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Miguel Holguín. There's a lot that can be said about our blonde-haired friend. He's polite. He's adventurous. His love and uncanny skills for music are matched only by his deep fondness and expertise with horses that rivals that of any horse girl fresh out of Kentucky. And he's a pretty darn good cook, too. But the main trait about Miguel which he is so well known for that connects all that there is to his person is his passion. No matter what he's doing this fellow doesn't do anything halfheartedly. Especially when it involves his work.
You see, Miguel works as an architectural designer. Creating building plans, making 3D renders of the future structure, sketching technical drawings. Every literal nook and cranny that goes into commercial and residential buildings is designed by this bright and bubbly blonde. As a child – Miguel was always fascinated by the big, pretty buildings from his artist father's native city of Valencia, Spain that he would show him both pictures that he took and paintings that he personally drew. And his American mother who worked as a forewoman for a construction company told her son about the many buildings that she oversaw and would even take him to cut the ribbon for some of the structures when they opened to the public. So it was no surprise to his parents or his friends when Miguel expressed an interest for a career in architecture. And one five-year architecture degree and a several night art classes later – he achieved his goal. Now Miguel is a recognized professional in his field and respected among his peers at the sizable architect firm he works for.
Which brings us to the meat of this story, and how his greatest adventure began. And it all started with a simple question in the break room...
"Come on, Miguel! Quit dodging the question! Would you rather rob a bank with Tom Cruise or dress in drag and be Pierce Brosnan's arm candy for a spy mission?" Asked the expectant voice of one Tulio Alfaro, Miguel's coworker and best friend, as he pointed the chopsticks that he was using to eat his takeaway chow mein with a similar expectant energy.
"I'm not dodging the question, Tulio. I'm just trying to figure out how we started talking about our plan of action with the blueprints for the Thornton Estate project to talking about which movie star we'd play opposite to." Miguel said with an amused grin, looking up from his chicken salad wrap.
"You say that like you're not talking to the number one multitasking employee of D.W. Architects. I can talk about blueprints, movie stars, project bidding, sex and why Sherlock Holmes is the popularized Oreo knock-off to C. Auguste Dupin's original but disrespected Hydrox over the course of ten minutes." Tulio stated with a proud expression.
"Oh yes. And the team never ceases to be impressed by your superior multitasking skills. Although some of the guys on the team could go without the talk about your sex life. Or rather, the talk about how you regard their lack of a sex life." Miguel said with a knowing grin.
"Hey, it's not my fault that two thirds of the guys here have personalities like wax strips with none of the relief that comes after you rip it off. If you can't figure out how to navigate a first date without acting like you read from a mail-order “dating for dummies” guidebook, that's a you problem." Tulio replied with a wave of his hand which made Miguel laugh.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! You missed your calling, darling. You should have been a matchmaker and help people become the best versions of themselves to find their Prince Charming or fair lady." The blonde said.
"Pfft! No way. Last thing I need is some starry-eyed young lover thinking that life is a trashy romance novel. Or worse, some bat-shit crazy parent who still believes in dowries trying to find their kid a wife or husband." Tulio replied.
"Fair enough." Miguel said as he went back to eating his wrap.
"So anyway, enough about the miscellaneous filler talk. You told me that you had some great news." Tulio said.
"Mmm!! Frighgt!" Miguel exclaimed with a mouthful of food, hastily swallowing it before he proceeded to talk. "I finally closed on that ranch property! Deed and all, it's officially mine. Three and a half acres! The owner even knocked down fifty grand from the original price because I promised to keep the papaya trees."
"Seriously? Hot damn, Miguel that's amazing!" Tulio exclaimed with a smile.
"I know! All of those extra hours and late-night technical art tutoring sessions paid off. Just think, Tulio. I'm one step closer to my dream home. Wide open spaces, growing my own fruits and vegetables, a lake that provides me with water as well as a place to fish at and enough space for a horse." Miguel said, practically bouncing in his seat with excitement.
"You really got it made, Miguel. I'm proud of you." Tulio said, nodding approvingly to the blonde.
"Thanks, Tulio. And with this - I'm also one more step closer to having my dream pet. My very own horse!" Miguel exclaimed happily.
"Ah yes. The main goal within the secondary goal. Are you gonna have a marathon of that horse furry anime in commemoration?" Tulio asked.
