Chapter 17

It was the day after when I realized why Julie had purposely made me shuffle. Now it's back to work. No more taking days off and chilling with my friends. It's time to check on my company. I gear up and drive to work, without alerting my CEO of my appearance. Some might say that it's messed up to show up unannounced. But, I wouldn't care. I never did. I park my car in one of the reserved spots for high positioned employees only. This is the first time I was using this spot, so it felt a bit awkward when I stepped out of my car. Some employees spotted me from their smoke/slack corner. Once they saw me they blew out their cigarettes and rushed inside. I guess my surprise was already discovered. Oh well, let's see how fast they clean up. I pace myself steadily so that I am walking faster than my usual speed but not too fast that it would look like I am rushing. The doors burst open as I was bombarded with service. There were two employees offering me coffee or tea, and one more behind them offering ice. Whilst 3 of my executives came to greet and walk with me to my office. This behavior means I need to do a proper check up on their departments. The only person missing from this entourage was my CEO. He better be stuck in work when I see him or he will be. "Miss Stone, what brought you in today?" Mr. Henry, one of my most trusted executives asked. He was my late father's best friend, and even spent days teaching me alongside my father. I know his question is genuine. "Please Mr. Henry, you know I don't appreciate that name. Elizabeth is what you call me. As for my sudden appearance, I came to fix all the wrongs that are hiding in the shadows of some powerful stars." The other 2 executives looked at each other then to me. "Miss Elizabeth, are you talking about the young CEO? He has been most entitled." Mr. Choi walked up to me as I began to walk. "This better have caramel in it." I ignored him and took the cup of coffee from my employee. "I can get that right away Ma'am." He said taking back the cup to fulfill my wish. I continue walking to the fashion department. On my way I decided to play with the 2 executives. "I will be waiting in the fashion department for the behavioral issues of my CEO. Mr. Choi and you too Mr. Chaze please go fetch him." I didn't even turn my head to give them the proper respect as elders. After the incident with Mr. Colling none of them dared to oppose me. I walked into the fashion department with my head held high. Everyone was already standing waiting for me. I saw Grace standing as well. In fact she was the only one out of my friends who was. Adam was on a business trip with Janice so they weren't there. But Jake and Grace were here. Jake was sitting down so focused on his work that I wanted to see what it was that kept him from treating me like the boss I am. I walked over behind him to see him watching a movie while eating. It was then I had enough. I tapped on Jake's shoulder and told him to clean his desk. He's to be moved to one of the outer branches with a pay cut. That's the decision I made. "Wait, seriously?" Jake stood up shocked at my sudden words. "I am the chairwoman of this company. Do you know what that means?" I paused and looked around the room. "It means, I'm the one with the most shares. Not only that, but the most results which then turned into the one who made the most amount of money for the company. So much so, that even the executives learned to respect that. Yet, I walk into a room where everyone is standing. Everyone but you Jake." I look directly into his eyes letting him know that I have had enough. "The first time such a thing occurred is when I caught you and a friend slacking in the break room. I thought I made myself clear at that point. Let me remind you, I am not one to give second chances. Otherwise Nathaniel would've still been here. Yet, as a friend I gave you one and you took advantage of it. Now since the only way you learn is by reaping the consequences. Then you will learn." I turned away to Mr. Henry who was waiting for a command. "Mr. Henry, I trust you won't let me down as my oldest friend. Please make sure the young lad here is demoted properly and moved to an outer branch." After I said what I said I walked into the manager's office and took a seat on the nearest chair. Mr. Choi and Mr. Chaze returned with the CEO and brought him to me. "Thank you gentlemen. You are dismissed." I said as I motioned them to close the door. "What did you need me for?" He scratched his head as he walked up closer to me. "I know I told you not to act like the boss. However, slacking off is not what I meant." The man sat down and looked at me. "Do you even remember my name?" He sighed as he got comfortable. "Your name is none of my business, need I remind you the only reason why you kept your position is because my father loved you." "Like a son." He smirked. I felt as if he had violated me in some sort of way. "Oops! I forgot no smiling. You know, I thought we would get along with each other since your so-called beloved father liked me so much. But I guess not. And I'm doing my work. So whoever is telling you otherwise….it's a lie." He finally shut up. "Don't make me punish you too. Out of all the men which I grew to hate. I hate you the least. After all, don't forget what I have on you. Or did the lack of sleep render you dazed too?" I rendered him speechless. He sat looking at me like a baby seeing something for the first time. "Well…." I broke the silence to impose myself even more. "Matthew. Matthew Simons. Remember that. Oh and your so called trusted Mr. Henry has been….out of sorts lately." Matthew spat out before leaving. It's always been like this. The relationship between us that is. Matthew was once a bright young and happy CEO of ALL Enterprise, groomed to be the next in line to inherit the company. However, once I stepped into the picture that all changed. His image remained second place, and his promising future was stolen straight from which he stood. His only remaining hope was to wed me and take over the company through marriage. Yet, it was me, the only hope he had left that swung the final hit to knock him completely down. At most he will have to start up his own company with the knowledge he has now. The only problem is no one would take a fallen high society elite seriously. So the most he would get from a new start up company is middle class money. He knows this and he knows I knew that by turning him down his life would be ruined, but I did it anyways and he lives off the little opportunity that I could give him. He won't jeopardize the job he has now. My problem is whether to trust his words or not. Is he genuine or is he playing me? I don't know, it was a sure fire dilemma. Well at least one thing good came from that. I learned his name again. I break out of my deep thoughts only to find Grace knocking