My mind has been restless since a few minutes ago. My eyes are still glued to the elevator that hasn't moved anywhere, and neither are my feet. After struggling with my own thoughts, I finally turned my body and walked towards the elevator. I opened the elevator door and pressed the bottom-floor button. I glanced at the floor indicator above the door.The ding sound of the elevator was heard when the elevator touched the floor I wanted to go to. "Where is he?" I muttered while casting glances across the floor.I walked to the reception desk and said, "Excuse me, did you see the man who was here earlier?" The receptionist has changed shifts."Sorry, mister. I do not see it." The receptionist answered politely."Ah okay. Thank you," I said, nodding before looking again."You're welcome."I circled the ground floor to find Mr. Hawthorne. Finally, I found him in an empty waiting room with only a well-dressed man sitting next to me. My heart raced, cold sweat dripped down my palms, and my
"Mr. Theo, we are here." Preston broke my reverie that somehow went away.I just stared blankly out the car window the whole way. I stared at every vehicle that passed without thinking about anything. I was back at the Haw & Co. office this morning. However, Preston immediately asked me to go to the house that Mr. Hawthorne had asked me for."If only my mother was still alive. Perhaps she will be very happy about this happy news." I muttered to myself."Mr. Theo," Preston called, looking at me in the rearview mirror."Come on!" I immediately responded to Preston's words and nodded my head.Preston got off first before opening the door for me. I'm so used to this habit that I have no intention of opening my own car door. Preston would also feel disrespected if I did, so I chose to remain silent. Preston opened my car door and got out."Is this a new project from Mr. Hawthorne?" I asked while looking at the field, which was still in the process of being dredged with heavy equipment.Pre
"Mr. Theo, what should we do now?" The man with round glasses sitting at the front, right on my right side, looked at me with a sharp gaze.The man is the head of the cosmetics production division owned by Haw & Co. and has been working here for about 10 years, which of course means he is older than me. Beside him was the head of the marketing division, followed by the head of the general division; in front of him sat the head of spending and my secretary. Meanwhile, I was sitting in the middle, where the center of attention was on me."Okay, how far will this case be taken by the opposing company?" I asked them about the progress of the case, which should have been resolved."They don't accept compensation money or peace internally. They feel disadvantaged, especially with some of the same products." The head of the marketing division speaks. "They said it means they need to rebrand, and it costs more money and effort.""Then what do they want if they don't want to reconcile internal
"Hi, Mr. Hawthorne.” Edmund shook the hand of the owner of the company with a broken smile."Mr. Edmund."I could see from their expressions and gestures that the two of them were very close. I was standing a little behind Mr. Hawthorne when I simply nodded and smiled. We are gathered here to attend and witness the trial that will take place."Is everything ready?” Mr. Hawthorne asked Edmund.Edmund is seen carrying a medium-sized suitcase in his right hand. "I have prepared everything," said Edmund, proudly showing the black bag."Hopefully all the files can lead us to victory.""I'll try my best, Mr. Hawthorne."Even though they look very close, their professionalism never fades. After a brief chat in front of the door of the courtroom, Mr. Hawthorne led Edmund and me inside. We entered and were immediately seated in our respective positions."What about the witnesses and key evidence?” Mr. Hawthorne buttoned his jacket while glancing at me."It's all safe, Mr. Hawthorne. They're on
It has been a month since Mr. Hawthorne left the company. Mr. Hawthorne went with his wife somewhere to vacation and rest together. Meanwhile, I have to take care of all the things left by Mr. Hawthorne. All business matters are now my responsibility."Please reduce the budget for packaging because this is already 2 percent out of the budget.” I tell Preston, who helps me sort things out."Yes sir.""Oh yes, for the production of the latest cosmetic masks, don't forget to check the eligibility and inform me.” I signed the financial papers and enclosed them in a folder."It's in progress, sir. I will bring it here when the due diligence has been completed.” Preston picked up the financial file folder in front of me and took it with him."Okay," I said, still thinking about something that seemed to have been forgotten. "Is there anything I missed?"My eyes fell on Preston, who was standing straight in front of my desk with a folder on his right side. Preston didn't flinch and answered m
This morning, as usual, I woke up and immediately got ready for the office. Today's schedule is quite busy, with three important meetings from morning to evening. I didn't forget to take the breakfast that the hotel had served in my room: three slices of bread, butter, fruit, and milk.After finishing, I immediately left the room, locked it, and was warmly greeted by Preston. "Good morning, sir.""Morning, Preston." I smiled faintly and handed him my briefcase.We went down together to the parking lot in the basement. Of course, Mr. Hawthorne has prepared special parking for me, which is right in front of the hotel entrance, so I don't have to walk far. Preston opened the door for me, and I immediately jumped in while buttoning one button in the middle of the jacket I was wearing."Preston, I haven't checked the weekly report file you sent last night.” I told Preston right before this car pulled out of the lot. "Could you please get my tablet in the bag?""Yes sir."Preston opened my
Spencer pulled my collar even more and our faces were close together, really close. Our eyes met without any fear. Secretary Spencer and Preston still stood at attention and cautions. "Do what you want to do, Spencer." My words, of course, made Spencer's ears become steaming. "Don't pretend to have everything, Theo!" Spencer whispered while clenching his teeth. "I do have the power over this." I emphasized to him so that Spencer would realize. "I do have the right to refuse the funds you're offering me." "If I tell this to my father, he will accept this proposal." "Try it." I didn't care at all and wasn't afraid of what Mr. Hawthorne's decision would be."You'll see, Theo! I'll get even with you!" Spencer pushed me back quite hard and shouted. "Sir, are you alright?" Preston immediately came over to me. I smiled and gestured, "I'm fine, Preston. Thank you." "Let's get out of here!" Spencer looked very angry. "There's no point in us being here and begging that son of a bitch."
I opened my eyes and my head still felt dizzy, the effect of the anesthesia given. My eyes, which were trying to adjust to everything around me, could finally see clearly. I was in a spacious place, inside a building I was sure from the shape of the walls and the floor I stepped on. An abandoned or perhaps unfinished building. "Hello!" I tried to speak and my voice echoed throughout the room. An open space with quite a lot of dust from the cement of the building. On my right side were window holes with no glass so the wind could blow in. My left side was covered by a wall and in front of me was also a wall with a small door that was quite far away. My body was tied to a small chair with a tight rope. I couldn't move any of my limbs other than my head. I looked around, but there was no one in the room. "Hello! Is anyone here?" I tried to call out to them. I wasn't at all afraid of who and what was coming. "What do you want from me?!" "Come out! Show yourself!" However, only my v