Friday, June 27, 2025 – Day 12
6:21 AM – Train to Modena
The countryside whipped past the window as Leo watched the golden fields of Emilia-Romagna blur into focus. It was a solo mission today. The girls hadn't secured confirmation from ProtoForma, and Leo didn't want to waste Giorgio Baldini's time with an entourage.
His phone buzzed.
Luca:"Show him you're not just another pitch. You're a solution. And remind him it's not a gamble if the parts arrive on time."
Giulia: "Don't forget to smile. But not too much. You get weird when you overdo it."
Sofia: "Go get him!"
Leo grinned and typed a quick reply: "Thanks. I'll make us proud."
11:59 AM – Officine Baldini HQ, Modena
The Baldini facility was a precise balance of old-world factory charm and slick modern efficiency. Oil-slick concrete floors, CNC machines humming like a well-trained choir, and a modest office with solid oak furniture.
Giorgio Baldini was already waiting, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp.
"You're punctual," he said. "I like that."
Leo nodded. "Thank you for the opportunity. I brought updated breakdowns. I believe we can bring fulfillment under nine days with local nodes."
Giorgio sat, flipping through the packet. For twenty minutes, he grilled Leo like a university thesis advisor. On tolerances. Supply bottlenecks. Compatibility logic across ERP systems.
Leo answered every question with calm precision. It wasn't perfect. But it was real. Grounded.
Then Giorgio leaned back.
"I'll give you something small first. Ten SKUs, most urgent. Prove your numbers. You get the rest."
Leo blinked. "Wait—is that a yes?"
Giorgio smiled.
"That's a yes."
12:51 PM – Baldini Lobby
Leo was still catching his breath when Giorgio returned with another man in tow.
"This is Marco Alvani, he runs Alvani Meccanica, just down the street. They handle the gaskets we don't. You two should talk."
Leo offered a handshake. "Leo from Kronos Parts."
"Marco. Heard Giorgio gave you a shot. Let's see if you're worth the trouble."
1:10 PM – Alvani Meccanica, Modena
The afternoon was a blur of new part specs, supplier compatibility questions, and alignment discussions. Marco was precise, but curious.
Leo stayed two hours, taking notes, sketching potential workflows. This wasn't just a lead—it was synergy. If Alvani and Baldini came onboard, Leo could build a regional cluster model with shared logistics.
5:23 PM – Train Back to Milan
Exhausted but fired up, Leo tapped away at his laptop. He wanted everything fresh in the system: Marco's RFQ structure, Baldini's test SKUs, and the updated CRM log.
He opened the memo file.
Goals 30 Days:
10 real contacts ✓ 7 reached so far ( Thanks Giorgiooo)
5 physical visits ✓ 1 completed today (Baldini)
3 verbal confirmations ✓ 1 confirmed (Baldini)
1 signed MoU — still pending
He closed the laptop and stared out the window, tired but triumphant.
7:01 PM – Officina22, Side Office
Leo walked in to find the lights dimmed. A burst of confetti hit his chest.
"WHAT THE—"
Sofia and Giulia popped out from behind the counter, party hats crooked on their heads. Luca held a bottle of Prosecco.
"To our first YES!" shouted Giulia.
"And hopefully not our last!" added Sofia.
A handmade sign hung on the whiteboard: "Milestone Unlocked: Verbal Confirmations = 1"
They drank, laughed, and even let Leo retell the whole meeting minute-by-minute.
9:02 PM – Rooftop, Officina22
Later, with the celebration winding down, Leo and Sofia slipped up to the rooftop.
The city lights glittered. For a moment, silence.
Then she leaned in. "So what now, Captain Kronos?"
Leo hesitated, then kissed her.
But when they parted, he said softly, "This company comes first. For now."
She nodded, eyes steady. "I know. And when Kronos runs itself..."
He smiled. "Then we talk."
She kissed him again—this time more fiercely. Then stepped back, smirking.
"Then I've decided something," she said. "I will personally make these three verbal confirmations, and that signed MoU happen so fast, the business plan will need a seatbelt."
Leo affectionately smiled.
"Then we'd better stock up on paper."