The Company Man Book Novels & Stories

I would have to analyze them one by one carefully later. But just as I reached the sixth folder, the name of a company froze my blood: ManVen Corporated. A dense silence settled. I took a deep breath, flipping through the contents. ManVen was seeking a technological and pharmaceutical export alliance: they proposed that Feldman become their main partner in opening new markets in Latin America. The proposal sounded lucrative, with well-laid-out figures, attractive percentages, and a five-year expansion plan. But what made me frown wasn't the numbers, but the signature at the bottom of the document.

“My brother has his own demons, and he’s the last person I would go to for this.” “What about all the women you’ve mingled with so far?” Mingled was a better choice of word when I actually wanted to say ‘fucked’. “Not a single one of them.” “What? Why?” He moved his monitor and keyboard to the side and made me sit on the hardwood table. Even though he was sitting and the table was quite tall, he was still to my chin. God, I hated my height. “I’m a wealthy man, Ella, and nothing matters more than wealth. It’s like we businessmen are a fishing hook for women hungry for power and money and status.”

When he heard the name of the company, his eyes widened. "M Group? As in the M Group I'm thinking of?" Sherly confirmed in disbelief when she heard it in her older brother Kyle's voice. Kyle nodded his head. "Yeah, M Group, the number one conglomerate company in the world.” "What the—" Sherly turned to Kyle. "Then, did they support you in your business? I mean, for them, you're quite a competitor." Kyle shook his head, and before he could speak, Keisley preceded him. "Don't worry, Sher, everyone supports Kyle. Grandpa Ernie wanted to put Big Brother in the upper part of the company, but Big Brother did not agree."

He was wearing that stupid pair of jeans he liked so much. “Hey,” I said, putting my shopping bags on the ground to open the door. Mane was a big time crook but I loved having him on my side. “Got paid?” he glanced at the bags. I could see the greediness in his eyes. The man loved money, even more than I did, and that was saying something. “I don't owe you anything,” I made it clear to him. If he thought that by working at a big company I'd become like rich people and let myself be exploited, he was on the wrong side of the coffin.

I blushed, shook my head, and cleared my throat. “I mean, I’ve been planning to give you since you solved the assignment. The book is very important, it costs the owner’s life.” “What?” he asked in surprise. He’s too young to know the story of the book. The book isn’t popular because it’s the author’s first book. He was a psychologist and also labelled a psychopath. What he wrote in the book was facts about human nature, how to read people and how to make them respect you at all costs as their boss.

It will just upset her more, and I have zero hard evidence to prove anything, just a gut feeling. “Bummer,” Sarah commiserated. “And it also doesn’t make much sense, especially if you two covered your plane ticket out of pocket.” “I know, right?” Karli chimed in. “It’s not like I would expect his company to cover my travel costs.” She paused for a moment, then said, “I think this might call for chocolate syrup.” Sarah pushed the bottle toward her. “Help yourself.” *** Unbeknownst to Sarah, the man she still loved was pulling into his apartment complex on the other side of the city, exhausted after a hectic shift.

I could see the glint of something sharp in his hand, though I didn’t dare look too closely. His eyes narrowed as he sized me up, and I felt a wave of nausea rush over me. "Are you a worker at Steele Company?" he asked. I didn’t hesitate to answer, my voice betraying my fear. "Yes," I replied, trying to keep my tone steady, "I work there." The man’s lips curled into a sly smile, and the two others behind him did the same. My stomach turned at the sight. There was something malicious in their grins, something that told me I was in deeper trouble than I had initially thought.

I was really lucky. “Here you go." I smiled, turning back to the man. “Thanks…” My voice trailed off, my smile fading as I looked down at what sat in the man's hands. Brown cover, blank front–it was the book Gerald had given me and I sold to Stan. “What are you staring at?" the man asked, frustration etched in his voice. “Take your bloody food and get out." I remained still for a few seconds, disbelief written all over my face. “What in the actual fuck?" I whispered, slowly taking it from his hands.