CHAPTER 40
JOSHUA’S POV
“We had a top-up bargain for the raw materials from a foreign exchange company based in India. Though the perks of bargaining from these types of company lines, I think it’ll be our last resort to take the risk sir. Should I give them a heads up now?”
I scanned the portfolio compiled on my table as I thoroughly read word by word the proposals made by the board of regents. The calendula production and our product production completely stopped midway due to lack of resources and though majority of our consumers are very much willing to wait, I cannot just sit idly by and make them wait any longer than this. The risk of losing more consumers might come right at us and that’s for sure.
After flipping on some more pages of the file, I turned to look up on the female board upfront reporting on the bargain proposal.
“I’ll personally create a letter of proposal for the foreign-exchange company and,”
Looking at my secretary beside me, he came abrupt closer as I told him to schedule the earliest flight to India by tomorrow.
“Send the letter right away, and Mr. Gomez, Ms. Sebastian and Mrs. Lopez, you three will have to come with me for tomorrow’s personal indications of our proposals to the bargain.”
I knew and was aware of their perplexed reaction of my sudden decision but I heard none as complaints from them and just received their agreements instead.
“Mr. Antonio, I need you to make a plan B and C for this, we’ll need them if ever the proposal will go elsewhere than we expect. Keep your heads up, we can’t afford any mistakes by now, understood?”
After hearing their agreements and piling up some more instructions to the boards, I headed straight to the laboratory and held another meeting for the researcher’s tasks for the upcoming resuming of production. The consumers then demanded more of the scents and varieties of the product upon its rise in the cosmetic industry. I was rather surprised by how people demanded more of the kinds than the number of production and so I was more than eager to create more of the varieties of the product.
“We tested and acquired more than enough information from variety of consumers already sir; here.”
Mr. Whine, the youngest and one of the foreign researchers I admire most handed me a file and there I saw stuffs regarding their tests and current commodities of the product.
“How’s the reaction; do you think it’ll keep the sole base of our product?”
“Yes sire, definitely. The percentage of positivity is ranging from 80% to 90%. And though the already high chances of acquiring the success of this new variety, we’ll have to probe more as so we could provide a better and even perfect accomplishment on this production.”
“Very well said, Simon. Keep this up and ring me for any updates, you have my full support and trust on this; you won’t let me down yet again this time ayt?”
The Canadian guy only giggled and said his leave to continue more on the research as I probe more with the other researchers regarding the production of the new scents of products.
After not so long more moments inside the lab, I then went to my office and directly held on the tab I instructed my secretary to prepare for the virtual meeting on the foreign bases.
“It’s the France base this time sire. The products got out of hand and now we’re nearing the limit of stocks.”
My secretary explained as I faced heads-on the head of the France base.
“Good day sir. So for this month’s stocks…”
“We’ll have to delay the export of products to the base. For now, give out an official statement for the cancellation of every online purchasing of our products.”
“But sir, there are already at least thousands of pending online purchase of----”
“We have to pending them all then for the time being as so evident that we are out of stock with raw materials. We are already moving steadfast just so we can export to every foreign base so worry not. We need to minimize the purchasing of our products for the meantime so for now, send out proper publication regarding the matter; to every online and offline platform.”
The head only was left to nod on me from the screen as I instructed her more on the things needed to discuss. Before long, noon came and I was ready for another meeting by the nearby company shareholder but was interrupted by my secretary. Confused I looked at him as he handed me my phone.
“It’s Miss Layad sir. I already told her your hectic schedule but she whined on me and even gave threat on me.”
I shook my head upon hearing my secretary’s complain on my niece. I held out on my phone as I directed my secretary to prepare all things needed for the upcoming meeting.
“Yes Layad?”
“That old hag secretary of yours be like giving me excuses like who is he deceiving now? Jeez.”
“Watch your mouth missy, he’s still way older than your so—”
“I have to respect him at all cost; yes, Tito Joshy, I know. You always tell me that like every single chance you have.”