"First of all, they're not horse furries. Show some respect, Alfaro. And secondly, I was going to celebrate by inviting you and Amelia to my housewarming party. Quality over quantity and all that." Miguel said with a smile.
"Oh yeah, I didn't tell you? Me and Amelia broke up last week." Tulio said.
"You did!? Oh Tuli. I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I was so caught up with finishing that remodeling project for the local park that I didn't think to check in with you. I would have dropped everything if you told me." Miguel said, giving a sympathetic and guilty frown.
"I know, darling. That's why I didn't tell you. No need to distract you with the break-up of the week. It was mutual anyway. Amelia wanted something different. And since I'm not a chameleon and can turn into different colors of the rainbow, we called it quits." Tulio said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Well that's good, I guess. Still I feel bad, Tulio. I know that you really liked her." Miguel said.
"Heh, heh. I guess I can't say I didn't have high hopes. She wanted the good times to roll without labels. And usually, I'm fine with that. But lately? I don't know. I've been feeling kinda restless. Like I want good times with just one person from now on, instead of picking one person out of a dozen lovers on demand to have a good time with. You know what I mean?" Tulio asked.
"Yeah, I think I do. It's kind of like now that you've done things the same old way for so long, you want something new. Something different that you haven't experienced before." Miguel said.
"Yeah. that's exactly it. Spoken like a man who's going through the same thing." Tulio said with a slight smile.
"Heh, heh. I guess I am. Actually, I've been feeling that way because of the job." Said Miguel as he looked into his wrap as if the mayonnaise and poultry mixture held all of the answers.
"How come? Is the workload getting too much? Or too little?" Tulio said.
"Yes...Well, no. I mean, kind of. But not really." Miguel said.
"Would you like to buy a vowel?" The brunette asked with a sarcastic grin which made Miguel scoff in amusement.
"Really funny, Pat Sajak. What I'm trying to say is that I just feel...restless. Like everything has become so routine here. Even when I work a new project, I'm doing it with the same people in the same office in the same state that I've lived in for the past fourteen years. Don't get me wrong, I love California. And I love working with you and the rest of the team. But lately, I've just been wanting something new. Something more." Miguel said.
"Aha! Sounds like you got the classic creature of habit blues. A tale as old as time indeed." Tulio said.
"Yeah well, if I don't find something to shake things up for me soon, I fear I won't get much more than this provincial life." Miguel said as he dramatically finished eating the last of his wrap.
"Hey, come on Miguelito. You always manage to find something new. And even if you don't find it yourself, opportunity always comes your way when you least expect it." Tulio assured.
Just then a coworker, a cheery young woman named Leslie known for dying her hair in different vibrant colors, came into the break room and walked over to the friends.
"Hi, Miguel! Hi, Tulio. Boss wants everyone front and center in the VIP conference room. Big announcement!" Leslie exclaimed, her periwinkle blue dyed curls bouncing as if to emphasize her excitement.
"An announcement? But I thought everything major was covered in the company newsletter." Miguel said, confused but also intrigued.
"Yeah, but this is something of a last-minute announcement that the principal and director wanted to give as a surprise." Leslie replied.
"That so? And no one knows anything about what it could be?" Tulio asked.
"Nope. Not even ol' Brennon 'Bristles' the janitor knows. And he's been keeping his ear open to hear even the littlest tid bit of info." Leslie said.
"Wow! If Brennon doesn't even know, this this is big. We should go and check!" Miguel exclaimed as he stood up and followed Leslie out of the breakroom.
"H-Hey! Wait up! I can't...dine and...dash!!" Tulio called out to the pair, quickly slurping down the rest of his chow mein as he followed after the two.
Within a few minutes the best friends and their coworker made it to the VIP conference room. They've all been here in separate instances during the time they spent working at D.W. Architects, but even with that it was still an impressive sight to behold each time. Wenge hardwood flooring, a chrome table that was at least twenty feet long and had a dozen chairs on either side, a premium leather sectional couch in the corner of the room with a wide coffee table, a crystal chandelier, a projector used for presentations and floor to ceiling windows with a spectacular view of the Old Fresno Water Tower and the area around it. At the head of the table stood the company principal, a tall and somewhat muscular man named Gerard Morrison who Tulio often said looked like the mild-mannered alter ego of Randy Couture, and beside him was the shorter and lanky director Arnold Sterling. Between his expressive facial expressions and the distinct gait of his walk, Miguel always felt like he was observing the living embodiment of the 12 Principles of Animation in the way Humphrey behaved and moved about. Once the three other employees took their seats, Gerard cleared his throat and spoke first.
