Chasing an Angel

OPLAN WIN HER BACK - C11.1

"Blue Bay Resorts and Country Club's Credit and Collection Office, Good Morning." Lolly answered when the phone on her table rang.

"Good morning, may I speak with Ms. Lolly Salvador please."

"This is Lolly Salvador speaking. Anything that I could do for you sir?"

"Ms. Lolly we would like to book in your resort but my boss wants to know what your top attractions are, the amenities covered and, how much it would cost."

"I think it's best that you talk first with our Sales Office Sir. We could also answer whatever you want to know but we are more involve on receiving payments based from their quotations to officially confirm your reservations. If you could hold on for a minute sir, I will transfer your call to them for they could best explain all the guest amenities that the resort could offer."

"We already did and they had supplied us with brochures of various packages but my boss wants to talk with someone from your office for payment terms and you were recommended by the person from your sales office."

"No problem sir, you or any of your representative could come to our office and I will explain everything that your boss wants to know on any package that he chooses."

"Actually Lolly, it's my boss you will be talking to. I am calling from Cebu while he is in Manila right now but he cannot go to your office and is requesting if you could probably meet him at lunch time today to talk over this."

"Sorry sir but we don't usually make arrangements outside of our office for ..," but the caller spoke cutting her off.

"Lolly, sorry to interrupt you. We know that you have policies and procedures to follow but my boss has reasons why he could not go to your office now. You don't personally know me or my boss but I assure you that he is a trustworthy and respectable person. Actually he would prefer to meet you at the coffee shop of the hotel for your convenience but to drive away your fears you may choose any eating place near your office where you feel safe to meet him."

"Sir if he is willing to meet me at the coffee shop why would he just not come up into our office which is on the fourth floor of the building."

"He has his reasons and he will tell you personally about it. He is a very busy person and will only be available at lunch today so please give him this opportunity."

The caller sounded very professional. Lolly pondered for a moment and thinking of a place where she could feel safe answered the caller. "Okay, I'll meet him at the fast food located at the ground floor of the mall near our hotel. This would be better than at the hotel's coffee-shop as our meeting may be misinterpreted by curious hotel staff."

"It's fixed then. I'll inform him right now where to meet you. Thank you for accommodating our request," and the line went off.

It was then that Lolly realized that the person he is talking to had forgotten to tell her who his boss is and how would they be able to recognize each other. She could not help thinking if it was not just a prank call.  But the tone of voice and manner of speaking of the caller was serious and very businesslike so she decided to meet the client despite the slip in meeting arrangement.  

Their three collectors' primary duty is to pick up payments from clients who cannot go to their office. She and Meng do most of the reports and various paper works and at the same time received payments made at the office when no collector is around. As they also accept payments at the office, it is a policy that someone has to man it during office hours even at lunch time to accommodate all paying guests. So, she and Meng had to take turns in having lunch if no collector is available and could only lunch together if any of the three is in the office. Today, their boss is at the hotel's main office to attend the weekly Department Heads' meeting and all collectors are already on the field so, she had instructed Meng to lunch ahead.

Come lunchtime, despite her doubts and the identification problem, Lolly pushed through with her earlier decision.  After Meng returned to the office, it was Lolly's turn to leave for lunch but not knowing how long will it take for her to finalize the transaction if the supposed client really turns out at the arranged meeting place she discussed this with Meng.

"Meng, I need to meet a client for lunch and I don't know how long will it take for me to explain what he needs to know so I maybe a little late in returning to the office."

"Why can't he come at the office then? Don't you think it's a bit risky?"

"I've tried explaining to his assistant who requested for the arrangement but according to him his boss has valid reasons why he can't make it. I'll be meeting him at the mall's food court a few blocks from here. Don't worry I know what to do to be safe. Please take charge while I'm out."

"Sige ingat ka at pag kailangan ng tulong sumigaw ka lang ng Darna para dumating agad si Ding," pahabol na biro ni Meng.

Since it is almost noon time Lolly proceeded to the mall's food court in a hurry. The place is already packed with diners and she looked around searching for a vacant table and at the same time to possibly spot someone who is responsible for her going there.

While still searching for a nice place to occupy, she saw someone in rugged attire but undeniably a very good looking man heading towards her direction. She giggled while surreptitiously watching the approaching figure. "OMG! could he possibly be the one?" she asked herself.

As if hearing her thoughts, the man stopped right in front of her and extended his right hand to her for a very obvious handshake.

"Thank you so much for coming despite the unlikelihood of our arrangement Lolly. I am Alden Faulkerson Jr., Meng's boyfriend."