DARK SIDE OF BECOMING CEO

A glimmer of hope

Priscilla’s POV

The tyres of my car screeched as I swerved my car into the parking lot. My sweaty palms grip the steering as I sit in my car, replaying my conversations with Dad, the weird and terrifying conversation I had with Ethan. I was drowning in a million thoughts, my head, spining, it felt like the world stopped for a moment and I could not control it. I was interrupted by a message beep from my phone. What I saw almost drained the life out of me.

“What?” I said slowly as my voice cracked.

My hands trembled as I held my phone. The Documents from Dad’s office, a while ago, revealing fake receipts of large sums of money withdrawn from the company’s account for trips and vacations, all over the news. I continued to scroll as I saw the heart piercing comments from people who claim to be human beings. Every comment questioning my character and eligibility for CEO OF Tennex, felt like a flaming arrow shot directly at the bullseye. My throat tightened. My heart felt heavy but no tears left to cry. I continue to scroll at the endless comments, too punctured to even feel anything at this point. I immediately flung my phone at the passenger’s seat. My head buried in my hands, resuming my replay of the conversations I had with Nathan. I have always had a feeling about this Ethan guy. Everything about him always seemed off.

“Could all this be him?” I thought.

“But what would get from all this?”

I immediately get out of the car and walked into the apartment. I took out my laptop and began investigating those receipts. I realized the dates for those transactions were almost two weeks after my trip. Also the name on the receipt says ‘V. Wright’. Now I knew something was up. But how did Dad not see these things? He knew exactly when I went for the trip. The pieces weren’t adding up. I immediately called Kendra and told her everything I discovered.

“Waoh.. That’s huge Priscilla.” Kendra exclaimed. “Why would your uncle stoop this low?”

“Could it be he wants to be CEO?” I responded. “You know there was something off about him that gala night. And in the restroom….”

“Priscilla.” Kendra cuts in, interrupting me. “I think it’s time for a proper investigation” she continued. “All this feels too sudden. It’s clear some people are after the CEO’s position.”

I paused for a moment “Well I could hire a private investigator” I said.

“Yeah you could do that.. but what if you went undercover?”

I paused for a moment. Immediately thinking about it

“Think about it Priscilla.” Kendra cuts into my thoughts. “That way, you will know the true culprits.”

I’m still silent, deeply thinking about Kendra’s suggestion.

“You can tell everyone you’re going on a well-deserved break for about…. Let’s say… for about three months? You could work as an intern!” Kendra says, excitingly.

“Yeah… Yeah! We’re currently in search of interns who would handle the admin work while the major staff to join in the Helix project.” I said.

“Well, you got yourself a plan.” Kendra said. “Going undercover and working hand-in-hand with the investigator, the culprits would be caught in no time.” Kendra said, reassuringly.

“Sounds like a plan.” I said, ending the call.

That call with Kendra was the best thing that ever happened to me. That call snapped something unexpected in me. For the first time in a long time, I saw a bright silver lining amidst my dark situation. I felt strong, ready to take down every obstacle.

“They won’t see this coming.” I said, smiling.