by R. R. Banks
Robert shook his head again as he heard a knock at his door. “I told Dillon to leave me be,” he said as he stood up and walked over to the door, closing his eyes and placing his right hand on the door knob. With a soft sigh, he turned the door knob and pulled it open to see two Indian women standing in front of him.
“Oh good, you’re wearing pants,” announced Mina Patel, standing with her mother in front of a very confused Robert.
“Are you coming to personally tell me that the meeting is cancelled?” asked Robert dejectedly.
Sulagna laughed as she shook her head. “No, not at all Mr. Acostis,” she said with a warm tone. “May we come in?”
Robert nodded and opened the door for the two women to walk in. “And you are fortunate that I am wearing pants,” he said in a sarcastic tone. “Typically, I bare all when I’m in a hotel room sulking.”
“Why are you sulking?” asked Sulagna. “Are you upset that the Australian company was able to save themselves?”
“They didn’t save themselves. The Americans saved them,” retorted Robert. “My vision for my company was destroyed once I heard that news.”
Sulagna shook her head. “So shortsighted Mr. Acostis,” she said with a sly grin. “Mina told me about your conversation on the train and what you and your partner are trying to do, and I must admit, I’m impressed with your dedication and how far you’re willing to go to get into our organization.”
“Well I must not have went fast and far enough,” he replied again in a cynical tone. “Now I’m debating what I can do to help preserve and grow the company.”
“You should always think about that, but perhaps you’re giving up too soon,” countered Sulagna. “The Consortium is still on the table for your company to grow and expand in.”
Robert tilted his head a bit. “How?”
“It’s going to take time for Australia to be back at full functionality,” she explained. “Your company is ready, willing, and able to fill the distribution networks right now, correct?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
Sulagna paused and looked over at her daughter. “I think I remember him saying something to me about trying some of his wine,” she said slyly, changing the subject to heighten Robert’s curiosity.
“I believe he did,” replied the younger Mina, wearing a gorgeous red dress for the dinner later. “I could use a drink as well.”
Robert grinned as he sunk his head down and walked over to the small refrigerator in his room, pulling out a bottle of wine. On the bar, he pulled down three glasses and filled each, leaving just a bit in the bottle and placing it back in the refrigerator. “You’re in luck, because I brought two bottles with me.”
He turned and handed a glass to each of the ladies as they walked over and sat on the couch in his room while Robert stood up in front of the small bar. “Mr. Acostis, Mina told me about how you’re trying to organize and all of the work that you’re doing to make your company profitable and sustainable. She told me about how you gave someone a percentage of the company with an option to buy more shares so that he could help steer the company in a more stable direction. Is that true?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied politely, sipping on his glass while the other two ladies did the same. “I want this company to be successful, because I believe in it more than any other company I’ve ever been involved in, apart from my family’s winery.”
“I can tell,” she continued. “And this wine is absolutely incredible. If you put as much time and effort into a company that you are in for the long haul, just like creating a fine wine, will you be just as successful?”
Robert shrugged his shoulders. “I honestly don’t know because I’ve never held onto a company long enough to find out, until now that is.”
Sulagna smiled. “I think I want you to find out as well,” she said. “Mr. Acostis, I’ve spoken with the rest of the executive committee, and they are all in agreement that we would like for you to apply for admission to the Consortium of Oil Traders. Your acceptance will be pending on two things. The first, you must sign an agreement that you cannot sell any of your shares to anyone outside the Consortium or within your own company. If you do ever decide to take your toys and leave, you must sell to someone who is already involved in our business. Second, you must appoint someone to be a liaison to the COT to serve on your board of directors. They will be paid a fair salary and will be a director of your company with the responsibility of the day to day communications with COT. They will hold an office in Dubai, as well as an office in New Zealand.”
“Do I get to select this person or has it been chosen for me?” he joked.
“I think you know the answer to that, Robert,” she replied. “I want my daughter to take that position so that she can learn, grow, and forge her own career. She also has a network within the Consortium that will allow her to help you all succeed.”
Robert looked over at Mina and smirked. “Okay,” he replied. “I don’t have a problem with that, so long as we are able to have a great, long, and incredibly fruitful relationship with the Consortium. However, I do have one condition of my own.”
Sulagna turned her head with a confused glare, perplexed that Robert wasn’t overjoyed but was initiating a counteroffer. “Alright,” she said. “What is it?”
“There will never be a COT entity in the Philippines or anywhere else in the Pacific that isn’t already there so long as New Zealand is in business. We will service the entire area, and if we are unable to fill any orders, Australia can pick up the slack.”
“Deal,” she said without hesitation. “However, Indonesia does receive the third option to fill the orders, and if they cannot, it will go to another country that we see fit to fill the orders.”
“I can go with that,” replied Robert. “So my company is now in the Consortium and your daughter is now my…” he paused briefly, thinking of a title for her. “Director of Communications?”
Mina chuckled. “I prefer Executive Director of International Relations.”
