Chapter 4
4
BENNETT
I look out the floor to ceiling window that is before me and marvel at the skyline of the city.
This view is one that I’ve seen more times that I can count. It’s a view that I have marveled at since I was a kid and one I will never get tired of seeing.
For years, I hated this view. I hated catching glimpse of it, of thinking about it, because all it did was bring up memories that I didn’t want to think about.
Memories that included my father and the time when this office was his. Memories of him working as my mother sat on the couch as she read and me and my brother sitting at the small conference table that was in here, doing homework as we waited from him to be finished.
For years, I didn’t even want to step foot into this room but things change. Now all I want to do is look at this view, at the Chicago skyline, every chance that I get. Now I want to make this office mine and be okay with letting myself get lost in all the memories, both light and dark, that I have. No matter how torturous is going to be. No matter if it brings up all the damn nightmares and makes me afraid to look into the darkness.
But in order to do that, in order for me to live with the nightmares willingly, I have to get rid of the current occupant first and from the way things are going, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be happening anytime soon.
I’m currently in my meeting with Gerald and for the majority of this so called meeting, all we have done is have lunch and talk about his wife and how she has discovered a new love for tennis. It’s been almost two damn hours, and there has been no mention of retirement or even stepping down on his duties just a tiny bit.
If the old bastard doesn’t say something soon, I may have to pull in reinforcement to make it happen. Because I’d rather make it come sooner rather than later. Just the thought of it has me itching to reach for my phone and start putting a plan in motion.
“Stop the daydreaming, kid, and help me with these potential new hires.” The current occupant of the office that should be mine, voices from the current conference table that sits where the old one once was.
The second this office becomes mine, I’m getting rid of that damn table. It makes the room look like shit and I hate so damn much.
Since I’m doing everything in my power to stay on this man’s good side, I follow orders and move my eyes away from the Chicago skyline and turn to face, Gerald Goldman.
Henry might be right on the whole Gerald is on his way to a casket thing. For as long as I can remember the man has been in his eighties.
“New hires? I didn’t think that we were in the market for new people.” I say the words as I walk over to the table and take a seat across the aging Gerald.
“We aren’t. Not executives or senior employees at least. This is for junior and lower lever employees. Apparently we have an influx of assistants that are quitting.”
I can think of a few reasons why that is happening.
I may not hold Gerald’s title, but I still very much know what the hell is going on within the company that has my name on it.
Assistants are dropping left and right because their working environment is toxic as fuck. Don’t get me wrong, there are some executives and senior employees that know how to treat the people that are there to make their life easier. But there are a handful of individuals that ruin it for everyone else. Gerald and some of our board members being some of them.
I’ve heard stories of yelling, of making people cry and sexual harassment. Every horror story that can come from an employer, some of our assistants and even interns have experienced.
I fucking hate it. More so since the actions of these people come back and reflect on my family’s name. We may be one of the most well known and respected Fortune 500 company but if we don’t do something about this, that will quickly go away. Something that Gerald and his buddies can’t wrap their heads around.
They are still stuck in a time where you can treat people like shit and the job will still get done without any complaints, no matter how wrong their actions are.
If my father was still here, hell even my grandfather, they would have gotten rid of toxic cloud that has surrounded our company in a damn heartbeat.
And as much as I want to do it, I can’t. Not yet, at least. I may work here, but I don’t have the power to fire Gerald or the likes of him.
“Maybe we should be looking at why they are quitting and not just replacing them.” I throw out, reaching for the first file sitting between Gerald and I and looking at our first candidate.
Standard. Degree in law and is applying to be a junior assistant for our marketing department? That would be a no. I’m not going to hire someone whose potential would be beneficial somewhere else that isn’t in marketing.
I take note of the name to send over to my lawyer, in case he is looking for associates, and move on to the next one.
“People just don’t want to work, Bennett. We give them everything that they could ask for here and yet they still quit two months in.”
I hold in my scoff.
Everything that they could ask for? That sentiment would have been true twenty-five years ago, but not now. They want a good working environment and that is definitely not something that they are getting.
I don’t say anything though, because even though my name is on Gerald’s check, my opinion on change isn’t welcomed. So I just keep silent, plan on doing things in silents like I always do and continue with the task at hand.
For the next hour or so, Gerald and I look through the pile of files he has of potential employees.
