Getting Started 5
CALEB'S POV"It was going to be a long night," suspected Caleb.His grandfather had asked that they continue the discussion in his private chambers so he could lie down on the bed and rest his head on a pillow.Caleb agreed."As I was saying," Mateo began as soon as they went inside and shut the door, "Dezani Cosmetics is one of the biggest companies in Mexico City. At least it used to be."Caleb heard him murmur that last part under his breath the moment his head hit the pillow."It competed with some of the big brands in the cosmetic industry around the globe: from France to the United States, to Korea, and even China.""China?" Caleb sounded surprised."Yes. Dezani Cosmetics was a famous manufacturer of ladies' lipsticks for brown skin women. We co-sponsored the Miss World beauty pageant about 22 years ago - if memory serves me well - when a black woman from West Africa won the contest.""This is too good to be true," Caleb said in pleasant delight."Best believe your grandfather. We were the talk of the whole country for a long time, even at the AGM held later that year, Dezani Cosmetics was used as a case study.""What is AGM?""Annual General Meeting. It's a meeting that official bodies, associations, and companies hold each year to elect the board of directors and inform their members of previous and future activities. I was appointed the chairman that year for our outstanding rating by the European Union in the global market.""Wow." Caleb digested the info with awe."Unfortunately though, that was the last time we made our mark on the international stage. Since the gruesome death of Lorenzo..." his voice tailed as he struggled to choke back the lump in his throat. He recovered just as quickly and continued, "the company has suffered a steady decline year after year."Lord Dezani paused to adjust his pillow even as a pensive look gleamed in his eyes. "And also because I'm getting along in years, I haven't been able to run it as efficiently as your father did. New companies have sprung up with young, brilliant minds manning them and they've overtaken ours. The business world is now fast-paced with everything going digital, which is the advantage El-Zaki has.""What is he doing differently, Grandpa?""His son is the brain behind the running of the company even though he's still acting as the CEO."Caleb could swear he heard the old man sniff. And the sound broke his heart."I'm sorry to hear all this, Grandpa," Caleb said amidst his own private agony, "I'll make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible when I take over."Mateo silently groaned. He loved his grandson and was happy to be reunited with him, yet deep down he knew that running such a big company was going to be a huge responsibility. Especially for someone who was an amateur in business. But he couldn't outrightly say that to the young man."I'm sure you will do all you can, my boy," he said and patted his shoulder. Caleb was sitting next to him on the big bed made of cedarwood."I know you have your doubts about my leadership skills, Grandpa. And understandably so. However, I've got a few years of working experience - albeit in smaller firms. Recently though, I worked with DeZ Cosmetics for close to two years and know a bit about running an organisation. My ex-boss left some of the administrative work to me and I delivered as best I could. There is still so much I could learn, I admit, but I'm really a fast learner. Trust me."The old man smiled at his grandson's enthusiastic thinking. He admired his never say die spirit. "Then you will have to accompany me every day to the office from henceforth.""I will love to do that, Grandpa.""Well then, go get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be the first of many days ahead," Mateo said and yawned."Right, Grandpa. I can see you are exhausted and need to sleep too.""Goodnight, my boy.""Sleep well, Grandpa."Caleb slowly stood up and opened the door. As it shut behind him he exclaimed. "I can't wait for tomorrow to come."***At the office the next day, Lord Dezani took Caleb through a tour of the massive building complex, showing him the administrative block, the lab where production takes place, and the storage room. He asked the secretary to send a circular to every department calling for an emergency meeting so he could introduce him to the other members of his staff."Grandpa," Caleb whispered when they were about to commence the meeting, "please do not announce to anyone yet that I'm going to be the next CEO.""But why?" the old man was curious."Because that might make things a bit difficult for me.""How so?""I want to be able to work without being given preferential treatment. That will avail me the chance to understudy all the staff closely, to know each of them their true colors, and generally see how things are done around here."Lord Dezani considered his words for a moment and nodded." That's a brilliant idea."At the meeting, Caleb was introduced as an intern who would be working directly with the boss to enable him personally supervise his performance. That seemed to thrill some of the workers who were already feeling jealous that he might get preferential treatment as against how they were all being treated.Vincent, the junior clearing agent was the first to react after the meeting. Caleb had gone to inspect the storage room. "Just know that in this company every one must learn fast or else they'll be dropped.""How do you mean?" Caleb inquired."The company I heard is looking to downsize soon. And many staff might be affected if they aren't making much impact. I'm just giving you a heads up," he said looking over his shoulder."Well, thanks for the pep talk. I'll keep that in mind."The HR personnel was rather rude in her reaction to him. "If you must be a part of this company, at least dress to look the part. Being an intern shouldn't be an excuse to appear tattered." She was referring to Caleb's unkempt hair and worn-out clothes. He hadn't shaved for two days and his hair was due for a visit to the barber. Going out with his grandfather the next day wasn't planned at all. In fact, nothing in the last 24 hours of his life went according to plan.Caleb felt embarrassed but kept his cool. "Thanks for your kind suggestion, Miss Johnson.""Jonas." She snapped.After then Caleb returned to his grandfather's office and spent the remainder of the day going through some official documents. Late into the afternoon, they were ready to go home. Mateo had an appointment with a new client slated for 5:00 pm.On their way, he asked Caleb what his experience with the workers was like. "It wasn't any different from my past experience," he answered honestly."See why I wanted people to get to know you for who you really are?""I know. But let's leave things the way they are at the moment."Lord Dezani shrugged, "If you insist."Caleb's mind flashed back to what Miss Jonas had told him. He also remembered the kind of dressing he used to see Mr Hart wearing whenever he came to the office and voiced out."Although, I'm starting to see the need to have that change of wardrobe you mentioned yesterday.""Right. Tomorrow morning Ricardo can take you shopping."
