Luis is 46 years old. He works in the commercial department of a large company. It doesn’t matter what he sells because he is dedicated body and soul to his work. The day they signed him they warned him: “This is 24 hours, Luis.” And Luis applied it as a way of life. We already know how difficult it is to progress in a large company.
-Good afternoon, Luis.
-Good afternoon.
-I’m Carlos, from the Human Resources department.
-Hello, Carlos.
-We are preparing a surprise dinner for the financial director. Please do not discuss this issue with anyone in the office.
-Very good. When will it be?
-Next Tuesday. It is very important that no one knows details, do you understand me?
-Of course. I won’t comment on anything.
-Not even with those closest to you at work. The entire company can’t come, but we are counting on you.
-Very good. Carlos. We don’t know each other, right?
-No, but we will do it next Tuesday. Do you have any scheduling problems that day?
-In no case. I already have the date blocked. And don’t talk to me about yourself, man.
Meanwhile, Luis sat down to have dinner at home with his two children and Marisa, his wife.
-Luis, on Tuesday we will celebrate Alejandro’s birthday. “16 years old,” Marisa reminded him.
-On Tuesday?
“Yes, dad,” Alejandro answered.
-But Tuesday is impossible. I have a company dinner. They just summoned me a moment ago.
-But, Luis. Can’t you tell them it’s your son’s birthday?
-We’ve already talked about that.
-At least put the phone down while we have dinner.
-Don’t make it more difficult for me.
Alejandro was the first to get up from the table.
-It’s important, Luis. Don’t talk to anyone about dinner. It’s a surprise.
-Yes, you already told me, Carlos. One question, we will have to buy a gift or something, right?
-Oh, yes. I’ll give you details in the next few days.
-Very well thank you. Why don’t you make a WhatsApp group or something to know who’s going and who’s not?
-We thought it was better not to do it. The management wants to keep it on a more discreet level. Anyway, you’ll see on the day of the dinner who participates,
If he had been included in that group it was certainly a good sign, at the same time he realized that he should tread safely, not screw up.
Luis was still sitting at the table. A fork in one hand and the phone in the other. Marisa, his wife, stood up offended while he looked askance at the screen of his terminal. He reproached him with his eyes for those things that cannot be put into words. He barely noticed. His doubts and fears also grew. If he had been included in that group it was certainly a good sign, but at the same time he realized that he should play it safe, not screw up. Insecurity was beginning to fill his head.
-Confirmed, Luis. We will give him a gift on Tuesday that I will be in charge of buying these days.
-Do you need me to make you a bizum?
-There’s no need. We’ll fix it next week.
-Will Marcial also go?
-I can’t tell you the definitive list. What I do ask is that you don’t even discuss it with him.
-I will do it that way, Carlos.
The next day, Luis arrived at his workplace first thing in the morning, as usual. It had been a long time since he had breakfast with his people. He was always one of those who arrived first and then left last.
-Good morning, Luis.
-Good morning, Carlos. Are you around here?
-No. We are organizing the dinner theme for Tuesday. It’s not being easy. There are many details and we want it to turn out perfect.
-If you need my help, all you have to do is ask me.
-Yes, I will ask you for some details shortly. At the moment I need to know if you have any allergies or anything you don’t like on the menu.
-No. For my part everything will be fine. This morning we will have a budget meeting with the director.
-Please remember not to comment anything.
-Of course, Carlos. I imagine that Ignacio, the general director, will attend.
-Yes of course. But it has been his demand that we maintain complete confidentiality with this matter. Imagine if we have to include the two hundred salespeople. I ask you not to discuss it even with him. You already know that we value discretion very highly.
-I feel very flattered to have been included in this tribute.
-We all especially value the disposition you have in this company.
-Thank you, Carlos. For me it is the most important thing.
-And your family?
-My family too, of course. But without a good job my family doesn’t eat, so I know very well how to prioritize.
-Do you have any children?
-Yes, two boys.
-What age?
-11 and 16 years old. Well, almost 16, the oldest.
