SURPRISE
"Dad could we talk about the inauguration plans now, I would like to be filled in", I said chewing on the apple I picked up from the kitchen. "um…about that.."my father said adjusting his glasses, "what? Did something happen?" My father looked anxious as he removed his glasses to drop on his desk. Oh..I know that look..he definitely has some bad news to share. "Let me guess, a new candidate has being chosen to take over your position?"
"No! no, Ofcourse not", he said. "Then what is it? Has the ceremonial date been postponed?" I asked. "No,..yes,yea, yes, the board and I had decided to postpone the inauguration date". "Till when?", I am extremely tensed right now but I have to try my best to look composed. "Clay, the board members are actually okay with you taking over when I step down but I was the one who proposed we shift it to three years fro…" "Three years?!" I cut him off, "why?". "Because I feel you are not ready, you just turned twenty this year, you haven't had any real life experience yet and I want you to be fully equipped before I hand over the company to you. I don't want mistakes that will harm the company…" he trailed on. Well he was right about that, I had never being in charge of a company before, but I had always been involved in the affairs of my father's company right from when I was five. I literally know everything about that corporation and the fact he didn't trust my capability was disappointing. "So you don't trust me father?" "Ofcourse not! I just don't want your authority to be questioned ever. I want you to take over as president of our Switzerland division for three years, mind you, you have to have the highest profits, the fewest losses and the best innovations within this period. The board members didn't agree with my decision but I told them I could handle another three years, there is no big deal, so you have to do your absolute best if you want to prove you can handle being at the helm of a multibillion dollar corporation."
"Make it two years", I said. "That won't be enough and you and I know it. Our Switzerland division has not been doing well for the past five years and it's your chance to prove your capability and I know you can do it", my old man definitely knew how to surprise someone two days to Christmas, especially his own son. "Okay", I managed to say, "I will do it but only on the condition that any decision I make will not be questioned. I shall be given full power to bring the company back on the path of success without my every move interrogated, deal?" "Ofcourse, deal, as far as it's not anything illegal ", my father said smiling . " Now let's go downstairs, we have to contribute to your mother's preparations or she would never let me live it down".