The smile on Krizia's face froze when she heard Arlan's words. "Mr. Roa, did I do anything wrong?" Her voice quivered.
Arlan hurriedly corrected himself. "No! I apologize for not being clear. Miss Krizia, I want you to work as my assistant. If you accept this offer, you will receive 5% of Pegasus Hotel's annual profit. Other than that, you will also get more benefits and bonuses."
Krizia heaved a sigh of relief. She had been working for the hotel for many years now and she had seen it grow to become one of the best in Asia. She was a bit reluctant to part with it, but Arlan's offer was very tempting. 5% of the hotel's annual profit was counted in millions of dollars. Not to mention the benefits and bonuses that he hasn't clarified. She would also get the opportunity to stay closer to her young boss whom she treated as her potential husband.
When she first saw Arlan, she had already wanted to form a deeper connection with him. He was rich and handsome. He was also very capable since he managed to own several business enterprises at his age. Unfortunately, she was too busy to even have the time to meet him.
"If I become your assistant, do I have to be with you at all times?" Krizia asked while curling her lips upwards.
Arlan was taken aback by her question. "My mansion in Forbes Park has many vacant rooms, you can stay there if you want. I can also help you purchase a property in Forbes Park." He replied. Krizia had to be with him all the time. She could give him some advice on different matters. Although she wasn't as smart as Winter, Krizia's communication skills were definitely better.
Krizia grinned as she extended her fair hand. "In that case, I'm willing to become your assistant."
Her smile was so beautiful. Arlan cleared his throat as he shook her hand. "Welcome aboard, Miss Krizia."
"You don't have to use honorifics, Mr. Roa. Just call me by my name." Krizia muttered as she let go of his hand.
"Alright, Krizia. Tomorrow, you will be coming with us to meet someone." Arlan still felt weird calling her by her name.
"Who are you talking about?" Krizia revealed a curious expression.
"Lieutenant General Rivera Agustin, have you heard of him?" Arlan grinned as he looked at her.
Krizia furrowed her eyebrows. "Isn't he the Commanding General of Maharlika armed forces? Why do we have to meet him?"
"It's like this..." Arlan didn't mind telling her this. He told her about the production of the weapons and his alliance with the De Guzman Family.
Krizia's expression hardened. "Mr. Roa, you're not planning to rebel, right?"
"Of course not!" Arlan laughed while shaking his head. "As to why I'm producing weapons, you'll know in two or three months. Just prepare a speech for me in case that old general asks me some sensitive questions."
Krizia heaved a sigh of relief. "Alright, Mr. Roa!"
Arlan spent the remainder of the day practicing his answers with Krizia. This was to ensure that he wouldn't slip up in his conversation with the commanding general tomorrow.
***
The next day, Arlan brought twenty guards with him including Karl to the arms corporation. Krizia was sitting nervously beside him and he could see her shoulders faintly trembling.
Arlan patted her shoulder as he muttered. "Relax. We are not going to fight the army. We will only talk with them."
"I know that you only brought those guards to ensure your safety. I'm just afraid that the commanding general would misunderstand this." Krizia worriedly said.
"That's true." Arlan nodded his head in agreement. "Karl said that this old general is a stubborn person and he might even make things difficult for us. However, the De Guzman Family will be present in our meeting so I don't think that old guy would cause too much of a ruckus."
Krizia smiled bitterly. "If only it was that simple. What if he informs the president about this? President Ferdinand Maracas Jr. has been at odds with the De Guzman Family. If he gets involved, we might have no choice but to cease the production of the weapons."
The De Guzman Family didn't support Ferdinand Maracas Jr. in the last presidential elections and this soured their relationship.
Arlan furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing this. Indeed, he didn't take the president's involvement into consideration. "That would be troublesome. Let's hope that Lieutenant General Rivera isn't completely loyal to the president." What he didn't lack at this moment was money. If something could be bought with money, he wouldn't hesitate to use it as long as it could help his cause.
"Don't tell me that you're planning to bribe him with money?" Krizia stared at him speechlessly.
Arlan shrugged his shoulders. "You can even guess what I'm thinking. I didn't bring you here for nothing." He chuckled.
Soon, they arrived at the factory of the Arms Corporation of Maharlika.
Dickoy Tuazon came to greet them.
"Greetings, Mr. Roa! I'm glad that you're here now. I couldn't sleep well last night knowing that the commanding general is coming here today. Please follow me to my office. Mr. Rex De Guzman is already waiting for you." Dickoy invited him inside his office.
Arlan told the guards to stay outside of the factory. He only brought Karl and Krizia with him inside.
When they entered Dickoy's office, Arlan saw Rex De Guzman sitting calmly on a chair with his legs crossed.
Rex smiled upon seeing them enter the office. "Good morning, Mr. Roa!"
Arlan shook hands with Rex as he greeted him. "It's good to see you again, Mr. De Guzman."
They exchanged pleasantries before they took their seats.
"By the way, this is Krizia Rosalez. She is my assistant." Arlan introduced Krizia to Rex and Dickoy.
"Greetings, gentlemen." Krizia smiled politely at them.
"Oh, to think that Mr. Roa could actually make the famous General Manager of the Pegasus Hotel work for him. I'm impressed." Rex knew Krizia's identity.
The group chatted about random matters before a person came to report the arrival of the commanding general. "Everyone, the Lieutenant General is here."
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com