After the conflict with Rey, Ari returned to the bathroom, put on her former clothes and quickly stormed out of Rey's room. The situation had become so uncomfortable to clear out the misunderstanding that she decided to head downstairs and confirm whatever both Rey and Ned had said. Turns out, that had been indeed Rey's room. No wonder the key card wasn't functioning. It was even more surprising to find out the rooms had been purposely connected, room B being a suite and room A being a single room.

"Will you be okay, madam? The chairman had specifically pre-booked the suite for you under special instructions." 

"The business centre is the best place for me to be at the moment. I have a lot of pending work for the event."

"Well, the AGM will have seven speeches expected of him, and as his secretary, I can not remain comfortable retiring when the chairman's guest is working overnight by herself."

"You don't need to inform him of my presence here. He hired me for this in person, and I have a certain way of executing my work. I hope you can understand me."

"That only means my colleague and I did a sloppy job for you to be here still."

Ari rubbed her neck to stop herself from throwing her mug of coffee at Ned's secretary. Her temper was being coaxed by the woman's reluctance to leave, but still, it would be uncouth of her to lose control on someone who had nothing to do with what had just happened moments ago.

"You should probably get some rest yourself. I shall take care of the draft myself since most of what's required is already done from your end, and no. Your drafts were exemplary. They provided me with a format to follow."

"If that is the case, I shall leave you to your work. Thank you, and I'll see you tomorrow morning, madam."

Resting her head on her palm, Ari wondered how a perfect day turned out sour just from a simple mistake. She admitted to mixing the rooms up, perhaps due to the receptionist informing her of Rey's room number. It was the last thing she could remember in her sleepy state. Slapping her forehead from embarrassment, she wished she'd have paid more attention.

'If Mun had been here, he'd have broken his ribs from laughter.'

Ari didn't know whether to celebrate or regret, considering coming into Rey's room saved her from Ned's trickery. Still, the matter went from bad to worse when Ned assumed Rey and her were in a relationship. That assumption bought her time; however, knowing Ned, he wouldn't stop at that. He still looked optimistic about pushing his luck, but then, the most crucial factor of all this was Rey. '

'Any respect he has for me is as good as gone. I can't redeem myself even if I try.'

Ari remembered Rey saying something while she dressed up in the bathroom but couldn't pick out his words, for her mind was ultimately out of it, dying from embarrassment with only one voice telling him to get out of there as fast as possible. 

"I take back my words, Mun. This was a total disaster, and I'm to blame for it all."

Ari hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep until she felt herself opening her eyes. She was relieved to find out she had a couple of minutes before the restaurant opened and resolved to wait for Rey as agreed the previous evening, something he wasn't looking forward to.

"May I sit here as I wait for my colleague to arrive?" Ari asked one of the food and beverage attendants.

"You are the chairman's guest, madam Ari?"

Ari seemed puzzled by the acknowledgement and nodded her head.

"He requested for a table to be reserved. I'll happily escort you to meet him if you don't mind."

Nodding, Ari followed the staff behind towards a far-end corner table with Rey and Ned sitting on it. They appeared to be in a deep conversation. It was only when she'd reached them did they notice her.

"Good morning, Ms. Ari," Ned spoke enthusiastically but hesitated momentarily. "You seem... dishevelled."

After dismissing the staff, Ari stared at the two, refusing to acknowledge how unsightly she appeared and inquired about the day's activities.

"I have a meeting in the afternoon, so I was planning on inviting you two to a golf tournament at seven but, I do not believe it will be something you'll fancy in your current state." Throwing an accusatory look at Rey, Ned chuckled. "How ruthless were you to have her looking disheveled as such...?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Rey retorted back, his comment leaving Ned even more confused.

Placing her laptop on the table, Ari opened it quietly and pushed it towards Ned. "I've done seven pages so far, which encompasses four speeches. However, the first page contains a summary of the contents with a simplified description." Pointing at a specific part on the screen, she added, refusing to clear their misunderstanding. "I got a draft of your former speeches from your secretaries and followed their format in this section. I found it simple and easier to read; however, the edits in this section will be amended later at the last minute. If you can go through the first page and give me your thoughts, I'll have something to work with."

From Ari's body language, it seemed that was not a request, and Ned almost laughed at her effort to avoid the subject. Skimming through, a smirk grew as he nodded his head continuously. "I'm impressed but not surprised, Ms. Ari. The introduction is perfect."

"I'm sorry...?" Ari's face beamed with relief.

"This is why I wanted to work with you. My secretaries normally repeat the final draft to a third or fourth revision, but you got it all right in your first attempt. As expected, your work is not sloppy, flawless to the end."

"This is just an incomplete draft, Sir. Ned... I mean Ned. There is still a lot more to be done..."

"Ms Ari, if you push yourself further than this, you might destroy your work, and we can't have that. Your secretary will take over from here for today. Right now, I'd like you to get some rest. I would have loved it if you used our room... Well, I hadn't planned on giving you any rest in the first place, but seeing how worn out you are, perhaps it's best to keep off your boyfriend for the remainder of the trip. I am a jealous man..."

"Sir Ned," Rey cut in. "I'll be honoured to take over from my superior, but I'll have you know that he and I are not in that kind of relationship."

"Well, that's some good news." Ned's expression lit up. "You won't come between us if I pursue him now, would you, Mr. Rey?"

"Can you two stop it? I want nothing to do with either of you, and please respect why we are here. Sir Ned, if you continue throwing your advances towards me from now on, I'll be forced to terminate the contract I signed with you to partake in this speech and Mr. Rey, you and I will somehow have to share the room. I don't have money to book a room because this hotel is costly. Therefore, once you return, wake me up, and I shall be out of your way."

Without waiting for Rey's reply, Ari continued, "I will take my luggage from your room, Sir Ned and transfer it to Mr. Rey's room. If you have a problem, then arrange the first flight for me out of this place."

Ned seemed amused by Ari's lost temper and offered to escort her upstairs. 

"No. I'll go by myself. Can both of you give me the keys and have the reception inform me once you return from your morning activities?"

Both Rey and Ned obliged after Ari growled at them. It was evident to them that was going to raise her voice if neither obliged. 

"You two should try and get along," Ned spoke once Ari had left. "I'm going to make her forget you. You made a big mistake when you decided to let her go."

"With all due respect, sir, I'm not interested in her. She is neither my type, nor do I fancy women that partake in men's promiscuity."

"I know. It was written all over your face yesterday night when I trailed my hand down your superior's cheek, and you stood behind her wearing a straight face. I meet people like you daily, Mr. Rey, and you're equally easy to read. If you can't stand your superior's presence, why don't you just quit?"

"I'm choosing to respect her as a human being even if I disagree with her personal preferences and work ethic."

"Yet you are aware that she yearns for you. I know you know."

"She is confused, that is all."

"Oh, I can assure you she isn't. Her mistake was to fall in love with someone like you. My job is to make sure she regrets it."