Chapter 12
754 Words
I was seated on the couch in my office flipping through the Business News magazine when a particular heading caught my eye. It was the name of the company that Jack worked for. I read the article quickly and my smile widened with each sentence. It was simple, the company was going down the drain. I had my secretary place a call to the CEO and two hours later, I was seated opposite him in a posh restaurant, trying to strike a deal over a cup of coffee.
Paul was literally the most f****d up person I had ever met. He was in his late fifties, with a huge belly and greying hair. He was involved in scandals upto his neck and he was willing to accept just about anything in exchange for his company. He was wallowing in debts and he was making losses.
I offered him a nice amount of cash for the rotting shithole and he promised to discuss it with the board of directors.
Don't get me wrong. I wasn't interested in the company, I was interested in one of its employees; Jack.
One and a half months after meeting Paul, the company was mine. I maintained all the employees and the board, and nobody knew that I owned the company. They were still answerable to Paul and he had to work his old ass off to meet my deadlines.
Now the company was mine to do as I wished, and so was Jack.
Three days to payday, I found a loophole in Jack's contract. I had Paul withdraw all the allowances that Jack received and confiscate the company car that he had been using for over two years. Owing to his position in the company, that was a big blow and that's why a day after payday, Isabella had forced her way into my office, demanding me to leave her husband alone. She had no idea that it was just the beginning.
I was Jack's new boss
*********
I placed the ring back on the nightstand and pulled the covers to my chin. I drifted back to sleep with a smile on my face.
My alarm chimed at six thirty and I stretched and lazed in bed before I got ready for work.
Marina was not In yet.
Damn. I had to replace her.
I walked into my office and dialled Paul's number. His voice came through on the first ring.
"Hi Miss?"
I didn't bother with a reply.
"I want you to cut Jack's salary by 40%. Effective from this month."
"Ma'am we can't do that. It's illegal."
"That would be news to my lawyer who thoroughly examined the contract."
"Jack is one of our best employees. We can't afford to lose him."
My rage was starting to boil.
"And you're my worst employee, Paul. Cut off Jack's salary or I'll cut yours. I can afford losing you."
"I hear you, Miss."
"And another thing, "
"Yes?
"When does he go for his annual leave?"
There was a short silence and clicking of computer keys on the other end.
"October." Paul said.
"Make that next month."
"As you say. You are the boss."
I hung up and moved to the vast glass window. The view below me was breathtaking. The city was a site to behold in the morning, with the risen sun doting the horizon. An evil thought suddenly crossed my mind. I took my phone and dialled Isabella's number. She picked up almost immediately.
"What do you want now, Julie? Haven't had your fun?"
"I need a secretary."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"You know you need a job, Isabella. Don't play coy with me."
"If you think I will work for you, you are totally mistaken."
I smiled wickedly. Isabella had flunked hard at her finals and it was almost impossible for her to get a job anywhere. I knew with time, she would jump at my offer, considering what I was planning to do with her husband's job.
"Okay. In case you change your mind, you know the directions to my office."
I ended the call just as Marina walked into my office, a whole one hour late.
"There is a client at the reception. He should be seeing you in fifteen minutes."
"Send him in."
She scurried out of the office and I sank into my chair. The client walked in, and my brow furrowed in a frown.
It was Allan.
He had been Jack's best man at our wedding.
- Writer
