A CEO'S OBSESSION

LAGOS, NIGERIA. "Were you able to fix a meeting with Darlington's construction?" The man, with chiselled features and piercing blue eyes, sat in a plush, high-backed leather chair behind his massive mahogany desk. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and a hint of a sharp jawline was visible beneath his well-groomed beard. His expression was stern and cold. He looked extremely serious with a deep frown on his face, his aura commanding respect and fear. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he gazed up at his assistant, who stood fidgeting in front of him. The soft hum of the air conditioner provided a subtle background noise. "Ye..yes, Mr. CEO." His assistant stuttered. A sweat dripped down from his face while he answered. He was scared of the man sitted in front of him. The man sitted in front of him, Frank Williams, CEO of Williams group of companies, was a no-nonsence man. He had always been cold and detached. He had strict rules, and anyone who defiled his orders paid dearly. "And the UK deal?" Frank asked again with the same cold, detached tone. His assistant slowly placed a file on his table with shaky hands. Frank sat up and reached for it. He opened it and went through it. "What's this?" His voice dripped with venom. "T..the deal, sir." His assistant replied with shaky hands and tone. In a split second, Frank threw the file across the room, the papers scattering on the floor. He rose from his seat abruptly, and his assistant fell on his knees from fear, his body trembling. "You called that a deal?!" He yelled. "I'm so.. sorry, Mr. CEO." His assistant apologised with shaky voice. Frank hissed and collapsed back on his seat. The rustling of the chair sounded across the room. "I need a better proposal by the end of the day....or you are fired." he spat. "Thank..you..thank you Mr CEO." He thanked and stood up on his feet immediately before picking up the scattered papers. "Get Ian here." Frank ordered before his assistant left the office. Frank Williams has always been a man of unyielding ambition and razor-sharp instincts. His personality was a complex web of calculated precision, cold detachment, and ruthless determination. He lived and breathed the Williams Group of Companies, pouring every waking moment into its growth and dominance. His lifestyle was one of opulence and extravagance, with a penthouse apartment that rivalled a luxury hotel and a collection of high-end cars that would make even the most seasoned collector jealous. Despite his wealth and privilege, Frank's demeanour remained austere, his smile a rare and precious commodity. He surrounded himself with people who knew better than to cross him, and those who did paid dearly for their mistakes. His relationships were transactional, his friendships few and far between. Frank's sole focus was on expanding his empire, crushing his competitors, and emerging victorious in the cutthroat world of business. His motto was simple: win at all costs. And he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. The exit door opened, and another man with an air of confidence and intimidating aura walked in. He walked with pride in his neatly ironed black suit and polished shoes to Frank, who sat on his chair with a stern expression. "Mr. CEO." Ian bowed his head in respect before looking up to his face. "We leave for London in an hour." he informed with a stern expression. Ian, Frank's personal assistant, has been working with Frank for 5 years. He was literally the only one who could tolerate and stand Frank. No one got as close to him as Ian did. Frank rocked back and forth on his chair, his expression stern. "Good. And have you been able to reach CEO Vinks?" Ian shook his head. "Not yet, sir, but I am working on it." Frank shot him an angry look. "You are working on it? For how long?" He snapped. Ian took a deep breath. He was considering the words to spurt out to avoid angering the CEO. "His assistant has refused to fix a meeting with the CEO." "He wouldn't dare!" Ian was about to say something, but Frank cut him short. "Get the car ready. We leave for Abuja first." Frank ordered. "Abuja?" Ian asked a bit surprised. Were they going to Vinks Limited? Frank eyed him. He didn't like repeating himself. "Sir, are we leaving for Vinks Limited?" Ian asked, his voice suddenly low. He wanted to confirm if his thoughts were right. "Yes." Frank's stern reply came. Ian raised an eyebrow at him, his gaze questioning. Must the CEO go to this length just to buy his rival's company? "But..but...we would miss the flight." Ian's voice was low. Frank didn't say anything as a reply, so Ian nodded and bowed his head before turning around to leave the office. In less than fifteen minutes, Ian returned. "The cars are ready, Mr. CEO." He informed Frank. Frank stood up from his seat and walked towards the exit of the office. Ian picked up the laptop on the table, a few files, and Frank's briefcase before trailing behind him. They used the elevator to get to the ground floor. There, a few other executives of the company met with them. They bowed before following behind Frank and Ian. Frank walked majestically with pride, earning stares and drools from his female staff members and a few male staff members. He looked really handsome in the blue, detailedly customised suit he wore. Halfway out of the company, a dirty spot on the floor caught his attention. He stopped walking, and his squad followed suit. They stopped walking. "Is there a problem, Mr. CEO?" Ian whispered when he stood beside Frank whose gaze remained on the dirty spot. "The cleaners. Have them replaced." His stern order came. Without any hesitation, Ian nodded, and they continued walking. Before Ian could step into the car with the CEO, he called John, the CEO's assistant, and relayed the order. "Have all the cleaners fired." "All?" John's voice asked at the other side of the line. Surprise was evident in his tone. "All." Ian confirmed. "Put up a hiring ad for cleaners." He added. "Okay." John answered, and the call disconnected.