C2 A Dependable Friend

PRESENT…

~Angie~

“Angie, Can you please call Alex. Tell him I need him to report in my office ASAP,” the emotionless voice of my boss resounded inside my intercom receiver. My good lord. He always sounds like he’s about to persecute someone. But he’s the best boss I’ve ever worked with.

“Right away, sir,” I replied. Then end his call and dialed Sir Alex’s assistant, then immediately reiterated to him that Sir Max wants to speak with Sir Alex, here in his office.

Luis Maximus San Diego is the real name of my boss. He’s just well known as Max. He’s 32 years old. A stock market whale investor, and CEO of San Diego International Corporation, formerly San Diego Textiles Corporation. A multi-billion Textile Company. Where I worked as his Executive Assistant.

He changed the name of the company when we enter the global market almost seven years ago. We are the top producer of high-quality fabrics in the Philippines that are comparable to Italy’s produced fabrics. Which is the reason why he decided to take the company to the next level, and that is to go global.

We started by exporting our high-quality fabrics to the neighboring countries in Asia. Although China is one heck of a competitor because they are the top exporter of fabrics in the global market, our company, San Diego International, did not budge. And soon enough, all our efforts, dedication, and hard work paid off.

Because of the high quality and cost-effective fabrics we make plus our capability to produce and cater to the increasing needs of fabrics in the global market, our CEO closed a deal with one of Europe’s leading Apparels Company, the Mimi Lorein, and also some of USA’s clothing lines and apparel boutiques. And the rest was history.

Looking back from the moment we started the journey of introducing our fabrics to the global market, I am proud of what we have achieved so far. What we are and who we are right now are the result of the choices Sir Max made in the past.

He had taken all the risks back then and managed them well. Because if he didn’t do that, we wouldn’t be able to experience every good thing the world has to offer.

Although it’s not that easy, but our boss never gave up, he always pushes himself and motivates us at the same time. Because we have a goal—we, his people, and him. That’s why we hold on to it, did all the best that we can and here we are right now.

He always tells us that the world belongs to the brave. And we all keep that in mind.

My train of thought was interrupted as I see sir Alex walking towards me. He’s the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, my boss’ best friend since I think, college, and his right-hand man.

“Max wants to speak with me?” Sir Alex asked, just as soon as he reached my desk.

“Yes sir, you can come in now,” I told him and gestured the door.

~Max~

I was staring intently at the pieces of papers atop my desk when a sudden crisp knocking on my office door caught my attention.

And when I turned to look at the door, I see Alex; he was already inside, then he immediately closed the door behind him and strode straight to my desk area.

“Hey Bro! What’s up?” Alex voiced out before sitting on the chair in front of me

“I assume you already know why I summoned you right now,” I said, not wasting our time.

“Yeah, I guess. What do you want me to do then?” He asked straight to the point.

“I want you to investigate the issue regarding the delayed deliveries for all our European Partners, especially the ones for Mimi Lorein. Because my gut feeling tells me that this isn’t just a simple delayed delivery issue, considering it has happened multiple times already and without our knowledge. There is something fishy about this. And if my guess is right, someone here in the company is behind all this. So I want you to low-key investigate this matter, Alex,” I told him. He is the only one I can trust right now.

“I see. So I’ll play Sherlock Holmes, eh.” He chuckled.

“Well, as long as it produces a result, then be my guest,” I simply said.

“Kidding aside, you have nothing to worry about it, Max. I’m on it already. Just leave it to me.” Alex being Alex himself. Dependable as always.

“Thank you, bro! I know I can always count on you. I’m very grateful to you Alex, seriously,” I simply replied.

“Jeez, Max. You’re being cheesy,” He curtly replied and smiled at me.

“After we solve this, I’m giving you an indefinite vacation leave all expenses on me. Spend it however and wherever you like,” I offered him. He deserves it.

“Whoa! Whoa! That’s a bit too much, Max? I’ll take the vacation leave but I don’t plan to be away for long. Can’t be away too long, bro. Maybe a week or two is enough. And all the expenses will be on me. I’ll use that leave to get my girl back, Max.” He said aloud, sounding so serious.

“Then, the more I need to cover for all the expenses. It’s a gift from me. Please take it. You’re very lucky to have someone you wanted to win over and over again,” I told him.

