Decisions (Part III)

The work of both was demanding and did not allow for deficiencies, a failure implied losing their job since errors cost millions.

Their task was to analyze, conduct research, and evaluate the feasibility and technical, financial, commercial, and social viability of each corporate project. Domingo had a greater focus on the business aspect, whereas Santiago had a greater ability to strategically visualize each initiative and see how it fit into the company's global vision. That's why he had been selected, due to his good academic background and what he had previously accomplished, as he had already done some work in that field before graduating.

This week, they had to present a report to the company's directors and main managers. They had already been warned that the company's President would be attending.

This individual, Mr. Rodolfo Amonda, was a very important figure and one of the largest fortunes in the country. Dedicated to the oil business for years, he came from a family of entrepreneurs, but this was his company, the mother of all his businesses, the standard-bearer of his entrepreneurial action. He worked on the 25th floor of the building, in offices that hardly anyone knew. He had an exclusive elevator for himself and was not fond of appearing in the media. He zealously guarded his privacy, although he often attended meetings with the President, parliamentarians, business forums, and very select social activities. His life was full of legends and myths. What was known was that less than 5 years ago, he had been widowed at the age of 50, and his only son had committed suicide. He had several nephews, one of whom - Sebastian - had joined the company with the prospect of being the heir, but something happened that prevented it, and now he remained in the company, but in an irrelevant position.

The legend, because that's what it was (or perhaps not), said that the son's suicide had occurred due to the father's pressure for him to be successful and acquire more attributes in the company, but he only wanted to be an artist, and his sensitivity prevented him from satisfying the father's desires. It was said that since then, he had become more distant, closed, and impenetrable, that he hardly ever went out, and it was rare for him to participate in events with two or more people in the company. Many of those who worked with Domingo and Santiago had never seen him.

And this time, he would be at the meeting. Additional pressure. The area manager was tense and demanding, and his dubious and fearful temperament was expressed to his subordinates, who were called time and again to explain some figure, sentence, or conclusion of the report. Finally, he approved it, moving on to the presentation design. It was entrusted to Domingo, but at the last minute, the manager decided to do it personally, and the day before, he asked Domingo and Santiago to redo it.

The manager himself stayed until almost 10 ...