C3 Alex’s Resolve

~Alex~

I arrive at the coffee shop before Krizza does. Not too long ago, a woman enters the coffee shop. It was her. I raised my hand to call her attention. She noticed me, nodded her head, and smiled.

She’s now walking straight in my direction. As I look around, I can see eyes trained on her, coming from men—and women as well. There are quite a lot of customers inside the coffee shop at this hour.

I studied her. She’s wearing a chiffon milky white long sleeve button-up blouse with a V-neckline that ends just before her cleavage, her collarbones exposed. She partnered it with light gray dress pants that fit her perfectly. Her curves were so obvious.

In her right arm fastened her also light gray blazer and a bag in her left hand. You may think that she just looks like a typical corporate girl, but clearly, she’s not. Her natural beauty and oozing sex appeal make you give her a second glance, thrice or even more. Worst, you will not be able to take your eyes off of her.

She’s really an eye-catcher. An attention stealer without her even trying. Her undeniable beauty and the way she carries herself are impeccable. I arise from my seat to meet her and exchange hands with her. She looks fantastic face to face. She complements her facial features with just a little amount of makeup. Her long black straight shiny hair flows naturally. It’s the same as how it was before.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I was caught in traffic,” she said apologetically. Her voice is sweet and sensual.

Man, if it weren’t for my girlfriend, well technically my ex-girlfriend that I love so much, I may have considered pursuing her. Perhaps I’ll introduce her to Max one of these days.

“No worries. I arrived only a few minutes before you. So don’t worry yourself too much about it. Come on, let’s have a seat.” I told her and motioned for her to sit.

“Thank you!” She said, then take a seat.

“What will you be getting?” She asked after being seated and having her things settled.

“Black coffee will do,” I said, and gave her a soft smile.

“Oh, me, I like my coffee creamy,” she muttered before calling the server.

I thought she’ll be the one giving the orders to the server, but man, I was wrong. She just remains silent and lets me do the ordering. I guess, she just said what kind of coffee she likes, for me to order for her.

I like her so far.

I’m sure Max will like her as well. I’m wondering if she’s still single. Well, for a woman like her, it’s hard to think that she’s still single. And if she’s already taken, I must say whoever that man is, he is one hell of a lucky guy.

“Sooooo?” I see her mouthed a word. Or is she talking already? I wonder.

“Mr. Jimenez?” I heard her call me, and that derailed my train of thought. I felt a bit embarrassed.

“Sorry, did you just say something?” I asked. With my eyebrows furrowed.

“You were spacing out a while ago,” she said. Now that was really embarrassing.

“Oh, sorry about that. Such beauty like yours, especially in front of me, is kinda distracting.” I told her matter-of-factly.

“I don’t know what exactly do you mean by that, but I’ll take that as a compliment,” she replied, grinning.

“Yes, please. Because it’s really a compliment,” I said, smiling at her.

“Okay. So, what’s the deal, then?” She asked, getting down to business already.

“Getting down to business already, eh? I see,” I told her.

“Well, you said business. Then we’ll go straight to business. So? What’s the deal?” She remarked, smiling. A moment later, our orders arrived. She thanked the server and after a few moments, she sips on her coffee.

“Okay. Straight to business. But let me first introduce you to who we are and what we do,” I muttered, then sip on my coffee as well.

“Go ahead,” she replied, instantly.

“San Diego International is a textile manufacturing company. We produce fabrics, all types of them. Name it, we have it. And not just that, the fabrics we produce are more cost-effective than that of our competitors and our fabrics are comparable to Italy made fabrics which are commonly used by all the biggest names in the fashion and clothing industry. And we are lucky to have been partnered with one of Europe’s biggest names in apparel, the Mimi Lorein.” I was supposed to continue when she suddenly interjected.

“Wait. So you are Mimi Lorein’s fabric supplier?” she asked, looking so shocked.

“Yes, we are,” I proudly exclaimed.

“Wow. Your fabrics must be really good. Congrats on closing that deal, anyway. It’s hard to get a deal like that. Especially in Europe, and oh, Mimi? You know what I mean—your sales and marketing team did a really great job,” she complimented us.

“Yup, but the brain behind the entire deal is none other than our CEO himself. Anyway, to cut the long story short. We had the deal of a lifetime at our hand, however, we are also on the verge of losing the partnership with them? Why? Because our logistics service provider messed it up. They failed to deliver the fabric supplies on time for quite some time already, or to simply put it, we had multiple delayed deliveries with them, hence Mimi’s about to call off the partnership if it happens again. Plus, we need to compensate them for the damage caused by the delayed supplies,” I explained.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. So, how did I get into the scene?” she asked. I think she’s confused.

