Chapter 68: Let’s Find an Office Space

Three o’clock in the afternoon, same day.Timothy panted as he jogged on one of the treadmills of the One Serendra Residences. It was his first day of hitting the gym and the reason for that was because he believed that a healthy body was just as important as a sharp mind in running a business empire. Sweat rolled down his forehead, his shirt clinging slightly to his back as the numbers on the treadmill screen blinked steadily.

After twenty minutes, he slowed to a walk before stepping off. He grabbed a towel from the rack, wiped his face, and made his way to the free weights section. A pair of dumbbells caught his eye, and he started a set of curls, his muscles burning slightly with each repetition.

"Seven... eight... nine..." he muttered under his breath before lowering the weights with a grunt.

He moved next to the bench press, loaded the bar with moderate weight, and lay back. With steady breathing, he pushed the bar upward, locking his arms, before lowering it slowly. The rhythm of the exercise grounded him—push, hold, down. By the time he finished three sets, his arms trembled with fatigue, but his expression showed quiet satisfaction.

Timothy ended his session with a few pull-ups and sit-ups, determined to set a routine.

As he was drying himself with the towel, his phone buzzed on the bench beside him. He picked it up and saw Hana’s name on the screen.

"Mr. Guerrero, have you chosen an office?" Hana’s voice came through.

Timothy sat down, opening his email app with one hand while still holding the towel in the other. He quickly scanned through the file Hana had sent earlier. Three listings, all within BGC, with pictures, floor plans, and lease details neatly organized. His eyes lingered on the second option—spacious, modern interiors, already fitted with conference rooms and executive offices, located just a short walk from Shangri-La.

"Yes," Timothy said after a pause. "I’ve checked the file. We’ll go with the second option."

"Noted. I’ll inform the agent. Shall we meet there today?" Hana asked.


Timothy glanced at the wall clock in the gym. "Yes. Five o’clock this afternoon. I’ll drive us there, and we’ll discuss the details directly with the agent."

"Understood. I’ll be ready by then," Hana replied.

"Good. See you at five."

Five o’clock in the afternoon.

The Ford Raptor pulled up once again at the entrance of Shangri-La at the Fort. Timothy leaned back in the driver’s seat, engine rumbling softly as he spotted Hana waiting just outside the lobby doors. She wore a neatly pressed blouse tucked into a navy skirt, her tablet in one hand and her handbag slung over her shoulder.

The hotel staff opened the door for her as she stepped out. Timothy immediately climbed down from the truck, circling around to open the passenger side.

"You’re early," Timothy remarked as she climbed in.

"I didn’t want to keep you waiting," Hana replied, settling into the seat and setting her tablet carefully on her lap.

Timothy shut the door behind her, slid back into the driver’s side, and steered the Raptor out of the driveway.

Their destination wasn’t far. Timothy turned down 5th Avenue, the truck rolling to a smooth stop in front of The Finance Centre, one of BGC’s most prominent towers.

"Here we are," Timothy said as he shifted the gear to park.

Hana glanced up at the sleek, glass-covered skyscraper that loomed above them.

"They are on the fifteenth-floor but the agent will meet us in the lobby," Hana said.

"Have you told them that we need the office in an instant?"

"Yes, they are ready for occupancy," Hana confirmed.

Timothy nodded, satisfied with Hana’s reply. Instead of stopping at the driveway, he guided the Ford Raptor toward the underground parking entrance. A guard waved them through, and the ramp curved downward into the brightly lit basement levels of The Finance Centre.

Concrete pillars lined the space, each row marked with bold letters and numbers. Timothy found a slot close to the elevator lobby and eased the truck in, cutting the engine. The rumble died, leaving only the muffled hum of other cars and footsteps echoing across the garage.

He stepped out first, straightening his jacket, then circled around to open Hana’s door. "Let’s go," he said simply.

They crossed the parking area, the cool air-conditioned draft of the elevator lobby washing over them as they approached. Timothy pressed the button, and within moments, the stainless-steel doors slid open. They stepped inside, Hana tapping her tablet to double-check the agent’s details.

