Hunter's POV
I was smiling the entire ride to the mining site as I think about my wife waiting for at my house later tonight. I felt so excited having dinner with Madeline and my mom, and Lily. And I felt so delighted that my little sister is now okay, and she is no longer upset with since she texted saying sorry about her walked-out episode a while ago. I know she hated after she learned that I couldn't co with them to the mall. She doesn't have any idea how much I wanted to spend ti with Maddie and her.
"Calixto, " I called my assistant, and I stifled a laugh when I saw him jerked from his seat; and I can tell he fell asleep, and he opened his eyes quickly and turned his gaze at .
"What can I do for you, Mr. Divenson?" He asked, and I can tell that he is still sleepy.
"I would like to ask you to have dinner with us in our house tonight because I know you are our number one fan, and it is only logical that I invite you," I said, and he laughed.
"I am sorry, Hunter, but I am having a date with my wife later tonight, and thank you so much for the invitation. I love to see Madeline and ask her never to leave you again. But I think, whatever happens, your wife will stick with you, and I am so happy for you, son. And I hope that everything will be all right between you and your wife. Because I know you are both in love with each other and it is a waste if you will continue to break each other's heart. You are a lovely couple, Hunter. I hope this ti you will never make the sa mistake again." Cal declared, and I can tell we are now in a friendly mode.
"Thank you, Cal." I said.
And I realized being the CEO of our company, and I can't just ignore sothing this big. I know the na of our firm is at stake here, and I couldn't afford to lose even a single man from the site because I value and treat my employees equally, and I wonder what is wrong with them why they need to have a strike.
The mont we land, Mr. Parker greeted us, and he told about the situation. There are at least thirty-six n who are waiting for underground. At the sa ti, he can't give the exact number of n waiting for at the entrance.
"Mr. Divenson, thank you so much for your ti, Sir. I know you are a busy man, and I am sorry that I couldn't contain the situation. They put a barricade so no one can enter the mining site anymore, and they threaten to kill anyone who will pass the blockade they created. I asked them what they want, but they said they would never negotiate with anyone except you. They will only talk with You, Mr. Divenson. The first group is at the entrance while the second group is waiting for you at the tunnel." The Operation manager said, and I let out a heavy sighed as I assessed the situation. And it was more complicated than I thought.
"And our first problem now is the miners who are guarding the main entrance of the mine." He added as we walked towards his office. We talked about the possible reasons why they are having a protest. Then, Mr. Parker handed the list of employees involved with the ongoing protest underground and their background. I don't want to involve the authority yet, since the miners were asking for my presence, and I need to deal with it imdiately because I promised my wife to et her in our house. And today should be special because Madeline is coming ho to our house, and we will be spending the night together, which makes feel so excited. So, I decided to talk to them right away.
I never expected my negotiations with my n would last longer than I expected. We almost didn't eat lunch since they have so many demands that I can't easily give since I need to considerate the company policies. And I wonder who is behind this sudden protest. And suddenly, it dawned to , and it could be Clark Divenson. The way they reason out told they had been briefed. I tried my very best to talk with them in a friendly manner. I let them understand the situation, and I told them I always value them being the employees of our company.
And there is a part of that felt relieved that this happened since I felt glad I was able to hear their grievances about the company policies. I tried my best to let them understand the managent side so that we can attain the best solution to their objections. I felt so glad that at last, they talked with each other, and their leader walked closer to , and he told he now understands everything. He asked if I am true to my word when I say during the beginning of the negotiation that I will never fire them after this incident, and I gave him my word.
I know it was risky on the part of the company since there is a possibility they will do the sa thing again. Still, I was sure my father was behind all this, and all I need to do is convince them that we are the only mining company that offered the fairest salary and benefits for all the employees. And now that the entrance is clear, I beca so eager to go underground and talk to the remaining miners who barricaded the tunnel to hamper the twenty-four hours operation of the gold mine.
"Mr. Divenson, I don't think this is a good idea. You don't know what they are capable of, and there is a big possibility you could get hurt." Cal said, and I stopped on my tracts, and I looked at him in the eyes.
"That is why I don't want you to go with , Calixto; at least if sothing happened to , you could tell my wife I love her so much, and I need to get over this with soon because I want to co ho and be with Madeline, during dinner," I replied.
"Do you think I will allow you to go down there 2000 feet below the ground with those people we don't even know what they are capable of?" Cal said, and I smiled at him.
"Cal, you need to listen to , stay here, and wait for . And that is an order." I said, and he shook his head.
"I will never allow you to go down there alone, Hunter, not only because I am your assistant but because I am your only best friend." He replied, and even if I felt so frustrated about what is going on in my company right now, I am still glad I have Cal, and even if he is hard-headed as of the mont, I couldn't stop myself from smiling. And I know Calixto will never take no for an answer. I let out a heavy sighed as I put on the PPE given to us by Mr. Parker.
I asked the operations manager to stay at his post while we got inside the tunnel using the elevator. And after the peace negotiations, I had with the first batch, I am confident I can also convince the miners who are there waiting for to co to listen to my reasoning, and I think this ti I need to be more compassionate to them. Even if I don't want Cal to go with , but deep inside , I want him to be there to give his moral support. We were already on the elevator when I noticed he brought the backpack I saw earlier in the helicopter.
"And why are you bringing a backpack, Cal?" I asked, confused.
"This is for ergency purposes only, Mr. Divenson; just in case we can't go out imdiately, at least I bring sothing we can use, like dical supplies, ready-to-eat food like walnuts, peanuts, chocolate bars, and many more." He said, and I was laughing hard as I shook my head.
"Don't ever laugh at , Mr. Divenson, because anything can go wrong; it is better to be ready always." He replied, and I stop myself from laughing because when I peeked at him, he looked so serious. We fell silent until we reach our destination, and the mont we get out of the elevator, I saw the protesters. I couldn't believe they are just like the first batch of miners, they have placards, and the protesters got so wild when they see , and they almost talk at the sa ti that I couldn't understand anything until their leader silenced them. And the negotiations started, and I only repeat what I have said to the first batch, but I realized this group of individuals would make it harder for to do my job.
We continue to talk until their leader asked Cal and to move away from them since they want to discuss their decision first, and I felt relieved at least I can feel they are considering the options I gave them.
Then suddenly, we heard a loud explosion that made the entire tunnel shook. It happened so fast that I felt Cal dragged when a large rock fell to the bottom. I heard shouts and screams as the ground and rocks continued to cover the tunnel until the whole place turned so quiet. I heard Calixto's voice is calling before I felt sothing hit my head, and the last thing I rember is the beautiful face of my wife, and I was calling Madeline's na before my world turned so black, and I fell to the hard ground, and I passed out.
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