3 Chapter 3: The start of a roller coaster ride

Five years later

"You have got to be kidding me! That childhood friend of yours was a total hottie!" said Amy while looking at Rica's ipad screen.

"He's ok…I don't see him as hot though" said Rica

Robbie sent her an email and a picture of his trip to Europe. He was her childhood friend. When she left San Francisco when she was seven, Robbie followed her to New York to study there also. When she left New York to return back to San Francisco more than five years ago, Robbie felt really bad that he could not follow her. He was already studying in the University at that time. But Rica and Robbie never stopped their communication regardless. They were still as close as ever.

"You have very poor judgment, girl. This kind of man was with you all the time in New York, and you've never become a couple? Tell me the truth, was it because he doesn't like you?" asked Amy teasing Rica.

"You really think he's handsome? He looks normal to me. " said Rica laughing.

��And who would be handsome to you? That 'Elevator Guy' who risked his life to make sure you were safe?"

That experience five years ago had now taken the name of 'Elevator Incident'. Amy knows it. She was one of the first friends Rica had after she got back to San Francisco five years ago. They became really close when they decided to both take a management degree. Amy's bubbly personality was a good influence on Rica. Somehow from the years that they were always together, Rica learned to be a bit more optimistic. Laughing had been part of her everyday life now.

"I know that you like this Elevator Guy, but there's very little chance for you and him. Yeah, you see each other at parties. Yeah, you attend all the parties even if you don't like it just to get a glimpse of him. And yes, he almost never fails you by showing up. But you two hardly talk right? When was the last time you talked? I mean really talked and not just a few seconds of Hi-Hello?" asked Amy

Rica looked away. The truth was that Rica and her hero were as close to being strangers now.

"Ummm….well…"

Amy had a point. From the Elevator Incident, there hasn't been any real conversation between her and Dave the past five years.

Amy put her hand on Rica's.

"We are not getting any younger. When someone as hot as this Robbie Darling shows us attention, we should grab the opportunity and enjoy our youth!" said Amy, her last words were almost a shriek.

And then their other friend Victoria appeared by the door, breathless.

"Hey Girls, the list of graduates are now posted. Let's see if our names are there!" said Victoria

Victoria was Amy's cousin. She was also pretty close to Rica like Amy. Victoria was a bit more matured than both Amy and Rica though, which was a good thing.

While looking at the list, Rica could not find her name. It made her worried. Everyone knows she's doing pretty well with all of her subjects. And she does not have any failing mark so far.

"My name is there!" said Victoria almost hysterical

"Mine too!" said Amy jumping with joy.

Rica was confused. What was happening?

"Hey you two, over here! Rica!" Victoria gestured for Rica and Amy to come closer to her.

"Rica, you've got the top distinction of the University this coming graduation!" announced Victoria.

"No way…" Rica could not believe it. She looked at a separate list at the other end of the board and found her name. It is indeed written in bold letters as the student with the highest distinction!

The three of them went jumping with joy ignoring all the other people who started to get irritated by their noise.

----------------------------------------------

As part of his weekly routine, Dave needs to go to the plant to see how the plane parts were going. Being the youngest senior manager of SkyRock was not easy. Although people believes him to be a business and finance genius, he always had to be on the guard since some of the Board members were not yet convinced of his abilities. In his one year stint in SkyRock, he had already done a lot to increase the sales of his department. But he knows he had just gotten started. He needs to show people that he can really take care of the company as its successor. It was stressful, but it had its perks.

Dave's face was now common in magazines, newspapers and even on TV. He will always be a guest on talk shows whenever topics were business related and even most sought after bachelor related. People just can't get enough of David Lopez' intellect, skills, background and charm. Almost all the women in the company fall hard for him except his direct reports. Dave was very strict when it comes to work. He made sure commitments were delivered and everything was in proper order.

Dave presented the new project in the Board of Directors meeting. He emphasized the need to push through with the project and finding the right partner to make sure that there would be a long term increase on sales. The Board was pretty impressed with the projections and so it was not hard to convince the Board to approve the project. But when the meeting was done, the company lawyer asked Dave to stay.

"You did a pretty good job. " Said the Lawyer

"My team are skilled people with the right level of experience. They are the brains behind this project." said Dave

"And you never forget to give credit where credit is due. Impressive." said the Lawyer

"So, what's up?" asked Dave

Dave felt something was wrong. The lawyer normally never talks to him alone like this. But what made today different?

The Lawyer sighed. He leaned closer to the table across Dave.

"Why did you work for SkyRock, Dave? You've been earning pretty well on that multinational company. Why did you have to resign from there? Is it because you wanted to become a good son?" asked the Lawyer

The answer was pretty obvious. But Dave knew the Lawyer was trying to drive a point.