Robert nodded, affirming Mina’s creativeness. “Yeah, that’s much better.”
“I know,” she replied with a great deal of arrogance. “Robert, I don’t want this to seem forced, even though it partially is. I want you to know that I will do my absolute best because I want my career to be beneficial, fruitful, and incredibly lucrative. I promise I will give you and the company everything that I have, and if I cannot get the job done, then we will find someone who will.”
“I know you will,” he stated astutely. “I know that you have far too much pride to let yourself fall short, and we are in great hands with your care.”
Sulagna smiled as she stood up from the couch and walked up to Robert, extending her hand in friendship. “You may want to take this time to call your friend so the three of you can all discuss the strategies going forward.” She placed her empty glass on the counter behind Robert and walked toward the door, leaving Mina sitting there on the couch. “I look forward to introducing you to everyone at the dinner in an hour.”
“I look forward to it also,” replied Robert with a genuine smile, closing the door behind her and turning back to look at Mina. He pulled out his phone and texted Dillon, requesting that he come over to his suite so that he could talk to him about the meeting that just took place. Dillon was quick to oblige, knocking on his door in under a minute. He walked in already dressed for dinner, wearing a nice black suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. “You look awfully dapper,” stated Robert coyly as Dillon walked into the room with his hair perfectly styled and his appearance tailor-made to impress the executive committee.
Dillon smiled as he saw Mina sitting on the couch in the center of the room. “Thanks,” he said, turning and looking back at Mina. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Likewise,” she replied courteously. “How long has it been?”
“About two hours,” he quipped. “Way too long to be away from you.”
/> Mina smiled. “Oh, you sure know how to make a girl feel special.”
Dillon walked over to a chair positioned beside the couch and sat down, looking back as Robert walked up, still holding his wine glass. “Dillon, I’d like you to meet our new…” he paused, trying to think of the title Mina gave herself.
“Executive Director of International Relations,” she finished for him.
“Right. That,” said Robert. “Meet our liaison and representative for the Consortium of Oil Traders.”
Dillon’s eyes opened wide as he gazed at Robert with a confused look. “Why do we have a liaison?” he asked. “We only need a… no way.” With the realization of what Robert had yet to tell him, he stood up from his chair and walked toward Robert, opening his arms and embracing his friend. “I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it,” said Mina from the couch behind him. “The work the two of you have done to make this company seem reputable, stable, and potentially profitable in two days is mind boggling and something that the COT appreciates. Though Robert’s reputation is a stumbling block, his actions have shown that he is prepared to dedicate himself to the success of his company, as well as the success of the Consortium. My mother said that anyone on the board would be foolish to deny the company entrance.”
“So, what did you tell your mother?” asked Dillon, trying his best to get to the bottom of what all happened.
Mina grinned as she adjusted her position on the couch. “I told her what our conversation was like on the train from Milan and how the two of you really impressed me with your vision of stability and professional control,” she began. “We spoke about what was best for the COT and what was best for the region, and even though you carry a bit of a negative stigma, it was easy enough for her to look over once she knew the direction of the company and could see that it would be beneficial to let you in.”
“Right, and you get a pretty important position it sounds like,” quipped Dillon, prodding a bit.
“I did get something out of it, but mother and I have been discussing ways of getting me involved with a company for the past few years and making sure we waited to find the right opportunity,” she explained cordially. “She feels that it will be beneficial for me to work with two smart and aggressive businessmen, and that I could potentially learn a great deal to help further my career, assuming I ever need to.”
Robert smirked. “Dillon, she’s a part of the team now, and she’ll be one of the many reasons we are going to succeed. We’re going to embrace this right now and not look back.”
“Oh, I’m not fighting this appointment,” he defended himself. “I fully support it, one hundred percent. I think she is and will be an incredible asset to us.”
Mina smiled as a light knock from the suite door emitted through the room. “Who the hell could that be?” asked an annoyed Robert, who immediately turned and walked to the door. He placed his hand on the door knob and opened it up, swinging the door open quickly and preparing to berate whoever was on the other end for disturbing him when the ‘do not disturb’ sign was clearly posted on the door. “Oh,” he said softly, changing his entire demeanor once he saw who was on the other side of the door.
“I’ve heard you’ve had a rough go of it, love,” said an energetic Camille with her thick accent, standing in front of a bundled-up Marisol. “Dillon wanted this to be a surprise.”
Robert smiled as he held the door open, motioning for the two ladies to walk in with both immediately walking toward Dillon and hugging him. “Glad to see you two made it to Zurich in one piece,” he stated joyfully. “I was worried the airstrip was going to freeze over and they were going to have to divert the flight.”
“Well it was an interesting landing, but we’re here,” said Marisol with a sense of relief. “I didn’t know what room you were in, so Camille and I left our luggage with the concierge.”
“That’s fine, we can ring for it in the next few minutes if need be so you can get ready for dinner,” replied Dillon. “It will be in about an hour, so you should have enough time to get ready.”