“Well, my business proposal is, I want you to take over the logistics for all our European Partners. I want to hire your company’s logistics service. Can you do that?” I said. She looked really surprised. She actually choked on her coffee.

“OH. MY. GOD.” she exclaimed with her eyes so wide. “Are you being serious right now?” she asked.

“Seriously serious!” I replied to her, dead serious. “Why? Are you in doubt?” I added.

“Wow. No. I just—I just can’t believe this. I mean, we have never worked before and we barely even know each other. And here you are offering me a deal that I can’t turn down,” she speaks, obviously surprised.

“Well, actually, I was losing hope already. It’s just recently that I found out that the account manager who handles all our logistics has resigned and that alone, could lead to more serious mismanagement of all our shipments in the near future. We can not let that happen. I myself can not let that happen. Hence, I contacted you. I know we only met once, but I learned so much about you back then. And I think you are good at what you’re doing. Plus, you’re the closest solution that I can think of. So, can you do it?” I stated.

“Wow. I’m speechless. Of course, I can. Give me the details and I’ll make a formal proposal for it and a contract as well. By the way, we at L&J Freight and Global Logistics handle our clients seriously and each of them is treated top priority. So I can assure you that your company is in good hands. And as the Sales Executive of L&J, I’ll make sure that all the delivery dates will never be compromised. You can leave everything to us from here on,” she beamed at me. Now I was the one taken by surprise.

“Wait, wait. You mean you got promoted? If I remember correctly, your position on your calling card was a Sales Manager, and that was just less than a year ago. By the looks of you, you’re so young and yet you have achieved so much already, more than people your age and the ones ahead of you.” I complimented her.

“Yes, I just got promoted recently, thank you! Hard work, results, and consistency are key.” She beamed, proudly.

“No efforts? It should be included, right?” I asked her.

“Nah. Effort is good. But in order to achieve something, one must provide results. So efforts without results are just as good as nothing. Well, that’s just for me. Please don’t take my word for it. People aren’t the same. We have our differences, beliefs, and values. And I stand with mine,” she told me with conviction.

“Alright. I guess you’re right about that. One must really produce results. I know someone who has the same principles as you do. Anyway, here are the details of our European shipments. If you need anything, just give me a call. So, when should I expect the formal proposal for that and the contract as well?” I iterated, then handed her the brown envelope I have with me which contains all the details she needed.

“I can have it ready by tomorrow before lunchtime. I just need to have it signed by my director first. Then, where do you want to formalize this? Same time tomorrow here or at your office? I am amenable to either of which,”

I’m surprised by how professional she is.

“Same time here would be best,” I just told her.

“Alright. See you tomorrow then. Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Jimenez,” she said and offered a handshake.

“Mr. Jimenez is so formal. Just Alex. And no, I should be the one thanking you for your time. And for accepting my proposal,” I uttered matter-of-factly.

“It’s business after all. I can’t just say no to an opportunity. Besides, one of my mottos in life is, when preparation meets opportunity, it means luck. And I have been preparing for this kind of opportunity for as long as I can remember, so I consider myself lucky today. And same here, I’d prefer a first name basis. So please call me Krizza or Kriz,” she implied.

We had a few more chatting before we bid goodbyes.

I am in total awe of her personality so far. She’s more than I expected for a woman in a logistics company and under the sales department. Max should meet her. She’s really a wonderful woman.

After I meet with Krizza, I went straight to the main office of our current logistics partner to cancel our exclusive contract with them and just change our partnerships to a non-exclusive contract. They are saddened by my decision on a whim. But they can’t deny the fact that mismanagement of our shipments happens on their behalf. Hence, they couldn’t do anything but agree with my offer.

Moments later, as I’m on my way home, Max calls all of a sudden.

“Yo bro, what’s up?” I asked as I answered the phone.

“Are you free tonight? Can you meet me at The Fortress Bar around 8:30-9?” He asked me.

“Sure, bro. I’ll see yah,” I agreed to meet him.

“Great. Thanks!” he said, then end the call. This friend of mine is so serious in life. Man, he’s a pain in the ass sometimes.

After the call, I put down my phone in the cup holder on the center console, then I continue driving home.

As I reach home, I rest for a while, then freshen myself up. Get dressed, then took off, and hit the road again to meet Max.