“No one is getting fired, they will be transferred to another department for the time being, but a new team must be added. It was actually Mr. Donald’s idea, he wanted to make sure you can handle working with new people. CEO position in this corporate is very different. It requires very specific aspects to be present in each of you.” the Chairperson clarified calmly.

Of course it was my father idea! Dammit.

As the meeting drew to a close, my gaze met Charlie’s across the table. The unspoken challenge between us was palpable. The board members dispersed, leaving me alone in the boardroom. My mind is swirling with strategies and possibilities. The upcoming months will test my mettle, but I’m determined to rise to the occasion.

My phone buzzed with a new email. The list of positions of my team was now empty, giving me just two weeks to fill them with the best team possible. I read the email quickly, yet my eyes glued to yet another condition from my father. Personal assistant must be hired from outside the corporate.

 …

A week has passed with the challenging journey of building my team, yet little did I know the trials that awaited me. The last task on my agenda was to hire a personal assistant, someone who would be my right hand and help navigate the demanding tasks ahead. The seemingly never-ending sea of applicants overwhelmed me, and I soon realized that finding the perfect personal assistant was no easy task.

Thankfully, my old assistant took on the lead to interview all the candidates, leaving me with the last step, either hire or not. “Thank you for your time, Mr. John, really looking forward to hear back from you.”

“My pleasure, Adam, HR will contact you shortly with the needed documents.” The young man stood and shook my hand, making him the final one to add to the team. The door knocked and my old assistant came through the door. He smiled at me and sat across my desk.

“You liked Adam, right? It took me a while to convince him to get here.” Harrison said. I had him in my team for years since he was still in college. He was a great assistant, yet I knew that with the current conditions he will not be transferred but quitting and pursuing his dream.

“He’s alright.”

“He is a great assistant, young and can take the headache of this job.” I eyed him. “Don’t look at me like this, I like it here, but you are a terrible boss.”

“I can fire you if you want.” That kid, even though his older brother who happened to be one of my oldest friends begged me to hire him five years ago, Harrison never acted as an employee. It could bother anyone in my position, but he has the same attitude as his brother that makes the job more bearable.

“I can’t say I will miss your face, but it was about time to get the hell out of here.” He said honestly.

“Good luck.” I said, can’t help the smile on my face. He stood up and placed a black envelope on the desk, my eyes shifted to him, his smirk was annoying as usual. “What’s that?”

“Harry Winston’s Gala invitation.” I frowned. “He is leaving New York and moving to London, apparently the merger of companies resulted in relocating in England.” Harrison began to walk to the door as I was about to throw the invite to the trash. “Everyone is invited, you have to go.”