Gemscentric

Written by Julian Robov


Thirty Four


At eleven thirty in the morning, Rudy and Philip Mathew met with Seri, his attorney, and his right-hand man—one Mark Foo from Macau—in the conference room of the Monarch Lee Gardens hotel. The agreements, which gave Rudy a fifty percent ownership of SB Gem Corporation, and an option to buy more shares concluded without any hiccups. Rudy was just a silent witness to that. The authorization papers of the buyer, Gem Trend International, had been prepared in Singapore by Julian Tsang. Rudy stood up and gave Seri an envelope. It was a cash check for two million dollars.
“Why did it take such a long time?” Seri said to Rudy. Instead, Rudy just laughed.
“I have some interesting details for you,” Rudy added. The lawyers were seen huddling at the other end of the table going through the documents to make sure everything was in order.
He continued, “Let’s go over to the corner and talk about a few important deals I have lined up.”
“That’s interesting,” Seri exclaimed. “I thought we were going to Pattaya.”
“Of course, we will,” Rudy added. “Now listen to this. New sapphire mines, especially blues and some fancies are opening up in Madagascar and Tanzania. Before the Sri Lankans and Israelis get there, we need to convince the real guys at the ministry to work out a deal in our favor. It’s a whole new world out there. Another untapped source is Antarctica. I have hired a consultant, who is a geologist and gemologist, and the report should be out pretty soon; it’s classified. In the meantime, the East African proposal sounds promising.”
“I see. I know what you mean,” Seri said thoughtfully.
“I even mentioned your name, suggesting that they could get a much better deal working with you,” Rudy quipped.
“You did? That’s good,” Seri answered.
“You should be expecting a call,” Rudy said.
“From Madagascar?” Seri asked curiously.
“Tanzania. The minister for Energy and Minerals will be in Bangkok in a week,” Rudy concluded.
“Great. You’re fucking good,” Seri said and then laughed loudly. Rudy liked that.
“How about a cigar?” Rudy asked.
“I don’t smoke. You know that, don’t you?” Seri said.
“But today is different. This is one way to celebrate the special occasion, partner,” Rudy added. “Just for one day.”
“Hmm, I like the way you said that. Where did you learn this craft?” Seri asked humorously.
“Of course, from the gem trade.”
While they were lighting up the cigar, Rudy continued, “There is one more deal.”
“What’s that?”
“Alexandrite! Quite a lot in the bush don’t know how to recognize and separate the world famous alexandrite crystals from color-change garnets and sapphires. It’s still an untapped source—in Tanzania, of course. I know there is a market for the qualities they have despite the difficulties.”
“You know what? Stick to what we know the best—fucking sapphires. I mean, blue sapphires. There are a lot of treatments and fucking synthetics out there to vacuum our money. Leave it to the greedy and ignorant ones. And Tanzania and Madagascar are too far away from Thailand. Antarctica is too fucking cold for me. That’s what I feel. But I’m open for further discussion, if the numbers and qualities are in our favor.”
Rudy shrugged. He was testing Seri.
“But I think this partnership is gonna fucking work,” Seri quipped.
“That’s the whole idea. Don’t you see that?” Rudy replied. His cell-phone rang. James was on the phone. Seri left Rudy alone and joined his lawyers who were reviewing the documents.
“How about lunch?” Rudy asked Seri.
“Where?”
“Holiday Inn!”
“I wish I had the time. I have to attend this very special meeting at the Ministry of Science and Technology. It’s my treat. Let’s make it sometime this week. Same place,” Seri said apologetically. It was a lie.
After the handshakes and meaningless wai’s (greetings), Rudy left the hotel to meet a gem broker.
After Rudy and his lawyers had left, Mark Foo couldn’t remain silent anymore.
“What’s wrong with you?” Seri asked.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on,” Mark said.
“I got fucking two million dollars,” Seri said. “And that’s the fuck going on. Now you understand?”
Mark wasn’t convinced.
“What do you want me to say to Jeffrey? Now Rudy has got fifty percent bullshit in your company giving him an option to buy more without any cushion. Why are you doing like this? I don’t get it.”
“I don’t think Rudy, and his fucking partner, have the balls to take the other half from me. Simple as that,” Seri said.
“What’s the catch?” Mark asked.
“They will be dead soon,” Seri replied.
“Yeah? That’s bullshit. I don’t think they are that stupid to throw two million to die. What’s wrong with your brain? Are they surface-diffused too?” Mark countered.
Seri wasn’t laughing, instead staring at Mark in rage.
“You know what? I think you should leave me alone to make my own decisions. Tell Jeffrey everything you heard. Before you leave, I have one more request. Don’t ever return to my office again. I don’t want to fucking see you in the flesh. Is that understood?” Seri commented.
“Of course, I understand. But Jeffrey won’t be happy,” Mark replied.
He didn’t know all the games between Seri and Jeffrey. He left the hotel quietly.