The Business Proposal
The receptionist led Adam into a small, well-lit office. The room was neat but not overly fancy, with a large desk that dominated one end of the space.
Behind the desk sat a young man, likely in his early thirties. He had neatly combed black hair and wore glasses that gave him a professional look.
His attention was mostly fixed on a stack of paperwork that lay spread out on the desk.
Two men in black suits stood a little behind him, each holding a notepad and pen. They looked like his assistants or secretaries, watching everything with quiet attentiveness.
The atmosphere in the office was one of quiet efficiency. When the receptionist entered with Adam in tow, the two suited men immediately turned to look at them.
Their eyes briefly scanned Adam's face, perhaps checking his appearance or trying to place him. A moment later, the young businessman himself lifted his gaze from the documents. He looked up with a slight smile, gesturing for Adam to take a seat.
Without any hesitation, Adam sat down in the chair that was offered to him. His movements were calm and measured as he took his seat, though his mind was still racing from the events of the past few days.
He was determined to focus on this meeting, even if he still carried the weight of his recent struggles.
The businessman adjusted his glasses carefully, leaning forward to study Adam. "I must say, I'm impressed. You came straight to me instead of applying through the usual process for a job," he said, his tone polite but curious.
His words suggested that he had expected Adam to follow a more formal route—perhaps to submit a resume or fill out an application—rather than simply walking in.
Adam blinked in confusion for a moment as the words sank in. "A job?" he repeated quietly, not quite sure what the man meant.
In that brief instant, Adam wondered if the businessman had misunderstood his intentions.
He thought back to the long journey that had brought him here and the grand plans he had. He had come to propose a business deal, not to seek employment.
Before Adam could correct him, the businessman continued, "So, tell me. What are your qualifications? Don't worry—I admire your direct approach. I'll make sure you get a good position." His tone was friendly yet laced with an undercurrent of business as usual, as if he were used to evaluating applicants for a job.
Realizing the mistake, Adam quickly raised both hands and shook them lightly in a gesture of peaceful correction. "No, no. You're mistaken. I'm not here for a job," he said firmly.
His voice was calm but carried the clear message that his visit had a different purpose.
It was important to him that the misunderstanding be cleared up immediately, as he could not afford any confusion when every second of his plan was so crucial.
The receptionist watched the exchange with a neutral expression, clearly accustomed to such mix-ups in a busy office.
The young businessman's face softened slightly as he processed Adam's correction. The mood in the room shifted as everyone now waited for Adam to explain his real purpose.
After the brief confusion subsided, the businessman frowned and placed a hand on his chin, looking at Adam with a more serious expression. "Then why do you want to meet me?" he asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. His question was straightforward, demanding an explanation for the unexpected visit.
Adam leaned forward slightly in his seat, his eyes narrowing with determination. "I have a business proposal for you," he said clearly. His tone was confident and unwavering. He knew that if he could present his idea convincingly, he might change the businessman's initial impression entirely.
The businessman's eyes widened in surprise at this statement. For a moment, the room fell silent as everyone absorbed the gravity of Adam's words. Then, unexpectedly, the businessman began to laugh.
His laugh was light and somewhat dismissive at first, as if he could not quite believe what he was hearing. The laughter filled the room briefly, causing Adam to sit back and watch, puzzled and waiting for clarification.
Adam's confusion grew as he observed the businessman's reaction. His mind raced as he tried to understand if this laughter was a sign of amusement or a reaction to disbelief.
After a few moments, the businessman stopped laughing, adjusted his glasses once more, and spoke in a measured tone. "I've never seen a businessman dressed like this before. And you don't even have a manager with you?" he asked with a hint of teasing, yet his eyes were sharp with inquiry.
His question implied that Adam's presentation was unorthodox, perhaps even unprofessional by conventional standards.
"Whenever someone brings a proposal to me, I'm usually informed in advance. Meetings are scheduled properly. But you? You just walked right into my office. That's bold," he continued. The businessman's voice held a mixture of admiration and disbelief at Adam's audacity.