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Chapter 192
THE ENDCaleb went to DeZ Cosmetics the next day with some men from the ministry to reopen the place. He still remembered a few of the staff there and began to call them one by one.Mr Apollo, the company's supervisor, was the first person he called. "Hello Mr Apollo, this is Caleb. Caleb Dezani. I'm calling from DeZ Cosmetics and I am in the office right now. Do you mind reporting to work?"The man grunted in disbelief. "But the company was closed down two days ago. And you no longer work there. Last I asked, I was told you took over as the CEO of another company." Caleb laughed. "Well, that last part is true. However, the company was under dispute and has now been resolved. I have reclaimed it as the rightful CEO and want you to return to work. Please while coming, do well to call others to report to work too. I shall be waiting at the reception hall."But Mr Apollo didn't call anyone until he got to the company and found out for himself that the place was indeed reopened. It was a
Chapter 191
THE TRUTH IS OUT It felt like a nightmare as the black police Hilux which carried Madam Rebecca drove into the ministry. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She didn't know what to expect. She was ushered into the office by the officers who brought her with specific instructions from the inspector. Meanwhile, Caleb hadn't joined them. When the inspector asked whether he was going to the ministry from the station, he replied that he wanted his grandfather to be present during the meeting. "I need to go and pick him up at home." The two men shook hands, "Well, whatever happens, do not hesitate to ring me." "Thank you so much, Inspector. I hope we shall be able to meet and have that drink soon." The man laughed. "I will count the hours till I hear from you. Good luck!" he added. Caleb drove back home and lord Diego joined him to the ministry. Abhi couldn't follow because he had already left for work. But his stepmother, Leah, insisted on being a part of it. Caleb obliged her.
Chapter 190
The FINAL NAIL The next man to interrogate him was the meanest of them. His face was cold and unfeeling."Why did you abandon your textile business?""I didn't abandon it.""Excuse me?""I did not abandon the business. I was defrauded and the business collapsed." "That means you went bankrupt after that?" He didn't answer. "Please can you speak up so the next person can take over?" "Not really. I had people who pulled resources together to loan me the capital I needed to rebuild my business." "And yet you didn't. Or did you?" Again he swallowed hard. "Okay, let me rephrase the question. As a businessman who was into textile, after you were defrauded and people loaned you money, did you rebuild your textile business?" "No." "So what did you do? "I went into partnership with someone in another line of business." "And what business was that?" "Cosmetics. I went into cosmetics." "Good. That will be all from me."By the time the rest of the members had interrogated him, El-Za
Chapter 189
MAKING CONCESSIONEl-Zaki woke up for the third time since he was shot and realised he was in a different atmosphere.This new place smelled of drugs and drip water. "Where am I?" he asked no one in particular. A male nurse who was attached to him was sitting by a desk writing. He looked up and said, "You are in an infirmary. You were shot but now recovering." El-Zaki tried to look around and the effort made his head hurt. "Who shot me and which infirmary is this?" The nurse was instructed not to answer any questions past introducing himself and offering medical care. "I'm sorry sir but you shouldn't be concerned about that. You are responding well to treatment and your wound is drying up faster than expected. Please tell me if you feel any pain or want anything." The man stubbornly tried to sit up and felt a sharp pain on his side." Oh gosh! My rib!" he grunted. "Lie still," the nurse advised. He looked at his watch and said, "It's almost time for your midnight draught. It will
Chapter 188
