Chapter 23: Meeting Mr. Ripley
LUCIAN and his father, George, drove to Brass Bistro, a famous restaurant in the city, to meet with Mr. Ripley and talk about the Sierra Project.
The father and son duo arrived first and comfortably waited for Mr. Ripley in the VIP room of the restaurant. After 10 minutes of waiting, he arrived with his right-hand man, Kirby Johnson. After exchanging pleasantries with one another, they soon got down to business and started discussing the project.
“You see here, Mr. Ripley, we can finish the project ahead of your desired date and apart from that with the hardware and software upgrade we are going to conduct we surely ensure that your company's data processing time will lessen by 50%. Helping your productivity to increase by 30%.” Lucian explains while his father listens to him with a proud smile on his face.
Mr. Ripley is amazed at how Caldwell Inc. takes their ideas to the next level and, given the data, he is blown away.
“I’m very pleased with your presentation and trajectory. I hope these are not just words and writings but also put into action and if it does, I’m more than happy to accept the partnership,” Mr. Ripley says.
Lucian was stunned by what he heard but did not show his excitement. George then shakes Mr. Ripley’s hand and assures him that Caldwell Inc. will not disappoint Ripley International.
Kirby then put the documents aside and soon after their quick meeting, the food arrived.
Mr. Ripley then says, “You’re COO then soon to be CEO?” While looking at Lucian.
“Yes, hopefully, I am.” He responds and then glances at his father.
“For me, it’s a sure thing. I can see you’re capable enough.”
“You’re too nice, Mr. Ripley, he has a lot to learn. How about you? Who’s the next CEO?” George asks.
“Enough of the formalities. We’ll be working closely from now on. You can call me Albert. Regarding your question, I have no idea yet. My son, the eldest, is out of the country and has no plans to stay here at the moment. My wife is not cut out to be a CEO, she breaks down under pressure. My daughter, on the other hand, she’s…”
He paused then tilted his head while glancing at the wine glass.
“She has the ability, but she’s more of an enigma. No one knows what’s inside that mind of hers.” He then drank his wine in one gulp.
“Speaking of your daughter, I heard that she’s getting married this year,” George asks.
“Oh! So you heard that thing.” He coughs, then continues, “We haven’t finalized everything yet.”
George then smiles and they continue eating.
“How about you? Are you seeing anyone?” Albert asked Lucian.
“I have a long-term girlfriend.”
“Long-term? Have you proposed? Are we going to hear wedding bells soon?” Albert asks.
George stares at Lucian and waits for his answer.
Lucian wants to say yes but when the idea reaches his senses, instead of seeing Malena’s face, she sees Sieve. He then remembers John’s words echoing in his mind “Is it possible that you are falling for this girl?”
He accidentally blurted out, “No…Not gonna happen…” He paused, his eyes widened in embarrassment since that was not what he wanted to say, it was the answer he wanted to say to John, not to Albert.
“I… I mean not yet.” He quickly added. He could feel his throat dry up in an instant and, with a trembling hand, he picked up his glass of water and drank its contents to calm himself.
George stares at his son and can feel his uneasiness and comes to his rescue immediately.
“My son is only 30 and in his prime, I think he wants to achieve the CEO position before settling down.” George explains while patting his son's back.
“Of course, reach the highest position, and everything follows. I hope one of my children steps up as your son does.” Albert explains.
“I think your children excel in their ways, Sir!” Kirby says.
Albert then coldly glanced at him. Kirby felt his boss' gaze and in a playful way he closed his mouth in a zipping action and let out a faint smile. Albert was about to say something when suddenly his phone that was on the table started ringing. He looked at it and noticed it was his daughter calling. "What does she need now?" He asked himself.
The ringtone and the phone’s vibration caught Lucian’s attention. He glanced at the flashing screen. "Spare..." he mumbles as he reads the first part of the contact name. Before he could see the name completely, George patted his hand, without saying anything, Lucian knew that his father was happy with what they had accomplished. When he stared back at the phone on the table, Albert had already dropped the call.