Behind Her Cool Exterior

The mentor...

George Craven had been a high ranking executive in the Starkis Industries. He had worked here for nearly 30 years until last month. When Nikolos’ father had been on his deathbed 14 years ago, he had been one of those employees who had helped him to settle as the new Head of the conglomerate. Although he had been amongst the half dozen people who were assigned to this task, Nikolos had respected him the most because of many reasons.

When Andreas Starkis had been dying, the company’s situation was rapidly deteriorating. The primary cause for this was Nikolos’ disinterest in the business. Everybody knew that this was the main cause of estrangement between father and son because of which, the latter had left home. ‘Hard working father and the prodigal son’ was what the people of the world and the media saw them as. But when his father had a heart attack, Nikolos suddenly, and shockingly, realized that he was the only family his father had left and except the matter of his career, his father had been a good parent to him.

Putting his ego and stubbornness aside, he had visited his father. It had been a very emotional reconciliation for both him and his father. Even though his father understood his son’s need for making his own place in the world, he had asked Nikolos to at least try to take an interest in the company.

He had accepted for his father’s sake thinking that his health might improve. But his hopes had died with his father a couple of weeks after that. The incident had numbed him and the only place he could distract himself was the same position, he had ran away from, for his entire life.

George Craven was the only person who had helped him in this since he was as much of a workaholic as his father was. Other employees had seen him as a no-good son of a rich father and although they talked politely in front of him, he had felt their pointed glances at his back. While on the other hand, Mr. Craven had given him one long look in the first meeting and started talking business with him the next second as though nothing was amiss. He had helped him getting comfortable in his own way by first giving an overview about the company and then managing it all on his own. At first Nikolos had been quite happy to give the reins to him but after sometime, he realized that he had actually liked business. He started noticing the power one held while sitting on a chair in an air-conditioned room, and making big decisions which affected thousands of lives. He began taking an interest in the workings of the company and although he didn’t take any decisions, he started joining board meetings as an observant. Soon he learnt that Mr. Craven was an acute and sharp businessman who approached everything from all angles and left no point untouched until he was thoroughly satisfied.

Mr. Craven had been quite neutral in his attitude towards Andreas, neither showing any encouragement nor resentment, but the incident which he thought had finally made a breakthrough towards his mentor’s cool reserve was in one of the board meetings. He still had that day clearly etched in his mind.

Hot discussions were going on between the board members about whether it was a good idea to put a food factory in the state of Iowa or not. Since the company had not ventured there before, everyone was apprehensive. But Mr. Craven strongly supported in favor of the project.

“The cost of transportation to other neighboring states from the site is a dent in the budget and the returns are not guaranteed. At the same time, the market present there does not offer a high profit margin. If the venture fails, the company would not be able to sustain the loss at its present state.” One of the two dozen expressionless, grey-haired, spectacled board members said in a jaded voice.

“That is correct. But at the same time, if everything goes according to the plan, this could be a major milestone in the company’s achievements.” Mr. Craven said.

All eyes were directed at his direction looking at him as if he has just stated that he wanted to kill the President.

“Nikolos, what do you think?” Mr. Craven asked suddenly.

Nikolos, who had been quietly following the verbal tennis match going between Mr. Craven and others, blinked suddenly and straightened in his seat. He was struck dumb since it was the first time that someone has acknowledged his presence even though it was in the form of a question directed at him.

He heard someone sniggering which made him angry. For goodness’ sake, he owned the damned company. But his ego lasted for only a moment and he saw this opportunity to prove that he wasn’t just Andreas Starkis’ son. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Mr. Craven.

“We are already a known name in the food sector which gives us a strong base. The site is located near farming lands which saves us the raw material cost and at the same time benefits the farmers. Manufacturing food products made up of crops grown there will also reduce the investment. Transportation to other states can be put on hold until the first couple of months till we know the status and the focus should be only on the areas near the factory.” Nikolos said coolly.

The board members looked at him with slightly opened mouths and some of them were staring at him wide-eyed. They possess other human expressions too? Nikolos thought sardonically.

His gaze fell on Mr. Craven and he looked at his still-expressionless face for a long time. Finally, he noticed one side of his mouth slowly curving upwards, as though in admiration.

Feeling ecstatic inside, he added in the same bored voice “And about the issue of presence or absence of market, it’s not as if people of Iowa don’t have stomachs to feed. If we put all the farmers near the factory on contract, where will the people go for food? They would have no choice but to come to us.”

Nobody spoke for at least five minutes after this ruthless statement. After sometime, one of them cleared his throat and replied “That is a good point. So, who are in the favor of implementing this project?”

After a couple of minutes of murmuring, the project was passed without any further opposition. And soon, everybody left except him and Mr. Craven.

“Do you think I did well, Mr. Craven?” something childish which still remained in him asked.

“It was good that they agreed. If this project had not been passed, the alternative was to sit with our hands folded and waiting for a miracle to happen.” Mr. Craven replied still submerged completely in reading the file.

Expecting compliments rather than depressing alternatives, Andreas was a little disappointed. He started going out.

But just before exiting, Mr. Craven called to him and looked directly in his eyes and said something which had a huge impact on his future life.

"Nikolos, you really are your father’s son. It is time you accept the fact rather than fighting it and be proud of it.”