The elevator doors opened again at the ground lobby, revealing the soaring ceilings of The Finance Centre’s reception area. Polished marble floors reflected the warm glow of designer lights, and the glass walls framed the BGC skyline beyond.

Near the reception desk stood a woman in her mid-thirties, wearing a sharp blazer and holding a slim leather portfolio. Her posture was confident yet welcoming, her eyes scanning the arrivals until they landed on Timothy and Hana.

She stepped forward, offering a professional smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Guerrero, Ms. Seo. I’m Clarisse from Leechiu Property Consultants. I’ll be assisting you today with the space on the fifteenth floor."

Timothy gave a firm nod, shaking her hand. "Good afternoon. Let’s get straight to it."

"Of course," Clarisse replied, gesturing toward the elevator bank. "The unit is ready for viewing. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the space."

Clarisse guided them to the elevator.

The elevator ride was smooth, the polished walls reflecting their silhouettes as Clarisse tapped her keycard and pressed the button for the fifteenth floor. Hana stood beside Timothy, already scrolling on her tablet to match the listing details with what they were about to see. Timothy, hands in his pockets, watched the numbers tick upward.

Ding. The doors opened to reveal a wide corridor with muted gray carpeting and recessed lights. Clarisse led the way, heels clicking softly as she guided them to a glass double door with a frosted sign that read Available for Lease. With a practiced motion, she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"This is the 515-square-meter unit I mentioned," Clarisse began, stepping inside. "It’s fully fitted, no need for construction delays. Conference rooms, private offices, a pantry, and an open floor space for staff are already in place."

Timothy and Hana followed her in. The office stretched wide, with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping around the corner, offering a sweeping view of the BGC skyline—glass towers gleaming under the late afternoon sun. The Taguig traffic below looked almost distant, muted behind the double-glazed glass.

"This is impressive," Timothy muttered, moving toward the windows. He placed his hands in his pockets, surveying the panoramic view. "You can see all the way to Makati from here."

"Yes," Clarisse said with a smile. "The unit faces west, so you’ll get sunsets over the skyline every evening. It gives a professional yet inspiring atmosphere, perfect for an executive headquarters."

Hana had already broken off to examine the rooms. She peeked inside a large conference room with a long oak table and ergonomic chairs still wrapped in plastic. A mounted screen was already fixed on the wall. She scribbled quick notes on her tablet, then checked another room—an enclosed office with frosted glass walls, clearly designed for C-suite use.

"Mr. Guerrero," Hana called softly, "there are five private offices, one boardroom, two smaller meeting rooms, and an open floor that can hold about thirty workstations comfortably. There’s also a pantry in the back with its own sink and built-in cabinets."

Timothy walked over, nodding at her summary. "Good. That’s the kind of setup we need."

Clarisse flipped open her leather portfolio and slid a brochure across a nearby counter. "The asking rate is ₱1,500 per square meter, all-in. That’s competitive for this building and its location. Monthly, you’re looking at around ₱772,500. Terms are flexible—one year minimum, renewable, with standard three months’ deposit and three months’ advance."

Timothy glanced at Hana, who was already running quick calculations. She gave him a small nod. "It’s within the market average. Some nearby spaces are going as high as ₱1,800 per square meter."

"Utilities?" Timothy asked.

"Separate, but the building has fiber internet providers already in place. Security and maintenance are covered by the association dues, which are included in the rate."

Timothy leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "How soon can we move in?"

Clarisse’s smile brightened. "Immediately. The unit has been vacant for only two months, so everything is ready. Once the contract is signed and the initial payments are settled, you could start operations here tomorrow."

"That’s what I like to hear," Timothy said. He looked at Hana, who had been watching him carefully. "Well? What do you think?"

Hana glanced around the space one more time before answering. "It checks all the boxes. The location is ideal, the layout works for our current scale, and the fact that it’s ready for occupancy saves us weeks, maybe months. It’s practical."

Timothy gave a short nod, then turned back to Clarisse. "Alright. Let’s sign it."