The Company

Adrian

“We are losing a lot of our assets. Our partners are slowly canceling their partnership with us. I just talked to Lockwood Company and they just canceled on us and said our company is on the line right now after the incident and they were looking out for themselves and can no longer partner with us. I do not blame them at this point we would have done the same.” Jane finished off and took a big sip of water.

Jane was our lead manager in logistics and the worry she

had in her eyes for Sage Enterprises was so evident as it was for everyone in

that boardroom as she said we were on the edge.

“How is the news traveling this fast? I thought the media

was trying to cover down the story,” I said while turning my seat.

“We have tried to keep it down Sir but it was not that

easy considering the police are putting the story out there to catch the

culprits. We have tried everything we could, especially with the help of the IT

team.” Meridith, head of media team says.

“We should not worry though. Sage Enterprises can never

collapse at least not on our watch and we will try to safeguard it the best way

we know how to. Dave and the IT team I want double the security that was on our

properties. If it was three-level encrypted I want it six-level if that is a

thing. I want you to also install CCTVs in every corridor in this company I do

not want even a single blind spot excluding the washrooms for privacy. Meridith

and the media team, work together with marketing to put our good reputation out

there. Anything you need to do to put us out there. Security is to be doubled.

Everyone coming in and out is to be thoroughly checked and anyone coming in

without an appointment and is not an employee should remain at the reception

area until summoned and this is to be followed strictly. I also want a record

of every employee in Sage Enterprises and it should be emailed to me, I hope

you get that done Angela by the end of the day. Most importantly I want us to

work like we have never worked before and get back our company. It would hurt

me if we resolve to cut off some of our employees and hence encourage your

departments, every single person to work as hard as they could during this dark

time. We are stronger than this and we will get past this. Does anyone have

anything to add on that or any clarification?” I finish my monologue with a sip

of my water.

No one raises an issue and the boardroom is quiet for a

minute.

“Okay then, get back to work.”

Everyone gets up and out of the boardroom using the back

door. Angela walks over to me. I know she has always wanted to have a somewhat

unprofessional relationship with me. When Angela first started working for me

she was trying to do everything in her power for me to give in to her and have

sex with her. I will not lie it was very tempting considering how attractive

she was but I would never have such a relationship with an employee let alone

my assistant so I called her and warned her about her behavior. Since then she

has maintained a good professional relationship but once in a while, I get some

cheeky behavior from her.

“Sir, what would you like to have for lunch?”

“I will be having lunch with Leo so do not bother. Call

Leo, confirm the location of the lunch for me and inform me in my office.” I

say while getting up and taking my book and pen and heading to the door.

Leo had been my best friend for the longest time

possible. Our parents were friends and so ever since we were kids we were

introduced to each other. Apart from being my best friend, Leo was my business

partner and confidant and after what had just happened to my company I wanted

to unwind and seek some advice on how to deal with this and who better else

than Leo. It is not that I had never hit rock bottom before with Sage

Enterprises, I had never been this deep of a rock bottom. I did not want to

scare my employees as I had to be their source of strength as their leader but

honestly, we were losing and losing very fast as a company, especially on our

biggest investors and partners. I was afraid.

I walked into the restaurant Leo had chosen. It screamed of Leo from the entrance, elegant but simple. The big room had high-quality furnishing, pristine cleanliness, and luxurious décor. It is one of those hotels where you have a lot to look at, and at the same time, you lose yourself for a minute. I approach the reception area, the top has marble a countertop and an African-printed vase with a cactus inside. The other side has a file holder with some pamphlets inside which I assumed was about the hotel. Right on top of the receptionist’s table is a dangling chandelier that seems to cost quite a fortune. The walls behind the receptionist have pink and red flowers blended perfectly. It is quite a scene.

“Hello, welcome to Horizon Hotels we are the best in the country and here to fulfill your desires. How may I help you Sir?” says the elegant nice lady behind the reception desk. She looks like she is in her mid-thirties and quite beautiful at that, her hair is held up in a bun with a beautiful pearl hair clip.