"Afternoon, everyone. Glad to see you're all here. I'm sure that you're wondering why I called all of you here to the VIP meeting room." Gerard greeted, his baritone voice naturally carrying throughout the room without needing to raise his tone.
"Definitely, boss man. You don't usually make last minute announcements like this." Said a young man, one of their architectural drafters.
"And to call in the whole crew must mean that it's really big." Added a slightly older woman, a longtime job captain, from the back of the room where she sat on the sectional couch.
"Very true. I don't make announcements like this often. And the fact that I am proves that it is, in fact, really big. Arnold, if you'd take the floor and explain." Gerard said, turning to his right hand. Arnold cleared his throat with a flourish as he stood up straighter, Miguel silently noting the display of Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose Actions in his motions, then he spoke. The British drawl in his tenor-pitched voice very clear.
"Well met, my distinguished colleagues! As Gerard said, what we have to share is very big. As you all are aware, we've been angling to partner up with other architecture firms in different countries to expand ourselves and put D.W. Architects on the map. And up to now we've had potential partners nibble on a deal but never really biting. But today, ladies and gentlemen, that has changed! We're in talks to partner with none other than Colombia's premier architecture firm Rosario Designs Inc.!" Arnold exclaimed
At this, everyone did a double take as gasps erupted throughout the room. Even the normally stoic janitor Brennon looked uncharacteristically shocked.
"Rosario Designs Inc.!? You mean the very same architecture firm that's rated four in the top ten firms in the world and is hailed as number one in all of South America!?" Asked Leslie in shock.
"The Rosario Designs Inc. that founded the architecture scholarship for both residents and exchange students?!" Asked another young woman.
"The Rosario Designs Inc. that has the biggest collection well-maintained older carpentry tools used for maintaining historic buildings?! THAT Rosario Designs Inc.!?" Asked an older fellow in amazement.
"The very same, Leslie and friends! Their director reached out to us, personally stating that they want to collaborate with us on the annual maintenance of the Historical Museum of Cartagena de Indias in Cartagena." Arnold explained with a smile.
At this, a new wave of gasps erupted from the employees followed by a roar of cheers and applause. Gerard and Arnold smiled at the enthusiasm of the group, then the principal cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Exciting as this is, though, there is a condition that we must meet in order to make this partnership official." Gerard said. This made everyone settle down and turn their attention to their boss, at which he continued. "Rosario Designs Inc. wants to partake in an employee exchange. We give them one of our employees to go to Colombia to personally work with their team on the restoration maintenance for the museum, and they give us one of their employees to get a firsthand look at all that goes on here in D.W. Architects. If we both do well on the project in Colombia and the employee likes what they see here in Fresno, they'll publicly declare themselves partners with our firm and sign on with us."
"And as a show of good faith, the director of Rosario sent their employee already to begin the exchange! That same employee will then choose who among you will be the lucky ducky who gets to soak up the sun and culture that Cartagena has to offer for the next three months." Arnold added. He then walked towards the back entrance of the conference room and opened the door as he called out to someone inside the other space. "You can come in now, miss!"
Everyone watched with bated breath as Arnold stepped back and held the door open for someone to come inside the conference room. They heard the distinct click of heels on the hardwood floor as the person, presumably a woman, walked down the hallway of the back entrance. To Miguel and Tulio's ears the clicks of the heels indicated someone with a steady, confident walk. Tulio also caught a distinct little jingle that only comes from heavy, dangling jewelry made of real metal and precious stones. Finally the one responsible for that sound walked in. It was in fact a woman. And a very gorgeous woman at that. She was average height, maybe a little shorter, and had a curvaceous figure with dark olive-toned skin. Long dark hair with short bangs flowed freely and stopped just below her hips. She had two square gold earrings and a thick turquoise bangle bracelet, which were likely the sources of that distinct jingling Tulio heard. The woman had on a chiffon white business suit with a pleated long skirt, a sharp matching colored blazer that was left open to reveal the coral pink button-up blouse and beige-colored sandals with kitten heels. As was said, she was a very gorgeous woman. And quite stylish, at that.
