****
"Heeey! Miyuki! Sorry for making you wait! Do you want something to drink? It's awfully hot again today, isn't it?"
"Y-yes, it is, but no, thanks, I'm fine" - I said, while I tried putting up a fake smile.
"Hahaha! You truly are a tough girl aren't ya? And look at you! What an awesome outfit! You've prepared yourself for today, haven't you? Ha-ha ha!"
Alberto had these shiny bright white teeth that seemed that could blind you when he laughed. And because he was tall and dressed in a nice way, he really did know how to make his presence noted. It was almost intimidating trying not to be involved in his aura. But I had to ask.
"Nice seeing you but… I think I was supposed to meet with Lisa, am I right?"
"Oh, she didn't tell you?" - No, she didn't - "It is me who is going to accompany you on these visits to the tech companies. Lisa assigned me this task because I've some previous experience talking with some third-party companies in the name of the university, and I may have more chances of getting something from them."
"I see…" - I just nodded my head in agreement but avoided looking directly at him.
"Well, shall we go? I think we've only 5 minutes till the scheduled meeting! They must be thinking that we are not coming!"
"Y-yes…"
Although almost late, the TONY receptionist didn't seem to mind us arriving only less than 5 minutes before the scheduled time. In fact, instead of rushing us to whatever executive we'd talk to, we were guided to a smaller room where we would wait for our names to be called. During this waiting time, to my surprise and relief, Alberto stayed most of the time quiet; I mean, not that on this particular day he was depressed or something, he actually maintained his usual smile and coolness, but was, nonetheless, quiet. As for me, I think I gave a name for every fish in the aquarium present, before we would finally be called in, almost a full hour after we arrived at the place.
"Okay…. So…. Alberto and Miyuki from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro… You may come in now..."
A very unenthusiastic lady opened the saloon door. Although properly dressed up for a meeting, her attitude didn't seem to consider this one to be of any importance, as she called us while yawning and holding a cup of coffee.
She was also alone.
"Okay… So, you may sit here please."
The room's main furniture was a very long wooden table, probably used for meetings with many internal and external parties. She made us sit on the extreme opposite side of her, creating a big distance between ourselves, physically, but mainly symbolic. The meeting hadn't started yet and I could already tell it would take some major plays to make any kind of success.
"Thank you for your time, Mrs.... Karen" - The lady didn't introduce herself, but Alberto was clever enough to quickly notice her name on her badge.
"So… For what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you, young people" - Another yawn.
"We are the ones who thank you for having us here." - Said Alberto, while getting up from the chair - "I think you may already know the importance that science has to the country and to the world, and because of it, each year we hold a symposium, where we expose the best and most notable scientific achievements in the whole country… And for that… "- Alberto proceeded to start his speech in trying to convince this executive to sponsor us.
Alberto wasn't a dummy, and after some time, I think he also probably realized that the TONY lady wasn't very much interested at all in our proposition. Nonetheless, with a smile on his face and not even once stepping back, Alberto exposed all of the positives of the event and how private companies could contribute to its better exposition. It was almost a 15-minute monologue, while the office lady kept her eyes focused on her laptop. To be fair, I don't know how he was able to maintain his cool in such a situation, being utterly ignored; even though I was just sitting on the chair next to him, not speaking a word, I was feeling anxious and sweating hard for him as this was indeed an uncomfortable situation; I think I would have given up on the first 5 minutes.
But Alberto kept trying. Until the very end.
"...In conclusion, we think TONY and the university would be mutually benefited by the company participation and help in the event"
The office woman raised her eyes, above her glasses, and responded unenthusiastically.
"This is all so wonderful, but we are so sorry. We regret to inform you that TONY at this moment doesn't have the funds and it's not searching on investing and risking its capital on unpredictable ventures."
What!? It's just some freaking TV's and mics that we are asking for! It's no big investment proposal. What's with this "unpredictable ventures" thing!?"
"But we leave our best regards and wish you luck on your endeavor. You may leave now."
"I see… Thank you for your time anyway. If TONY changes its mind, please contact us, you have our number" - Said Alberto, without flinching even a bit.
