The Ideal Brew

Chapter 1

Most liked it rich and hot. Others wanted it cool and fancy. I never really liked it, but I felt myself drawn towards its intoxicating aroma.

Coffee. That was the scent that welcomed me when I retreated from Representative Amanda Mateo's private office. It was also my first impression on the man that was sitting impatiently at our waiting area.

He was coffee. His pressed brown shirt and dark jeans screamed rich and hot. His slightly unruly hair, styled to look imperfectly perfect, exuded cool and fancy at the same time. I never found his type as my ideal guy. Yet, like the scent of the beverage that he was sipping, I was inexplicably drawn towards him.

"Hi, are you Ms. Jazz Candelaria? Representative Mateo's Executive Assistant?" he asked in a clipped tone which cleverly disguised his impatience.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sally at the reception desk mouthing that the man had waited for quite a while.

I broke from my reverie and regarded the exquisite man that was already standing in front of me with his right arm outstretched. I shook his hand with a tiny bit of hesitation, praying that my hand wasn't sweaty at the moment.

"Yes, I am." Thankfully, my hand was perfectly dry. "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr.?"

"Sol. Carmelo Sol. I came here to discuss some matters with Representative Mateo." He flashed a perfect set of white teeth that would make my dentist very proud, and would probably make her knees wobble as well.

Gosh, that smile is so unfair.

I had to blink my eyes twice to focus on what was running in my head before Mr. Sol rudely interrupted my thoughts with his disarming smile. My eyes landed on a desk calendar and that's when I remembered.

Carmelo Sol was the businessman that was always calling for an appointment, only to have it declined every time. My Boss, Representative Mateo, who asked me to call her Ms. Amanda, refused to meet him. She said he only wanted to discuss some business matters for his own personal gain which she never wanted to be a part of.

I never thought he would be this young and not to mention, very attractive.

"Mr. Sol, I'm sorry, but do you have an appointment with Representative Mateo?" I asked.

His brows furrowed for a moment before he said, "No, I don't. I was consistently told that Representative Mateo has a very busy schedule. So, I decided to come here and see if she can spare some time to accommodate my concern. I'm sure it will only take a few minutes."

I was slightly taken aback by his boldness and persistence. Very brazen, indeed.

"I'm sorry," I began but then he cut me off.

"Ms. Jazz," he interrupted. It was only two words. One of which was my name and that held me in a daze. "Can you please hear me out and see if I deserve a meeting with Representative Mateo?"

It was a question. He was asking for permission. However, my instincts told me that he already knew that I wouldn't be able to refuse his request. He caught me in his trap.

"Please take a seat," I said in resignation.

I was impressed. His proposal was remarkable. It would contribute to the income of Sigayan, our province, and help create more jobs. All he needed was the political support in order for the project to commence.

"I told you it would only take a few minutes," he smiled.

This time, I was on my guard.

"Yes, it did," I chuckled. "Unfortunately, Representative Mateo barely has enough time to accommodate you."

"But you can work it out?" he asked hopefully.

"I'll try."

His face fell and he slightly shook his head in a disapproving manner. "That's what they told me before," he said bitterly.

"I'm sorry-"

"You've been telling me that since we talked." His voice was calm but the venom lacing his words were evident.

He was looking at me intently. His previously genial eyes were now cold. His jaws were set firmly. Only the scuffling of his sole showed how impatient he was with everything that transpired.

It took me a while before I answered. I was fazed by this side of him.

I never quite understood the art of coffee preparation, and from my scanty knowledge and peer pressure-induced compulsive buying of coffee, I deduced that Mr. Sol was indeed very much like that beverage. One moment he was as sweet and cool as chilled caramel macchiato, and next he was bitter and hot like black coffee. Either way, I was never fond of it and I was starting to feel the same way for Mr. Sol as well.

"We have rules and protocols to follow. We strictly follow these in view of the practice of good governance," I coldly replied.

"Rules and protocols have been there for ages. Yet, even in the strictest adherence and practice of these rules, no government has come out clean," he rebutted.

Earlier, I would have shied away from his stares. Now, I reciprocated his calculating stare with one of my own. He was starting to grate on my nerves.

"It's because people stopped believing in notions and practice of good governance," I retorted. "And that is what we've been trying to reinstate."

"You, my dear, are an idealist," he laughed.

He was right but there is no way I would admit that, especially when he said that in a jeering manner.

"I don't see anything wrong with that," a deep voice happily interjected.

We both turned our heads to the person who spoke. All the tension in my body broke free when I saw Ryan, a fellow executive assistant, walked in. It still surprises me how he was always there to pick me up from sticky situations - like the one I was having with Mr. Sol.

"Hey Jazz," he greeted me before turning to Mr. Sol. "I'm sorry to interrupt, can I excuse her for moment?"

Mr. Sol only inclined his head to indicate he didn't mind. I wanted to hug Ryan from saving myself from Mr. Sol. I would have hugged him, but he is Ryan, which meant that hugging him might mean a lot more than just friendly action affection. So, I resorted to giving him a genuine smile.

"Thanks, I owe you big time," I whispered to him. We were only standing several feet from Mr. Sol.

Ryan eyed me questioningly and smiled when he got a gist of what I meant. "Always glad to be of service." He bowed mockingly.

"Okay Sir, what can I do for you?" I laughed.

He brandished the folder he was carrying and said, "I have some papers for Ms. Amanda. Can I sneak in her office for a couple of minutes?"

"Sure."

"Thanks a lot," Ryan winked and I felt my cheeks heating up a bit. He glanced at Mr. Sol and said, "She's all yours."

I walked back to Mr. Sol who was looking at me. I stared back at him, looking into his dark eyes, determined not to back down from this stare-down. However, I was betrayed by the heat creeping up my cheeks. He smirked.

This is so unfair.

"Rules and protocols huh?" he scoffed. "Yet, somehow that guy managed to get a few minutes of Representative Mateo's time."

I was stunned. I hate to admit it, but he was right.

I cleared my throat. "I'm afraid that's all the time I can spare. I will pencil in your appointment in case Representative Mateo becomes available."

"Oh, she will be available. Besides, it only takes a simple token to test how far anyone can bend before they stray away from the practice of good governance."

That's when I lost it. I valued the integrity I uphold in the practice of my job and here he was, implying that everyone was corruptible at a proper price.

"Excuse me?" I fumed.

Mr. Sol stood up and gave me another of his signature smile. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Jazz. We will see each other again."