Chapter nine

Miguel's POV

" If you check in page two of the contract papers before you, everything you asked to facilitate this business transaction are all in there." I said with a calm tone as I looked at the three gentlemen that were sitting in front of me.

One of the men whispered into the ear of the man sitting in their middle. Immediately the middle man picked up the pen and signed the paper.

" Congratulations Mr Martinez, I anticipate doing business with you." He said stretching his hand out for a handshake. I quickly locked my hands with his.

" You would not regret it for one day." I said confidence in my tone. Now, that is how to seal a contract legally. 

Being a CEO for the past two months has proven to be very stressful. I had made so many tough decisions, taken so many risk, made a few losses and bagged a lot of contract. People expected me to be like the former CEO, my father. They expected me to have to bribe people and companies into entering a contract with me. But where is the value they get to see if i have to win them over with money. It is definitely more fun doing it my way. 

" You have a call from your father, sir" my personal assistant informed me as we walked back to my office. 

" Tell him I'm busy, I'll talk to him later." 

" He said it's urgent sir." I sighed before taking the phone off his hands. This man would do anything to get the attention he demands. 

" Did you get the contract?" 

" Yes I did, is that all Dad?"

" Watch your tone, because you are succeeding with your way doesn't make you any better than I am." 

" I have work to do dad." I said before handing the phone back to my personal assistant. 

" Jerry, what is next on my schedule?" I asked my personal assistant as we entered the office.

" You have a meeting with the CEO of Reyes industries." 

" Reyes industries? Never heard of them. They just started off?"

" No sir, they only changed their name. They were formally called Lawson industries." The short man said adjusting his eyeglasses. I guess I wasn't aware of that since I have been away from the country for a while. Well, The Lawson's are part of the big dogs in the industry, it would be good to be friends with them.

" Send them in." I said sitting down on my seat. Few minutes later, the door opened revealing a man who from my calculations should be the same age with me. 

" Good day Mr Reyes" I greeted

" Mr Martinez, lovely to finally meet you." He said sitting on the visitors chair opposite me. I also took my seat too.

" I know we CEO barely have enough time so I would just go straight to business." I think I like him already, straight to the point. " When I heard there was a change in management, I knew I had to give you time to settle down before coming up to you." 

" Thoughtful of you. If I may ask why the change of name?" I asked intrigued. 

" Well...W.." he stuttered. I could see the nervousnes in his eyes. 

" We just decided to, Mr Martinez." 

" Ok then."

" Yes, I came to meet you regarding the renewal of our contract."

" Renewal? I am not aware of such with Reyes industries."

" I guess your father didn't tell you." I cringed a bit at the mention of my father. "We normally have a little contract we have with each other and we get to renew it every year." My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to remember if I had read any document relating to that. I had made sure to read all documents relating to relationships and businesses transactions with other industries and companies within the first two weeks of my resumption to office. 

" I do not recall anything of that sort but I'll ask for it, go through it and get back to you." 

" Ok, I would definitely be expecting your call then. Here is my card." He said sliding a white card on the table towards me.

" Sure" I said with a small smile. He left and immediately I sent for Jerry. 

" Jerry bring in all documents that have the contract we have with Reyes industries." I said as I signed some documents on my desk

" Sir... You burnt them?" My attention moved from the document to the short man in front of me.

" What do you mean I burnt them?" 

" You burnt them sir, you called it ' bunch of your father's rubbish' in your words". I remembered immediately the scene. For me to have burnt it, it meant that the contract didn't hold any benefit or value. 

" I remember, you can go." 

" Sir... You still have a meeting with the CEO of Cruz group." My ears got alert when I heard the name. The person had sent an email two months back and I had gone through it and accepted to do business with her blindly. I had never seen her face not once. I couldn't even use a voice recognition software to track who it was cause she uses an automated voice. 

" She is here in person?" 

No sir, she's waiting for you on a zoom call meeting. I picked up my laptop as I logged into the meeting.

" Glad you could join us today." It was not the usual automated voice today, it was a light shrill voice. Could this be her? 

" Yes, glad hearing your real voice for the first time." I said with a smirk. I heard a small chuckle which got me confused.

" I'm Talia and I'm a representative of the CEO of Cruz group."

" So you don't run the company?" I asked even more confused. " No sir I don't."

" Well, in that case I would like to talk to your CEO." 

" They are currently busy at the moment, that's why I'm having this meeting with you."

" We didn't receive the merchandise at our drop offs." I was trying to figure out this mysterious being behind the company. 

" Sir?" I didn't even hear what she had said.

" Yes, about the merchandise. I would talk to my head of distribution about it." I said randomly. 

" Thank you sir. That would be all."

" Wait ...do you think you can set up a meeting for me with your boss?"

" I doubt that's possible sir. My boss had a really busy schedule." 

" If it's only ten minutes she has to spare, I would be fine with it." 

" I can't assure you that." 

" I have a product launch coming up, I would like for her to be there. Moreover she was the one that helped me with getting the product done."

" I would tell her."

" Thank you Talia" " Very much welcome sir." She said before ending the meeting.

I picked up my phone and dailed a number. The person picked on second ring.

" Cruz group now." I said 

" Yes boss"