Chapter 7: ~ Lachlan
Throughout the years I have been called numerous things, but whether good or bad they always made me smile.
Hot Muffin
Irish Cream (I’m Scottish born and bread and like most Scotts very proud of my heritage.)
Sean Connery Jr. (One hell of a compliment, for God’s sakes the man played the best James Bond ever.)
Hot Tamale (What in God’s name is a Tamale? And why is it hot?)
Of course these complements have come to my ears by a third party. It seems that because of my physique people are… let us say a bit intimidated. I’m over 6 feet 3 inches tall and weigh almost 15 stones, 95 kilos to be exact. The thing is that underneath that tough exterior I’m a softy, but I donnae like to show it too often.
Ok maybe when it comes the business, the family business, I am ruthless and don’t back down until I get exactly what I want. As CEO of Dougcorp I have the best interest of my family and thousands of employees all over the world. So before I buy a club, a hotel, a restaurant or any other type of business I think of how that particular business venture will affect Dougcorp and the people behind it. I go over every detail over and over before I actually think of making an offer.
At this moment I am in the middle of our board room listening to my brother Ben, head of our legal department, giving the rest of the board members the conditions given by the legal team of the Hotel we just bought. Our offer was accepted three weeks ago and now we are just discussing how to proceed with the transition. You think that after having your offer accepted and the deed signed that there’s nothing else to settle, but that’s just the beginning. We must decide what the best course of action is needed to have a successful transition. This usually takes 2 to 3 weeks and sometimes up to a month. And when the transition is not accepted by the employees it can actually be endless.
During this period of time I visit the acquisition in question as much as possible. In tis case I am staying at the hotel and watch as much as possible. I watch the clients and the staff. It might unconventional, but I find it is the best way to see how things work and where we need to make changes. We believe that the less changes you make the better the transition is for the staff and not a waste of time.
« Danny what do ye think? » My father asked.
It might seem I am not paying attention, but unlike what most women think some men can do more than one thing at a time. « I agree there is not much to change to be made within. From what I have seen the staff is very competent and the clients seem happy about the place. I do suggest that we make some changes with the decoration. It is a little out of date. »
Rebecca, the princess in the family and the head of the marketing department said. « The question is do we use our usual team or… »
Our mother laid a soft hand on Becca’s arm before interrupting, « Might as well use those that we know and know how to work with us and what we want. If we take a new team they will probably won’t be up to the task and we will end up starting over wasting time and money in the process. »
A hand pops up and our head of HR raises his hand a he looks through his notes. « I think the hotel has a decorator on file, someone that they have used before. Maybe we should bring them in as well. They know the layout of the building and can help out. » Aaron stopped to look around the table before continuing, « It never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes. Besides they know what contractors to use. »
Before we could go on there was a knock on the door and my executive assistant, Walter, yes I have a male executive assistant, comes in.
« Ladies, Gentlemen, please excuse us for the interruption, I have taken the liberty of ordering you some lunch. It is one in the afternoon and besides the mid morning coffee break, you still haven’t eaten anything yet. » He showed in the caterers and made sure that the right tray was set before the right person.
« Walter you are a gem. If my brother is to much of a tyrant, please don’t hesitate and come to me. » Becca smiled brightly at him. Since Walter’s first day she has tried, on numerous occasions, to steal him a way from me, but he has never left my side. Why he hasn’t gone elsewhere after all I make him do I will never know.
« Nae, Walter don’t you listen to her, she’s worse than Danny. I’ll find you the right place to work. » Aaron smiled wickedly at me.
I could tell Walter was feeling uncomfortable with all the attention, but before I could say anything he quickly said, « As much as I appreciate all your kind words, I wouldn’t change Mr. Lachlan for the world. He’s the only who can put up with me and my attitude. » He made sure we were properly served before heading back to the door. « Now if you anything else give me a call. Enjoy your meal. »
« Thank you Walter. » I said.
« My pleasure Mr. Lachlan. » He quietly closed the door behind him and we all removed the covers to our lunch tray.
The room was silent for a few minutes while we all stared at our trays. It was my father that spoke first, amazed on how Walter knew exactly what we all liked. Each tray was made to our own individual taste.
My mother looks at me and says, « How does he know? »
« He’s been my EA for the past 5 years, mathair (mother), he knows everything about all of us. He’s very meticulous. »
We ate while discussing the next steps to take for a successful transition. These kinds of meeting are never easy and to come to an agreement even more difficult. By the time all the decisions were made it was four in the afternoon and I was still a long way from getting to my hotel room. Though I live in parents’ guest house during the negotiations I always stay in the hotel we are buying.
« Excuse me Mr. Lachlan? » Walter’s voice broke my concentration from one of the numerous files on my desk. I looked up at him and nodded for him to continue. « Ms. Caron is on the line. She says it’s very important. »
« It is always important with her. Might as well put her through if not we will never hear the end of it. » He went back to his desk and he pass through the call. I took a breath and picked up what I can imagine was not a pleasant phone call. « Laura what can I do for ye? »
« From the sound of your voice you are not happy to hear from me. » Her annoying voice came through the speaker and just hearing it gave me shivers and not the good ones. I said nothing and just waited for her to continue. « I’m in town and I want to see Debbie. I haven’t seen her… »
« The last time ye saw Deborah was when ye left her in my arms 8 years ago. What gives ye the right to come waltzing in and demand to see her. »
« Oh do calm down. As you get angrier your Scottish burr is deeper and I’m unable to understand what you are saying. Anyways, what gives me the right? Well she’s my daughter and… »
« For Christ’s sakes, woman, ye haven’t even called or sent a card on her birthday all these years. Sorry the answer is no ye may nae see yer daughter. »
« But I’m her mother. »
« You haven’t been her mother since she was born. Ye left her to the nannies for two years until ye got what ye wanted and then dropped her off in me arms. I donnae regret one single minute having her in me life and I am nae going to put her through this. »
« Please Lachlan! »
« Answer me this…why now? What has changed? »
« Can’t a mother not want to see her baby? »
« That’s bullshit Laura.» And before she even got the chance to say anything else I ended the call.