Hearing this, Adam fell into deep thought for a moment. In his past life, he had never cared much about the details of business etiquette. He had been a small employee, always following orders and never daring to disrupt the normal flow of things.
But now, in this new chapter of his life, he had no time to learn all the formalities. His life depended on this deal, and every moment was precious.
Gathering his resolve, Adam met the businessman's gaze steadily. "I want to sell you crude oil," he declared. The words left no room for misinterpretation. They were simple and direct, as clear as the vision he had for his future.
The businessman's earlier smirk vanished in an instant. His face turned cold and serious. The shift in his expression was dramatic—a clear sign that the offer was not something he had expected.
In that moment, the atmosphere in the room grew tense. The businessman's eyes, which had just moments before twinkled with amusement, now narrowed in focus.
A slight grin flickered on Adam's face as he noticed the change. He had finally caught the man's interest, even if it was now laced with caution.
Wasting no time, Adam reached into his bag and pulled out a small glass vial. Inside the vial was a sample of crude oil—a dark, thick liquid that symbolized everything he had worked for.
He carefully placed the vial on the table between them and said, "This is a sample of my crude oil." His voice was steady, each word measured and deliberate.
The businessman's eyes fixed on the vial as he leaned forward. For a long moment, the entire room fell silent. The only sound was the quiet hum of the air conditioner and the rustle of papers on the desk.
The businessman stared at the dark liquid inside the vial. The oil glistened under the soft office lights, and its rich color and texture seemed to promise both value and danger. Slowly, he lifted his gaze back to Adam, his expression unreadable.
Adam continued, his voice filled with confidence, "I want to make a deal with you. I want you to buy crude oil from me, not—" He paused, his words hanging in the air as he tried to gauge the businessman's reaction. But before Adam could finish his sentence, the businessman suddenly stood up and shouted, "Get out!!!"
The abrupt command shocked Adam. His heart pounded in his chest as his voice dropped to a whisper. "I… don't understand. What do you mean?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine confusion and hurt.
The businessman's fury escalated immediately. His face reddened with anger as he banged his hand on the large desk in front of him.
"DO YOU THINK I'M A FOOL?!" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls. The outburst was so sudden and intense that it startled everyone in the room.
Without pausing, the businessman turned sharply to the receptionist and snapped, "Who let him in?! Who approved this meeting?!" His tone was accusatory, and his eyes darted around as if searching for an explanation.
The receptionist, now visibly shaken, stammered in a soft voice, "S-Sir… the security chief said an important businessman had arrived with a proposal for you." Her words did little to calm the escalating tension.
Hearing the receptionist's explanation only made the businessman's face twist further in rage. "Call him here. NOW!" he ordered loudly. Then, pointing directly at Adam, he barked, "And get him out of my office!"
At that moment, the room was thrown into chaos. The two suited assistants exchanged quick, uncertain glances, and the receptionist's eyes widened in alarm. Adam sat frozen, the vial of crude oil still on the table, as he struggled to understand the sudden shift from curiosity to open hostility.
His mind raced—had he miscalculated everything? He had come with a clear, bold proposal, but now it seemed that his offer was not welcome at all. The harsh reality of the business world struck him in that moment.
In this place of order and professionalism, his unconventional approach had been seen as an insult, a foolish trick meant only to waste time.
As the businessman's voice thundered and the room grew ever more tense, Adam's heart pounded in his chest. He realized that despite his careful planning and confident demeanor, not every room was ready to accept a new kind of proposal.
In the cold, unforgiving world of business, every word and every gesture was scrutinized, and any misstep could lead to rejection—or worse.
And so, with the echoes of the businessman's rage still ringing in his ears, Adam sat in silence. The harsh reality of business had revealed itself in the most unexpected way. His proposal, meant to launch a new chapter in his life, had been met with fury and disbelief.