Spices (FIRST DRAFT) ~ An Alejandro and Alfred Story

𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷

"Thanks again," I whisper to Alejandro before leaving to greet the two men entering Casa Vallarta.

The businessmen that have been scavenging around the states, searching for a worthy enough company, have finally reached New Orleans, and I was able to set up a meeting with them at the restaurant. The perks of dating the owner is that he agreed to reserve a good table and accommodate us if we need something to keep the men content in my favor.

I shake their hands as I give a proper introduction of myself and lead them to the table, expressing just how honored I feel that they are willing to consider me.

They get straight to the point. The real reason they've been collecting worthy car brands and CEO's is for an auto show and banquet they are planning to host in the heart of New Orleans. It will be the city's first ever, and they want to go off with a bang. They've known that I've set up a building here and have been climbing to the top ever since. In addition, they were impressed at the name I've made for myself despite only having been in Louisiana for a little over half a year.

My success and drive for achievement have grabbed their attention to invite me to be the main attraction and a co-host at the show.

They present an offer to collaborate with their company and come up with a unique car design to make an appearance at the show on its own special platform. And, I could get a cut of the donations and money paid by visitors to see the cars.

I was astonished. The more they talked and added onto the offer, the more I was desperate to be a part of the event. It was the biggest and one-of-a-kind opportunity ever presented. I was guaranteed to see some of the biggest CEO's and business owners that I've idolised my whole life. That place would be like a candy store for me.

Still, I was required to put forth further documents, charts, and my own creative ideas to prove that without a shadow of a doubt, I am up to their standards.

Alejandro brings us drinks as part of the agreement of him keeping an eye on the table in need of assistance, and I introduce him as the man who helped design the new Noeia car back in October, where my stocks were at their highest.

They shake his hand and shower him with questions. "Are you running a double business? Working with Mr. Brookstone?"

Alejandro laughs nervously. "Ah, no. I'm just a friend who helped out." He gives me a quick side eye and returns to the kitchen.

The three of us spend another half hour discussing the event. They commented on the potential they saw within me and how bright I was for my age. They saw me as an aspiring bright young man and how I will be recognized by the whole world if I put in the work. They've already struck oil, and I wasn't letting this slip away from me. Nothing was going to get in the way of my pursuit.

Before we leave, they hand me two red leaflets in lieu of tickets. There is a black ink printed photo of a sports car on the front and information and pictures about the event located inside. I asked why they gave me two, and they wink, "plus-one. Like a lady."

Just before we leave the building, I mouth another 'thank you' to Alejandro. He raises a thumbs up from across the restaurant.

We walk down the streets of New Orleans, continuing our conversation, until they ask to see my office building. In a panic, I assure them that the building is temporary, in case they begin to judge the boring and low quality nature of it.

Inside the building, I introduced many of my coworkers, who were absolutely starstruck by the men, and I gestured behind their backs to my workers that "yeah, this is big." A lot of them were very nervous around them but held their heads high. We all understood how important this chance is and that we can not screw it up by any means necessary.