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."