SLIPPING AWAYIt was Mr Ramirez calling back Caleb to tell him the men at the checkpoint said the truck was merely carrying items for charity.But Caleb knew better than to buy that lie. He remembered his own travel adventure with Pedro. How he had to hide at the bottom of Grandpa Carlos' truck loaded with cow refuse and feed for hours until they got to Woodward Valley from Greenville."But did they offload the entire truck to search?" he probed."I doubt that they did." "Okay. You should get to your hotel and remain inside. I just got info that the police team from yesterday may be visiting Cholula this afternoon." "Is that right?" "So I heard. Or better still, do not go to any hotel. Find somewhere else to lodge until you hear from me again." "But where else is safer than a hotel?" he asked feeling desperate. "I know a place. It's an old farmhouse occupied by an old couple. Fabian's grandparents." "Oh ho! Don't tell me this was your grand plan all along to make your friend see
Chapter 187
DISCOVEREDIt was lunchtime and Caleb realised he was starving. All he had eaten the previous day was toasted bread and salad prepared by Hannah and Bella. Then in the afternoon, he didn't have time to eat as he spent it trying to help them settle down at the new place he got for them. Later that evening, he was called to be at Primo Palace and all he took was a bottle of the most expensive wine which he shared with Mr Ramirez. And later on in the night, he drank French wine as they talked.He felt his stomach growling in protest. Even Abhi heard it from his office and teased him. "When Madam Leah was begging you to have breakfast at home you said food was the least of your worries. Now the worms can't bear it anymore that they want to cause a volcanic eruption in your stomach." Caleb didn't know when he let out a burst of laughter. "You're crazy, man!" "I swear I've been so busy that I can't wait for all of this to be over so I can take a month-long vacation." "Sure. You will ne
Chapter 186
SHOWING UPCaleb called the inspector of police, and he promptly answered. "To what do I owe this personal call?" he said cheerfully. "To a long-lasting friendship of mutual interests," he replied. Then he added, "I was hoping we could hang out maybe later in the day. What do you think?" "Oh, that would be wonderful. Let's make it eight o'clock this evening." "That's fine by me," Caleb consented. "What venue?" the Inspector asked. "FanFood Eatery." "I shall be there," the inspector promised and the call quickly ended. A notification dropped in Caleb's phone. He checked it was a text message. He hastily read through because he was behind the wheel. A delivery truck just turned up in the El-Zaki mansion. It has spent about 25 minutes inside the premises." The message read. Caleb immediately sensed something sinister. He pulled over and replied to the informant. "Have it followed and let me know its destination." The info made him feel a bit troubled. But he shrugged it off an
Chapter 185
DOOMSDAY Everyone's attention was turned in the direction of the intruders. "Gentlemen, how may we help you?" the lady questioned. "It's more about how we may help you," Caleb responded. Barrister Crusoe kept his face down avoiding Hart's gaze. The director spoke next. "Yes, let's hear you out." "Good day, lady and gentlemen. My name is Caleb Dezani of Dezani Cosmetics," he introduced himself. The director narrowed his furrow, and the three men seated to the right of the lady gasped. The other three including the lady shone their eyes in disbelief. "You mean you're the CEO of Dezani Cosmetics!" "That's correct," Caleb said suppressing a grin at their dramatic expressions. The director went on. "How may we help you? I mean you already said it's you who wants to help us, so please, to what do we owe this August visit?" "Well, I was reliably informed that you were asking to see the original documents of DeZ Cosmetics." "Dez Cosmetics isn't the same as Dezani Cosmetics, am I
Chapter 184
DETAINEDHart drove with bated breath heading to the ministry. He kept trying to reach his father to find out whether he was able to trace barrister Crusoe but his line remained unreachable.It was almost ten o'clock and his line wasn't still connecting. None of the bodyguards that went out with him had returned home last night. It was as if there was a conspiracy amongst them to abandon the mansion the moment their boss went incommunicado. Everyone was just acting strangely - including his mother. She had suddenly packed her bags after his father left the house telling him she was going on an emergency business trip but that she would call to inform him when to join her. "Where is this business conference, seminar, or whatever taking place?" "We'd be touring round different countries starting from Portugal. Then we'd move to Brazil and so on.""All within South America?" Hart had enquired. But she didn't give a definite answer. Surprisingly, not too long after she left for the ai
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