The woman smiled to the staff and gave a two-finger salute.
"Hey there, everyone! Chel Solano is the name, and architecture is my game. Specifically interior designing. Sorry to spring this and myself on you all so soon, but my head honcho wanted to get the ball rolling for the restoration. Idle hands and all that, you know. Anyway, it's really nice to meet you all." The woman, Chel, said as she spoke with a vibrant and charming tone.
Everyone was utterly enraptured as the woman spoke. Not only was Chel a captivating figure herself, but to have someone from a firm as reputable and esteemed as Rosario Designs Inc. be here in their humble office was like a dream no one wanted to wake up from. Especially not Miguel, was practically bouncing in his seat at the table.
"Wow! An interior designer from Rosario Designs Inc. is actually here. In our office! Can you believe this, Tuli?" Miguel asked to his best friend. When he got no answer, he turned to his left to look at the other man. "Tulio?"
When Miguel turned to look at Tulio he saw that his face was entirely focused on Chel. He stared at the woman with wide eyes full of surprise, admiration and wonder. He didn't even blink. Just stared at the woman who was talking to the team and explaining certain things about her own architecture firm. Miguel hasn't seen that kind of expression on Tulio's face for quite a long time. Could it be because...?
"But of course, we can't have Ms. Solano going through our company without a proper guide. Which one of you would like to volunteer?" Gerard asked to his employees, his question breaking Miguel's train of thought.
Before anyone else started to raise their hand, Tulio suddenly stood up.
"I can!" Tulio proclaimed.
Everyone else turned to look at the brunette man. Some surprised by his sudden explanation. Others muttering in disappointment that he spoke up first. Miguel was surprised, but that soon changed to a knowing giddiness. He knew exactly why Tulio offered to act as Chel's guide. And it had everything to do with that face he had just a moment ago. Looking at the woman herself, the blonde saw that she had a surprised expression at the sudden offer from the brunette man. But that surprise quickly turned into a half grin that expressed a certain look of interest.
"Well, if there's one thing I like it's a 'can do' attitude. What's your name, honey?" Chel asked as she walked over. Everyone watched as Tulio met her halfway, giving a grin of his own as he held out his hand.
"Tulio Alfaro, Ms. Solano. I'm one of the BIM managers here at D.W. Nice to meet you." Tulio said.
"Really? I've always had a big respect for the BIM sector of architecture. Nice to meet you, too, Tulio. And since you'll be my guide for the next three months - just Chel is fine." The woman said as she shook Tulio's hand.
"Well then! It seems that settles that. Now there's just the matter of choosing which of our best and brightest will be going to Cartagena to work on the museum." Arnold said with a smile.
"Right! Hmm...let's see..." Chel trailed off as she looked over the room filled with employees. "We need someone who's fluent in Spanish. Someone with specialized certifications. And someone who specializes in architectural design."
With every descriptor Chel listed off, Miguel's eyes widened in realization and hope. He spoke fluent Spanish. He had specialized certifications. And he was an architectural designer. It was like the job was made for...
"You!" Chel's voice suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone in the room, as she pointed a manicured finger right at Miguel.
Tulio was silent.
Gerard was silent.
Arnold was silent.
The rest of the team was silent.
And the blonde in question was silent.
You could hear the dangling crystals from the chandelier tinkle as they swayed from the gentle breeze that came fluttering in from the open window. Finally, the silence broke as Miguel pointed at himself and spoke.
"M...Me?" Miguel asked slowly, like he didn't believe his own ears.
"Yes, you! I did my homework on all of you here before I arrived, honey. It's my job to know what works for a room and what doesn't, after all. And that includes the kind of people that do and don't work for a room." Chel said.
"Tch! I need to remember that line the next time my ex-wife bugs me..." Muttered one of the men sitting on the sectional couch, to which another male elbowed him in the side and shushed him.
"Now don't get me wrong. There were a lot of talented people here at D.W. Architects to choose from. And it wasn't an easy choice. But I read your file. Miguel Holguín, thirty-one years old. A valued employee for the past six years. Graduated at the top of your class in architecture school with a bachelor's degree, and youngest to get your design credentials and full architecture license. You've hit the ground running even before you joined D.W. Your portfolio is filled with all sorts of stuff you did from side jobs and personal projects. You got a flare for all things bold while keeping it classy. That's what the director at Rosario Designs Inc. wants. And that's why I'm picking you, Miguel." Chel explained, finishing her words with a confident smile and a nod.
