Chapter 7
The next morning, Fred woke up with a new fire in him. One of revenge. He got out of bed early and after getting ready for work, prepared his resignation letter to be given to Verizon. He was quite happy to leave that workplace and work in one where he would be respected.
Seeing their bosses, even the employees had started making fun of Fred Rose, including those who worked at a position lower than theirs. Which only meant the security guard since Mark made sure they were the lowest earning employees at the lowest ranks, who were respected by no one.
As he made his way towards the building, the security guard pushed him into the revolving doors and he almost tripped, making the people inside laugh at him.
Holding his head high, he made his way to the Human Resources department. The assistant of the HR head made a call in front of him.
“Yes, he is here.”
“No, just right now.”
“No, there was no previous appointment.”
“Okay.”
She motioned for him to go inside the cabin. The HR head, Martin Grax, was inside waiting for him.
Something told Fred that the call was not made to her boss but choosing to let it go, he entered the cabin.
“What can I do for you, George?” Martin asked.
“It is Fredrick,” he corrected.
“Oh, I couldn’t care less.”
“Well you don’t have to anymore, since I am resigning.” He handed him the letter. He knew something like this would happen. He knew that they didn’t respect him enough to even remember his name.
“You’re what?!”
Fred turned around and saw barging through the door.
“Are you leaving the only thing that adds any value, any meaning to your life?”
Taking a deep breath, Fred replied. “I am leaving but truth be told, this is the only thing that does not add meaning to my life.”
“You…” Mark said, teeth clenched. He grabbed his arms and pulled him out of the cabin, dragged him to the main lobby for everyone to see.
“Do you even realise the words that are coming out of your mouth, boy?” Mark asked, fuming with anger. “You are nothing but an ungrateful little rat who is alive because of Verizon, because of me! Because my granddaughter was dumb enough to marry you. You have no existence outside of us!”
Fred could see all the employees gathering around and laughing. If only they knew the way he could own them all with the power and money he had. But he had to wait.
“What is going on here?” Rose asked, pushing away a crowd of people and stepping into the view. “Fred? Grandpa? What happened?” She knew them enough to know that something was not right.
“Oh, he didn’t tell you?” Mark said. “He resigned.”
“HE WHAT? Fred, is this true?”
“I – I was about to tell you but -” Fred started but before he could walk up to her, she muttered a small ‘unbelievable’ and walked away. He knew she would turn this into an issue when he met her at home but that was an issue for later. For now, he had to get to Kodam.
“Mark, please try -”
“Security!” Mark called. “Throw this man out! He doesn’t have any pending salary cheques!”
Two men in blue uniforms came in and held Fred by each arm, dragged him out, throwing him out on the road, quite literally.
Brushing off his jacket, he got up and started walking to Kodam. As he neared the building, he realised that it was a huge building with glass windows and many storeys which put the Verizon building to shame. It was elegant and modern.
“Excuse me, who are you?” a man said, blocking Fred’s path.
“I am – uh, I am here to meet Mr. Clinton.”
He thought that it would not be wise to say his name and position just yet.
“Mr. Clinton?” He scoffed. “Who even are you? Why would he meet someone like you?”
“Someone like me? What do you mean?” He raised his eyebrows.
The man looked Fred up and down, analysing his clothes and his ragged look.
“Yes, someone like you. Now leave before I throw you out!”
“You will be very sorry that you did this!”
“Yeah, what are you gonna do? Fire me? Leave!”
The man tried to hold Fred in his place but narrowingly escaping his grip, he took his phone and made a call.
“I’d like to see who you are calling and what you can do to me after me,” the man said haughtily.
Within a few seconds, a woman came running out of the building.
“I… just… got…a call… from…Mr. Clinton… What… is… happening?” She struggled to catch her breath. “And you, Roger…what are you.. doing here?”
“I was out on my daily rounds, Ms. Dreeme,” he said. “And saw this man trying to enter the building. I didn’t let him, of course.”
“You idiot!” Dreeme shouted. “Do you even know who he is? He is the most important man here. Do you not know that?”
“Ms. Dreeme, please,” Fred interjected and shook his head.
She gave him an understanding nod and turned towards Roger. “Do your duty wisely or else, we will fire you!”
“Who is he?” Fred asked Dreeme.
“He is the head of security here.”
“Well, Mr. Roger,” he said, walking towards him and putting a hand on his shoulder.
“I – I am so sorry, sir. I didn’t mean it. I -”
“You’re fired.”
Without another word, he turned around and went inside the building, with Dreeme close behind, leaving the man speechless.
“I am so sorry, Sir,” Dreeme apologised and led him to her office. “I am Emma Dreeme, the vice-president. I am here to help you in every way I can with everything you need.”
“Well, then, Ms. Dreeme,” he smiled. “It is lovely to meet you. Let’s get started, shall we?”
Emma and Fred spent the next 4 hours in her office, discussing everything Kodam did, is doing and plan to do in the future. The kind of projects it manages, the financial and hierarchical structures and the way they try to inculcate values in the employees.
Fred was very impressed with Kodam’s works and the way the employees treated each other. It was one big family and the morale was high in every one. It was better than Verizon in every way.
While talking, Fred also told Emma about his wife and her family. The way they were horrible to him all the time and everything he had to endure.
“I am so sorry to hear that, Fred,” she said sweetly, putting her hand on top of his. “It will get better.”
He nodded and turned his hand to hold Emma’s.
Perhaps, just perhaps, there were more new beginnings than he had anticipated.