-It is an important age.
-That’s how it is.
-I imagine that with everything you work on, always pending, it will be difficult to dedicate a lot of time to them. Are they good kids?
-They are. The oldest is a little detached. It must be adolescence, but my wife, Marisa, helps me a lot. But everyone at home knows the importance of this position. They understand it.
-The company is very grateful for your dedication.
-Thank you, Carlos. Anyway, it’s already known. They didn’t spend much time on us when we were young either.
-Ha. That’s true.
-Let me know when you stop by the headquarters anyway. I look forward to meeting you.
-The truth is that I spend fewer hours than I should. But in this department and between the two headquarters, I spend more time in Barcelona. In Madrid, Marcial is mainly in charge.
-I’ll tell him that we’ve been talking.
-Yes, but remember to do it after the day of dinner.
-Yeah. You already warned me.
(Doubts grew in his mind. Why couldn’t he notify Marcial if he was the Human Resources delegate in Madrid? Could it be that it wasn’t a tribute dinner? Would it be an ultimatum or another type of touch for his results…?).
-I know, I know. But it doesn’t hurt to remind you. It really is important.
-Don’t doubt my word. I will not lift the hare.
-As?
-I won’t say anything. Is there any etiquette for Tuesday?
-As?
-I mean the place. I imagine formal attire.
-Yes, yes. Formal dress. That is. Then I’ll give you more details of the place and time.
-Very good, Carlos.
-Thank you.
A few hours later…
-We already have the place, Luis. Dinner will be at the Berlanga restaurant, on Menéndez Pelayo street.
-Very good.
-At 9:30 p.m.
-Great. I’ll be there.
-Thank you so much. These are difficult dates for so many commitments. The director thanks you especially.
-Today I dispatch several things with him.
-Remember…
-You don’t have to repeat it to me. But if. Christmas is a special time, but at the same time very tiring. The end of the year, the objectives…
-I know.
-But I am very grateful to the company for trusting me so much.
-But not everything is work, Luis. You should spend more time with your loved ones.
-Well. They all do it well. Furthermore, Carlos, you understand perfectly well that all the hours of the day are few to defend my job.
-Yeah?
-Yes, yes. Your support is total in this sense.
-I’m very happy to hear it. You must have a very good family. See you on Tuesday. Thank you for your availability.
Come Tuesday, Luis tried to leave a little early to get to the CFO’s dinner. He was still overwhelmed by using the right word, making himself look good, and not making mistakes in anything that could complicate things for him at the company. It was no longer just the fear of results, but also social behavior, something so viewed in large companies. The month of December in Madrid is chaotic, but the entire city celebrates. He took a taxi to Menéndez Pelayo. Along the way, he remembered that his son Alejandro turned 16 that day. He called him on the phone, but it was turned off. He called Marisa.
-I called Alejandro. Are you with him?
-He went out to dinner with his friends, Luis. It makes me sad because we should be at that dinner. But he preferred to celebrate with his group. I gave them money and they’ll grab a hamburger or anything.
-Well. It is normal that he prefers to be with his friends. He’s getting older, Marisa. Furthermore, the dinner with the company is a complete priority.
-That will be it, yes. Although this morning you could have congratulated him if you hadn’t left before he woke up.
-We are at the end of the year. I can’t be in everything, Marisa. I’m still not sure why there is so much secrecy about today’s dinner, but I smell something strange. I’ll leave you, I’m getting to the appointment.
A message came to his phone while he was paying for the taxi fare.
-We’re here, Luis.
-I’m at the door, Carlos. Two seconds.
When he got off he suddenly ran into his son Alejandro.
-But what are you doing here?
-Hello dad. It’s my birthday.
-I know, son. Congratulations. I have called you. But what are you doing here? I have a dinner with the company.
-I know, dad. I am Carlos. And I just wanted to spend this day with you.
-But, what about that number you wrote to me with?
-It’s prepaid, dad.
-But, I don’t understand anything son.
-I just wanted to be with you.
#matters
