Today is the day for the bid opening. Which was attended by me and my main team. Yes, Sarah included. I specifically asked Markus to be near her for her safety. After all the welcomings and acknowledgment to the others, we went to have a seat.
"Let's the fun begin," said Alex.
"Anyone who had our contract is surely going to have a surprise," I said.
"We really did find a way to reduce further twenty percent of the cost," said Alex pointing me to a guy from another company - Struss and Co.
I looked at them purposely and I could see that they were pretty confident about the bid. The project has previously announced they had a company in mind with a good reputation in the field, motioning toward us. But this time the project goes to the best offer.
One by one they opened the bidding and there were a total of twenty companies together. Alex had been motioning me to check out one of the project community members, who had a bit of an unhappy expression when the Stuss's bid and ours were read out.
"Ben, something is going on, do you think we should interfere?" asked Alex.
"Hmm, let's wait and see. Did you find out about the Stuss" I knew he asked Markus, to find information about the company. A perk of being a leader in a gang is valuable at times like this.
"Hmm... guess if you can?"
"Some connection between the comity member and them?" I asked as this could be the case.
"The Struss belongs to his grandson, and this is their first big project,"
"Hmm... they want to play dirty is it?" I asked.
"Seems like it. We have evidence that they took our bidding proposal," Alex surprised me.
Even though we both are the leaders of the same mafia group, we have divided the teams into two. Alex's team works mostly underground - hidden. While my team is seen around us. But both teams work together when we give them a mission.
From the day Alex saw Anthony with the other person, he had secretly asked his team to monitor them. They had found not only evidence but a recording of the boss and the comity member discussing a price in exchange for awarding the project. They had also found the contracts of the other companies in the same way and created their bidding proposal lower than the others.
With all the commotion going on for a while, they declared a break for half an hour to discuss this among them.
"Ben, what is going on?" asked Sarah coming to me with Markus.
"It will take some time it seems," I said while casually placing a hand on her waist to get her close to me.
"Hi, there are others watching," said Alex who was concerned about the safety.
"If you are uneasy, you can go home with Markus," I said to her.
"But it will not be good and others might speculate stories about you," she said.
"It doesn't matter whatever they say, you are already my little wifey," I said in her ear while tucking a stray hair on her ear.
"Ben, I heard they are going to announce Struss as the selected company," who strolled around to collect a bit of tit bit.
"We have all our things ready, right?" I asked Markus.
"Yes sir,"
Things are going to be interesting and going to create so many headlines tonight. I asked Markus's assistant to take Sarah home as I don't want her to be a mid-all in this chaos.
After thirty minutes the bidding started, but we all could see the uneasiness of the comity members. But in the end, they announced Stuss and Co as the selected company.
"It's time to Act," I said joining the team of protesters who were making voices against the selected company.
"Mr.President, I am strongly against the final decision, sir," I said, getting everyone's attention including the media. He looked at me worried.
"Mr.Ben, do you have any valid reason to oppose the decision?"
"Yes, I have proof they had secretly collected all our proposals for the bidding, and create this bid they have used," I said with confidence.
"Oh!!" everyone looked at me.
"Sir, can you please come in front," said Alex, and played a video of him meeting with Anthony and exchanging the proposals.
"This is the same person who joined us as a consultant to help create the bidding proposal," said one person from another company. Likewise, a few more came forward.
"Struss, what is this?" asked Mr.Russell, the committee member who is the grandfather of the bidder.
"Mr.Ben how could you accuse us without valid proof. They might have exchanged some other details, maybe something personal,"
"Do you want more proof, is it?" said Alex, playing a recording of Mr.Russel and Stuss talking about the bidding,
"Grandfather, I can give you a big commission if you can help me win the bidding,"
"Struss, they have already been eyeing Clifford's and Morgon's. And their proposals are pretty good too. It's really hard to compete with them,"
"Grandpa, how could it be, we quoted below Clifford's,"
"That I don't but there's is almost twenty percent less than the amount you have quoted,"
"Here you have ten million in cash, as we talked earlier. So you will pass the bid to me. If not I will release this recording to the media," he threatened his own grandfather.
After the revelation, they both looked confused as well as embarrassed. The grandfather scolded him on the spot and left the committee on his own. Leaving Stuss to explain what he did. I felt sorry for the guy, he had to take such measures to prove to his father that he is capable of running the company. Now his company and his reputation, both are tarnished by what happened.
After a while, everything calmed down. The committee re-evaluated and gave us the verdict that they have selected us and Morgons for the final selection.
Finally, after about two more hours, they called everyone in and the press.
"We are happy to announce that out of both bids presented by the Clifford and Morgons, Clifford's was selected. Hope to have happy cooperation with you Mr.Ben," said the committee President handing me the approval to go forward.
"Congratulations, Mr.Ben," said Mr.Morgon the CEO of the company. "I have heard a lot about you, nice meeting you, son," he said.
"The pleasure is all mine," I said and was about to leave when Mr.Morgon introduced me to his daughter to me.
Alex who was a bit far from me understood what was going on and came to me with the phone and a wink,
"Ben, she's on the line,"
I looked at Mr.Morgon who looked a bit shocked when he heard me say,
"Hi, honey. Yes, we did win the bid.No dear, don't cook, we'll bring food today so we can all get together and celebrate," and I said my goodbye to Mr.MOrgaon and left the venue with Alex and the team.
While buying food I got Alex a lollipop,
"Thank you for saving me," I said giving it to him.
"OH!!! A lolly, I haven't seen these guys in a long time. How did you know they had my favor here?"
"Secret," I said and getting ready to head back home.