Chapter 1 - Joseph
“Thank you, Bartel. You can tell them to go ahead,” I say, taking the scheduled worksheet from my floor manager. He smiles and nods before he heads off to get the team moving. Things have been running fantastically since I overthrew my father. Paul Gregori was never liked by his employees. Any obedience he had from them was out of fear and desperation to keep their jobs. That doesn’t build a good work ethic or create any type of motivation for employees to take pride in their jobs.
It took a while to change the way they viewed working for a Gregori boss, but I’ve managed to gain loyalty from the majority of my workers.
And our profit in business has tripled.
It just goes to show that treating people with respect and giving them the recognition that they deserve goes a long way.
I walk the length of the warehouse floor, stopping to check in with various people, catching up, and getting updates. It’s important to be on the ground with them. To be part of the team, not just barking orders from above or handing down job sheets through other managers.
I’ve created a healthy, enjoyable work environment, but more importantly, I’ve created stability.
Stability that is tainted by a warning, constantly churning in the back of my mind like a snake that’s constricted itself around my thoughts.
Your father isn’t just going to let it slide, Joe. He will retaliate. And when he does, it’s going to be brutal.
Paul was never the type of man to accept defeat. Especially not when it involves his ego, and me overthrowinghim and taking over the company, most certainly knocked his ego down a few notches.
He’ll be back.
And when he reappears, I’d better be ready for it.
“Did you need me for anything before I head out?” I call out to the men loading the truck for delivery later today.
“No, sir, we’re all good here,” one of them calls back.
I throw him a thumbs-up and turn to leave. From my back pocket, the vibrating tone of my phone grabs my attention.
A quick glance at the screen lets me know who’s calling.
“Viktor,” I answer, stepping out of the warehouse and into the midday sun. It’s like walking into a furnace, a solid wall of heat that separates the cooled air of the warehouse and the unforgiving summer outside.
“Joe, how are you keeping?” my brother-in-law asks. One of my brothers-in-law. My little sister, Leila, married four men. It shocked me at first. I was dead set against it. But she’s never been happier, and over time, I became close with all of them.
“It’s good this side. Apart from being assaulted by heat every time I leave a building,” I muse.
Viktor chuckles. “Tell me about it, I’ve tried to keep all my meetings in one place just so I don’t have to go outdoors.”
The car beeps as I unlock it and tug the door open. I start the engine right away to get the aircon flowing. Cold air blasts onto me, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“How’s Leila?” I ask.
“She’s good. She wanted to find out if you were free for dinner next week?”
“Next week is a bit swamped. Can I call you on Friday after I’ve had a chance to look at my calendar? Today has been one of those days,” I say.
“Sure, man, of course. Any news from the old man?” he asks, talking about my father.
“Nothing,” I groan. “The silence is unnerving.”
“We’re here for you. You need anything, you shout. You know that, right?” Viktor says.
“I know. I appreciate it, man. Send my regards to Leila. I’ve got to run.”
“Have a good one. Jump in the pool when you get home. Or better yet, the lake.”
“I plan to!”
