100 Days With Mr Romero

It’s been two weeks since Gideon’s accident. He had fully recovered and returned to work. Ever since he came back to the office, he had been working really hard to find replacements for his business partners who pulled away.

“Good morning Sir.” Judy greeted him after she knocked on his office and he let her in.

“Morning Judy. ” he replied focusing on the open file on his table.

“Come in. ” he told her after she stood outside clinging to the door knob.

“You sent for me sir. ” she told him formally.

“Yes Judy. ” he replied closing the open file before him.

“I need you to schedule a meeting with FREDDY’S bars. We will be meeting in respect to the partnership proposal soonest.” assigned Gideon.

“Right away sir. ” she replied and left the office.

Judy went back to her office and smiled as she began drafting the meeting invitation letter on her computer. She felt glad that Gideon had recovered and was now ready to restrategize. However, she wasn’t really sure if he had forgiven her.

After Judy had the letter dispatched, she told Gidoen about it and he told her to keep her eye out for a confirmation letter.

Meanwhile, Emma was officially launching the new bar she got from ZINOX weeks ago.

The place was decorated with flowers and illuminating bulbs. She cut the large ribbon tied to the entrance and the people clapped and cheered.

She thanked her guests, made them feel welcome and announced that the bar was now officially hers. The inscription ZINOX was replaced with LIA’S on the building’s wall.

“I’m so proud of you Emma. ” her father told her after they returned home.

“How does it feel building an empire? ” her mother asked while setting the dinner table.

“Fine. ” was all Emma could say.

She then hurried to her room upstairs. An hour later, her mother went to her room.

“The door is open. ” Emma responded from the inside after her mother knocked on her door.

Her mother walked in, placed a food tray on Emma’s table and went to her side on the bed. Emma sat up and feigned a smile.

“Are you happy? ” blurted her mother.

“Yes. Of course. ” Emma lied.

Her mother smiled and said

“You are not happy my child. ”

“This is not you Emma. ” her mother said placing a finger on her chest.

“You don’t want this do you? ” her mother told her.

“The fame, the brand and money. ” added her mother.

“I want this. ” replied Emma with a voice of uncertainty.

“You want it maybe but not this way. ” hinted her mother.

“True happiness comes from within my child. Do what makes you happy Emma. ” advised her mother.

Emma nodded.

“If it doesn’t make you happy then it’s not worth it. If you work for it and come back feeling empty then it’s not worth. Don’t allow grief and revenge blind you. ” continued her mother while Emma listened.

“Don’t allow anybody to set a path for you. Set your own path. ” concluded her mother.

“Your dinner is on the table. ” she told Emma.

“Thanks mother. ” Emma told her and hugged her.

“Don’t let it get cold. ” said her mother while pointing to the food on the table. She then stepped out of the room.

The following day, FREDDY’S BAR was meeting with Gideon in his office over his proposed partnership.

“They are here. ” Judy announced to Gideon in his office.

“I’ll be there shortly. ” replied Gideon while getting his file.

Gideon went into his conference room and greeted the two men that formed a part of FREDDY’S board of directors.

“we’ve received your proposal Mr. Romero. ” began one of the men.

“I must say your proposal is good Mr. Romero but we are having second thoughts. ” he said.

“Second thoughts? ” asked Gideon.

Judy was seating next to Gideon.

“Yes. ” the thinner man amongst them replied.

“We are concerned about the recent pulling out of your partners. ” he added.

“How does it correspond with your brand partnering with us? ” Judy asked.

“Mr. Romero. ” the first man called out.

“Is there something we should be worried about? Maybe the reason for them pulling out? ” he further asked.

“Are you doubting the credibility of my company? ” retorted Gideon.

The men said nothing. Gideon knew where their worries were coming from. He knew that the men were doubting his reputation and the rate at which business partners pulled out from his company was questionable.

“Madam Emmalia is calling. ” announced the thin man while picking up his phone which was vibrating.

Gideon’s heartbeat immediately stopped for a while at the mention of Emmalia.

“Yes ma’am. ” he said after picking the call.

“Are You sure? ” he asked Emma.

“If you say so ma’am. ” he replied then hung up the call.

Why was Emma calling FREDDY bars board of directors thought Judy. Was she trying to snatch another partner from them again? she wondered and smirked inwardly.

“If seems luck is on your side Mr. Romero. ” the man who answered the phone when Emma call said.

“LIA’S brand is taking off their proposal from the table. ” he stated.

“What do you mean? asked Judy.

“We also got a proposal for partnership from LIA’S brand a week ago. ” revealed the other man.

“Our C. E. O. suggested we get a fair hearing from both sides so we came here and will be going to her office immediately after here but it seems the plan has changed. ” he narrated.

“She just called to inform us that she is no longer interested. ” the man who answered the call said.

Gideon’s eyes were wide opened as if it will fall off it’s socket.

Why will Emma back out suddenly? Judy thought. Could she be playing games with them? she pondered.

“Congratulations Mr. Romero. ” said the thin man.

“We are now officially partners. ” he said to Gideon with a smile extending his right palm for a handshake.

Gideon reluctantly shook him.

‘We will leave now.” said one of them.

“You will receive an official document sealing our partnership. ” the other man said and Gideon smiled halfway.

They walked out of the conference room being led by Judy. Gideon fell back on his chair trying to fix the puzzle before him. Why would Emma suddenly back out? he thought.