Everyone went silent again. Miguel especially, who just blinked in shock. Then the conference room erupted with cheers as everyone rushed to congratulate their colleague.
"Congratulations, Miguel! I'm so happy for you, man!" Leslie exclaimed as she hugged the blonde.
"Way to go, champ! If anyone deserves this job, it's you!" Brennon stated proudly as he clapped a hand on Miguel's shoulder.
"We know you'll do us proud, Miguel. We have high hopes for you." Gerard said with a wide smile as he shook his employee's hand.
"Thank you so much for undertaking this job, Miguel!" Arnold exclaimed, practically crying tears of joy.
Miguel blinked again, looking around at the room of cheering people. As his eyes finally landed on the grinning Chel and Tulio who was giving him two thumbs up. But eventually, as the realization of what was happening fully struck him, he began to smile. And his smile got wider and wider before he stood up and walked over to Chel, taking her hands into his as he gave a grateful bow.
"Thank you, Ms. Solano! I promise that I'll do an exceptional job on this project!" Miguel stated passionately.
A week later...
After a lot of planning for logistics and setting up his lodgings in Cartagena, Miguel was finally at the airport waiting for his plane to get ready so he could board and hit the great blue skies for Colombia. Chel efficiently set Miguel up in an apartment that's just half an hour away from Rosario Designs Inc. and had a nice scenic spots and restaurants within walking distance. Two of the top employees for Rosario have been briefed and will be waiting at the airport for Miguel when he arrives. So for now the blonde was giving his final farewells to Tulio, Chel, Leslie, Gerard and of course his parents.
"My dear son! I couldn't be prouder of you than I am now! It's like I'm seeing my fletching sore from the nest for his great migration." Said Miguel's father, Evaristo, said as he smiled brightly despite the tears welling at the corners of his eyes.
"You're gonna take that project by storm and wow the crowd, sweet pea! I know that you'll carve your mark like a skater makin' a figure eight." Miguel's mother, Jolene, said with an equally wide smile. In her case she couldn't help the tears falling from her eyes, though they were tears of pride.
"Thank you, papa! And thanks a bunch, mama! I'll admit I'm a little scared, but I'm going to work hard on doing a good job." Miguel said, smiling just as brightly as his parents.
"Ah, don't worry mi cielo. You'll do great because you're a shining example of excellence." Evaristo stated in a matter of fact-tone.
"Damn right! You're brighter than any ol' firefly in the summer, Miguel. And even when things get hard, you never let them dim your light." Jolene said with a reassuring tone.
Meanwhile, Tulio and the others were off to the side and blinking back the radiance of the Holguín family.
"I wish they'd dim their lights just a little bit. These lenses aren't transition..." Leslie muttered, pulling her now purple-dyed curls to cover up her prescription glasses.
"And I thought Solano was my name. Miguel and his parents may just be sun people trying to spread the white-hot intensity from the surface of their home planet." Chel said with an amused half grin.
"Eh, you get used to it. Just put on sunglasses if you take a picture of them and turn off the flash feature. Unless you wanna get literally blindsided by those pearly whites." Tulio said, his eyes squinted to level he mastered from years of knowing Miguel and his parents.
"Yeah. I'll never forget when poor Arnold found out the hard way when he offered to take a picture of Miguel with Mr. and Mrs. Holguín at the anniversary party last year. He thought we were just joking when he told him to put on sunglasses. And the next day his optometrist showed him that we weren't." Gerard added, shaking his head in amusement at the memory of Brennon taking the blinded director to the men's room to give him eyedrops as Arnold dramatically screamed in agony about 'his perfect blue eyes'.
Just then an announcement came over the speaker system.
"Your attention, please! Your attention, please! Will everyone boarding Flight 338 please come to the West gate for boarding? I repeat, Flight 338 for Fresno to Cartagena is now boarding." The voice spoke.
"That's me." Miguel said, then turned to his friends and family and sighed heavily. "Three months. I've been living here for half of my life and now I won't be able to get my favorite gyro bowl from Granny Buckley's food truck for ninety days."
"Don't worry, darling. I'll eat two bowls in honor of you." Tulio assured with partial sarcasm, making the blonde snort in amusement.