Camille laughed heartily as she slapped Dillon on the shoulder before walking over to the chair he previously occupied and sat down. “I’m sure it’ll take the two of us at least an hour and a half to get ready after that flight,” she joked. “I do appreciate the charter service, Dillon, but did you really have to put the two of us next to livestock?”
“Excuse me?” asked Dillon. “Livestock?”
“Yes, dear, there happened to be a man with a chicken in a kennel on the plane with us,” explained Marisol. “It was an awkward experience.”
Robert and Mina both laughed as Dillon tried his best to suppress it. “Camille, Marisol, I’d like for the two of you to meet Mina Patel, our new…whatever her title is.”
“Executive Director of International Relations,” she finished for him again. “I swear, eventually you will get that right.”
Camille smirked as she shook her head at Robert, stretching her hand out to shake Mina’s. “Pleasure to meet you,” she said with Marisol walking up and doing the same.
“So, what exactly will you be doing?” asked Marisol, getting straight to the point and avoiding any awkward conversations.
“I am the direct liaison with the COT and its members,” she explained. “My position will involve the procurement of supplies, transfer of materials, and overall relationship management within the Consortium.”
Marisol nodded slowly. “Isn’t it a bit premature to bring her on board?” she asked. “You have your meeting in an hour to discuss even getting in. Isn’t this getting a bit ahead?”
Dillon and Robert both chuckled as Mina shook her head. “Marisol, we were accepted in right before you got here,” stated Robert, prompting a look of genuine surprise from both Camille and Marisol. “Our dinner tonight is more of a welcome dinner where we will meet everyone and discuss policies, procedures, to start building and crafting relationships within the organization.”
“That’s incredible!” exclaimed Camille as she leapt up to hug Robert. “So tonight is more of a celebration?”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “Tonight, we meet the members of the Consortium, schmooze with them a bit, and then perhaps enjoy our next couple of days here in Zurich before we get to work.”
“That would be amazing,” said Mina. “The executive committee will be here for a few days anyway, so that will give me enough time to get some networking in before I head to Dubai and get set up there. Robert, Dillon, the two of you may want to consider making an appearance there before long.”
The two men nodded. “I’ve always hated Dubai,” said Dillon.
“Why? It’s an amazing place,” retorted Mina. “It is one of the most fabulous places in the world.”
“Mina, no disrespect, but if I want amazing beaches and a great night life, I can just go home to Miami,” he replied. “Dubai offers nothing that I cannot get back home.”
“That’s fair,” she replied as she stood up from the couch and walked toward the doorway. “I will see the four of you in about an hour for the dinner. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Neither can we,” replied Robert. “We’ll see you soon.”
Chapter 7
Everyone at the table was laughing and overjoyed as they completed their dinner. Robert and Camille sat together, holding hands under the table as they sipped on their drinks while Dillon kept his arm around Marisol, holding her shoulder with his arm draped around her back. Both new couples were happy and enjoying the time they were able to spend together. Sitting at the table with them was Sulagna Patel and her daughter, Mina, who was now an executive in their company. With the conversations stemming from Sulagna and Mina’s love of football to Robert’s brash antics to get into the Consortium, the table enjoyed each other’s company as they all got to meet the various heads of the Consortium.
“So how are you enjoying your impromptu acceptance dinner?” asked Sula
gna.
“It’s wonderful,” said Dillon as he sipped on his glass of wine. “The food is second to none, and clearly you all know how to throw a party.”
Sulagna smirked. “Well, the staff here knows what we like and knows what we want to do, so it’s not much of a struggle to get something thrown together at the last minute.”
“Don’t let her fool you. A lot of work goes into planning these events, and to throw one together at the last minute places a lot of stress on my mother,” explained Mina. “She likes to pretend like it’s not any trouble, but in reality, she stresses about every detail because she wants you all to have a great impression of her and the rest of the Consortium.”
Sulagna grumbled sarcastically as Mina smirked at her mother. “It’s not always like that,” she snapped. “Just sometimes.”
“Sometimes is usually all the time,” continued Mina.
“Tonight was perfect,” interjected Robert, motioning to Sulagna. “Thank you for your hospitality. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I’m glad we are all on the same page.”
“It’s been wonderful to meet everyone,” said Dillon. “I feel that we are incredibly welcomed by everyone here. I hope we live up to the high standards and make this profitable for everyone.”
Sulagna smiled earnestly. “We firmly believe that it will be. The work that you all have done so far is incredible, and I think it will only get better from here with our resources and networks pushing you along, helping you to grow and become more successful.”
A tall man hailing from Nigeria walked up to the table and shook Robert’s hand, followed by Dillon’s. “Gentleman, welcome to the Consortium,” he said in a deep voice. “My first name is Kossi. My last name you will never be able to pronounce,” he joked, prompting the table to laugh heartily. “I will be personally guiding you through your transition into this organization over the next two weeks, making sure all of your guidelines are sufficient with the global trade and that all of your profits, prices, and other deals are adequate.”
