Chapter 131 - Growing As A Tool

"Shall we start? What should I do now? Wenceslas Construction needs to present the progress of the project or do we have a two-way discussion?!". Hendra didn't want to linger.

One of Riswan's team approached, whispered something to Mahendra.

"Sorry, some aren't here yet. We'll wait a little longer". He looked awkward and shy when giving the news.

Hendra was in a hurry this morning. He even left with a mess. Meanwhile, after arriving, it was said that this place was only occupied by 70% of the invitees who should've come.

"Call Riswan. I want to talk to him!". He knew that Riswan was a little away because he felt guilty.

Today, somehow, the mayor seemed to live up to his past, as the architect who was under the auspices of the Wenceslas Group.

.

"You didn't tell me that this meeting wasn't for the two us. I think today's meeting won't produce anything meaningful. Even if it's a two-way discussion, I'm sure the results are also bland. You're wasting my time. If it doesn't start in 10 minutes, I'll go back". Hendra's face hardened and cold.

"I beg you to understand. Those DPR members want to be present at the meeting. You know that no one can prevent them from coming, let alone me". Riswan added.

"I apologize for the journalists outside". Riswan added again.

"No problem, the important thing is this meeting is over soon. Tell me what should we do?". Hendra asked for an explanation.

And the two started talking to each other. Riswan wanted a discussion and Q&A session according to the request of the DPR commission who was present. This project was indeed opposed by several coalitions, but Riswan confronted for a dream about a 'dream city'.

But Hendra disagreed. It'd be better for Wenceslas Construction to start this meeting with a new presentation then they could propose a Q&A session.

Then, the blue-eyed hoped that Riswan could fulfill his promise not to involve Wenceslas Group in any other way. Apart from the dream city development project, matters beyond that were Riswan's business with the power holders at this moment.

"But I hope when they ask questions, you'll answer them because I'm shackled by the Right of Interpellation". Riswan submitted a request.

(Right of Interpellation: The first right of the DPR is the Right of Interpellation. What is meant by the Right of Interpellation is the right of the DPR to ask the Government for information regarding government policies that are important and strategic and have a broad impact on the life of the society, nation, and state)

"Yeah, I'll help you. Even though I'm well aware that they must have other goals with the Right of Interpellation. That's why we really avoid working with you guys. They can come together to make false information, if us businessmen don't comply with their wishes as happened in the previous Wenceslas Group's generation". Hendra recalled the biography if his family that he read carefully, especially the part of the Wenceslas Group's downfall due to accusations that were annulled by several parties.

"But you have to remember that our intention is for the good of society". Riswan strengthened Hendra's conviction. In fact, this was about realizing the mayor's personal dream.

"Good intention. You're still the same as before. That's why we falter today. Well, even though I know it'll waste a lot of time. Even though the profit is the same as when Wenceslas Construction takes jobs from other places".

"I know that you guys will keep this going no matter how difficult it is. Because the company that was inherited to you was born from the spirit of the youth oat. Is what I said wrong??" Riswan offended something that Hendra'd just understood some time ago.

The blue-eyed frowned. How did this mayor know many things about the history of the founding of the Wenceslas Group?

And he smiled at Mahendra's confused expression.

"One day I'll tell you why I know so many things about your company".

"Well, let's start realizing our dreams. Please prepare yourself for the best presentation".

He kept staring into Riswan's eyes. He was really curious who this man was. Why he was so confident in begging, submitting requests, then pressuring when rejected, and even worse, he knew so many things about the Wenceslas Group. He even knew the D Floor more than himself.

"Stop observing me. If this project is successful, I'll answer all the question marks in your brain. Calm down. Nothing terrible". Riswan smiled and patted Hendra's shoulder. A kind of calming effort but giving off the impression of mysterious and impenetrable instead.

"Okay. Let's see if the current DPR has changed a lot or still the same as the previous one". Hendra fulfilled his curiosity about Riswan. He looked at the crowd of meeting participants who looked busy chatting with each other.

"Our society is getting smart now, although not all of them choose based on conscience. But, among them, there are still those who have the same dream as me. Just touch their hearts that the dream city is a form of community service." Riswan advised him that some members of the DPR were elected because of their personal qualities, not just doctrinal influence, excessive trending, or dawn attack game.

"Okay, I'll try". The blue-eyed stepped confidently. He began to slip his hand between the buttons of his coat, smiling and saying hello. A panoramic view of such extraordinary manners. Hendra indeed had a different instinct when he was in public. He studied personality from the age of 10.

It made him appear perfect in the eyes of all who stared at him. An extraordinary camouflage. The expectations of other people would jump so high when describing his personal branding and background.

No one would've guessed that he had a weakness. Post-traumatic syndrome disorder (PTSD) that shackled him for years in a cold, stubborn character. He worked beyond limits like a non-human. Because the blue-eyed man was educated and prepared in that way.

Try to imagine someone whose life process was structured based on KPI (Key Performance Indicators) formulated by high-ranking officials since he set foot in his mother's homeland, Indonesia.

A grandchild who was born unexpectedly. He was present in the disappointment of a father to his daughter, but was also an asset to the family's future. A tool capable of bringing down the competition between Wiryo, the president director, and the traitor councils.

Even when this little boy experienced a problem, Wiryo and the people who were still loyal to him used an unreasonable way by making appraisal performance assessments to the blue-eyed little boy.

He grew as a tool.

(Key Performance Indicator is a matrix used by an institution or company in measuring the success of employee performance.

When applied to a human being, this human being had a record of an activity schedule that had to be fulfilled without compromise, a target record, and was broken down into daily, weekly, monthly, to yearly achievements, including strategies to achieve targets. Even further, regarding the budget that was prepared in detail for him. When it was discovered that it was imperfect, appraisal's judgment applied to it.

Appraisal is a method of assessment, measurement, scoring, or rating about a subject, which in this case is a person, about their behavior and performance within the company, team, or department).

The blue-eyed man who was playing with the pointer was prepared to be that perfectionist and crazy.

He began to show his presentation skills. Every word that came out of his mouth was an analysis that was difficult to be refuted by logic. This was the most advanced ability that had caused many Wenceslas Group's colleagues unable to refuse offers. The biggest impact was evidenced by the increase in company profits, reaching 30% in the five years of his leadership as CEO.

In accordance with Riswan's direction, Hendra offended many DPR members who proposed the Right of Interpellation by directing their answers to a statement: 'your form of dedication to the society'.

This man ended his presentation with a polite greeting: "Thank you very much for listening and paying attention to me". He lowered his head a little, smiling and waving to the mayor.

Nonsense words and questions were still heard on the sidelines of his farewell.

"How about the budget regulations?".

"What if we want to meet personally to follow up on the financial statements?".

"This development is quite big and the funds are very large as well. It seems that it needs a more detailed discussion". And so on.

The blue-eyed answered with a smile. He ignored all of that because it was actually part of Riswan's promise. Moreover, there was a woman who sit on the very back edge.

Staring at him with round brown eyes. A magnet to be greeted with immediately.

***

This man had just descended the stage steps. The first thing he wanted was to go to his wife right away.

Too bad that simple wish was a bit constrained. Several meeting participants began rushing to approach him.

"Can I help you?".