Chapter 103 - Felix (1)

While Sarah and Aiden had their middle of the night dinner, it was early morning on East Coast.

Sophia was in the elevator, heading to her office on 37th floor.

Next to her was a young man who initiated conversation. "I've seen you around last few days. Are you new here?" His voice was deep and laced with a heavy French accent.

Sophia looked at the man and assessed him within a second: tall, handsome, broad shoulders, neatly combed short light brown hair, and bright blue eyes.

"Yes, I arrived last week." She responded and turned to look at the elevator door.

"I'm also new at this office, three weeks. I'm doing marketing research for my company, and I was wondering if you might assist me. My name is Felix.", he introduced himself.

"Why do you think that I might be of any help?" Sophia was not in the mood for chit-chat but found his proposal slightly entertaining.

"I'm new in the area, and I'm interested in insights from locals." His smile revealed two dimples, one on each cheek, which made his perfect face even more attractive.

Sophia looked at his dazzling smile and those two enchanting dimples for a second before snapping out of it and brushing him off: "You have the wrong person, Felix. I'm not local."

He was disappointed and lowered his head. He observed her employee badge on her waist that shows company name. Badge was turned so that he was not able to see her name on the badge. "Orion Enterprise? They occupy number of floors on this building."

"Yes, we do." Sophia tried to suppress her smile and it ended up as a smirk.

They reached floor 37 and Sophia stepped out.

He held the elevator door. "Excuse me, miss... I didn't catch your name."

"Because I didn't tell you.", Sophia got her phone out and started looking at her schedule. She didn't spare him a glance.

He bit his lower lip and stepped out of the elevator. "Miss, why don't you give me a chance. How about a coffee?"

At that time Sophia's phone buzzed, she got a message...

[Mark]: "You must be at work already. I can't sleep... thinking about you."

Sophia raised her head and her eyes met with Felix's. "What did you say?"

He was not sure what to expect, but he gathered his courage and repeated, "I would like if we can have a coffee. Together?"

Sophia glanced at the message again and then back at Felix. For some unknown reason, she felt that if she has that coffee with Felix, the sour taste in the back of her throat she got after reading text message from Mark will disappear.

"OK. Give me a second." She checked her schedule and saw that she has half an hour free at eleven that morning. "Eleven o'clock today. Café on fourth floor. I will give you half an hour.", Sophia responded like she is talking with her subordinate who wants a meeting with her.

His face lit up with a bright smile, he could not believe that she accepted. He nodded in acceptance and turned toward the elevator. He pushed the button and turned around to look at Sophia.

She was still in the same spot. She entered 'coffee with Felix' in her calendar for eleven that day, and then continued checking her phone.

"Miss, you didn't tell me your name.", he reminded her.

Sophia absentmindedly lifted her head and looked at him. "Sophia. I will see you again at eleven." She turned around and headed to her office.

...

At 10:45 Sophia was in a meeting. Notification showed on her laptop: "11 AM Coffee with Felix".

'Felix? Who is that?' , Sophia thought. After few seconds she remembered the man from the elevator, and felt a headache coming. 'Why did I accept? I need to cancel this... how do I contact him?' Sophia felt that she has no choice than to go and meet with Felix. It's very rude just to now show up, and she does not know how to contact him to cancel.

…

At 11:05, Sophia reached the café. She spotted Felix at one table. He was busy with his phone. Sophia walked toward him, and when she was two steps away, she cleared her throat.

He looked up and when their eyes met, he flashed a charming smile and stood up abruptly.

Sophia could see that he is nervous.

"I was afraid you changed your mind, and will not come.", he admitted his thoughts.

Sophia felt guilty, that is exactly what she was thinking. "I would not do that", she awkwardly smiled when he pulled the chair for her to sit.

He asked her what kind of coffee she likes and went to get it for her. They sat in silence and he observed her with a slight smile.

Sophia was uncomfortable, and decided to start a chat: "You said you are working on marketing?"

"Yes. My company is in Quebec, Canada. We are planning to expand to US, and I came here to scout for opportunities. My first goal was to get a partnership with some other company which is established, but I was not successful. So now I decided to get to know people and see what their needs are. Based on that we will devise a strategy. We don't have funds left to hire a marketing team, so I took this on myself." Felix opened up and talked about his grief and plans.

In the world where everyone tries to look bigger and more powerful, Sophia found his sincerity touching and refreshing. "What is your product?"

"We have several. Our focus is mostly on a small size, wireless, security equipment." He was proud to talk about it, but kept it to a minimum. He didn't want to spend all their time talking about his products. And he didn't want to sound like he is bragging either.

Sophia on the other hand, wanted to stay on the topic. "Did you talk with someone from Orion Enterprise?"

"No, that is too big company to take us into consideration. We are still a small. We have good record in Canada, but compared to Orion Enterprise, we are something like ants."

Sophia laughed. "Would you like to talk with someone from Orion Enterprise?"

He looked at her in surprise. "Do you know someone who can put me in touch with their hardware department? Or marketing? Or anyone who can get me in the door?"

"I might..." Sophia checked her calendar on her phone. "When can you set up a presentation showcasing what you have?"

"I need half an hour to get my things and I am ready.", he was not sure why she is asking that, but he was happy to answer.

Sophia looked at him, "Can you give me your contact information?"

"Oh!" Felix was excited that she wants to know how to contact him. He handed her his business card.

She looked at the card. "It was nice to meet you, Felix Martin. I need to go now so that I'm not late for my next meeting." Sophia stood up.

Felix was distressed, "Oh, no! I was hoping to get to know you better and ended up talking about my work. I'm sorry I disrespected you in such way. I hope you will give me another chance to meet with you."

Sophia found him amusing and smiled "Don't worry. I will be in touch." She showed him his business card and walked away.

He stood there frozen, enchanted by her smile.