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Quinn had to suppress a yawn, the whole thing was boring and there were so many things he could be doing with his time. Things that were eons more productive than schmoozing with other workaholics, a group that he honestly didn’t think knew about his company or what they did…. A global conglomerate at this point mostly in tech. Not that he minded, he liked being anonymous and being able to just observe the crowd milling around was just fine with him. He just wished it was more interesting is all. There were so many that were just looking to brag or kiss a**. He did find a few that he would happily pass their business cards down to the appropriate managers.
He slipped up to the bar, absently nodding to the woman people watching, and ordered himself a water. “Mind if I borrow one of the seats?” He asked the lady even as he tipped for the water. The other seats in the venue were fairly full with people chatting and rubbing elbows with the others in attendance.
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Ana turned to look at her new neighbor, nodding, “Sure.” She went back to her people watching, sneaking a couple of glances at the person beside her. She hasn't seen him at these types of things before but then again, she could’ve missed him as well. As much as she likes to watch people, she was indeed all about her business most days. It was her grandmother’s dream to have their little homegrown shop grow on a much grander scale, and while she can say having a few stores in a couple of states was nothing short of amazing, Analise wanted to go further than that.
Perhaps even venture out into other little bits of the business world as well. There were an endless amount of possibilities.
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Quinn smiled slightly and murmured a ‘thanks’ as he settled on one of the barstools, sipping at his water. His green eyes took in the event space, absently noting a few other business owners that worked with his company, making a mental note to avoid them just so he could stay as lowkey as possible. He was only here because one of his managers couldn’t make it and Quinn was told that he had the free time so ‘go talk to other people for goodness sake’.
As the silence continued to stretch he couldn’t help but wonder, “So what type of company do you run?” The woman couldn’t be more than a year or two younger than him, neither of them exactly in the majority right now, but looked just as driven and focused as someone three times her age. A real ‘go getter’ as some would put it. So if she was as business minded as he figured her to be, why was she lingering at the bar? Why wasn’t she chatting with one of the many others in the same field as her?
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Annalise blinked slowly, her trance broken.
Turning to face the blonde with a small smile, she took a sip of her drink, “I run a jewelry business. Everything is sourced from the USA. If I need something imported the company is heavily researched before accepting.” She was well aware of where diamonds came from and the blood behind it so she didn't want to take any chance with something that could've been picked from some starving child or the slave of a company in Africa. She crossed one leg over the other, raising an eyebrow.
“You?”
He didn't look like he could be from the same business so that was less competition for her. But maybe he could be a potential venture in the future depending on what company he worked for.
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Quinn’s eyes dropped to the woman’s necklace, noting the simplicity and elegance of the design, before dropping a bit lower to her more feminine assets. He was a male after all, but as a gentleman he quickly returned his gaze back to her eyes. It was completely hormonal, and still… not terribly appropriate for their situation. He sheepishly took a sip of his water before nodding, “Ethically sourcing just about anything these days is a massive undertaking so good on you. I’m assuming,” He tapped at his chest where a tie would typically sit. Quinn detested them so while his suit was tailored and fit perfectly that the top button of the collared shirt was undone and no tie in sight. “It is from your shop? Do you design only your brand or is it more of an eclectic type collection? Sworskey and the like.” He was curious to see if she was running a brand only type store or if she also sold things that he would term ‘third party items’ like stuff from other major brands. Neither were bad, he was just curious. Besides he knew that the RnD team were looking at ways to incorporate their tech into more trendy things so it might be worth looking into.
“Me? Tech mostly. Microchips and the other fiddly things that life runs on nowadays. Nothing earth shattering or all that interesting honestly.” Quinn shrugged and took another swallow of his water.
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If she noticed his gaze dropping she didn't give anything away, politely answering the question. “I design my own brand. I'm not in the market for giving the competition any handouts.” She laughed at that, light and whimsical in its sound. “But yes, this is an original design. I was hoping to catch the eye of some debutante's wife~” She frowned a little, “But perhaps it would need more “sparkle” for that. I'm pretty proud of this piece with or without the modifications.” When he mentioned that he worked with tech, her eyes lit up slightly. “Really? Interested in an integration with jewelry? Or perhaps a deal making an exclusive collection from your company?”
Infusing tech with jewelry seemed like the proper way to do with all things considered lately. She could come up with something akin to the tech watches of this day and age, but with rings and necklaces…Maybe even earrings.
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Quinn shrugged, “Honestly those with money are more likely to go for the beautifully made, high quality pieces. Typically understated.” His observations were made from years of interacting with the higher levels of wealth in the city, and further abroad. “Those who go for the more ostentatious jewels and gems are looking to flaunt their money. People who have ‘real’ money don’t feel that need. Or at least that's what I’ve noticed.” He personally liked the understated piece. It was simple and elegant. His mom would love it, granted this was the same woman who still adored the macaroni necklace he made back in pre-k. It was stored in the same jewelry box as her diamonds and other precious stones.
The sandy blonde hummed before finishing up his water and placing the empty glass on the bar. “I’m more of a paper pusher but if you have a card I can definitely pass it on to the idea’s guy in the company, I swear I’m not hitting on you. There is just merit in the idea. I keep seeing more and more smart watches and the like, there are even brands around alert bracelets that look like jewelry, so there is a market. The question is what would it be used for and what are the limitations.” That and with a card he could make his way over to her store to see about a present or two for his mom… and he wouldn’t turn down talking to her some more. So maybe there was a little bit of flirting with her, just a bit.
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She took the card, shaking her head. The earlier bit was a bit of a joke that did not translate well, but that was okay. Ana took the card, looking at the logo. Yes, this would be a nice new venture for her. “Here’s my card~” there may or may not have been a small giggle that managed to make it's way from her. Of course he wasn't trying to flirt! Sure~ Ana finished her drink, getting up with an air of grace, “Stop by sometime? My name is Annalise.” She waited patiently to see if she would get his name before heading out.
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“Thank you,” Quinn smiled, with a bit of a roguish touch, even as he took the offered card. He eyed the card, noting the logo and the address printed on the stiff paper. “It’s been a pleasure to meet Annalise. I’m Arthur but most just call me Quinn, Arthur’s my dad.” He shrugged and chuckled slightly even as he pulled out a simple card of his own. It only had the company logo on it and their switchboard number on it.
“One sec,” He said as he turned around and politely asked the bartender to borrow his pen. With it in hand he quickly scrawled ‘Quinn’ and his secretary’s number on the back. His own desk phone wasn’t the best way to reach him… going through his assistant was the quickest and simplest way. With that done he turned back to the woman and passed his card over. “If I can’t get back to you in at least two weeks, give that number a call and ask for me. I’ve got to see what the guys are up to before I can send them your way but I think we can come up with something really neat.”
Fiction1119
