Chapter 104 - Felix (2)

That afternoon Felix got a call from Orion Enterprise. He was invited to an one hour meeting to showcase his products. Felix was not sure if he heard the secretary correctly, so he asked her to repeat. They confirmed a meeting next morning.

Felix remembered his conversation with Sophia. 'Oh, that beautiful lady DOES know someone! Now I need to get ready... I can't miss on this opportunity. When I see her next time, I will get her another coffee. Or lunch! Dinner would be pushing it too fast. Lunch is appropriate, and if all goes well, we will reach dinner someday. Lunch will be a good chance to meet with Sophia again! But now I need to focus on this presentation... without money in my account, I can't even take care of myself, how can I impress a woman?'

…

Felix arrived ten minutes before meeting started, to a large conference room on 36th floor. Secretary showed him in, and helped him connect his laptop to the projector, as well as set up the security equipment he was presenting.

People started coming to the meeting, and he was surprised to see how many are coming in. He was getting nervous every time another person got inside. It was over twenty people in the room, and they were still coming, and he was sweating.

"We are just waiting for CEO Hill to arrive, and you can start.", secretary told Felix when conference room looked just about completely full.

Felix was not sure if understood well what secretary said. He was hoping to meet with some manager, a director would be more than amazing... and did she say CEO? Sophia managed to arrange a meeting for him where CEO himself will be present? Besides this full room he also gets a CEO in the audience??? Felix took water to drink. His throat was suddenly dry.

The door opened and Sophia entered. As she walked toward the head of the table, where Felix was standing, she nodded to people seated at the table as a greeting, and they greeted her back by standing up and nodding, "CEO Hill". When Felix heard how they are addressing her, he almost choked on water, and started coughing.

Sophia rushed to him and hit him few times on the back. "Are you OK?", she looked at him with concern.

He vigorously nodded, but he could not talk yet.

"Good that you are OK. We don't want you choking here. Take a few breaths before we continue.", Sophia advised him.

He obediently took few deep breaths, and then nodded to Sophia. "Thank you, I'm good to go now."

She smiled at him for a second and turned to other people in the room. "This is Felix Martin. He represents BIDSEC company from Quebec, Canada. They want to expand to US market with their small size security equipment. We have good coverage with medium and large-scale security devices, but I find that there is an opportunity to improve in the market of small size security equipment. I invited Mr. Martin here to show us what he has, and then we can discuss if this is something that will align well with our current strategy." Everyone in the room nodded.

Sophia turned to Felix. "Mr. Martin, I don't think I introduced myself earlier properly. I am Sophia Hill, CEO of Orion Enterprise."

Felix nodded, while shock from the fact that Sophia is a CEO was still apparent on his face.

Sophia turned toward the table and continued without giving him a chance to respond. She introduced other people in the room, "This is Mr. Schmidt, he manages production of security equipment. Miss Adams, director of market research. Mr. Lee, director of hardware department..." When she finished with introductions, she faced Felix. "Mr. Martin, show us what you have."

Felix was impressed with the power of his audience and intimidated with Sophia's aura. While she talked, he saw her as a gorgeous empress who governs a vast empire, while he is just a commoner. Not worthy of her. But maybe he can be one of her subjects. This is his opportunity. He needs to focus and stop daydreaming. Felix cleared his throat few times and started his presentation.

Sophia observed his passion and excitement while he described equipment. She can tell that he invested a lot of himself into it, and that it means a lot to him to succeed. Sophia likes his personality, and his passion. His task now is to impress other people in the room. Sophia looked at the audience and saw that they followed his presentation with excitement. 'He looks to be on his way to make a deal with us.' Sophia smiled slightly before erasing a smile and turning to Felix, to follow his presentation.

She could not prevent herself from noticing that he is a handsome young man. Probably few years older than her. He was standing straight and even with a suit jacket on, she could tell that he has a well-built body. When Sophia noticed that she is thinking about his body, she reminded herself to focus on the presentation. 'I am at work, for crying out loud!' She hoped that she didn't blush.

When he finished, everyone clapped and then they left the conference room.

Felix was collecting his equipment, and Sophia waited for him to finish.

He was afraid to look her in the eyes. "Thank you for this opportunity, CEO Hill."

Sophia lifted her eyebrows. "How come you are so official now?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you are the CEO?", he almost whispered.

"You never asked." She smiled, amused by his anxiousness.

He was looking at the floor.

Sophia thought how he is interesting. In only one day, he transformed from a shameless person who followed her from the elevator to someone who can't even look up. But she decided not to tease him. "Thank you for the presentation. In my opinion, it was really good. I will meet with them to discuss your presentation after lunch today. You can expect to hear back from us within 24 hours."

Felix looked Sophia in the eyes, with a big grin. "It was really good?"

Sophia shook her head in disbelief. "Don't try to fish out compliments from me."

He shrunk his shoulders and looked at the floor.

Sophia was not sure if she should laugh or cry, "How old are you? Where is your confidence? What did you do to the man who was shamelessly chasing after me from the elevator?"

He looked up at her timidly.

Sophia smiled, "Come, let me escort you to the elevator. I don't have a whole day."

He relaxed when he saw her smile which made him feel that spring breeze blew through conference room.

They stood in front of the elevator, and Felix turned toward Sophia. "I really don't know how to thank you for giving me this opportunity." He entered the elevator.

She looked at him and raised one eyebrow. "You can always get me another coffee."

Felix was shocked and stared at Sophia while elevator door closed. 'Did she just say that she will meet with me for a coffee again?' Smile bloomed on his handsome face.