CHAPTER THREE: The Omani-Hawke Deal
1203 Words
Elias's POV
“s**t!”
Good thing I'm back in New York. The air in Oman had me holding my breath every second. I walked out of the airport with two men walking by my sides, they carried my luggage as we walked out of the airport.
Before we got to the exit of the airport, James, my driver, had already pulled up with my car in the airport parking lot. I walked towards the car, the men behind me following suit.
“Good morning sir.” James said. He came down rushing to open the door to the back passenger seat, bowing slightly before going back to the driver's seat.
I sat at the back, one of the men sat at the front passenger seat and the other on the left of me. James drove off into the streets. The ride was long but felt good as I could feel the cold fresh air of New York City caressing my skin.
Ding! Ding!
A notification popped up on my phone screen. The sender “Unruly Dog” popped on my screen. It was my father's. I didn't bother opening the message, I didn't care what he had to say, not that anything he had to say was beneficial to me. He is just a greedy man who likes to manipulate and bend people to his own will.
Ding! Ding!
My phone rang! At first I had ignored it thinking it was my dad but with the persistent ringing I decided to pick it up. It turned out to be that It was Daniel, my Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
“Speak.” I said, raising the phone towards my ear.
"Sir, the Omani government just contacted me—there have been some changes to the deal.” He said, his voice was a bit shaky like he was Daniel in the lion's den without faith.
“I finalized the deal with the Sultan of Oman himself earlier. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said gave me his word. He promised there would be no changes.” I said, my voice calm and icy.
“Yes sir but he is suggesting a dual operation of the new energy company that would be built in their capital city, Muscat. He wants his government to control 35% of the company shares.” Daniel said.
“Funding the project is not an issue. I am capable and I don't need his government funds. Why didn't he bring this up when I was still in Muscat? I'm currently in New York!” I said in turn, anger seething through my voice. I could feel the eyes of James, my driver, staring at me through the rearview mirror.
“He was okay with it at first but full privatisation of such a huge project in his country was something he didn't think through at first as he was weighing the benefits the energy company could bring to his people.” Daniel said in turn.
“I wouldn't want to talk about this on the phone. Connect me to Raj, my personal assistant. Tell him to book a flight for me to Muscat. I will be leaving tomorrow.” I said.
“Umm….about that, Sir there is a little problem.” Daniel said. At this point I was considering changing his name from Daniel to “Mood Spoiler” or “Bad News Breaker”.
“What is it again?” I questioned.
“Raj just quit a few days ago while you were away. Something came up so he had to leave. He left me a resignation letter which he asked me to give to you when you returned from Oman. I know…..”
“Hire a new one.” I said, I didn't allow him to finish whatever he had to say. That was none of my concern.
“Sir?”
“I said hire a new one. Do you have a problem with your hearing capabilities?” I yelled through the phone.
“But sir, getting a personal assistant is a key position that needs proper evaluation. We just can't pick anyone from the street as your personal assistant.” Daniel said, trying to explain something that didn't need explanation. I am Elias Hawke, I know how the system works.
“I'm not asking you to pick out any one from the street. Get in contact with our branch offices, select one of their employees with a good history and you can promote him or her making them my personal assistant.” I said.
“Okay Sir!” Daniel said.
“Don't always make me teach you how to do your job or you will be released.” I said.
“No problem sir. I'll ensure that this…”
Beep! Beep!
I hung up.
“We are changing directions James.” I said to James whose eyes were fixed on the road although his ears were focused on my discussion on the phone the whole time.
“Okay Sir. Where are we heading to now?” James asked, his gaze still fixed on the road.
“Take me to the Four Seasons Hotel,” I said. “They have good reviews.”
“Yes sir.” James said with a nod.
“And also, contact my engineer. Inform him that I'll be using my private jet tomorrow for my business trip back to Oman. Everything should be in place before my departure.” I said in turn.
“No problem sir. Everything would be sorted out.” James said, making a swift turn towards the direction that led to the Four Seasons.
Ding! Ding!
A notification popped up again, it was from “Unruly Dog” my dad. I picked up my phone, my thumb hovering over the message. As I was about to open the message a call came in, it was Unruly Dog. I was hesitant at first but I picked up.
“Hello” the voice on the other end of the phone said.
“Say what you have to say, I'm not in for your evening blabbering.” I said, rolling my eyes.
“You're still as stubborn as ever,” Victor, my dad, said with a laugh ringing through my phone.
“I wasn't cracking jokes for you neither do I want to hear you laugh. What's your deal?” I asked, I wasn't up for Unruly Dog’s attitude this evening.
“You need to round off whatever you're doing so we can talk. It's business, son.” Victor said, his tone changing from humor to formality.
“I don't have any business to talk about with you, the last time I checked, we run different sections of the company.” I said.
“Don't be silly Elias.” Victor said. “I was on the phone with your CFO earlier and he told me the Oman Energy Deal has not yet been finalized. Sort it out and when you're done we need to talk.”
Shut! That i***t. I think it's high time I sacked that baboon.
“I'm busy.”
Beep! Beep!
I hung up.
My gaze was fixed outside as I watched the beautiful skyline of New York City.
- Writer
