SINGLE MOTHER AND CEO

Sofia:

-Allo! Mommy, it’s me, Sofia,” I greeted, “How have my children been behaving? -I asked with a smile, imagining the three of them, next to her, ready for lunch.

-Excellent, daughter! You well know that they, despite their young age, are very obedient children,” my mother clarified in a sweet and very affectionate voice, the normal voice, when referring to my children.

-I’m not having lunch in the house! -Afterwards, I will not have time to go back to the Shipping Company to attend the meeting with the Middle East staff and I need to finalize the new promotions for that area.

Besides, I must give guidelines, according to the lawyers’ recommendations, to solve the matter of the ship held up in the port of Doha in Qatar,” I said positively.

-That’s fine with me, daughter! That way you can resolve this little impasse with the authorities there, today,” my mother remarked.

-Please, Mom! Tell my children that I will arrive early in the afternoon,” I said, trying to explain to them, so that they would realize that they were the most important thing for me.

-Calm down, Sofia! I’ll explain. Have a good appetite, daughter,” my mother wished.

After this call, I went to the Naviera’s dining room and took one of the tables assigned to the managers. There I observed Shayla, who was arguing with Jose David about something, about which they disagreed and who were raising their voices.

Observing that the discussion was distracting the staff from their meal, I got up and decided to go over to where they were. The moment Shayla saw me, she said:

-“Sofia, Jose David has detained the ship that we should send to Ciudad La Rosa at the port,” my friend told me.

-But, it is not on a whim,” he defended himself, “the quality test has not been done to guarantee to the clients the transfer of the merchandise in the easiest and fastest way,” he assured me.

-Who is responsible for that? -I asked, knowing that it was one of his duties, but sensing the bad intention in him, especially by the fake laughter on his face.

-Me! Remember that I was busy with the inauguration of the new branch,” he replied, getting up from his chair to leave, so I stopped him.

-Where are you going? -I asked, “I don’t know what you are going to do! But that ship will be in the port of Ciudad La Rosa, in three days at the latest and that is the deadline for you to resolve it, I will not accept any more excuses,” I decided.

-How can it be seen that you don’t know how the shipping company works? -he questioned, trying to ridicule me in front of the staff.

-I gave you an order and you carry it out! -I growled loudly, “Or you’re fired! -I threatened, oblivious to the presence of staff in the area.

“You are a retail member of the company and according to the company’s bylaws I can replace you with another shareholder. I will not allow your ineptitude and ignorance to ruin the reputation, objectives and purpose of the Shipping Line.

The moment I shouted the last word, there was a sepulchral silence and the great majority of the workers left the place, leaving only the board members who were having lunch there.

-You have no authority to move me from my position! -My boss is my father,” he argued, confronting me, not caring that I am the CEO of the company and as such the highest authority of the same.

-Shayla, prepare an extraordinary meeting for today! Late in the afternoon,” I ordered without looking at Jose David.

-Do whatever you want! -And we’ll see who comes out with the boards on his head,” he challenged me, looking at me with disdain.

-Like you said, we’ll see! -Now get out of my sight, I need to eat and your presence can cause me a congestion -I asserted ignoring him totally, while he went out raging and cursing.

In La Rosa City, the Narrator:

Yoly Del Mar, ready to carry out her plan of conquest, that afternoon called Rafael Corner.

-Good afternoon, Rafael! I’m Martin Elias’ sister, how did you wake up? -She asked with a seductive and captivating voice.

-Good afternoon, Yoly! -He greeted her with a strong and deep voice, but with suspicion. “How can I help you? I’m on my way to a conference and I have barely two minutes to start it,” he added, very polite, but sincere.

-I called you at a bad time,” she added disappointedly, “What time do you get off? -he asked insistently.

-I can’t give you an exact answer! -He replied, intrigued. “If you want, as soon as I’m free, I’ll call you?

-That’s perfect! I’ll wait for your call,” she answered in a whispering voice, very low and seductive.

“I think it suits you what I need to talk to you about! -she added, trying to arouse interest in him, who had only had a head for her since he saw Sofia.

He simply hung up the call leaving her with the word in her mouth, because it was about the starting time. Rafael had been invited by the Chamber of Commerce to give a lecture on agribusiness in the region.

This day lasted three hours, but then there was a reception where he would share with the organizers and attendees. After his lecture, he noticed on his cell phone a missed call from Sofia and several from Yoly, his mother and Mirelys.

-Ring, ring, ring! Ring, ring!

-Yes? -answered Sofia, in a sweet and melodious voice.

-I’m Rafael. I was in a conference and I’m seeing your call,” he explained very punctually, with a husky and manly voice.

-I’m sorry I disturbed you during your working hours, but I just wanted to inform you that I can come this Friday. Please tell me, what time is convenient for you? -she asked.

-Whatever time is convenient for you,” he answered, with a smile from ear to ear.

-Well, thank you! My mother accompanies me, because it’s hard for me to deal with the three of them alone. Plus one of her nannies, an escort and my driver,” she confessed a little embarrassed, in a sweet and soft voice that made him hear music in his ears.

-You can bring whoever you want! My house is yours,” he remarked, ecstatic. “But I want your three offspring there, to teach them to ride and to choose their foal.

-Count on that! I haven’t told them anything yet, so that it will be a surprise for them, thank you, Rafael! -she said, pleased.

-I am entirely at your service! -I’m in Ciudad La Rosa and I still have some commitments to fulfill, I’ll wait for you and we’ll go to the ranch together, do you think so? -He asked, feeling more attracted to her now.

-No problem for me! -she exclaimed, letting out a sigh, which he heard and smiled softly.

“Now, I don’t know if you can say the same for your part,” she vocalized, “The last thing I want to do is to cause you trouble. When I’m in Rose City, I’ll call you,” she confirmed.

-Excuse me, one second! -he requested. She could hear that they were looking for him. He justified himself and resumed the conversation, not wanting to end his conversation with her.

-As I was saying, there is no problem regarding the time,” he clarified.

-I’ll try to arrive early in the morning so that we can take the road during the day and my children can enjoy the ride,” she said with a pleasant smile.

-Great! I’ll be here, waiting for you,” he said goodbye, even against his will, but they were waiting for him…All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.