knew something was up. I went back to my office to check my emails really quick. I didn’t see any clues there. Curiosity and nervousness were creating quite the stomach discomfort.
I followed the rest of the CPAs and account managers into the conference room exactly eight minutes later. George was standing at the front of the room. I swore I saw a bead of perspiration trickling down the side of his face. This was not good.
My mind raced with the many possibilities the meeting could be about.
“Everyone, I know you’re all wondering what this is about,” George started. “I’m just going to come right out and say it. We’re being bought out. I’ve sold the company and I am headed to Florida to enjoy my glory years.”
There was a silence that fell over the room that was so thick and heavy, I could actually feel it weighing on my shoulders. After the silence, the room erupted into conversation and low murmurs as everyone digested the information. My mind raced as I calculated my savings and how many mortgage payments I could make until I lost my house. I could find a new job, but how long would it take?
“Are we out of a job?” someone asked.
My ears perked up and my gaze focused on George. “No,” he answered. “Everyone will keep their jobs. Nothing changes but the name on the checks. Same company, same clients, just a new owner.”
I wanted to believe it. He looked like he was being honest. I knew how these things were handled. Promises were made, and a few months down the road, those promises were canceled.
“Who?” I asked. “Is it one of the bigger firms?”
“No, his name is Nash Aarons,” George answered.
The buzzing in my ears grew louder and blood rushed from my face. No way. No way could it be him. It was just one of those strange coincidences. Same name, different people.
“Do you know this guy?” one of the CPAs asked me.
“What?”
“You look like you know the name. Is the guy bad?”
I looked her in the eyes. “He will destroy this company, given the chance.”
Her eyes went wide. “Oh no.”
I nodded. “Oh no is an understatement.”
“Look, I know everyone is worried,” George said. “Let’s give the guy a chance. He’ll be coming in at the end of the week to meet everyone and check out the operational side of things. It would be nice for everyone to put their best foot forward. We want to shine for him. I want to hand him the company he bought.”
George was worried. I could see it on his face. He should be. This was not good news. George had to know we were all in jeopardy of losing our jobs when the new owner ran the company straight into the ground.
He was going to be sipping Mai Tais and playing golf and we were all going to be subjected to Nash’s horrible habits.
Chapter 2
Nash
I tapped my pen on the conference table that was so shiny I could see my reflection in it. I wasn’t really paying attention to what the guy across from me was saying. It was a lot of nonsense. I was doing my best to be courteous, but it was taxing my patience.
“You know, I appreciate you considering me and my company to invest in your business, but I just don’t think it’s the right fit,” I said.
“You haven’t heard my full proposal,” he stammered.
I’ve heard enough to know it’s a shitty idea. “I’m sorry, but I still don’t think it’s a good fit,” I said in an attempt to be diplomatic.
“How do you know? You haven’t heard everything.”
“Look,” I said and leaned forward to try and make sure he heard my words. “If you go forward with this new restructuring plan, you are going to go bankrupt. Your company is going to hemorrhage money until there is nothing left. I’ve looked over the financials you provided, and you are in no position to make changes. You have no money. You don’t need an investor; you need a miracle. I can’t get involved with this.”
He stared at me with his jaw hanging. “We’ve had a rough year, but we’ll rebound. We always do.”
I shook my head and closed the pretty little portfolio he’d presented to me at the beginning of the meeting. I slid it across the table. “Thanks for coming in and good luck to you.”
I got to my feet and walked out of the conference room with the guy trying to