The Executive Lie

The office coffee tasted burnt, and bitter. It tasted like yesterday’s mistakes, but I drank it anyway. I had been at my desk since 6am, trying to find a way out from the financial takedown that was coming from one of our competitors. Apex Media. And if they won against us, they would shut us down completely. As Head of the Financial Operations in Vance Publishing, it would be my worst nightmare. ​I loved my job at Vance Publishing. Regulating money that went in and out, I felt proud keeping our small firm stable. This job really felt like my whole world. ​I leaned back and stretched my hands when a tiny little buzz went off. A new email. The subject line hit me hard. ​Important Meeting at 10am. All staff should be in attendance ​I froze. I knew this was about Apex. I thought I was out of time. ​At 10am, we all met. George, our owner, stood before us. He had a disappointed look on his face, as though he had been totally defeated. ​His voice shook as he delivered the news: ​”Thank you everyone for coming on this short notice. As of today, Vance Publishing has been bought by Thorne Industries.” ​The office fell silent. Then George looked up, pleading. "I know this is shocking. But, listen to me. This was the only way. Apex Media was going to sign the final papers tomorrow which would have meant our end. The Thorne’s acquisition is the only way to save Vance Publishing from being shut down. He is preserving our structure." ​The news changed everything. Thorne hadn't bought us to be greedy. He had bought us to rescue us from demolition. ​Thorne Industries. The name was massive. And the man in charge was Elias Thorne. ​Elias was a legend. Everyone called him the 'Ice Man'. He was known for cutting anything or even anyone that wasn't making him a huge amount of money. He only cared about the numbers. But now, he was our savior. ​A cold wave of resolve washed over me. It wasn't fear anymore; it was anger and a need to fight for the man who paid for our survival. ​Later that day, I locked myself in my office and pulled up a picture of Elias Thorne online. It was a magazine cover, titled “The perfect CEO”. He wore a charcoal coloured suit. His eyes were sharp as though they were looking through the screen. ​He looked like a man who had never felt a moment of doubt. He was the CEO, the conqueror, and now, my boss and savior. ​I stared at his picture. The fight ahead was going to be about proving our value to him. ​The first meeting was scheduled for next week at his place. The Throne Building. All heads of departments were asked to be there. ​"The Throne Building," I whispered. I looked at Elias’s picture one last time. “I’m ready for your ice, Mr. Thorne. I may have to be just as cold if I have to be, but thank you for saving our lives.”