Kaizer slowly sat in a chair while massaging his head. He thinks that he tried almost all activities on the cruise ship for these past few days. Whenever Lauren sees or meets him, the woman invites him to try another cruise ship activity. And every time that happens, Claudia is around so he can't refuse.
He didn't know whether it was just a coincidence or if the woman was really watching his actions so that she could find the perfect time to talk to him.
“Here’s your coffee, Sir,” Jason announced after putting the cup of coffee on the table, in front of Kaizer.
Kaizer sits properly and then takes a sip from his coffee. After placing back the cup on the table, he looked at Jason.
“Report,” he commanded.
“Yes, Sir,” Jason replied.
Jason picked up the tablet and then handed it to Kaizer. Kaizer accepts it and then looks at the documents on it.
Jason clears his throat before starting to report.
“Mr. Romero was the head of the purchasing department* and the one that was responsible for sourcing and purchasing raw materials. Their department was in charge of the documents of the received items and the contract with the supplier. According to the data I investigated, a year ago they made some changes to the supplier. Due to inflation, the previous supplier increased the price of their materials, thus the purchasing department needed to find an alternative supplier for the food product. They didn’t inform the top management about this sudden change. And they didn’t think that someone would check about this matter so they didn’t bother to cover it up.”
Kaizer quietly listened. He also read the written report on the tablet together with the legal documents about it.
Jason continues reporting. “In the first five months, everything went well. But due to a typhoon the following months, they didn’t check nor pay attention to the safety of the raw goods. The bad ones were mixed with the fresh ingredients. Therefore, most of it becomes contaminated. Unfortunately, they used it for the product, after that batch was released to the market, there were numerous food poisoning reports filed against Golden Food Services. The profit of the company continuously dropped until now because of the issue.”
Kaizer puts down the gadget. He folded his hand on the top of the table.
“So far what was the solution they did?”
Jason takes a deep breath. He carefully thinks about what answer he’s going to say, knowing how serious his boss is right now.
“They indeed suppress the media and only give compensation money to the victims. But they didn’t really address the real issue. Instead, they continue the partnership with that supplier. Increase the product price to settle the loss of the company.”
Jason stopped talking after that, but Kaizer felt that the issue didn't stop there.
“What’s more? I can feel that there’s something more about it.”
Jason felt the cold sweat on his body.
There’s a hint of anger in Kaizer’s tone and if ever he said the other information. It would really make him mad. But it was his job. He needs to report every single thing about the matter.
“Well, another reason for them to increase the price and choose a supplier that offers low-price ingredients was for them to use the money for their personal use. On the last pages of the report, the proof of embezzlement was there. I take a look into the financial records of the company and notice that there are unusual transactions every two months to a certain bank account.”
“Did you make sure that it was his account?” Kaizer asked while reviewing the proof that Jason said.
“The bank account name wasn’t him. So I redirect it to Saimon to track the owner of the account.”
Jason took some documents and handed them to Kaizer.
“His name was Jessie Diaz, Mr. Romero’s assistant but he’s not affiliated with the company. Aside from that, Mr. Romero also has a close relationship with the person handling the supply of raw materials.”
After Kaizer listens to Jason’s report, he commands him, “Once we get back, we will go directly to the company. So schedule an emergency meeting tomorrow. Make sure all the people involved in this issue are in the meeting. There’s no room for any excuse.”
Jason excuses himself to start the preparation. He breathes a sigh of relief once he steps outside the room.
For sure, everything won't be easy tomorrow, especially for him. Aside from preparing for the emergency meeting tomorrow, there are things he needs to do that Kaizer had ordered.
The truth is, he was only a temporary assistant. He was the main secretary and his job was mainly about the company’s work such as his schedule, meetings, preparing and managing documents.
What Jason wanted was for Kaizer's personal assistant to come back. As of now, he also has to work on other things even though those things are no longer related to his work. He feels as if he is always on edge of a cliff.
One mistake… then he'll definitely die.
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Lauren was busy packing her luggage. Tomorrow, the cruise ship will be back at the shore.
There's only one week remaining on her vacation leave. After that, everything will be back to what's used to be.
However, this time… she will move from their house.
Once she returns tomorrow, Lauren plans to start looking for an apartment to rent. If possible she will ask Nicole for help, maybe her friend knows someplace.
Whatever her family says about her decision, she will not listen to them anymore. Maybe all the things she did for her family, for their house, and even for their business were already enough. They will not become poor or miserable if ever she moves out.
The pain and trauma were still there. But, if starting anew will make her life much better and more peaceful, she would rather choose it.
When she was sure that all her belongings were organized, she put them on the side of the bed so that they could be easily picked up tomorrow.
Lauren went to the bathroom to take a bath after that. She plans to go to the upper deck to have some fun.
She wanted to spend the rest of her time on the cruise ship sightseeing at the view of the sunset. Maybe resting while eating some snacks.
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Meanwhile, if Lauren wants to spend the rest of her time relaxing… Kaizer on the other hand is focused on his work.
He recently acquired Golden Food Services because it's one of the subsidiaries of Golden Lily Corporation. He was the biggest shareholder, and recently the ownership rights of the company were transferred to him.
But upon reviewing the company documents and checking each subsidiary, the matter of Golden Food was brought up. Other businesses were doing fine, but this one… has a big problem. Now, he needs to make changes and drastic measures so that it wouldn't drag the company to the negative side any longer.
Kaizer was busy reading documents while taking down some important notes regarding the things that needed some changes in the company when a sudden knock on the door interrupted him.
“Come in.”
Jason walks inside the room when he hears the permission of his boss.
“I would like to inform you that the dinner preparation was done. Should I fetch Miss Lauren?”
Kaizer looked at his wristwatch after hearing what Jason said. It was already past six in the evening.
He didn't notice that it was already night. He had an appointment with Lauren since both of them agreed to have dinner together.
It's the last day anyway so he agreed to spend it with her.
“Just focus on the matter that needs to be taken care of,” Kaizer remarks.
He stands up and then turns off his laptop. He picked up the coat that was hanging on the coat rack before leaving his stateroom.
They never exchange phone numbers, so he can't contact her through it. Since that was the issue, he went directly to her room.
Upon arriving in front of Lauren's cabin, he knocked on the door.
“Lauren?” He called her name, followed by a few knocks on the door. But, there's no response inside.
Kaizer remembers the place they used to hang out these past few days on the cruise ship. Definitely, Lauren will be there.
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Lauren was quietly relaxing in one of the lounge chairs. She was staring at the vast ocean while listening to the music coming from her earphones.
She was surprised when someone suddenly removed the earphone that was placed in her right ear. She was ready to hit that person… when she identified who it was.
“You seriously love violence, don’t you?” he remarks while laughing.
Kaizer held Lauren's hand which was ready to hit him anytime. However, instead of lowering it he gently pulled it to make Lauren stand up from the chair.
“Let’s go, it’s getting dark.”
Even though the time was already six in the evening, the sun was still up.
“To?” she asks.
“Don’t tell me you forgot. You’re even the one who asks for it.” Kaizer asks meaningfully.
“Ha? What are you talking about?”
Before Kaizer could answer… they heard a sound. A sign that she is hungry. Kaizer laughed even harder because of that.
“I know for sure that before going here for sightseeing, you have eaten. But why are you always hungry? Where do you put the food you eat? ”
Lauren fiercely glared at the man. Why is it that every time she is hungry, the right man is there beside her?
“Don’t glare at me. Instead, let’s go. We need to feed your pets there in your stomach.” He teasingly remarks before guiding Lauren to the place that Jason prepares for them.