CHAPTER FIVE
1081 Words
“Mr Strafford? Mr Strafford. Good morning, sir."
David slowed his pace and turned around. He was on a call with Simona but he had to end it to attend to his secretary.
“Yes, Susan?"
“I have a bit of news, sir, and it's something of urgency."
David shrugged.
“Go on."
“I've just been informed that Graham Corporation just cancelled the sponsorship for the ongoing project. They didn't state the reason for the sudden withdrawal."
David's heart dropped into his stomach. Not at this point! He cleared his throat.
“What happened? Was there a breach of contract on our part?"
“No. The managing director for the project said he had stuck strictly with the contract."
David was determined not to lose his composure outside the confines of his office.
“Alright. I'll get to them."
He went into his office and sank into his executive chair. What in the world could this mean? What could have possibly gone wrong. His phone rang.
“Honey?"
“Who's this?"
“What?! Don't you recognize my voice? You said you'd call me in five minutes. You didn't, so I had to. We weren't done talking."
“Uh…Simona, could this be slated for later? I'll speak with you when I get home this evening. By then, you should be done with work too."
“Oh, right. Your day is just beginning. Have a nice day!"
“You too. Love you."
The line went dead. David shifted uneasily in his seat. He sent a mail to Graham Stevens Corporation, demanding a reason for the sudden withdrawal of sponsorship. This is one of his biggest projects for the business year, and he wasn't planning to let it hang in the balance.
He tried calling the HR of G.S.Corp to no avail. Just then, there was a knock on his door. He rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
“Come in."
He lifted his face.
“Susan." He straightened up in his seat. “What's the matter?"
“Someone here says he wants to see you but he doesn't have a scheduled appointment. He said it's rather urgent."
“Name?"
“Daryl Jenkins."
David's face flushed as he heard the name. It could only mean one thing.
“Show him in."
“Yes, sir."
Daryl Jenkins walked into the office so easily in his gray suit and shiny black suede shoes. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Strafford! We meet again." He extended his hand.
David got up and took it warily. He gestured for him to sit.
“Thank you." He sat down and watched David for a while. “You look rather ruffled this morning. Having a hard time?"
David tried to brighten up his face.
“There will always be rough days, Daryl. You've had them more, so you should know. What brings you to my office anyway?"
Daryl cleared his throat and leaned toward the desk.
“I heard the G.S.Corp sponsorship has been withdrawn. What do we do about that?"
David knew where this conversation was heading so he decided to drive it fast in that direction.
“You know what you want, Daryl. It's not in my power to give out a sponsorship that was withdrawn from me. You'll have to try out with the corporation. If you hit the benchmark, then you're up for it."
In as much as he tried to act complacent, David knew he was in for a real tussle. He reclined in his chair, watching Daryl out of the corner of his eye.
“If you say so, I'll give it a try. That sponsorship was really huge, David. I wonder what made you lose it but I'm grateful for it. It's a blessing to me."
“And stop sticking your nose up my ass, Daryl. It's a bad habit."
“Indeed. People in pain say hurtful things but I can't drag this. We're not women. I'll be off now: there are things that need my attention."
“That's better. You've overstayed your welcome."
Daryl chuckled derisively and have David a condescending look. He banged the door behind him, jarring David. The latter buried his face in his palms and exhaled deeply. However the day went, Simona didn't have to hear this for any reason at all.
He tried to get himself to work but to no avail. He sent for his secretary over the intercom.
“Mr Strafford?"
“Cancel all appointments for today. I can't bear to have any more visitors."
“Yes sir."
“Then get the PR officer. We have some canvassing to do. We need to find a new sponsor or a group of sponsors that are interested in taking on this project. Draft all the statistics. They must look as appealing as possible. Get the board of directors too. We'll be having a meeting in the next hour."
“Yes sir."
“And please get me a cup of coffee - I can't work with frayed nerves."
“Should I get you something to help you relax instead? You don't look so good, and coffee is a stimulant."
“That will be after the board meeting. I can't afford appearing drunk at meeting of great importance to this company's growth.”
"Alright. I'll send the coffee in as soon as I assemble all the people you've asked me to.”
"Thank you very much, Susan. I don't know how far I'd have gotten without you.”
His secretary smiled and left the office. David ran his fingers frantically through his hair and banged his fists hard on his desk. Never in his life had he been so confronted by challenges. His phone rang again. He checked the caller id. It was Simona. He let it ring without answering before he put his phone in DND mode. He had more than trivial discussions to deal with.
He paced about in his office restlessly. This office felt so choking to him at the moment. Did Andrea have anything to do with this? How could he thinks that? She barely had no connections; a street orphan. She didn't have a name for herself. He gave her everything she became. But why did things get this bad after she left? Then Simona…. He'd get a court wedding arranged tomorrow with very stringent agreements in the contract. He had to secure her with him so that he could have some financial support in this trying time.
- Writer
