The Announcement

Monday came by fast as usual, except this time Jane was dreading it. The thought of explaining what happened on Friday night to Nancy made her head throb, she knew Nancy wasn’t going to let it go, and she would definitely drag Heather into it. Thinking of Marcus made it much worse.

I hope I see him less today or not at all…

Jane’s eyes caught a glance at the time as she grabbed her documents and bag, bolting out of the door, forsaking the idea of breakfast. This time, she couldn’t risk being late today of all days, knowing full well the announcement would be today.

The subway was almost packed as she tried to squeeze herself between an elderly lady and a teenage boy wearing headphones who didn’t look pleased. Jane barely managed to grab onto a pole when she felt a sticky sensation on her palm.

Please don’t be gum, please don’t be gum

“Oh…” she mumbled, the sight of the orange, droopy thing sticking to her fingers irked her.

It’s not gum, but it’s still gross

By the time she got to the company, she noticed the unusual bustle of everyone trying to get a hint or two about the rumored announcement. Jane saw some talking in groups while playing rock, paper, scissors and betting on whatever information they got would be true.

Before her bag had the chance to land on her desk, Nancy poked her from behind.

“What took you so long? It’s five minutes past eight.” 

“Exactly, five minutes past eight, not nine am. I’m still early.” Jane took out her files as she responded.

“Besides, I’m still traumatized from what happened on Saturday. A gay bar? Really?” Jane lowered her voice as best as she could so as not be heard by anyone.

“Oh, come on. It’s not like we went there without a friend, and besides, we never asked them out to dinner, we were there for the eye candy.” Nancy huffed.

“Did you forget the part where you asked for the bartender’s number?”

“And did you forget about the part where you promised to tell me about the charming elevator hunk?” Nancy shot back.

Jane groaned as she dropped her head into her palm. “Are we really starting this now?”

“Yes.” Nancy’s grin widened as she watched Jane slouch in her chair.

“Shouldn’t we be worried about the company announcement instead?” Jane’s eyes looked away as she tried to change the subject. Right before Nancy could question her more, Heather called out to them from across her desk, her heels clacking as she strode across the rows of desks before them with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. 

“Morning, you two. You’re looking cheerful this morning, despite the big news coming up.” She greeted, her finger tucking a strand of her brown hair behind her ear as she set the coffee down with the other.

“We could say the same for you, you’re wearing red lipstick.” Nancy sized her with a mischievous grin.

“Well, panicking won’t help, so I might as well be confident.” Nodding their heads in agreement, Nancy and Jane checked the time, worried about when the announcement would take place.

“Jane has a mystery man.” Nancy threw out suddenly.

“Nancy!!” Jane’s neck snapped towards Nancy, her voice loud enough, almost drawing attention to herself.

“Well, you weren’t gonna say anything, and I’ve been dying to know all weekend. If you didn’t plan to tell me, why did you text me in the first place?” Nancy rambled as she stared at Jane.

“Ok, ok, I’m sorry. I’ll tell you everything…during lunch break.” Nancy stared in disbelief, Heather stood at her back trying to hold back her giggles when Mrs Lin came in and announced that the company announcement would take place in 20 minutes in conference room A. 

Everyone’s breath got stuck in their throats, the silence in the department was so deafening you could hear a pen drop. Then it was instantly replaced by the frantic movement of people gathering notebooks along and heavy steps heading towards the conference room.

The rush to the conference room was quiet, the usual sounds of busy people were replaced by a silence so tense that you could feel the temperature drop. Jane strode side by side with Nancy, who was unnaturally silent, her jaws clenched and expressions stoic.

“They wouldn’t call everyone if it was good news, right?” Heather whispered from behind them, the show of her confidence wavered as she clung to her notes like a lifeline.

“Maybe it’s a merger,” Nancy’s quiet mumbling reached the ears of Jane and Heather, as Nancy scanned the crowd. The signs of anxiety were obvious to everyone in all departments. “Or a buyout.”