We got out of our chairs and left the room, and finally, the building. What made me even madder is that the office lady didn't even get out of her chair to see us off.
Outside of the building, Alberto scratched his head and said to me,
"Hmm…. It didn't go very well, did it? Ha-ha…. I'm sorry, I think I should have prepared myself better for it." - For the first time, I think I've seen Alberto doubting itself.
"N-no, it isn't your fault! That lady clearly wasn't interested in what we had to say from the start. She was very rude greeting us; her attitude was terrible, and she wasn't even paying attention to what you were saying!"
"Yes, that is true… But-"
"You spoke very well, Alberto! Truly! I couldn't do even half of what you've done, and you were able to keep your posture despite it all."
Alberto scratched the back of his head again, and smiled in my direction
"You are just too nice, Miyuki, thank you."
"N-no, it is nothing…. Anyone would have said the same" - I answered, while looking away and blushing a bit.
"Hmmm…. I don't think so... But I appreciate it, nonetheless. Well, shall we go?"
We still had two other meetings with other big tech companies, and even more three on the following day so we needed to pick up our pace and head on to our next assignment.
But….
I'm going to be frank….
All of them….
….. Were also a complete failure.
And that crushed us.
Now, already evening, we sat down at an outside table of an ice cream shop trying to catch a break from this endeavor. We were completely exhausted.
I didn't expect much from this door-to-door assignment, but to not be treated even at a bare minimum level… Even the smiley and high-spirited Alberto seemed a bit down, not talking much, and visually tired. It must have been exhausting maintaining a "corporate" mask of excitement and politeness, despite being repeatedly shrugged off from the multiple corporate representatives we met that day. His gaze seemed to be distant on the horizon, without much excitement, as I noticed he also sighed a few times.
"Look… Maybe we just got unlucky with these companies, we still have another three to visit tomorrow, so there is still hope that we might get something! We just need to keep our hopes up!" - I tried shedding some light on the situation.
"Ha-ha… Maybe…" - He answered in a dry and unenthusiastic way.
"I-I mean, you are doing an awesome job! Truly! I can't even imagine myself speaking in such a clear and precise way, with no hesitation as you did. You are doing the best that is possible, so it isn't your fault for these companies rejecting us. The bottom line is that, in the end, if somebody does not want something, it doesn't matter if you are being rational, and doing your best, it just won't do!"
"And besides! I-I…I-I'll be supporting you in this endeavor! I'll be there for you! So... Cheer up!"
Alberto lifted his chin and smiled at me. This time, a more sincere smile. His aura of coolness was still present, but I could feel that little gesture revealed much more than it actually seemed. I think he finally expressed something genuine, a bit of sincerity and true joy, behind that mask that he created and maintained in front of other people.
And that little gesture, for some reason, made me empathize with someone, who albeit still almost a complete stranger, in just that moment, felt much closer to me than some long old friends.
Somehow…. I think I was able… To reach him.
"You are just too gentle, Miyuki. Really..."
As Alberto said that, he extended his left arm and reached for my hand that was resting over the table. I blushed instantly and was taken by surprise but, for some reason, I didn't immediately take off my hand from under his.
Actually, I did force it a bit out of Alberto's grip, but it was more a reflex than an actual will. So little force that it must have been almost imperceptible for him.
Silence fell over us for almost a full whole minute, as Alberto kept his hand firmly over mine. It was gentle, soft, and his skin was smooth…. It felt…. How can I say? Like he truly cared for what I was saying…. And….
….. For me
"U-h…. C-can I move my hand"- I finally complained,
"O-h... Y-yes! I'm sorry!"- Retracting his arm in a fast move, he removed his hand from over mine and put it over on his knee while looking away from me, in a gesture as if he was embarrassed from what had just transpired.
"..."
"Do you want to order an ice cream?"- Alberto suggested.
"Y-yes, please."
"Chocolate?"
"It's fine"
"Okay, wait right here, I'll be back in a minute."
W-WHAT WAS THAT!!?? The guys here reaaally don't mind physical touch. Is that a cultural thing? My heart is racing like crazy. Heeey, I'm from a country that doesn't even have handshakes. I'm not used to this kind of thing! Stop it now, please! I can't take it!