The One Billion Dollars Translator

The Salary Cut

The conference room was unusually quiet. Alex Miller sat near the end of the long glass table, his eyes fixed on the document Gracias had just placed in front of him, he read it once and his fingers tightened around the edge of the paper

‘Monthly Salary: $4,000’

“I'm sorry, Gracias. What is this?”Alex slowly raised his head to ask

Gracias Miller sat at the head of the table, completely unfazed. She had been temporarily appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Elite Construction Company while Alex's father remained bedridden. For the past several months, she had gradually taken control of the company's daily operations.

She folded her hands on the table with a grin, “It's your new salary structure.”

“My new salary structure?” Alex was confused

“Yeah, your new salary,” Gracias repeated.

“But I earn five thousand dollars every month, why the cut off. What happened, is the company not doing well?” He bombarded Gracias with questions, still in awe 

“The company is doing well but that doesn't mean you should be over paid. A typical engineer in this company gets four thousand dollars a month and as the CEO's first son, you ain't going to be an exception” she proudly explained.

“Excuses me, Gracias. My salary as a site engineer still remains four thousand dollars but I earn additional thousand dollars for my translating job which I do for the company, concerning our international clients” he tried to explain but was immediately cut off.

“There isn't anything complicated about it, Alex. You are a site engineer and should stick to that. Other departmental jobs like translation shouldn't be on your shoulder. I realized we have been spending some side money which shouldn't be on the payroll and decided to work on it. Henceforth, stick up your position and I'll have another person taking over” She explained, with a fake smile that didn't last for two seconds.

“Do you realize that I've been working as the company's translator for five years? To get another translator isn't the problem but does he or she have the knowledge to translate the construction terms? We have clients from Germany, France and all over the world, do you think you are making the right decision?” Alex kept asking, still in shock. He was sweating profusely despite the presence of the ventilation inside the conference room 

“I believe Alex was right. Since he has been doing that translator’s job for five years, we have no issues with our international clients. In fact, other construction companies are jealous of us and I think he isn't getting enough recognition that he deserves…” Derrick, one of the Senior Engineers, was explaining when Gracias stood up.

“Shut your mouth up, Derrick!” She yelled.

“His job is done as the translator and I have decided to bring another capable hand into this company. He has done it for five years without any single mistakes doesn't mean he is suitable for the position. My son, Henry just graduated from a business school in Germany and he also learnt multiple languages when he was still there. Henceforth, Henry Miller is appointed as the company's new translator with a starting salary of twenty thousand dollars!”  

The announcement sent chills to all the audience inside the conference room. They were all shocked and were left speechless but after a few seconds of muteness, they all applauded to welcome Henry to the organization.

“Thank you all. I'm Henry Miller and recently graduated from the top school in Germany. I'll handle all that translator job henceforth and I plead for your cooperation” he introduced himself, followed with a small bow and the applause came once again.

Henry walked close to where Alex was seated and stretched his hand forward for a handshake.

“I hope you will put me through”

Alex took the handshake with the response, “that isn't any of my duties henceforth. I wish you you well” then he smiled 

“Are you jealous of your brother now? You should be able to handover everything regarding the translation jobs you have done in the past to him” Gracias immediately snapped at him.

“Worry not, I'll hand over all the copies in my position but please, nobody should disturb me for help. I'll face my only duty as the site Engineer henceforth” he calmly responded, adjusting his tie at the same time.

“Sorry brother, I think you are still pained cos of the hundred bucks cut off” Alex smirked 

“Jeez! That's kinda funny. It's a privilege to be working in his father's company already. I don't know why he is greedy to take two positions at the same time, "Gracias scoffed.

“I wasn't greedy and the cut off didn't hurt me. I was only pained cos you think my five years of contract meeting, technical documents, communication with foreign partners only worth just a thousand dollars why the newbies, who is a fresh graduate is getting twenty thousand dollars for the same role I was getting a thousand dollars for. By the way, I didn't choose the role but was appointed by my father and for the past five years, I have been able to secure contracts of two hundred million dollars for the company” Alex poured out his mind while few of the stakeholders nodded in response, agreeing to his explanation.

“That's it. Your father appointed you but now, he is sick and I'm the one in charge. The restructure has taken place at this moment. You should appreciate the fact that I am still allowing you to work here but if you ain't okay with the arrangement, kindly submit your resignation letter but you and I know you would dare cos no company out there will hire you with your incompetency” She hissed loudly then picked up the wine that was arranged nearly in front of her 

“Let's celebrate the arrival of my son, Henry Miller into the company and cheers to new arrangements” she popped the wine and smiled.

“I have had enough!” Alex cursed, picked up his file and walked out of the room angrily.