I know for a fact that there is a more productive way of doing this shit, that doesn’t take all damn day, but Gerald is old school and likes to do things in the slowest fucking way possible.
I have no fucking idea how he runs this company.
Yeah, you do.
The only reason he is able to run this company as effectively as he has, especially these last two years, is because I’ve been in his back pocket acting like a puppet master.
And I will continue to be the puppet master until Gerald hands over his title.
“None of these candidate are worth hiring.” Gerald lets out, practically throwing the file he has in his hand across the table.
I pick up the paperwork that landed in front of me, and check it out.
Right away, the name at the very top catches my attention.
Elizabeth Vincent.
For some reason, her name sounds regal, like she comes from money and is princess worthy and has no reason to be calling the dingy address she lives at home.
Looking over her application, I see that the woman holds a business degree, but has no experience working in the corporate world.
Someone like her would be eaten alive working for Gerald. If we were to give her this assistant position she applied for, there is no doubt that she would be added to the list of employees that quit in two months time.
Ms. Vincent would be better suited working somewhere else, but for some reason I find myself wanting to offer her a position here.
She may not have any experience, but she could be trainable. With some knowledge of the corporate world, she can become not only a powerhouse but an asset.
I could use someone like her, especially after the disaster that was my last assistant.
“This one is promising,” I state, finally closing the file and handing it back to Gerald.
He looks it over once more, before closing as quickly as he opened it.
“Then we’ll hire her if you think she is useful to you.”
I give him a nod and make a mental note to have Linda contact her later today and offer her the position of assistant. If I don’t claim her as mine, someone else might and destroy her.
Gerald speaks before I’m able to respond. “Just don’t come to me complaining when she ends up quitting after two months.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
There may have been a times that I’ve been harsh or an asshole, but never like Gerald and some of our other senior employees.
I’ve never made anyone cry.
“I won’t.” I say to him. “I still think we should look deeper into why people are quitting. There has to be a root cause.”
“When you become CEO you can look deeper into it.” Gerald lets out, causing me to look up at the man from the file of someone with an art degree.
Is this fucking it?
Is this what I’ve been waiting for? It better fucking be.
“Like that is ever going to happen.” I say the words but they are just for show. It will happen, even with all the obstacles in my way. I will become CEO of this company. I just need damn Gerald to say the same words.
Even thought I’m anticipating what he is going to say next, the words he says next still take me by surprise.
“It will happen. When I retire, I’m going to name you as my predecessor,” Gerald says, as he looks me straight in the eye, not wavering a single inch.
“And when will that be?” I ask, trying to down play this conversation. Down play the fact that I’ve been waiting for this moment for years now.
“In two months.”
If I could, I would be grinning from ear to ear right about now, but I keep my face as stoic as possible.
“You’re retiring?” The question that he expected me to speak, leaves my mouth after a few seconds.
Gerald gives me a nod. “I am. I will be announcing it in two weeks. And when I announce it, I will also be announcing you as my replacement. I just wanted to tell you first.”
Fucking hell. Finally. Step one complete.
“I appreciate that, but are you sure about naming me as your replacement? I can think of a few other people that would be better suited for the job.” I’m talking out of my ass. There is nobody better suited for the job.
“I’m absolutely sure. You’re young and know the company better than anyone else. Besides, this is what your father would have wanted. You at the helm and no one else.”
Putting the file I currently have in my hand to the side, I hold out my hand to show my gratitude to Gerald.
“Thank you, sir. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I promise I will do you proud.” It’s a bunch of bullshit. If I’m doing anyone proud is my parents.
“You are very welcome. If anything, I have you to thank. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have figured out that you are right. There are other things that are more important in this world than work.” For a second, Gerald goes silent, as if he is lost in thought. After a few seconds, he comes back and gives me a smile. “Now don’t go telling anyone about my plans. I don’t want anyone putting things in either of our heads and telling you that you are not capable of running this company when you are.”
I can think of a few people that would do just that.
“I won’t, sir. Promise.” My face may not show it, but there is a sadistic grin forming in my mind.
This is the official confirmation. My plan has finally come into play.
Thank fuck.
I’m one step closer to getting my hands on everything that I want.
All that I need is for board to vote me in as CEO and then I will really be the damn king of Chicago.