“Hello, thank you. I am here to meet my friend, Leonard Thomas.”

“Let me check that out. Yes, there is a table reserved by Leonard Thomas. Let me ask one of our waiters to escort you there,” she says while picking up her telephone and asking someone to come down to the reception area.

“Good afternoon Sir, your table is right this way,” a tall masculine man in a red uniform informs me and leads me through as I follow closely.

“Hi mate, I hope I did not keep you waiting much,” I say as I approach Leo’s table and greet him in a hug.

“No actually I just came in a few minutes ago. I have not even ordered.” Leo says returning the hug as I sit down across him.

“Thanks for meeting me, man. I need this, I have had such a rough day.”

“What happened, tell me…excuse me…we would like to order now.” He says while calling one of the waiters.

“I would like a chicken piccata and a coke please.”

“I would like the same please, thank you,” I say as the waiter jolts something down and goes finally giving us some privacy.

“So, talk to me,” Leo says giving me one of his concerned looks.

“I was in a board meeting today. My employees are panicking. There is an ongoing rumor among them that the heist we just experienced has damaged us so badly that some employees are going to lose their jobs. I encouraged them that no such thing would happen and that we would get past this no matter how bad it seems right now but honestly bro I am not that sure. They are shaken and I cannot say that I am not but I am trying to seem strong for them but we are now working thrice how we used to considering we have lost most of our partnerships. I cannot lose Sage Enterprises Leo, I will be a laughing stock to the entire family and also as much as I have a big net worth I am not that sure I will be able to bring up Amy luxuriously.”

“How can you think so negatively? You will never lose the company on your watch. As much as this seems like rock bottom, the Adrian I know will get past this. You need to be a strong man. How many partnerships have you lost so far?” he asks with the same concerned look.

“In the morning, I woke up with losing the Lockwoods on the phone. The Brielles, Agrocare, and Lift Pharmaceuticals have expressed their concerns about working with us over emails and I know many other companies are thinking of canceling us at the moment. The story went viral, and every business so far nationally knows that they are at risk of losing their assets if they continue working with us as we are a drowning man with literally no straw to clutch on at the moment. I do not blame them we would have done the same thing if we were in their shoes.” I finish off as the waiter brings our food. The aroma of the food is so nice it almost makes me forget I was explaining to my best friend how I am almost losing my company.

“I was going to ask you if you would mind someone to help you piece Sage Enterprises back together…more like a business advisor. I know someone and she is the best at her job, she has helped most small businesses grow and you know you can treat Sage like a small business that she is going to help you build. What do you think?” Leo finishes by taking a piece of his chicken piccata.

“Ummm I do not know about bringing a complete stranger into the company. The company is so delicate right now, one more blow, and it is done. I know you trust her but what if some rival tries her and she gives in to destroying the company? What will I do Leo in such a situation?”

“I have worked with her time and time again and even introduced her to some of my friends and honestly I do not think she is involved with shady things. Take my word for it. Plus she has a degree in economics and is so sexy.” Leo says giving me a wink.

“ You know I am not in the position to notice sexiness in a woman right now, especially not with what is going on in my love life right now. I just want to be assured that I can trust her with my company and that she will help bring back Sage Enterprises to its glory.”

“As I have said, I trust her. I have worked with her a lot and also know her family, she is a pretty decent human being. She lives with her sick father and tends to her, tell me that is not decent enough plus she lost her mum recently.”

“That does not justify decency Leo, even villains have sad stories of how they became bad. Everyone has a story but since you trust her and I trust her, I will give her a try. I am the one in need anyway, hope this will not be a waste of my money. How long does she usually take?”

“It depends on the damage she is working with you know but mostly three to four months. Take the offer bro you might even like her a lot and give her a job at the company.” He says while taking a sip of his coke and it hits me that I had not touched my food so I take a bite of my chicken. Amazing is an understatement.

“Okay, set up a meeting with her next week. Let me meet up and I will decide if she takes on the job. Thanks, man.” I say while taking a sip of my Coke.

“Where would you be without me man?”

“Shut up and eat.”