"I bet you will. I hope that you'll enjoy your time here in Fresno, Chel. It's a great place - and Tulio knows all the best spots to hang out at." Miguel said with a smile.
"Good to know. I'll definitely make full use of his knowledge." Chel said.
"Have a safe trip, Miguel. And call us at the office once you've settled into the apartment. We have high hopes for you." Gerard said as he shook Miguel's hand, and he shook his boss's hand back with professional enthusiasm.
"I sure will, Gerard. And thank you. I promise that I won't let you and the team down." Miguel assured.
Once again, an announcement rang over the speakers.
"Your attention, please! Your attention, please! This is the final boarding call for Flight 338 at the West gate for Fresno to Cartagena." The voice spoke.
"Shoot! I gotta get going! Love you, mama, papa! I promise I'll call!" Miguel stated as he quickly hugged his parents.
"And we'll be waiting, son! Safe travels!" Evaristo said cheerily as he hugged his son while patting his head.
"Knock 'em dead, sweet pea." Jolene said encouraging as she hugged her son and kissed his cheek.
"Bye, Leslie! Don't try that new phoenix rising red hair dye without me to see it in person." Miguel said as he gave his coworker a hug.
"Don't worry! I'll be saving it for your triumphant return!" Leslie assured as she hugged him back.
Finally Miguel turned to Tulio, smiled brightly and patted him on the arm.
"See you in three months, Tuli. Promise me that you'll stay adventurous even without me." Miguel said.
"Sure thing, Miguelito. Long as you promise me that you'll listen to that little voice and actually quit while you're ahead. I won't be there to reign you in." Tulio replied with a grin as he patted his friend on the arm in kind.
"Heh, heh! It's a deal. Shake on it?" Miguel said as he held out his other hand.
The two then proceeded to do the signature handshake they've had since they were teenagers. And with that, Miguel hurried to the West gate. Everyone called out their last goodbyes to Miguel as he left. Then they hurried to the window on the opposite side and watched as the airplane with 338 stamped on the side take flight and leave the ground. Tulio smiled widely as he watched the plane leave. While he didn't know what would ultimately come of this potential deal with the other firm, he knew one thing. Miguel will be alright no matter what's thrown his way. It's just how he is.
"You hardly need it, darling, but good luck." Tulio thought to himself.
Up in the plane from where he sat in his seat, Miguel looked down at the ground as his hometown was becoming no more than a tiny dot as the airplane got further and further. Then, within half an hour, the entire state of California was barely visible below the clouds. He then leaned back into his seat and sat back, slowly taking in a deep breath then finally breathing out. He's doing it. He's actually going on his first big project that wasn't just a few hours away from Fresno. It was a whole continent away. This isn't something that he expected to be happening to him. And just when he thought he had plateaued into a routine life. Looking out the window one last time, Miguel let a small yet eager smile cross his face.
"Hm...I guess fate works it's magic when you least expect it." Miguel said to himself, then closed his eyes as he let the smooth ride of the plane lull him to sleep.
Some hours later in Cartagena, Colombia...
As the time passed and Miguel's plane grew closer, in the lively port city of Cartagena someone else going through their own preparation. And that person was the top employee with whom Miguel would be working alongside for the next three months. Ichtacka Gallardo is a born and raised resident of Cartagena - the only son between his loving parents, a port agent mother and a university professor father. Growing up he became something of a prodigy; honing an array of different talents from playing instruments to horseback riding to even martial arts. Ichtacka was a perfect mix of brains and brawns and was spoiled for choice with careers. But ultimately the hammers and blueprints of the world of architecture called his name. He liked building plans with logical and sound designs, the symmetrical structure of properly constructed buildings and most of all he was especially passionate about the history of the many buildings throughout his city. Ichtacka made it his personal duty to ensure that any and all historical restoration jobs and subsequent maintenance of historic buildings were done with the utmost care. This same duty-bound passion is what earned him an esteemed place both within Rosario Designs Inc. and among the general architecture community in Cartagena.
So it was no surprise when his boss put Ichtacka in charge of working with the employee who was coming in from Fresno, California for the maintenance and restoration job at the Historical Museum of Cartagena de Indias as part of the employee exchange. From what he was told about the American architecture firm and his own research, D.W. Architects has made quite a name for themselves with home contracts, public jobs done for the city's architecture and niche assignments. Though the company was small in size and mainly stayed local they had a team of apparent rockstar employees. And from what Chel told him in her last test, a star of an architectural designer would be working with Ichtacka for the museum's restoration. He had to admit; he was kind of excited about it. So much so that he told Chel not to send him any pictures of this great designer, and to just give him a name. He wanted to be fully surprised when they met.
