His Island Girl

Chapter Nine

The entire hall was still silent after he made his last statement. If a pin had dropped in the room, it would be heard loudly. There were looks of alarm and bewilderment plastered on their faces.

"That's an outrageous thought and its preposterous. Just like I've said earlier, it has never been heard of in the Orman Empire and it won't start now either. If the people will not accept the stated compensation, then the only thing we would do is to increase the amount. They should know how to share it amongst themselves and-"

"Let me ask you a question Mr Andrew, if by chance an incidence occurs whereby you are forced to depart from this state or your house with your family and abandon everything you've laboured for all your life... which includes this company in particular, or if you're forced to give up what's dear to you would you easily give it up without putting up a fight or a protest?"

"Of course I'll fight only for what is dear to me but if I'm forced to abandon everything I've laboured for all my life for the sake of my family's safety, then I gladly will. So far I'll be compensated just as they will be now" he replied.

"Exactly the point. The land is so dear to them so they have every right to behave as you also will. Have you wondered what would happen if they happened to go on a protest and refuse to give up the land? It would mean that not even the demolition process can stop them. They will be willing to stand in the way. They may be willing to die for their land and in that process a lot of lives might be lost. I'm sure you wouldn't like the name of our company to be dragged into the mud or labelled as selfish or greedy or even murderers for this outrageous reason. I'm not saying we must terminate the project entirely, I'm only saying the inhabitants should not be affected. Allow them to dwell in peace with their own part of the land big enough for their cultivation or other activities. They may someday become caretakers of the final project" he stated his points and reasons.

They all became silent once again and he hoped that perhaps they have begun to see reasons with him.

"Uh...and further more, what if the compensation you may receive is not enough to take care of your family or even start a new life? Meanwhile your millions and treasures are forcefully collected from you. Isn't that injustice to you?" He added still facing Mr Andrew. He was trying by all means to get into their heads and make them see more reasons to make adjustments.

Mr Andrew was silent as he tried to avoid eye contact with Dave.

"But what if the Jenkins refuses? I mean...we've already made an agreement and if we're not able to meet that agreement it will be a disappointment and it will affect the company's reputation" Mr Andrew replied.

"Forget about the company's reputation for once and let's face the reality. We are not cruel and arrogant people that will do anything to save our reputation and ruin other's. If the Jenkins refuses then we'll terminate the contract. The loss of a single contract cannot be compared with the billions we've made so far. In fact we'll only save our reputation by doing this so that in case any unexpected calamity befalls, we will not be a part of it. So please, let us all see reasons in this" he insisted.

"What if we increase the compensation and the amount stated just as suggested earlier so that it will be enough for all of them to vacate. I mean...if the issue of accommodation or agriculture is the problem, we have many landed facilities and apartments which we can rent to them at lower prices or even give one out as a charity. We can also provide for their needs at stated times" Mr Ben said indiscreetly. He was the head of foreign affairs and has been among the protesters earlier.

Everything was beginning to get on Dave's nerves. However he tried to, he still couldn't understand why his father had to employ incompetent and indiscreet people to run the affairs of his company. Probably out of compassion or charity but he isn't going to allow them manipulate his decisions.

"Well did they tell us they want to be dependent on us? They have been independent long before now...and did you say we should rent to them? Isn't that injustice? Haven't they been living freely? Why do we have to impose rent on them after forcing them out of their free world? And then what if in the future a situation arises that we might need to use the landed property we may keep them in, what do we do with them again? If we are to increase the amount, how much do you think we may loose?" Dave retorted witfully.

"Yes. And it might become a liability to us in the event we make them depend on us. They need to be free, just as he has said" Mrs Roberts said. It was the first time she had spoken since the meeting commenced and somehow Dave was glad that at least one person began to see reasons with him.

"I would also suggest that we allow the people live in peace. Let the sleepy dogs lie because if by chance what Mr Orman says come to pass, it will be a disaster on the company. We are not that demanding are we? We are not desperate. The fact that we drop this project will not bring down our level. We will still be the best in our field both nationally and internationally and no one can compete with us" Mrs Coleman reasoned.

