Chapter:3
“Growing together with our people is our ultimate goal. All we want is to make Europe the greatest producer of almost everything in the world” Mccormick’s sounded full of empathy at the end of his speech, “So, Are you ready to produce the greatest spices in the world?”
“Yes!!!” A great cheer farewelled Mccormick and waiters started distributing lunch to everyone in the audience. Henry with all executives moved toward cars at the exit gate of the cathedral. As per orders, Jake followed him and they all reached a four-story building just a block away from town hall. All five of them entered a conference room with Jake and 4 other men which came to Kosmea with them. Brandon Fuller started the conversation as soon as he reached his seat,
“The first shipment will be produced in 2 months if everything goes according to plan”
“It has to work the way we planned” Logan was sure of success.
Their conversation continued and mostly the executives spoke, but there was a person who shook his baffled face every 30 seconds. Jake was both amazed and confused; amazed at Europe’s biggest tycoons growing spices in farms and confused at how he ended up being a supervisor of farmers; mostly this luxury is not enjoyed by a person who was selling clothes hundreds of miles away. After a while, everyone left the building with their guards except Henry. Jake was now with his questions to be answered. Realizing the eagerness of Jake, Henry started with,
“You must be wondering what is this all about?”
“Yes, Sir!” Jake replied.
“European Union has brought us new opportunities and with borders open, we can do a lot of things. We will use these people to grow opium poppy in the fields, process it to make high-quality drugs, and supply it across Europe” Henry sounded ambitious than ever.
“Isn’t that illegal?” Jake asked after a cool breeze shivered his body.
“Well, as of current it's complicated. There are no rules that forbade the plantation but selling drugs as opium is illegal. But we have sorted that too” Henry blushed.
“But Boss, What if we got caught?”
“We won’t,
we’ll only use one-fourth of every field to grow opium plant and
transport it with others to the factory and processed drugs will be
filled in spice jars as of normal spices. Nobody would ever suspect a
spice jar for drugs” Henry was relieved to see Jake’s bafflement
shattering. But his scared face concerned him. “Now, you are
responsible for growing and transferring the thing to a factory in
Germany near the Austrian border”.
“Understood, I hope
everything will go smooth” Jake’s fear seemed to be overpowered
by his excitement.
“So, that makes you?” Henry said giggling
“Makes me what?”
“Kosmean Manager of Maple International” Henry always tried to crack jokes but was never successful.
“Ahh, Yes” Jake smiled. Henry left with his guards for London and Jake sat in the building as his men fixed a Maple International Board next to the main entrance of the building.
★☆★☆★
Ray fell on the sofa as if he never cared about what
happened at the cathedral. Some left happy and some amazed and some
thanking European tycoons but Ray was emotionless. As soon he reached
the little house he wanted to sleep as nothing happened. Jason,
following him to the house, was both confused and happy with the
announcements.
“So, what do you think? Isn’t this
fascinating?” Jason spoke while sitting on a bar stole in front of
Ray’s couch.
“What?”
“About this new spice company. We are its employees now, Right?” Jason spoke expecting some uncertainty.
“Do we have a choice?” Ray smiled,
“No, but why aren’t you excited?”
“I don’t think anyone would celebrate being promoted from clerk to a farm boy” Ray mocked,
“But you lost their job” Jason protested his mockery.
“I guess you’re brain’s memory section is on vacation. They were responsible for the unemployment of almost half of the town and now, they’re people’s heroes by giving them jobs as farmers” Ray was spitting facts but poor Jason was not ready to buy anything. Ray's thoughts were all about this new company and he knew something was odd. Maybe the whole town didn’t but he somehow had sensed major forethought of speakers in the event. It was most obvious to him because as a clerk he had observed most of the farm products of Kosmea didn’t have many sales due to low quality, so why these many companies are joining hands to grow spices on such land. Ray was also sure that a high-quality product was unable to maintain and what all this has to offer to all these tycoons was the biggest mystery to them. Despite Jason being his best friend, he can’t share this with him because he knew he’ll never cross thinks the facts. So, he tried to change the topic,
“So, we’ll be working in the farms from tomorrow?”
“Maybe, they said that Manager Jake will give roles according to your caliber” Jason replied.
“Let’s see where he puts us!” Ray tried to end the conversation.
Author: Hanzala