Miguel Holguín. An intriguing name, that's for sure. He wondered if the face matched the name...?
"...cka? ...Ich...tacka? ...Hey, Ichtacka!" Called a voice to Ichtacka's right that snapped him out his thoughts.
"Hm!?" Ichtacka said, shaking his head a bit and blinking rapidly as he stared down the road he was driving to get to the airport. He then turned to look at his right and saw the concerned face of his colleague at Rosario Designs Inc. and friend, Chimali Oleastro.
"There you are, friend! For a moment I thought your mind was waiting up ahead at the airport, what with that faraway expression you had." Chimali said.
"Ah. I'm sorry, Chimali. I was just thinking about meeting with the employee from the American architecture firm. I guess I let my mind wander." Ichtacka admitted as he turned his eyes back to the road.
"Oh yeah! Chel texted me about him, too. Said that the guy has some very impressive credentials. And a pretty impressive pedigree with his parents, too. His mother works in construction has and is responsible for helping build several impressive structures while his father is an accomplished artist best known for his building paintings. Seems like architectural design was inevitable for him." Chimali said.
"It seems that way. Well, with any luck this project will lead to a beneficial partnership between our firms." Ichtacka replied.
"With you on the job? We don't need luck, Ichtacka! You're not called the Ace of Rosario for nothing." Chimali said with an encouraging smile.
"Though I do appreciate your faith in me, old friend, you're the only one who actually calls me the Ace of Rosario." The long-haired man said with a slight grin.
"Yeah, but I don't call you that for nothing. So my point still stands." Chimali said with a confident smirk which made Ichtacka chuckle.
Finally, the pair arrived at the airport. They made their way inside and headed for the gate where the plane for the Fresno to Cartagena would land at. The two men stood there waiting, and after about ten minutes they saw a plane coming down to the landing strip. As the large flying carrier made contact with the ground Ichtacka saw the flight number on the side. 338, the very same one that the mysterious Miguel would be on. And soon his face would be a mystery no longer. They watched as the plane finally came to a full stop. And then the rollaway staircase was brought to the door of the plane. Ichtacka looked at his reflection in the glass window and checked over his suit. Neat and pressed. Not a strand out of place. Good. The last thing he wanted was to appear sloppy to exchange employee.
"You got this, Gallardo. He's just a person. A fellow professional in the industry. Just act natural and you'll do well." Ichtacka whispered to himself, hyping himself up for this big moment.
"Hey, Tacka! The passengers are starting to come through the gate from the Fresno flight." Chimali announced. Ichtacka nodded to his friend and walked over to the gate to wait along with other people expecting their own arrivals.
Ichtacka watched as person after person came through the gate off the plane from Fresno. Some who came by themselves just made their way over to declare their luggage. Others who had parties waiting for them rushed to hug friends, relatives and significant others before walking away with them. There were quite a number of people coming through. And for a moment, Ichtacka wasn't sure how he would spot his temporary coworker out of a crowd of many. Suddenly, though, the second to last person came through the gate. A blonde man who looked just a year or two younger than him. And in that moment Ichtacka knew it was him. Miguel Holguín. What made him so sure, though? Was it the large portfolio the blonde was carrying that only a dedicated architectural designer would carry? Was it just because he came off the flight Chel said he was on? Or was it the way those big, emerald green eyes looked around the terminal with wonder and curiosity? Maybe it was a mix of all three.
Either way, that was their man. Clearing his throat Ichtacka raised a hand and called out.
"Miguel! Miguel Holguín!" The long-haired man called out.
The blonde man turned his eyes head to look at Ichtacka. And when their eyes met...things seemed to pause for a moment. Somehow, Ichtacka felt like he was meeting someone he always knew. And the way the other man tilted his head, looking like a curious yellow cat, it was as if he took felt an odd familiarity between them. Eventually Miguel walked over and stood before Ichtacka and Chimali. He looked somewhat nervous and guarded, but not standoffish or defensive.
"Hi. You two are from Rosario Designs Inc., I presume?" Miguel asked.
