BACK AT THE ALTAR

Team leader

John POV

The smell of toasted bread and coffee filled the dining room.

Mr. Smith sat at the table, calmly spreading butter on his bread when footsteps came down the stairs.

“Grandfather, I’m ready,” John said, adjusting his tie.

Without looking up, Mr. Smith smiled. “And a good morning to you too, my grandson.”

John paused. “Oh, right. Good morning, Grandfather.”

Mr. Smith glanced at him. “Now, what’s bothering you this early? I can see it on your face.”

John sighed. “Grandfather, you know I can’t do this job, right? Being the team leader isn’t for me.”

Mr. Smith placed his bread down and looked at him. “Then what is for you?”

“Not being the team leader,” John replied firmly. “The director’s position. That’s where I belong.”

Mr. Smith shook his head with a small smile. “Can I at least finish my breakfast without this argument?”

John frowned, but Mr. Smith continued.

“We’ve talked about this already. My decision is final. You’ll be the team leader.”

“Grandfather.”

“No more discussions,” he said, picking up his bread again. “If you won’t eat, then get going. I’ll see you in your new office.”

John grabbed his briefcase, still looking unconvinced.

“You’ll change your mind.”

Mr. Smith only smiled. “We’ll see.”

John walked out, leaving his grandfather shaking his head.

“Stubborn boy,” Mr. Smith muttered.

As John stepped into the company, his secretary, Mr. Joe, hurried toward him.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Morning, Joe.”

Mr. Joe hesitated before speaking. “Sir… what’s going on? Why were you demoted from director to team leader?”

John paused mid-step. His jaw tightened for a brief moment before he forced a smile.

“The chairman’s decision,” he replied evenly. “Don’t worry. It’ll all be sorted out.”

Mr. Joe frowned. “But, sir… if you don’t mind me asking, why? You’re more than qualified for the position. Besides, you’re his grandson.”

John let out a quiet breath and rested a hand on Joe’s shoulder.

“It’s a family matter, Joe,” he said. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Mr. Joe studied his face for a second before nodding.

“Of course, sir.”

John watched him walk away. The smile on his face disappeared the moment Joe turned the corner.

He adjusted his tie, squared his shoulders, and headed toward the elevator.

The metallic doors slid open.

A few employees inside glanced at him, then quickly looked away, whispering among themselves.

John stepped in without a word.

The ride felt longer than usual.

His phone buzzed again.

He glanced at the screen.

Another message.

Welcome to your new role as Team Leader. We wish you success in your new position.

John stared at the message for a moment before locking the screen.

His reflection stared back at him from the elevator doors.

He exhaled slowly.

“Focus,” he muttered under his breath. “Just focus.”

The elevator chimed.

The doors opened.

Without another word, John walked toward his new office.

***

As John walked into his new office, he couldn’t help but hear his colleagues talking about his demotion.

“I was so shocked when I received the message about the demotion of the chairman’s grandson, who knows the reasons for the sudden change,” a colleague said.

“I heard that it’s because he’s a spoilt brat who disrespects people just because he’s the heir of the company. That he treats people like trash,” another colleague said. “Well, serves him right,” she added.

John clenched his fist, his face filled with anger. “I can’t believe that I’m now a subject of workplace gossip,” he thought to himself.

John's anger turned to frustration as he realized his colleagues' opinions about him. He felt like his reputation was being tarnished without anyone knowing the full story. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, reminding himself that he couldn't let the gossip get to him.

As he sat down at his desk, Mr. Joe walked in with a stack of files. "Sir, I've brought the team's current projects and tasks. I'll brief you on everything."

John nodded, grateful to him for his help. "Thank you, Joe. Please, go ahead."

As Mr. Joe began to brief him, John's mind wandered back to his grandfather's decision and the gossip circulating around the office. He wondered how he would regain his colleagues' respect and prove himself as a capable person.

Just then, one of the colleagues who had been gossiping earlier walked into the office, looking nervous. "Sir, I, uh, I wanted to discuss a project with you."

