Chapter 59

JORDAN.

“SIR, THE FACTORY WORKERS DEMAND YOUR ATTENTION.”

I cocked an eyebrow at Enrico, “Nobody demands my attention”.

“Yes sir, I realize that but I really think you should take a look at what they're saying” he said, adjusting the collar of his shirt like he was hot even though the air conditioning was on.

I tapped my pen on my desk a few times as I studied the papers in front of me. All these technological advancements in the world, and yet still so many damn papers.

“Fine”.

I extended my hand, “Let’s see what bothers you so much.”

He handed the slim envelope to me and I slit it with a silver letter opener before starting to peruse the contents. I grew increasingly concerned at the end of each line until I looked up at Enrico.

“Working from 10 am to 10 pm? Peanuts for salaries? No health insurance? Unsanitary conditions?”, my voice grew colder with each point.

“Yes sir. I fear if something is not done soon we'll have a strike on our hands” he replied. I couldn't believe this was all a factory under my company name could boast of. I blame myself for not checking up on it sooner.

“Who’s the manager?” , I asked. When you run a company as big as mine, sometimes you hire the wrong people. Or rather the people you put in charge of it hire the wrong people.

Mistakes were made, some avoidable, some not so much. We can only curb the problems before they snowball into something else and deal with the people who dared to tarnish my reputation.

In Melanie's words, just another Tuesday Or Monday.

Enrico checked his file, “One Salvador Suarez. You don't get more Mexican than that” he snorted.

I silently agreed, Salvador Suarez might as well tattoo the flag of Mexico on his chest.

“And what's his excuse for these deplorable conditions? The products of the factory are selling well, so why are the workers suffering?” I asked, discreetly checking my watch.

Melanie should have been back with lunch by now. I didn't give her a specific place so I could only hope she got something good.

“He acts like his hands are tied, but there is reason to believe that he is siphoning the profits to an offshore account”.

When Enrico said this, my gaze whipped up. Could this be the trickle of money I've been trying to trace for months? The figures were too small to be from a factory of that size, but still.

“Let me see that”, I demanded.

Enrico handed the next file over and I ran my eyes over the figures scribbled on it, deflating when they didn't tally with the other figures. He looked puzzled by my abruptness but I paid him no heed.

“How accurate are these?” I asked.

“Enough to make him sweat if interrogated, sir” he answered.

I nodded. I haven't yet decided if I was going to handle it myself or turn him over to the police, but one way or another he was going to return my money.

I hated when people tried to steal what I’d worked so hard for. As if on cue or fate trying to mock me, Melanie backed through the door with her hands laden with bags.

“What took you so long?” I asked.

I don't know if she was just arranging the bags, or deliberately avoiding my gaze.

“Traffic” she answered shortly, bringing out plates and setting them out.

“I got curried rice and shrimp for you and fruit juice because of your weird aversion to soda.” She set a plate down in front of me as I raised a brow, surprised that she'd noticed the way I avoided the vending machine.

“And for my dear friend Enrico, I don't know what you like so I got you a chicken salad with a side of coleslaw and a matcha smoothie. They're healthy and good for you.”

The saccharine smile she aimed in his direction was definitely not my imagination.

She must still be pissed about the whole “evil” thing. Enrico smiled nervously, “My favorite,” he said.

Curious, I peeked into the last bag “What did you get for yourself?” I asked.

She snatched it off my desk and started to walk out, “I’ll be at my desk if you need me” she said.

I narrowed my eyes; something was definitely up.

“Actually, Mr. Alonso said he needed you in here when you got back, ” Enrico said. “Just in case you've forgotten.” He added.

I almost smiled. Seems like Enrico is not as much of a pushover as she thought.

“Oh right, how could I forget?” she gave him another fake smile and gingerly sat in the other chair beside him.

I cleared some of the papers directly in front of me so I could eat and they both did the same.

We both opened our plates and looked on expectantly as Melanie slowly lifted packages from the bag and opened them, revealing two burgers, a large serving of chicken nuggets and a Coke.

Enrico's eyes almost popped out as his gaze swiveled from his plate of green, healthy food to the greasy goodness on hers while I remained calm.

She didn't even have the decency to look bashful, just shrugged and said “A girl's gotta eat.”

I was tempted to say I'd deduct the cost from her paycheck, just to see her reaction, but I did tell her to get what she wanted when I gave her the card.

Instead I said, “That’s good, Eat. You'll need your strength for where we're going.”

Enrico looked at me in surprise and I just nodded. I was going to visit that factory today and she was coming with me. Better to do it now than put it off.

“But, sir things might get violent”, he protested. He didn't like her because she was the reason why I'd almost lost trust in him, but he was still worried about bringing a woman into a violent situation.

I let my eyes rest on Melanie as she looked on curiously, “I think she'll be just fine”.

“Where are we going?” , she asked after swallowing a mouthful of burger.

“There’s something that urgently needs our attention. I'll fill you in on the way.”

There was nothing stopping me from telling her now, but I'd quickly discovered how entertaining it was to rile her up.

As expected, she took the bait “Why don't you just tell me now?”

Enrico looked at me like he had the same question. I didn't have an answer so I resorted to a technique that always worked: emphatic silence.

After some time she sighed and went back to eating. When we were done she gathered up the plates and dumped them in the recycler on our way out. After shaking Enrico's hand, Melanie and I walked out onto the ground floor. I remembered the way she had whooped with joy when test-driving her car so I said “Why don't we take your car today?”

Instead of her face lighting up like I expected she averted her eyes and walked backwards until she was in front of the elevator again.

“Actually, I parked far away and I don't want to walk all that distance. Let's use yours” , she said as the doors opened.

I stepped inside with her and pressed my thumb to the pad for the private underground parking level. I had no clue as to why she was acting this way, but then who actually knew why women did what they did?