“You have already given me more than I could ever ask for, Max. You, your mom, and your dad. I should be the one thanking you. You guys save me from my darkness after my entire family died in a car crash. Being someone you can rely on and depend on is the least that I can do for you,” Alex professed.

“Now, who’s the one cheesy?” I mocked him and we both laugh. I don’t want him to remember that painful past of him.

“Okay, I don’t want to cry my heart out here. I might as well take my leave already and play Sherlock Holmes.” he jested.

“Sure. Dismissed,” I told him, keeping myself from smiling.

“Yes, sir!” He said, then gestured a salute and leave. I snorted at him, then shake my head.

Crazy.

After I dismiss Alex, I continue with my work.

I called Agnes and asked her to come inside. Then asked her to schedule a business trip with our Legal counsel Attorney. Gonzalez. And if he agrees, we will fly to Europe right away. I need to fix the issue with our European partners as soon as possible.

I can’t afford to lose any of our partners. We worked so hard just to get them to sign a partnership contract with us, to be their fabric supplier, so I won’t let it be gone in just a blink of an eye.

~Alex~

I went straight from Max’s office to mine. I need to resolve the issue in the shortest time possible. We can’t let the culprit be at large. And I’m really looking forward to that vacation leave to get my Charlotte back to me.

Easier said than done. I didn’t find myself progressing in investigating the incident.

I know I must have overlooked something here. I just need to think and focus more.

I took out my phone, looking for the contact number of our account manager in the logistics firm who handles all our shipments. But found nothing. Maybe I forgot to save her number.

Thinking that I may have forgotten to save the account manager’s number, I get my calling card organizer. I should have her number there.

As soon as I got the organizer, I open it up and scanned all the calling cards. A few moments passed, I found it at last.

So I dialed the number and to my dismay, her number was incorrect. I tried to call their main office instead. And much to my surprise, our account manager in the logistics firm has already resigned. Then I asked who took over our account in their logistics firm. But the help desk lady can’t tell me any more information. What the heck?

I was stunned. How will I resolve this mess if one of the keys to solving the matter has already been out of the picture? Man, this is a big mess. This is harder than I thought.

A couple of hours have passed and I’m still on ground zero. However, suddenly my eyes went to a piece of card on my calling card organizer. Then an idea pops up. I dialed the number, not wasting any more time.

The phone is ringing. Thank God! A few seconds later, a woman’s voice answers my call.

“Hello?” the voice from the other line said.

“Hello! May I speak with Ms. Krizza Robles?” I ask, knowing that it was her.

“Hi. Speaking! Who’s on the line?” She speaks sweetly.

“This is Alexander Jimenez, COO of San Diego International. I’m not sure if you still remember me, but we’ve met less than a year ago at a Business Summit at the World Trade Center,” I introduced myself.

“Oh yeah Hi! Yes, I remember you! What’s up?” She beamed. Oh, thank the heavens.

“It’s good that you still remember me,” I said.

“Yeah, of course. Who would ever forget a guy like you? But what gives? To what do I owe this call all of a sudden?” she asked. I heard movements of papers in her background.

“Actually, before I proceed with my agenda, may I know if you’re still in L&J Freight and Global Logistics?” I ask, reading their company’s name from her calling card. I need to be sure first.

“Yes. Well, an excellent company like L&J is hard to let go of,” She seems happy with her company.

“Great. Uhm, would you mind If I asked you out for a coffee in an hour or two?” I asked her.

“I’m okay with that. But what’s the big idea?” She’s a very clever woman and still as hard to get as the day I met her.

“Let’s just say I wanna talk about having business with you? Will that be good enough?”

“Whoa. A sudden Business Meeting with Mr. Jimenez himself isn’t a bad idea after all. Sure, name your place,” she agreed.

“Okay. Uhm, can you meet me at Coffee Loki’s? How long will it take you to get there, if I may ask?”

“Uhm, considering the traffic. I should be there in a little over an hour.”

“Alright, I’ll see you then! Bye!” I said goodbye and wait for her to reply before I end our call.

“Yes. See yah! Bye-bye!”

After the call, I slid my phone inside my pants pocket. Stop working and fix my things and ready some documents to bring with me to the meeting.

I called Max to say I’m leaving early because of an emergency meeting. But I’m leaving my assistant, Marco if he needs anything.

Not wasting time, I immediately go outside my office. Have a few words with my assistant then leave already.

I hope I’m doing the right thing. I thought to myself.