John looked up, his expression neutral."Yes, what about it?"

The colleague started explaining the project. But John couldn’t help but interrupt the colleague. “Hey, hold on a bit. Why were you gossiping about me earlier? I heard all you said about me being a spoilt brat. Care to explain that?”

“Sir…it’s not like that, sir,” she tried to explain herself.

John shook his head. “You know, before you talk about someone, you should at least try to know the whole story.”

The colleague lowered her head in embarrassment “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again,” she apologized.

“It better not.” John snapped

The colleague nodded hastily, still looking embarrassed. "I understand, sir. It was unprofessional of me, and I assure you it won't happen again." She paused, then added, "If I may ask, sir, what really happened with your demotion? We were all surprised by the sudden change."

John leaned back in his chair, his expression still stern but slightly curious. "It's a long story," he said. “But that doesn't excuse your behavior. I expect more professionalism from my team members moving forward."

The colleague nodded again, looking relieved that John wasn't taking the conversation further. "Yes, sir. Thank you for understanding. I'll make sure to keep my personal opinions to myself from now on."

John nodded, "Good. Now, let's get back to the project. Where were you?“

Few minutes later. She finished explaining the project to John and then left his office.

~Back at the house. John returned from the office.

The door swung open, and John walked into the house, dropping his briefcase by the entrance. He walked into the parlor where his grandfather, Mr. Smith, was sitting on the couch, reading a book. "Hey, I'm back," he said with a tired smile, loosening his tie. Mr. Smith looked up. "Hey, back already? How was work today?" He asked, putting down his book.

John sighed and sat down beside his grandfather on the couch. "It was a long day," he said, rubbing his eyes. I had to deal with some of your employees gossiping about me.”

"Dinner is ready, sir," the cook announced. "Let's go eat, then we'll talk about my employees," Mr. Smith said. John nodded in agreement as he took off his coat and headed to the dining table. They arrived at the dining table and began eating.

As they ate, Mr. Smith looked at John.

“So, about my employees. You mentioned something about gossip at the office?”

John sighed and put down his fork.

“Some of the staff were talking about my demotion. They said I was a spoiled brat who only got my position because I’m your grandson. They claimed I look down on people and treat everyone like trash.”

Mr. Smith’s expression darkened.

“They said that?” he asked quietly.

John nodded.

“Yes. I even confronted one of them in my office. She apologized, but I still think they deserve to be fired. Employees who gossip about management shouldn’t be working in the company.”

Mr. Smith leaned back in his chair and nodded slowly.

“You’re right. Gossip in the workplace is unprofessional. If employees have enough time to spread rumors instead of doing their jobs, perhaps they don’t deserve to keep them.”

John looked pleased.

“Exactly! That’s what I was saying.”

A smile slowly appeared on Mr. Smith’s face.

“John…”

“Yes, Grandfather?”

“You really are still a child.”

John frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Mr. Smith chuckled softly.

“Look at you. You’re a grown man, yet you’ve come home to report your colleagues to your grandfather.”

John opened his mouth to speak, but Mr. Smith raised a hand.

“No wonder they called you a spoiled brat.”

John’s eyes widened.

“Grandfather!”

“If you expect me to solve every little problem you encounter at work, then they’re not entirely wrong. A leader doesn’t run home to complain because people talked about him.”

John looked away, his excitement fading.

Mr. Smith continued, his voice calm but firm.

“People will criticize you. They’ll misunderstand you. Some will even insult you. If you fire everyone who speaks badly about you, you’ll spend more time replacing employees than running the company.”

John remained silent.

“What you should be asking yourself isn’t, ‘How do I punish them?’ It should be, ‘How do I prove them wrong?’”

John slowly nodded.

“I… never looked at it that way.”

Mr. Smith smiled.

“Earn their respect through your actions, not through your authority. That’s what true leaders do.”

John let out a small sigh before smiling.

“I guess I still have a lot to learn.”

Mr. Smith laughed.

“You certainly do. Now finish your dinner before it gets cold.”