on the door. "I thought you might want to see a friendly face." Grace smiled sweetly as she presented a cup of coffee to me. "I was told it's got caramel." She shakes it a bit. Seeing her waving the coffee ever so slowly made me chuckle and warm up. "Honesty I just need to have you around." I smiled warmly to her letting her know it's okay to come in. She walks in, hands me the coffee then walks back to the door. "Remember, we're all afraid of you." Grace smiles and closes the door. I chuckled, feeling more at ease than before. That girl, when did she learn how to cheer me up? I took a long sip of my caramel coffee and stood up. That's right! They're all scared. I don't need to push or impose anymore. The last thing my father taught me was the only thing that I couldn't pass yet. In his own words he had told me; "Once you have mastered all of that. Remember to always add some kindness. People aren't truly loyal to those they fear. But to those they chose to love, that's when you know you're a good boss." I never understood that till today. It was Grace who was ever so worried about me and even checked up on me after I had just given Jake punishment. Oh no! Jake! I reached for my phone that was hidden away in my pocket and texted Jake. I asked him if he could forgive me and try to understand why I did so. "Just you wait Lizzy, I'm gonna bully you so much outside of work that you're gonna give me a raise." Read my phone. I smiled a bit thinking how great it was to have friends like that. Right, if I want to settle this problem in my company I need to attack it from a different angle. I put my half empty cup down and invite the rest of the entourage in. First one through the door was Mr. Henry of course. Then walked in Mr. Choi and finally Mr. Chaze. They looked confused as to why I called them in. "Uh-hu" Mr. Choi cleared his throat as he sat down. "I wanted to tell you all, all 9 of you that I am giving out rewards at the end of this week. I came in today for a simple check up and to see if I am needed elsewhere. In other words, gentlemen you may breathe. I didn't come here to punish." I gave a smile to the 3 confused men and watched as their faces turned away from confusion and into fright. "I can reassure you that my work is legit and improving steadily at an acceptable pace. If you want to check my numbers that is okay too. It will just take a while to-" "You misunderstood me. Amazingly, I am not angry or upset in any other way with the results that I have been receiving this past 2 months. If you guys wish to talk numbers, so be it." I kept a gentle smile on my face as I walked over to the front desk and called in the new fashion dep team lead and manager. I had told the two to bring in the final results of last month and this month. They came in just 2 minutes after I called them. "Here you go Miss Chairwoman." The team lead's hand shook as she handed me the file. "Thank you dear." I took the file and dismissed them from the room. Once they left I opened the file and began reading. "Last month, we did something big. We finally moved our home cleaner set out to regular retail stores. We sold ten thousand only in the first week. And when I thought the numbers were becoming stagnant, the mayor of Cuppernickle in Spain had come in and asked one of my executes about this product." I paused and pointed to my cup still on the table. Mr. Chaze realized I was asking for someone to hand it to me and did so. "Do you wanna know what happened to sales after that or should I move on to the next great thing?" I laughed a bit as I took a short sip of my coffee. Mr. Henry, Mr. Choi, and Mr. Chaze were all daffed as if they didn't know what to make of my good mood. I continued, "Ten fold! Our sales increased ten fold and had reached international markets! Such an improvement deserves to be rewarded. As for this month, the fashion department has really stepped up their game. I noticed while going over the files from home, that both the fashion and customer service department had started working together. This not only brought insight to what the next look should be but also helped the company gain more loyal customers. Mr. Chaze if I'm not mistaken it was you who made an unlikely pair of the two departments which produced such a result. Congratulations, I'm proud of you." I stop talking to take another sip of my coffee. The 3 men in here now carried light expressions on their face and began smiling. I noticed their smiles and smiled back in response. I was not feeling disgusted in any sort of way. "Miss, surely you didn't expect that of me. Truth be told, they were the workers who were producing the lowest score on performance. I just wanted to see what would happen if I put them together." Mr. Chaze's face lit up the room as he gloated about his success being announced. "Yes, my board has truly put up with a lot and still produced more than favorable results. I only came today to see if I was needed. After the scandal, I was sure something was to fall apart. However, while I took the time off you guys decided to keep the company afloat. And so, because you 3 were the ones to greet me upon arrival. I decided to give the special prize to one of you 3. As you now know there is to be rewards handed to my main board by the end of this week. Although, most of them rather not greet me or try to talk to me in that matter. I do give special privileges to those who can keep a professional relationship with me. The special prize is to fill the remaining spot that was ripped open. During this week I will be spending time with the selected candidates of this position. I trust you all know what this means." I finished my coffee to ignore the heated silence I just gave life to. "You mean to say, anyone of our choosing will have the chance to work alongside us and hold onto the remaining shares of this company?" Mr. Choi broke the silence in disbelief. Such an opportunity was not to pass by, not even overlook. I nodded my head to allow the fact seep in. I know it was cruel of me to throw the three of them into war in such a way. But this way I can kill two birds with one stone. I told them not to let anyone else know of the special prize as they try to win it. The greed in their eyes peeked at that moment. The fact that one of them gets the chance to close a top spot such as executive treasurer means not only a stable standing in this company, but if you play your cards right it also means you're one step closer to overthrowing me. After a few hours go by I finally look back at the files. Now it's time to do the real check up I came to do. I began reading the files through this time. As expected, no trace of any illegal activity. This is not gonna be easy, I put the files down and walk out the room. Since I'm in the mood for giving, let's see what I can get from it. It's time to put Adam, and Janice to work.