Jane’s mind replayed the warning of their supervisor.

Keep your head low, focus on your job.

The advice felt futile now that the moment had come.

Will this really change nothing? It feels like we’re being sent to a freezer. 

 On arriving there, they are amazed by the view of the place, Heathers’ jaw dropped at the sight of all the cold glass, and a massive screen that dominated the front wall. It was the largest in the building, and it was already packed with employees. The front row was occupied by the senior executives, hanging on with upright postures, and the very center sat Anthony Vance, the founder of the company, his face showing signs of old age, though it was obvious he was handsome in his youth.

Jane, Nancy and Heather managed to find seats a few rows before the back row, crammed between colleagues from marketing. The low murmurs of everyone were silenced by the heavy sound of the main doors closing.

Jane spotted Sarah Lin and other department heads seated along the side walls, as Sarah also observed the room, her gaze landed on Jane as well, she had the silent gaze she usually shows when they have work cut out for them. Jane could feel her stomach tighten, and her hands were clammy with sweat.

The chair made a small screeching sound as Anthony Vance stood up. “As of today,” his voice boomed in the mic, “I am stepping down from the role of Chief Executive Officer of Vance Inc.”

A wave of low gasps and mummering rippled through the room. Jane flinched in pain when she saw Nancy’s nail digging into her skin as Nancy grabbed her wrist.

“For over forty years, this company has been my soul. But I’ve accepted that this company needs progress, and progress requires vision. So, the board and I have selected my successor who possesses the drive needed to complete our industry and dominate it.”

He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd as if daring anyone to protest or make a sound.

“He has spent the past five years building North Vortex into the most formidable digital innovation firm on the East Coast. He knows exactly what this company needs. Please join me as we welcome your new CEO. My son Joshua Vance.”

Everyone’s eyes fell on the side door near the front wall.

He strode in with steady steps, one hand in his pocket. His presence gained the attention of everyone in the room as they watched his steady pace to the stage. 

Jane stared wide-eyed at the man who walked in, this was not the tired man from the elevator. His Navy-blue suit and black silk tie on his masculine body gave me an air of aristocracy, and his black hair was styled so that not a strand was out of place.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

He stood on the podium next to his father with grace, his green eyes, which had been sharp and probing in the elevator, now swept across the employees in the room as if assessing them.

He didn’t offer any pleasantries.

“Your former CEO has outlined the situation, which means I‘ll take over from here.”

His voice, calm and deep, reached the very back of the room without the need of a microphone. As if to drop a verdict. “Vance Inc. is inefficient, layered with complacency and leaking market shares to competitors.”

A man in the third row cleared his throat nervously. Joshua’s gaze shifted to him. The man visibly shrank into his seat.

“Some of you,” his eyes leaving the terrified man, “are still working on projects I would have terminated years ago. Some of you manage departments whose workflow is an embarrassment to say the least, and a small number of you have managed to build fiefdoms based on relationships and connections.” His gaze lingered on a group of senior VPs.

“Those days end now. My team will announce our first project this week, ‘Project Nexus.’ Every process and every person will be evaluated. Your value will be measured.”

“I suggest you adapt or risk getting kicked out. Most importantly, I don’t tolerate work place harassment.”

Joshua gave a curt nod and left the podium to engage in a conversation with his father, as if the room full of stunned people no longer existed.

“Did he just pick a fight on his own company?” The question threw Heather off guard. “He didn’t even say hello, so I’ll take that as a yes.” 

Nancy was shaking her arm. “Jane? Why are you so pale? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What is it?”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her eyes were still fixed on the empty stage. His words echoed in her head.

I suggest you adapt or risk getting kicked out.

“Jane!” Nancy shook her, her voice cutting through the voices in Jane’s head.

Jane slowly turned, meeting her friend's worried gaze. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“I may or not lose my job this week.”