Office Crisis
~~ Gonzalez Ltd ~~
Garret strode purposefully to his father's grand office. The heavy wooden door loomed before him, adorned with the ornate 'Gonzalez Ltd' logo. With a quick, resounding knock, he entered the room without waiting for an answer.
Mr. Gonzalez sat at his massive, mahogany desk, engrossed in a heated discussion with his impeccably dressed personal assistant. The room, with its opulent furnishings, screamed power and wealth.
Mr. Gonzalez stood up, his face a portrait of frustration as he turned his piercing gaze on Garret.
"You idiot! Do you have any idea what I'm facing right now? As of this morning, I've received 57 resignations! Even the secretary wants to quit. All because of you! Your brother has been handling everything since morning, and what about you? The female workforce wants to quit, even the interns are ready to pay to leave this company! You created this mess, and still, you're thinking about yourself. When will you grow up, Garret?"
Garret, undeterred by his father's fury, tried to plead his case, "But Dad, Peony is back. Everything will be fine once she explains the truth to everyone. We can't delay our honeymoon any longer, can we?"
Mr. Gonzalez's brows knitted in thought, and he contemplated the situation for a moment before responding, "Is Peony truly back?"
"Yes, Dad. She's with me. She came back with me. That's why I'm planning our honeymoon. Mom has already bought two tickets to France," Garret said enthusiastically.
"When is your flight?" Mr. Gonzalez asked.
"Tomorrow morning," Garret replied.
A smile broke across Mr. Gonzalez's stern face, and he clapped Garret on the back. "Good news, son! Your leave is approved."
As father and son whispered conspiratorially, Mr. Gonzalez shared his wisdom, "Ensure she never leaves you, Garret. Make her stay by your side at all times and win back her heart. This was a one-time mistake, and you need to show her she's nothing without you. Her words can save our company. Enjoy your honeymoon, and when you return, ensure she never leaves your side."
Garret nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, Dad. She's already head over heels for me. Her mind might be clouded for now, but I'll help her see the truth. She'll never leave me again."
With their conversation concluded, Mr. Gonzalez revealed a hidden smile, "Do your best, Garret. And once you're back, we can put these rumors behind us. I'll handle the rest."
"I understand, Dad. I know you're worried. That's why you should hand me the business and enjoy your retirement."
"Not so soon, my boy. I'm still healthy. I won't be retiring just yet," Mr. Gonzalez said, patting Garret's head.
"Yes, Dad."
"I have another idea. We should have a family dinner outside tonight and invite the press media to show how happy we are. That will debunk some of the charges and improve our reputation. And Mr. Auguste can't force us if Peony agrees to be with us. That young CEO thinks only he can do business. We'll show him what real business is."
Garret clenched his fists when Mr. Gonzalez mentioned Benedict Augusté.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Sir, 74 more people are handing in their resignations. Please do something. At this rate, all the shareholders will back out, and our company will collapse!" the VP of the company, also Mackerel's own uncle, Mr. Beth, informed him.
"How is Mackerel faring?" Mr. Gonzalez asked.
"Sir, he's doing his best. No resignations from his side. I think Mr. Mackerel is fit to handle this case. He's mature, unlike some... sorry, sir, I can't help much."
"What do you mean by 'some'?" Garret's temper flared.
"You should be the last person to say that. You should learn to be patient," Mr. Beth said, addressing Garret, and then turned back to discuss further matters with Mr. Gonzalez.
Garret seethed with anger but eventually managed to control it. He left his father's office, encountering Mackerel on the way.
Garret, suppressing his irritation, approached Mackerel in the hallway. With a strained smile, he attempted to engage him in conversation, but Mackerel marched past him, heading straight for their father's office.
As Garret continued walking, he noticed people whispering and pointing fingers at him. At times, he was greatly angered, but he somehow managed to keep his emotions in check.
Exiting the office building, he decided to shop for matching outfits for himself and Peony for the family dinner. The thought of the upcoming celebration rekindled his spirits, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil.
When he returned home, he announced to his mother, "Mom, we're having a family dinner tonight. Get ready. Dad will come to pick us up soon."
"Oh, a family dinner. It's been ages. Why now?" Mrs. Gonzalez asked sweetly.
"It's a simple celebration in honor of Peony and my marriage," Garret replied.
"That's a great idea, son!" Mrs. Gonzalez said, smiling with enthusiasm.
Unbeknownst to Garret, his mother had her own hidden motives, and she thought, "Will Peony even agree to it? Regardless, even if she agrees, she'll rot here, and if she doesn't, she'll still rot. I should go to the parlor."
Garret continued, "Yes, Mom, and Mackerel handled everything cautiously today. I'm sure our company will be just fine. I think Dad is getting older, and I should take up the position, with Mackerel as my right-hand man."
Mrs. Gonzalez thought, "You've quite the brain to think that my son will work for you! In your dreams, my baby boy. Unfortunately, that day will never come. My son will be the CEO, not you, fool. My years of hard work are finally paying off, and I won't let you have the fruits when you're simply an idiot. You know what your dad hates hearing the most? Someone suggesting they could take his position. He'll hate you more and more. No chance, my dear son!"
She spoke softly to him and smiled, "Well, I don't know much about company matters. I want both of you to work hand in hand and save our company."
"I know, Mom. You're the best mom!" Garret replied, hugging Mrs. Gonzalez, blissfully unaware of his mother's true intentions, believing he was the cherished son set to inherit the family legacy.