Says the now grown niece of mine. She’s still a talker and still sweet so I can say. These past two years, Layad was more than enough for me to call as my happy pill. She’d always just come to me and make my day better for all I know for the past two years. She was my pillar of energy and I more than crave for her presence each time I feel just drained of things; especially the first stages of my hard days. I was able to go through all it because of her and partly Ate Rosa also. I was and will always be thankful for the both of them and having them as my only family left was more of a thing pushing me to work harder and provide them better and even perfect life ahead. Though Layad is already responsible enough for herself now, I still felt the need to look after her and Ate Rosa for the rest of our lives.
We three only have each one’s back now and that thought was my push button to do better.
“Hello? Are you still there Tito Joshy?”
“Oh yeah yeah of course; what were you saying again?”
I heard her sigh from the other line as I chuckle knowing that she’s losing patience on me again. She’s always like that and am rather amused than sorry for cutting her patience off everytime.
“You’re always not listening jeez. I was asking if you have any overseas trips in the coming days?”
I crunched my brows confused as to why she wanted to know regarding that as I only said my yes. I told her about my schedule for tomorrow in India and she came silent for a minute or two before asking if she could tag along.
“My teacher told me to write a whole journal for the trips I’ve gone and tell stories of my good memories in there. Tho she didn’t require it to be in a foreign place, I still want to experience foreign places.”
I rolled my eyes at the phone as I heard her chuckle. She’s just making her journal as an excuse again. I told her that it was for business purposes and not for vacation. I rejected her whines of wanting to come along and it took us 10 whole minutes fighting over the matter and as always, I lost the argument. After the call, I told my secretary to come up with some adjustments following suit to Layad tagging along and told him to secure all things and accommodation; I cannot afford to have anything bad to happen there especially that Layad is there.
It was already five in the afternoon when the meeting ended and I directly went home excluding all my schedules as I needed to talk further regarding my trip with Layad tomorrow. I’m just sure Ate Rosa isn’t aware of this yet and I will have to make excuses for Layad; that’s for sure. Jeez that kid.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you Joshua, it’s just that Layad may be just come as a burden for you there. It’s a business trip after all and am more than afraid that Layad will just be a distraction for you there.”
I smiled and reassured things with Ate Rosa. I dragged her to the living room after dinner and talked regarding the trip and I was rather shocked that she already knew about it. Turns out she heard our conversation a while ago and I heard from Ate Rosa they had a total fight regarding the matter. That explained why Layad was silent and grumpy the whole meal time.
“You’re going to India for the first time in years….”
Ate Rosa stopped midway and I could feel the awkward silence stretching. I know what she wanted to say or ask so I just smiled bitterly at her. She gave back a warm smile I could understand she sympathizing with me. After long years, I wasn’t able to go near India even if it was a serious matter regarding my company base there. No, it wasn’t that I can’t go; it’s just that I chose not to go. I was afraid; afraid that I’d lose myself and just stay there hoping to see her again. I was afraid that my desperation of wanting to see her again would just make things worse coz I for sure know that I did her the worst pain and devastation. I was more than afraid that she may have had someone already that is more than enough to make her happy. It was the worst imagination I had; Ishita having someone already to make her smile, make her happy and never to hurt her, someone to stay with her for the rest of her life. I just can’t imagine myself watching those imaginations in front of me so I never flew to India not once.
And the next day; in front of the plane I’m about to ride flying to India, I stood rooted looking up in the bright blue sky. I heaved a deep sigh and readied myself. the business trip was honestly just my excuse coz the real reason I wanted to fly to India was Ishita; the hopes of seeing her or just coming across her even for a glimpse was my real reason of going. I’m not expecting anything but I’m just desperately hoping that just at least, if faith is on my side, I could just see even one glimpse of her. It’s more than enough; it will be more than enough for me.