Drego
"… I went by her house, couldn't find her."
"So what?"
"What do you mean? I tried to get her back like you insisted, and it didn't work. Now no one can say I didn't try."
"You didn't try to get her back."
"What?" I furrowed, even though I knew he couldn't see me.
"Look, she was probably out strolling or something. Check on her again."
I would never tell Cesar, but I'd actually gone to Nichole's house three times in only this week. It was clear she'd moved somehwere. Which was very irresponsible of her because I was yet to find a replacement for her position, and her team were suffering without her.
"Why is it so important that I do this anyway? Nichole's gone. I should rather focus my energy into looking for someone who can replace her."
"Mr. Ricardo, your meeting is in ten minutes. We have to go now." Lucia, my assistant announced.
I nodded.
"Thanks for… i guess caring, but I got to go now. We'll talk some other time Cesar."
"Yeah."
I ended the call.
"Where are we meeting Mr. Cain?" I asked Lucia as we headed down the elevator.
"The restaurant opposite his building."
We arrived at the restaurant with almost a minute to spare. Mr. Cain was already seated, eating, so I joined him.
"Mr. Cain."
"Mr. Ricardo, nice of you to join me."
He said rather unhappily. Cain was a man in his early fifties. I'd heard stories about him. People said Cain was a stuck up with no sense of humor. He rarely smiled.
He could look gloomy all year round without breaking a smile even for a split second and it wouldn't matter to me. What I cared about was the business aspect of his life. He was a good and successful businessman, and he wanted to sell his company. Before anybody could jump on the opportunity of buying his advertising company, I wanted to get on his good side.
"My apologies if I kept you waiting."
"Nonsense." He wiped his mouth with the serviette. "I came in early to have a quick lunch before you got here. My daughters would kill me if I skipped another meal."
I nodded.
"Now, let's get to why you requested for this meeting. You must have heard that I am planning to sell my company. I must commend you. You have good people working for you. And you're quick too."
"I came with a proposal."
"Don't you mean a figure? I'm selling, you're buying. Usually, when people want to buy they offer an amount, not a proposal."
I leaned in. "I won't disrespect you or your company by scribbling a measly figure on a paper for you. Mr. Cain, your company was started from nothing buy you and your father. Forty years later, it's one of the biggest advertising agencies in the state. I respect not just the effort of the men who made it possible, but also the trade itself. That's why before I offer any amount, I would like to show you what I had in mind for it if you decide to sell to me."
Lucia handed me the portfolio and I placed it on the table. Just when I opened it and was about to explain more to Mr. Cain, I heard a noise coming from the entrance of the restaurant. I turned to the voices and saw two women running towards the table. I was sure I wasn't the only one wondering why the spectacle as the scene unfolded.
The women both stopped at our table, looking at Cain. I'd been so focused on the one In front that it took me a while to realize that the one at the back looked really familiar. Not just familiar but I recognized her even though she wasn't looking anything near the other times I'd seen her.
"You can't sell, dad. Why would you want to sell the company?" The one in front said. She was obviously the younger of the two.
"Girls, Girls." Cain said, hushing them.
"Nichole?"
"Yes?" She turned to me without hesitation, bending her head and sighing with embarrassment when she saw me. She struggled to hide behind the younger woman now, but it was futile. She was bigger than her.
"Of course. You must have met Nichole. She works for you." Cain pointed to his other daughter. "This is Christine." Looking at them he said, "Girls, this is Drego Ricardo. Say hello."