Decisions (Part V)

The following days were a whirlwind for Santiago: meetings, long sessions of the board of directors, listening, taking notes, detecting the subtleties of each intervention, understanding the nuances, perceiving the underlying thoughts of the managers and directors, and appropriating the ideas of the corporation's president. Each character that surrounded him was a world unto himself, but the most enigmatic and difficult to grasp was Don Rodolfo: hermetic, reserved, almost never spoke, only listened, and when everyone had said their piece, he would settle the discussion with a definitive sentence. Santiago thought: I want to be like him.

Power should not be displayed, but felt. He felt it with Don Rodolfo.

But it was not a simple task, on the contrary: it was demanding and overwhelming. He came to think that he was not capable, that it would all soon come to an end. He was regretting having accepted that position: "I should have waited a little longer." He doubted, reflected on whether his ambition had blinded his reason. He struggled to understand certain topics and analyze a situation with more audacity, in short, he concluded, I lack imagination.

The board of directors required imaginative answers, it was the permanent challenge for a corporation that, if it was not capable of taking steps in new ways, would eventually decline. It was Don Rodolfo's concern, and Santiago knew that he could not support them in that. But if there was a person who was characterized by that: it was Domingo.

Domingo, whom he had not seen again for over a month, since that last time when he had left him sobbing on the floor after having destroyed his balls with kicks from his feet.

In fact, he had not returned several calls and messages that Domingo had sent him. He had thought about blocking him, but something prevented him from doing so.

He called him on the afternoon of a Tuesday, after finishing his workday. Domingo answered immediately, with overflowing joy that surprised him. He thought that Domingo would be more distant, but not so. They agreed to meet an hour later at a café near the financial district.

Domingo saw him and hurried to greet him:

- I thought I wouldn't see you again...

- Sorry, I've been very busy, that's why I couldn't return your calls. - Santiago lied. He had been busy, but he didn't want to answer the calls, and added - How have you been?

- Fine, let's say fine. I found a job, although I earn almost half of what I used to earn. It's a consulting firm that advises medium-sized companies.

- Ah, great.

- And how's the new position?

- Fine, very challenging, and it's cost me to understand certain things. I'm going to be honest with you: I want to ask you to help me develop certain ideas.

- Of course! Whatever you need.

Santiago felt his usual contradictions: an abuser, taking advantage of Domingo, and at the sam...