She was one of the hardworking employees in the company and he had personally nominated her to be a board member in replacement of the one they had lost to the cold hands of death few years back. She was a widow and her hard work and competence made him to nominate her as she deserved it.

"Sentiments aside Mr Orman, this project is worth millions and it has made us establish a partnership with the enemy of our rivals that is the RKGC don't you think we need to maintain this partnership in order to combine and bring our enemies down so that-" Mr Andrew began but Dave interrupted him.

"Mr Andrew, you have been a trusted ally of my father while he was alive. You have been with him in every affairs and decisions of the company. If there is anyone here who can testify about him being sentimental and compassionate in business is you. He'd rather loose a business deal than be uncompassionate and cruel and he was the one who taught me all these. I believe if he is here today, he would have made an enquiry about that land before venturing into a partnership or accepting the proposal. I have always looked up to you as a fatherly figure in the affairs of this company because you were very close to my Dad and I expect to learn more from you. We've made a mistake by not investigating properly and we need to correct that before it is too late. Let's leave reputation and rivalry aside for now and see reasons please"

"I totally agree with Mr Orman. Let's be realistic. All his suggestions and reasons are rational. We should start thinking of how to avoid disaster that may occur in the future because we'll only have ourselves to blame if we don't make the right decisions early" Mr Johnson said.

He had been silently observing and Dave liked him because of his ability to make wise decisions that benefits the company. At least, he had three people on his side.

The meeting went on for hours and he couldn't meet up with Barry's appointment because the meeting did not end until 9pm and it had to be adjourned.

He went home pondering on the main reason he's doing this. This is a very big step he's about to take for the first time. If he finally succeeds in changing their minds to do what he planned, the next step will be another bigger step. He couldn't stop wondering if he was doing the right thing or not.

* * * * *

The next day, a final conclusion was made. He was finally able to convince more than half of the board members and instead of aborting the project, adjustments are to be made.

A meeting was fixed with the Jenkins Enterprise but it didn't end well. They were not buying the idea and still insisted on the first agreement. Every attempts to make them see reasons went futile and fell on deaf ears.

Though it was a tough one for the Orman Empire, few days later they had to dispart with the Jenkins and began to make arrangements to refund their investments.

It was a huge loss for the Orman Empire and most of the people who opposed the decision in the first place went berserk. At some point, Dave began to regret his actions. Perhaps he was wrong.

But the one question that kept hovering on his mind was;

Why was he doing this?

What has he done?

He felt devastated as he kept hoping that he made the right decision.

He planned to visit the island on Saturday morning, just to see her again. Noella. He was missing her a lot.

As soon as he opened the car door to enter and drive out of the mansion, the security man at my gate came to give me a letter. He asked about the sender and the security man pointed to the gate where a mailman stood outside.

The letter was wrapped in an envelope and addressed: Dave Orman.

Closing the car door, he walked towards the gate still with the letter in hand.

"Greetings Sir. This letter was addressed to you. Please sign here to indicate you have received it" the mailman said.

"Who is it from" he asked as he collected the pen to inscribe his signature.

"The sender did not reveal their address perhaps if you go through it you will understand who it's from" the man replied.

After signing the man left.

Dave opened the letter and it read;

Mr Orman,

I understand your quest for fame and power but you need to understand that you have boundaries.

For the interest of peace and avoidance of risk, stay off anything that has to do with that island.

For the sake of your reputation, for the sake of your family and for the sake of your new connection with that island, do not soil your hands.

You have no idea about the true ownership of that land so do not involve yourself in any illegality.

Do not unravel mysteries long buried for your safety.

Sent from anonymous. Owner's name not stated.

Just then, a call came through his phone. It was a call from his PA.

Him: Hello

She: Sir, you are needed at the office immediately. We have an emergency.

Him: What's the update?.

She: We've just received a threatening letter to the company. You are urgently needed sir.

He hung up immediately at the new change of plans. He drove straight to the company as fast as he could.