The Proposal; New Manager In Town

Hearing the voices of my family after such a tragic moment brought nothing but peace to my heart. Even though they were not present at the scene of the incident, knowing how worried they are and how much they are scared of losing me made me smile wider like nothing had happened, and it even made me forget my problems. First time to be on a live television and not just as a normal person, but appearing as a hero to the mining company, to the families of the affected victims and to the country as a whole.

Nia has been keeping in touch with my sister all this while without my knowledge. This is definitely possible since I have not been in town for a while now. They almost spoke on a daily basis about me, and she gets to keep track of all my doings, yet I know nothing what she does or how she is living her new life with her new husband.

After making the call with my family, my mother requested I come home as soon as possible and possibly quit the job. She cannot bear the chances of losing any of her children, not for money or for anyone. It is better to have us all intact and with her than she mourning while the people we work for continue to live their lives happily with their various families. I had told my mother not to worry and that I would be extra careful in whatever that I do here at my workplace. We all know how mothers are, she kept insisting and crying that the only way she would be at peace is having me by her side, then I requested a favor from her, hoping that would try calming her and to at least allow me work in absolute peace of mind.

My sister had called Nia to inform her that we had spoken and that I was fine. She, Nia, has been worried ever since the news of the incident had appeared almost on all television stations in the country, and while she could not call or text to hear me and be sure if I was okay, my sister gave her the privilege to inform her that I was totally fine, and she had absolutely nothing to worry about. My sister had also informed her that I was broadcasted on a live television, yet she, Nia, did not see it. She claimed she had been reading the article about the incident online and that it must have taken her mind away from the television. She claimed to be worried that something might have happened to me, and the fact that she is sure of me not being hurt has at least given her some peace in the heart.

Nia had gone to turn on the television and luckily, the broadcasting was being repeated. She could not hide her happiness as she shed tears of seeing me all alive and fit, but then knowing so well she had lost the man that truly loved her. As she was watching the news all over again, her phone rang and she started to spew that she was now watching the broadcasting and it was being repeated, to her surprise it was her husband, Ermias, who has called while she thought it was my sister who was calling her. She was dumbfounded and she could not tell him what her happiness was all about and what she had seen on the television. She simply asked for the reason why he was calling, and he told her he had been invited over for dinner at a friend's place, and he was calling to ask if it would be okay for her to escort him to the dinner. This was an abrupt question, because even if she declined it would change nothing. She then asked if it would change his mind if she has declined his offer and he indeed, as arrogant as he has always been, said it wouldn't have changed a thing and as of now, he will only be informing and not to seek any consent from her. He then ordered her to start getting ready as they will be leaving as soon as he gets back home from the office. She hung up the call on him and continued to watch me on the news as I kept talking.

I was invited by our partner who had come to visit the mine and was welcomed by the tragic event. He invited me over to his residence and wanted to express his gratitude for all I did at the mine.

"I have no words to say to you, son", he said to me.

"If I should start withal the talks now, I would not finish any time soon", he added.

"Don't say that sir, we both came out of this disaster successfully, thanks to God", I said to him.

"It is true we all came out of it successfully, and all thanks to you Jayden, but we could have been in prison by now if anything more tragic had happened down there. And if we are not in prison by now, then all the thanks go to you", he continued.

I was quiet and speechless at this point since I do not know where he is taking the conversation to. Indeed, we could have been prosecuted by law that it was out of negligence that has led to the collapse of the mine and the lose of life, but as no death has been recorded, we are safe to say there will be no sort of persecution against the firm.

As we kept talking, he said that was not the main reason why he summoned me at his residence, but it was to request, and not order, something from me. I listened carefully as he made his request, and it was indeed a bolt from the blues to me.

All these while as I have always seen him to be a partner to our firm, he was indeed the rightful owner of the company. He had decided to disguise himself so he could see how truthful I was to the values of the company. I was more humbled by the request that came from him to me.

"Jayden, it is by clear evidence that everybody in the company loves you so much and trust you wholeheartedly. To hear their testimonies after the incident about you made me take such a crucial yet important step in the wellbeing of the company and its people. It is obvious, without doubt, that they will continue to work with us for as long as you stay here in tis company. It may sound a bit selfish of me but it is totally the very opposite of it. I would respectfully request, with no form of forceful persuasion, to be the manager of the company, as well as all the franchised companies under it", he said with passion written all over his eyes.

"I would also like you to be my partner in the firm and I would gladly work with any condition you set for the benefit of the company, for I know your leadership is true and must be acknowledged", he concluded.

"Sir, am sorry, if you are laying such offer to me because of the incident…", he interrupted as I was speaking.

"Such things are not conveyed by the similarity proposals, son. I am gladly offering you this because you are truly a talented engineer and the welfare of the mine is secure with you as the head of it all", he said calmly.

"Us getting out of the rubbles safely was not out of pride or popularity, but it was totally connected to your bravery and belief that you had in your heart", he added.

"I only did the necessary, sir", I responded.

He continued to elaborate that he can only entrust his mine and his company into a capable hand, and he sees no hand as capable as mine. He also elaborated on the fact that old age is catching up with him and he is sure his company will be safe with me in it. It is obvious at this time that nothing was going to change his mind and all he is waiting for is my response, and a no will not be accepted as an answer. He then reaffirmed his question and request,

"What do you say? Will you be my partner, young man?", he said.

I started at his for a few minutes, while I had a million stuffs going through my mind. This was an unbelievable scene for me, and I could not believe that everything I had hoped and prayed for was now crawling right beneath my feet. I looked back at him and said to him that if he truly believes I can do this, and without allowing me finish with my statement he responded, yes, he believes I can do it. As soon as he finished talking, I reassured him not to let him down and would take the company to a level beyond his imagination, and with his approval, we became partners.