"I've always wanted to help Dad out. But I felt I need to get experience from other companies first. It was a good four years of mental preparation for me to work there in that company. But now, I'm ready to take on my real responsibility." answered Dave.

"Well then, can I test your sense of responsibility for this company?"

That made Dave's eyebrow rise.

"SkyRock is going to fall apart in six months." said the Lawyer.

Who was the Lawyer kidding?

"I don't understand what you are saying." said Dave.

"We've been deceived. SkyRock entered into a contract two years ago. The contract was disadvantageous for SkyRock. But your father wanted to push through with it since the CEO of the other company was his friend and the contract was badly needed. He convinced the Board that in the long term, the contract will eventually be for SkyRock's stability. But we just learned that everything was a lie. It seems the company never was capable of honoring the contract. And the money? Gone. There is no refund for this sort of thing. Your father was not careful because he trusted his friend. However, we can't contact your Dad's friend anymore." explained the Lawyer

Dave had to lean back on his seat as he tried to absorb what the Lawyer said.

"But sales were increasing. I just saw the financial statements two months ago and they were looking good. Even the forecasts were looking good. Sooner or later, the increase in sales will cover the possible loss right?" asked Dave

"If the increase in sales is as steady as now, we need two years to recover the loss that the bad decision had made. But the debt that has to be paid is due in six months. As you can see, the timing is pretty off." Said the Lawyer

Dave's head was starting to hurt.

"My Dad… He knows right? And the Board, how much do they know?"

"Your Dad knows everything. And I think that's the reason why he's in the hospital frequently. A few of the Board knows what's happening. And they are not happy about it. They are giving your Dad three months to get a solution."

"And has Dad thought of anything yet?"

"No. But I do." answered the Lawyer

"What do you suggest?" asked Dave

"Banks will not lend us. And we know there are only a few companies which have the scale that can support us."

The Lawyer stood up from his seat and walked towards Dave.

"What I meant to say is we need Samuel Spencer's help."

-----------------------------------------------

It wasn't easy getting an appointment with Samuel Spencer. Dave had to use all the charming lines he can use to convince the secretary to give him thirty minutes with Samuel. The secretary had to reschedule a lot of meetings in order for him to get this slot.

When Samuel got to his office, he was surprised to see Dave waiting for him.

"I thought I have a meeting with one of my Vice Presidents. But I have one of SkyRock's Vice President instead," said Samuel while approaching Dave.

"Forgive my intrusion, Samuel. But I feel the concern I have is very urgent and so I had to push my way." said Dave.

Samuel nodded as he took his seat.

"What did you say to my old secretary to convince her to move my schedule? She's a grumpy old woman. If she doesn't know all my allergies, I would have sacked her a long time ago. " said Samuel laughing

Dave did not take long to answer.

"I told her that five years ago, when I first met you, you gave me an assignment. You asked me to tell you something negative about you. I told her I haven't found one yet. But she can tell me what she hates about you the most and I will make sure it reaches you in this meeting." said Dave with humour in his voice. "Not all direct reports have the opportunity to have their complaints heard."

"That old hag. She's trying to get back at me." Said Samuel laughing "So what did she say?"

"She hates your allergies, especially your allergy on alcohol. She would normally need to accompany you on events when you might need to drink. And she will end up drinking what you can't."

Sam laughed out loud. This young man really has his ways of getting things done.

"I have a good idea of what you need from me. But you know it's not easy to give you what you want." said Samuel, a serious tone in his voice now.

Dave knew this will not be easy. Samuel may be approachable but he is still a intelligent business man who weighs the cost before he does things.

"Your Dad and I go a long way, but you know that this is a corporation. There are investors and other stockholders, I can't just extend you help without thinking of the impact it will have to all the people who entrusted their money to FlyAir." said Samuel.

This is going to be a negotiation. SkyRock was asking for too much from FlyAir. It won't surprise him if Samuel just flatly reject his proposal now.

"I know that this will not be beneficial to FlyAir as of now. But once SkyRock is out of debt, our sale's growth will definitely also reflect on FlyAir with this contract." explained Dave

"Then can you give me time to think about it?" asked Samuel.

Dave's enemy was time. He only had three months to give the Board a solution.

"How long do you need?" asked Dave.

"Give me a month." answered Samuel

"A month? That's too long."

"This is a large investment, David. A month is not even enough time to make all the necessary assessment. But I will give you an answer within a month, in one condition." said Samuel. "My niece Rica, you remember her right? She's graduating today. I want you to get her as your intern for a month while I am thinking about the contract. I want you to get her into your team. I want her to work closely with you. I trust your abilities, Son. And I want her to learn from you."

Dave knows there was something more to just having Rica learn from him. But he was not in the position to dig deeper whatever Samuel had in mind. If he wants the contract, Dave will need to play by Samuel's rules.

"Should I go then and tell her the good news?" asked Dave

That made Samuel smile.

avataravatar
Next chapter