Adrian Foster didn't bother moving offices; he simply took the one that had belonged to Richard Coleman and transformed it to his liking.
The walls that were once adorned with serious paintings and a dusty bookshelf now looked fresh, youthful, and full of energy.
The dark coffee table, metallic bells, and solemn antiques that looked more like they belonged in a museum than a media company were removed. In their place, Adrián installed a giant state-of-the-art television that took up almost half the wall, perfect for binge-watching series or video games. To one side, several consoles—PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch—rested on an elegant shelf, their controllers neatly aligned.
The desk had been replaced with a modern one, with metallic finishes and LED lights underneath. The computer was a technological monster: a top-of-the-line graphics card, a high-end processor, and seemingly endless memory. Even the most demanding games ran effortlessly. Adrian joked to himself that even the old Minesweeper would run "at 300 FPS."
The bookshelf did survive, albeit transformed: where there had once been outdated business treatises, there now rested contemporary novels, biographies of great businessmen, and several editions of collectible comics.
That morning, the aroma of a freshly prepared breakfast filled the office. Emily Carter had stopped by the cafeteria early and brought a bag of Starbucks coffee, fresh orange juice, and a couple of hot sandwiches. Ever the practical type, she had served him on a plate as if she were babysitting a younger sibling.
"What's this?" Adrian asked, taking a sip of his latte with a smile.
"You're the president of the company," Emily replied with a sigh, "but if you don't eat breakfast, how do you expect to make it to noon without fainting?"
Adrian laughed, delighted. Emily had that maternal tone disguised as sarcasm that amused him. He settled into the leather chair while devouring the sandwich as if he hadn't eaten in days.
There was a knock at the door.
"Go ahead," he replied in a carefree voice.
Emily Carter entered again, clicking her heels, this time with a helpless expression.
"You're late for your first official day as CEO. Is this how you plan to set an example?" he said with a mixture of mockery and complaint.
"My mistake, I admit it," Adrian replied, smiling cheekily. "I was so excited I couldn't sleep."
Emily shook her head. Despite knowing him, she was still surprised by how unconventional he was. She'd expected an arrogant young man, with an impeccable suit and a haughty look. Instead, she had a millionaire who entered the office as if it were a hotel lounge.
"You've finished eating, haven't you?" she added, crossing her arms. "The board has been waiting for you for over half an hour."
Adrian calmly stood up, drank the last sip of juice, and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
—Okay, let's give them the show.
They walked together down the hallway to the conference room. When Adrian opened the door, five people were staring at him silently. Three men and two women, all dressed in formal office attire, with their laptops in front of them and tense expressions.
The air thickened as he walked in. Adrian sensed it immediately: that mix of uncertainty and anticipation that often comes when a new boss appears out of nowhere.
But what really caught his attention was her.
Olivia Hayes sat at the table, wearing a crisp white shirt and a black skirt that highlighted her elegant figure. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves, and although her expression was serious, there was a naturalness in her demeanor that made her stand out. Elegant, restrained, with a professional air that seemed impossible to break.
The other managers stood up in unison.
"Good morning, President Foster," they greeted almost in chorus.
Adrian smiled, settled into the main chair, and clasped his hands on the table.
"Sorry for being late," he said in a light, almost playful tone. "I hope you're not going to dock my salary, right, Manager Gao?"
A murmur of nervous laughter ran around the table. Gao Yurong, the administrative manager, responded with a forced smile.
—President Foster, you own Coleman Media. How could we possibly discount anything?
The atmosphere relaxed a little, but everyone remained expectant. Adrian could feel it: they were watching him as if trying to read his every gesture, every word, every breath. To them, he was a complete stranger with too much power in his hands.
Adrian tapped his index finger on the table. The small sound echoed in the quiet room, marking a rhythm that everyone seemed to follow without realizing it.
"I know these past few days have been chaotic," he began in a clear voice. "Coleman Media has gone through a major shakeup. But I want to make one thing clear: I'm not here to lay people off or reinvent the wheel. I'm here to provide stability."
Their eyes met, and little by little the tense shoulders began to relax.
"The back wages will be paid today," he added, looking at Lu Ju, the finance manager. "The company can't operate if people are worried about paying the rent."
Lu Ju's eyes lit up.
—On behalf of all the employees, thank you, Mr. Foster.
Smiles began to spread around the table. They really didn't care who ran the company as long as they were paid.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, enjoying the effect of her words. He knew that money was the best way to introduce himself.
"Also, I'd like to make a proposal," he added, turning to look at Emily. "I think Emily Carter is more than capable of taking over as Operations Manager."
Olivia Hayes intervened before the others could react.
—I agree. Emily knows the company, the processes, and the people. She's the logical choice.
Adrian gave her a knowing look. That small gesture of support had been enough to make him feel a strange connection with her.
The proposal was immediately accepted, and the meeting continued with reports and minor discussions. More than an hour later, it was adjourned.
As everyone stood up, Olivia approached. Her voice was clear, with a tone that stood out even amidst the murmur.
—President Foster, may we speak privately?
Adrian raised an eyebrow, amused.
—Of course, accompany me.
They entered his newly redecorated office. Adrian opened his personal refrigerator and took out two bottles of cold water.
—Do you want something stronger? I have whiskey stashed away for emergencies.
"Water is fine," she replied with a slight smile.
They sat opposite each other. Adrian, without concealing his gaze, observed her long, crossed legs and impeccable posture. Olivia wasn't the provocative type, but there was a natural class about her that was much more attractive.
"Forgive the indiscretion," he said in his nonchalant tone, "but… how tall are you?"
She looked at him, surprised by the question.
—One seventy-three. Why?
Adrian smiled.
—With those heels, you'd intimidate most of the men in the room.
Olivia gave a short, hearty laugh.
—That's why I almost never use them. They're uncomfortable and very tiring.
Adrian watched her for a moment longer, enjoying that lighthearted moment. There was something about her that broke the routine of power and business, something that made him want to play boss a little more... if only to see how far he could go with her.
The sun filtered through the window, illuminating Adrian's youthful and chaotic office. In that moment, he realized that his life as CEO was going to be anything but boring.