Industries, aside from Thunders' academy and gym, are going to enter into hotels and resorts. The Vaettir resorts will first start its journey from Niversend lake and mountain ranges. This is the most important plan for our Vaettir Industries and so we expect nothing but from you all." He went on to explain and I just sat there listening to him.

He looked at me casually while talking without displaying any familiarity which hurt me again. I know he doesn't know who I am and I'm no different from a stranger but it still hurt my heart.

"We will start the presentations now." He announced. The company representatives went one after another to explain their basic ideas and plans.

It was finally our turn to present our ideas and plans so Viva went on to take the job. I was supposed to give the presentation but she must've realized that I'm not in right mood so she took the job over.

And I'm happy for that because I don't think I have any strength to talk before my dad when all these years I've been crying for them.

Once the presentations are over, a copy of those presentations and the documented version of those plans were sent to the assistant, Normann.

I intentionally prepared a very vague idea in the presentation and gave a defined explanation in the document that will only be seen by the Vaettir Industries people.

This is one of the simple strategies that we all use to gain upper hand over others and shock them later on.

After the meeting is done, everyone started to leave once they chatted with dad a little. It's a common etiquette to greet the host before we leave so I stood behind everyone.

"Ah, this must be Mrs. -" Dad started but I cut him off telling him that it's Ms.

"Ms. Winters then, yes? You are amazing Igses' mother." This time, his smile was genuine and filled with joy.

It seems like my little guy was right about this grandpa of his. Dad indeed treats him wholeheartedly despite not knowing about his relationship with him.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." I nodded and gave a polite smile. At this moment, I don't know if I should be happy that my dad is here in front of me or hurt because he can never be my dad in future.

It gives a weird kind of pain and not even my deadliest enemy should have to go through such cruel situation ever.

"Pleasure is mine, young lady. You have an amazing smart son. I have to say that although you are young, the way you are raising the little one is commendable." Of course, I learnt it from you and mom.

When had you both ever neglected me and Liam? You both were so particular about bringing up your children so how can I not learn and do the same to my child?

"Right, that little guy must be at my house accompanied by my wife and son. Why don't you come over? I will introduce to my family and instead of sending a driver to pick up Igses, you can take pick him up yourself." I immediately shook my head at that suggestion.

"I still have few appointments, sir. Meeting you family must be postponed for a later date." Dad thought for a moment and nodded.

"If so, then you can meet them the coming Sunday. My son promised Igses and Noemi to take them to kids market. You might as well join us, both the children were so excited when they heard of Kids market." I nodded my head with a small smile and accepted his offer.

We will be coming face to face more often from now on, if I keep my distance intentionally, then it would affect Igses too. That little guy loves dad, mom and Liam to a great extent.

So why don't I prepare for future with a strong firm heart?!

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

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