Mattheo
Walking into my office, I’m met with the gentle smell of jasmine. It’s a soothing scent that helps keep my mind at ease. It was a part of a strict routine I’ve kept to for over a decade; along with the same suit I’ve worn, and my usual route to the office.
I’m not a superstitious man, but one that understands the importance of efficiency. Why waste precious time or mental strain on menial adaptations? My life focuses on sharpening the tool of my mind into a scalpel; one that deftly navigates the hide that is the world of commerce and business dealings.
Last night, unfortunately, asked for a hammer. More aptly, a flyswatter.
Listening to that man ramble like a used car salesman was more headache inducing than blaring music. Though, I do have something to thank him for. His offering solutions to very real problems provided me with a different perspective, one I have no intention of rewarding him for.
I barely have time to sit down when my secretary walks through the door. She, as directed, succinctly rattles off the tasks I have to tend to for the day.
Most of it is the standard day-to-day operations; me needing to review last quarter’s bottom line, governors trying to renegotiate funding for future construction, and dealing with some local fallout from a shooting at one of our malls over the weekend. Then, she says something that garners my attention.
“…and at one you have a meeting with the CEO of Rose.”
“Rose?” I ask.
Rose is a jewelry company that has been operating solely out of their HQ buildings. They’ve been the very picture of premium since the turn of the century, and even more so when their current CEO took over.
“Yes sir. Alessandra Dean,” she answers.
She’s gained a hell of a reputation for one so young. She’s taken risks no one else would, and they’ve paid off. Personally, I’m amazed that half her board hasn’t keeled over from heart attacks with some of the moves she’s made.
The fact that she fired half of the executives in the company only makes it more impressive. Her instincts are second to none, and her work ethic is nothing to scoff at either.
I’ve heard through the grapevine that her next big move is a great expansion setting up stores across the globe. This would be an absolute betrayal of the brand they’ve spent nearly a decade establishing. It’s another risk, but given Alessandra’s track record, the payoff is sure to be big.
The meeting’s supposed to be about Rosesetting up a couple shops in my malls. This by itself would be a boom for business, but I’ve set my eyes on something more. I want to use their penchant for exclusivity too. Instead of breaking away from that instinct, they grow it. Just with me in their ever-discerning circle.
My one-sided conversation last night really served to wet my appetite. James’ claims to save my business held water, but he wasn’t without a reputation himself. He’s wild and unpredictable, and this shows in his work. Sure, he’s managed to maintain his father’s money, but I’m not going to reward a man for another’s work. He should have billions by now, not millions.
We are what our nature’s make us, and Rose’sserves mine perfectly. It can be the fuel to my dwindling fire, but like a fire it needs to be controlled. While the company takes risks, it’s also shown discipline.
It’s now a household name that’s synonymous with luxury. From rap songs to red carpet events- you’ll find their products dotting the landscape like glitter. By focusing their products on being the indisputable pinnacle of craftsmanship and exclusively on being the way the rich can signal to the world their status, they’ve carved a deep foothold for themselves.
It’s incredibly impressive, and I hope to secure our cooperation for the future. Thankfully for my patience, it isn’t going to be in a club with drunk morons shouting like baboons. We’d agreed upon a modest meeting over lunch at a local restaurant.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. It isn’t every day you get to meet a woman with such a reputation. I suppose some lesser men would find her cutthroat nature intimidating. That it was something unbecoming of a lady.
Perhaps it’s the Italian in me, but such traits are admirable. She’s strong- tenacious even. She has a mind for business that borders on genius, and she seems to be a force of nature. A raging fire that consumes all that gets in her way.
My experiences with women have been mostly disappointing. I’ve encountered more than a few gold diggers, and vapid minds that couldn’t stimulate an infant.
Add to that the tales of her beauty and it makes the package almost too perfect. Perhaps the fire is too hot to avoid being burned. All of this serves only to make the coming meeting more interesting.
I’m going to see if she’s all her reputation says she is. I’m going to need to figure her out enough to make my proposal irrefutable. Lastly, I’m going to meet a woman who’s actually worthy of my interest.