"That we are! Nice to meet you, good sir! I'm Chimali Oleastro. Specification writer and urban designer extraordinaire." Chimali greeted enthusiastically, holding out his hand for Miguel to shake. The blonde smiled, relaxing a bit, as he accepted the offered hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you, Chimali. And please, it's just Miguel. I'm too plain to be called a sir, ha." Miguel said.
"No." Ichtacka said suddenly, making Miguel and Chimali look at him in confusion.
"Beg pardon?" The blonde asked in surprise. Ichtacka, a bit surprised by his sudden unprompted statement, composed himself before he replied.
"I mean, no you're not so plain that you are underserving of being called sir. Someone of your caliber, having your skillset, doesn't find themselves working with an architecture firm like ours by being plain. As I understand it, you are an efficient and exemplary worker Miguel." Ichtacka clarified, speaking in a calm and sincere tone.
Miguel blinked in surprise at the words, not expecting such praise literally out the gate. And Chimali looked back and forth between the two as he observed the interaction. For a moment Ichtacka worried that he overstepped in his words and made the other man uncomfortable with his statement. But then he saw Miguel smile a great deal. And along with that smile a hint of pink spread across his cheeks as he chuckled lightly.
"Well, that's one way to put it. Thank you for your kind words, Mister..." Miguel said, trailing off at the last word as he held out his hand. Ichtacka, after sighing internally in relief that he didn't bungle things, gave a polite smile back and took the blonde's hand in his, noting that Miguel's hand was surprisingly soft and smaller than his, then shook it firmly.
"Ichtacka Gallardo. Project architect. And my words aren't kindness. Simply truth. And I know that you'll show the proof of those truths in your work as we tend to the museum." Ichtacka said. Mentioning the museum seemed to snap Miguel out of his flattered haze and immediately made him brighten up.
"That's right! The museum! When do we start? Is it far from here? Will we be using older tools for the maintenance? Can we go there and see it now?" Miguel asked in a rush of excited questions. This made the long-haired man smile a bit and chuckle.
"Well to answer two of your questions, it's just forty minutes away from here. And we can go and see it now if you wish." Ichtacka said.
"Yes, please! It's all I've been thinking about." Miguel said with a wide smile, practically bouncing on his feet.
Chimali looked back and forth at the pair, then grinned as he got an idea and pulled out his cellphone.
"Hey! Before we leave for the museum let's have a commemorative photo. The two spearheads for the Historical Museum of Cartagena de Indias together at last." Chimali said.
"That's a great idea! What do you think, Ichtacka? We should do it, right?" Miguel asked, looking up at Ichtacka with emerald eyes shining as brightly as their namesake. It left him a bit dazzled, but nonetheless he nodded slightly.
"If you wish. I suppose there's no issue. But no silly filters, Chimali." Ichtacka said, giving a warning glare to his friend at the last part.
"Aww, you're no fun! But I'll give you a pass this once." The specialist writer said as he turned off the filter then focused his camera on the two. "Alright, smile and say joropo!"
"Joropo!" Miguel and Ichtacka exclaimed, the former giving a double peace sign and the latter simply holding his hand up in a waving motion as they both smiled and stood close together while Ichtacka took the picture.
"Nice! In three months, we'll take another picture when the museum is all done. A little before and after piece. " Chimali said with a smile.
"Don't plan too far ahead, old friend. Let's first work through these first three days of setting things up. This way, Miguel. Our car is outside." Ichtacka said as he led the way out of the airport, Miguel walking right beside the project architect while Chimali trailed behind.
And while following the pair Chimali texted Chel the picture he just took of the blonde and Ichtacka. Over the picture was a caption with the question that asked, 'You thinkin' what I'm thinking?".
It took less than two minutes for Chel to reply. And her text contained an edited version of the picture Chimali sent Miguel wearing a wedding veil and Ichtacka wearing a groom's top hat. Beneath the editing picture was a text that read,
"Free lunch for a week says they kiss in a month".
Chimali smirked and rapidly replied with,
"Free lunch for two weeks says they kiss after two in a half months".
There was a pause before Chel replied.
"Deal. And FYI, no onions in any food you get me for my free lunch."
Chimali scoffed and just replied with a quick 'we'll see' before putting his phone away and hurrying to catch up with Ichtacka and Miguel.