Business Proposal

Alex's strides echo with confidence as he walks toward the meeting room, but with every step, his nervousness creeps back in. He replays yesterday's client interactions in his mind from yesterday - a sea of poker faces.

"Boss of such a serious bunch is bound to be some shrewd old man, so much for impressing the big shot with my charm." Alex thought.

He takes a deep breath and pushes open the door to the meeting room.

The scene before him is familiar – a group of clients, some engrossed in his proposal, others in deep conversation.

Upon entering, he observes the scene before him – a group of clients discussing among themselves with many looking at him with displeasure.

He can't help but notice the varied whispers of complaints and skepticism float through the air, punctuating the room's atmosphere.

"I can't believe we're wasting time on this again," one client mutters to another, their expressions less than impressed.

"Didn't we go through this yesterday?" another adds with a hint of irritation. "I don't see what's going to change."

On the other side of the room, two clients share a meaningful glance. "This proposal better have something groundbreaking," one of them comments under their breath.

"I could be using this time for something more productive," a client grumbles, shifting in their seat.

As he scans the room his gaze then lands on a woman seated right in the middle with others seated on either side. Her hair partially conceals her face, making it difficult for him to decipher her face, but he found the silhouette to be familiar.

Looking at the room dynamics, the nerves in his stomach intensified – he wasn't prepared for this.

Summoning his courage, Alex steps forward and clears his throat, feeling his palms slightly sweaty. "Hello, everyone. I'm Alex Anderson, and I'll be presenting today."

As he introduces himself, the woman's head slowly lifts, her hair cascading like a waterfall to reveal her face. Time seems to stand still for a moment as recognition dawns on both of them. The shock in her eyes mirrors his own, and the room becomes quiet as they wait for the silent Alex to continue.

The room seems to fade away as their eyes lock, both amazed at the possibility of meeting each other again so soon. As they recover from the shock, the lady shifts her gaze slightly, with a hint of hesitation in her demeanors she continues to maintain a stoic expression.

Meanwhile, the memory of reprimanding the lady on the street earlier today, starts haunting him. He mentally berates himself for scolding her and the audacity of his earlier actions, convinced that he's made a grave mistake.

As his nervousness grew, so did the murmurs and annoyance among the client team, making the atmosphere more tense.

At that moment, the lady suddenly spoke up

"Gentlemen," her voice cuts through the room's murmurs, her tone carrying authority. "Let's give Mr. Anderson the chance to present his proposal. We're all here for a reason, and it's only fair to hear him out."

The unexpected support from the woman catches several clients off guard. They exchange surprised glances, eyebrows raised.

"Did she just...?" one of them starts, trailing off in disbelief.

The unexpected encouragement from the lady eased off Alex's nervousness, as he looks towards the lady, she gives him a slight nod. Alex feels a sense of warmth and his confidence rises as he starts his presentation.

As he delves into the proposal, his passion for the project manages to overshadow his nervousness. He finds himself speaking with conviction, pouring his energy into the presentation.

As the minutes tick by, Alex gains momentum, and the room becomes charged with his enthusiasm. The clients' expressions gradually shift from indifference to engagement, and he begins to regain his confidence. The woman's attentive expression provides a reassuring anchor, reminding him that he's not alone in this room.

As Alex continues his presentation, he's acutely aware of the shifting dynamics. Some clients who had initially seemed disinterested now appear more engaged, leaning forward and taking notes.

"Maybe there's more to this than we thought," one client admits in a hushed voice.

And then, as the presentation reaches its conclusion, there's a renewed buzz of conversation among the clients. The woman's support seems to have ignited a spark of curiosity, altering the initial skepticism.

By the time he concludes the presentation, he's surprised to find a sense of accomplishment amidst his earlier trepidation. He glances at the woman once more, and this time, he detects a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It's a small but significant reassurance, one that tells him he might not have messed up as badly as he'd thought.

"I have to admit, that was unexpected," a client concedes.

