S&M had recently pitched and won a new client - Richmond Corp. It was one of the most reputed oil and refinery companies in the world.
Benjamin had been under a lot of pressure to build grounds with this new client and given his wife's delivery was due any time next week, he had been tossing a lot between work and home. Already a father of two beautiful girls, he was expecting his third child.
In my last four months with the firm, Benjamin had taught me a lot, and we had developed a strong rapport both personally and professionally.
While he was focused on the Richmond, I had been handling all his other ongoing projects from office.
It was already noon when the door of the office flung open, and Benjamin walked in a rush.
"Hi. How did the meeting go?" I felt a bit concerned. His temperament and mood did not look the best.
"The meeting was one hell of a ride I tell you, the Richmond are the sharks of the industry, and they had this recent hostile takeover of BLK, their long associated business partners, that has left the top line in splits." He said while simultaneously opening his laptop and looking for documents on his table.
I was still looking at him with curious eyes, wanting to know more.
"On top of it, this new CEO is cold and ruthless and want us to help him complete the acquisition by the end of next week." He said as he now got up to walk to the cabinet to find something else. "He is so aggressive that he is already looking forward to his next project in Europe and he wants everything with BLK wrapped up at the earliest".
"New CEO?" I quizzed.
"Yes, he is the son. His name is Jacob Richmond. His father died in an accident about six months ago, post which he took over his office, and within such a short span, his business tactics have earned him a name."
He couldn't stop talking about this new CEO, and his interest in him, intrigued me too.
"This land is so sharp and instinctive, I only have had a couple of meetings with him, but I am amazed by his attention to detail and industry knowledge. He will change the face of the oil and refinery industry, mark my words."
I felt my mouth went dry listening to him. Benjamin was so hard to please, and I was sure this new CEO Jacob must be a genius that he had Benjamin floored by his capabilities.
His name did ring a bell though. I think I must have had read about him in the newspaper or something.
I already decided to look up more information on him afterwards.
Jacob Richmond. Interesting.
Chapter 5
Mr. CEO
Emma
From the moment he entered the office, Benjamin had been ranting and non-stop working on Richmond's proposal; and like the obedient kid I was, I was listening to him attentively.
My thoughts were interrupted by a ring, it was Benjamin's phone, and I got up to hand it to a very busy and engulfed Benjamin. It was from his wife.
He picked up while his eyes still on the file in front of him, when suddenly he stood up in shock.
"I will be right their love." Panic struck his face, as he took a deep breath before turning to me.
"Emma, it's Raina, she is in labor, and I need to rush." After pondering over something in his head, he continued "Listen to me and listen to me very carefully, I am trusting you with this as I am in a complete emergency now and can't think of any other way."
I was confused and scared, as whatever he was going to say, it didn't sound good.
"You will help me prepare the proposal for Richmond; it has to be in their office before nine am tomorrow. They have a meeting with BLK's Board of Directors at ten am, and you will be attending that meeting as a representative from S&M."
"I… What?"
He rubbed his temples, and heaved another sigh.
"Yes, I want you to take detailed notes and flag anything odd if you may come across. Your point of contact would be Mark Hanly. He is the Vice President of the Legal Dept at Richmond's. I will let him know of your arrival on the phone today".
Benjamin said all of it in one go. He also handed me Mark Hanly's business card along with a couple of files.
"These files are for your reference; they will help you draft the proposal".
He started wearing his coat and grabbed his suitcase.
"Feel free to refer to other records available in the library. I am counting on your kiddo. Don't put me down."
"Hey, wait! But can't you ask some other experienced team member to take this up? I am not sure if I can do this."
"Nobody is present in the office and getting anybody come over and giving a handover will take forever. We have a very short deadline here." He gave me a quick pat on my shoulders before walking past me.
"But am I allowed to visit the client office even when in probation?" I was questioning his back as he was already at the door rushing out.
"I will take care of it. You just focus on the proposal." He left while screaming down the corridor.
My heart was beating so fast, and without realizing my palms and forehead were sweating too. Benjamin left, and I was still apprehending all his instructions in my head.
I wasn't prepared for this.
This was a disaster. Richmond's were S&M's biggest client, and their first proposal meant a huge deal to the company.
How was I supposed to prepare it single-handedly?
I was nervous as hell and had no clue
