"Excuse me maam, here's your order "
"Thank you."
Today I will be meeting Ms. Johanna who agreed to meet me here in my hometown rather than going to her office. I thank my lucky stars because I risked writing that Avansam ticket. Its a famous theater performance whose ticket sold out within days.
The letter wasn't perfect but it does pique one's interest right?
Anyway, this is my first unofficial business meeting. Gotta leave a lasting impression.
Honestly, I'm not sharp tongue and has poor communication skills. Speeches and negotiation aren't my thing but atleast I need to impersonate Mike Ross less the photographic memory.
"Ms. Kayleen?"
I turned around to look and the person I've been looking forward to meet has arrived. A woman in her late 20's.
"Good afternoon Ms. Johanna. Please just call me Kayleen." I greeted politely.
"If you don't mind Maam, I already ordered." I added.
"No I don't mind, Thank you." She then sat down and arrange her things.
"I hope the trip was pleasant?"
"It was." Followed by a few minutes of silence.
"I'm sorry, I was surprise to see you. No offence but I didnt imagine you to be this young."
"Well, I did state my age on the letter." Was that a compliment?
"You did. I won't beat around the Bush. What can I do for you Ms. Kayleen Bartolome?."
Ohhh, I was intimated by that but I won't back down.
"I want to invest and with that I need a midlleman, woman. I have the money + precognition
Meanwhile, You got the experience and skills."
Her eyebrows raised, with a look that I can't describe. Is that confusion or amusement?
"And how much money are we talking about?"
"Millions."
"Specifically?."
"105 million pesos." after I said that she started to laugh, it could be heard all over the cafe.
Did it came of as funny?
This woman is yet to taken me serious. I shook my head off and grabbed some paper and my passbook.
"Ms. Azarcon, please lower your voice, its a bit embarrassing" I pleaded.
"Sorry, sorry I just can't help it." She said wiping off some imaginary tears.
"Please take a look."
I handed her a statement of account.
"This?"
"I didnt forged it nor have the capability to do so. I have a passbook and credit cards. We can even go to the bank if you want further validation."
It changed the atmosphere around us.
"Hey, I didnt steal that from my parents and I'm not a scammer." I defended myself. She had this alarmed looked.
"I don't really want to share where that money came from but I do assure you it's clean and legal money."
"Sorry for my unprofessional attitude earlier, I shouldn't have underestimated you based on your age."
Rather than that, I should take my age as an advantage.
"It's okay, I didnt mind."
I did mind
"I truly respect if you want to keep it private and it seems you already thought about everything so far. And again, I hope you won't be offended if I ask you of this. Are your parents aware of this?"
"They don't know..... Yet."
"I see. You plan keeping it a secret?."
"Yes, for a while."
"I understand. You rather act mature for your age. Tell me why are you doing this? ."
"Same reason why everyone works hard for." this is my truth.
"That was so rude of me, I kept asking question but thank you for enlightening me Kayleen. I shall formally introduce myself again.
Good afternoon Ms. Kayleen Aurelia V. Bartolomeo. I am Johanna F. Azarcon, from A & Z Securities Incorporation. Tell me about your plans?"
Now thats what Im waiting for, The Real Business Deal.
"Diversification - I believe in the saying, Don't put your money in one basket. " I learned this on my first year college student. It broaden my understanding about the finance market.
"You impressed me Kayleen. Then where do we start?."
This is it, My first step in investment.
"First off Swatain Corporation and TC Mall."
--------------------------------------
Some Time Later
"Oh about that Avansam ticket "
Good thing I mentioned it in the letter.
"As I promised, here"
Since I 'knew' this would happened, I already secured the ticket.
She had this relief expression.
"In addition, I want to reimburse you for all the expenses accumulated during your stay here." I added.
She suddenly burst out laughing. "Oh please, dont worry about that. I can't wait to work with you."