"She clearly sees something we don't," another adds, nodding in the woman's direction.

Alex finishes his presentation with a mix of relief and accomplishment. The room's atmosphere has undergone a transformation, thanks to the woman's intervention.

As the clients begin to leave the room, the discussions continue, now centered around the surprising turn of events.

"Did you see her expression?" one client asks another, their curiosity piqued.

"And here I thought this would be a dull meeting," someone else remarks, shaking their head.

Alex starts to gather his materials, his heart still racing from the intensity of the presentation. However, before he can make his exit, a soft but authoritative voice stops him in his tracks.

"Mr. Anderson."

Turning around, Alex finds himself face to face with the woman who had remained seated, her gaze fixed on him. The atmosphere grows tense as only the two of them remain in the room, the weight of the moment palpable.

She offers a small, appreciative smile. "I wanted to express my gratitude for your swift action earlier today."

Alex, taken aback by her directness, manages to respond, "I was just doing what anyone would."

Her blue eyes hold his, a mixture of gratitude and intrigue dancing within them. "Perhaps, but not everyone would have spoken to me the way you did."

He shifts slightly, feeling a mixture of pride and unease under her scrutiny. "I apologize if my tone was too stern."

Her smile widens slightly. "On the contrary, I appreciate your concern. It's been a while since anyone reprimanded me like that, not since my childhood."

Alex's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Really?"

She nods. "Yes, really. It's refreshing to see someone care enough to speak up, even if we're strangers."

He offers a genuine smile, feeling a sense of connection with her. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Her expression grows more earnest. "And help you did. I've been mulling over your proposal since I read it earlier."

Alex's eyebrows raise in surprise. "You have?"

She nods. "Yes. In fact, I find it quite impressive. It's not often that something or someone truly captures my attention. In fact, I was going through the project details on my phone today, when you saved me."

He's momentarily taken aback, then quickly gathers his composure. "I'm glad just glad you are safe."

Her gaze remains steady. "Mr. Anderson, I'm not just here to offer gratitude. I want to extend an opportunity to you."

His curiosity piqued; Alex listens intently.

"I've decided to accept your proposal," she states matter-of-factly, "and furthermore, I'd like you to join my firm."

Alex blinks, stunned by her declaration. "You... want me to join your firm?"

She nods, her gaze unwavering. "Your skills and passion have impressed me. I believe my firm can truly help you grow and your talent is quite honestly, wasted here."

He hesitates, grappling with a mix of disbelief and pride. "I appreciate your interest, but I don't want you to feel obligated to approve the proposal just because I helped you earlier."

A knowing smile curves her lips. "Mr. Anderson, this is strictly a professional decision. I'm not one to mix personal matters with business."

He regards her cautiously, his skepticism slowly giving way to curiosity. "And what do you expect in return?"

Her eyes twinkle slightly. "I assure you; my expectations are reasonable. And in case you're concerned about the favor, I'll find a way to repay you for it." She says in a tone that doesn't allow for any refusal.

Alex's lips twitch into a half-smile, and he can't help but feel intrigued by her cryptic statement. "I will definitely consider your offer."

With that, she reaches into her briefcase and retrieves a business card. She extends it toward him, her fingers brushing his as she places it in his hand. "Here's my personal contact information. Think about my offer, Mr. Anderson. Call me when you're ready to discuss working together."

Alex studies the card, his mind whirring with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. "I will."

Just as she's about to turn away, he finds his voice again. "Before you go, may I know your name?"

Her lips curve into an amused smile. "Of course. I'm Emily."

"Emily," he repeats, feeling a spark of recognition at the name.

She nods. "It's been a pleasure, Mr. Anderson."

Alex watches as she walks out of the room, her presence leaving an impression that he can't quite shake. As the door closes behind her, he's left with a sense of wonder about the unexpected turn his day has taken and his hand unconsciously reaches for the bracelet on his wrist.