Chapter 2: The New CEO

In the Benson Group, Mr. Taiye Jackson sits in the front seat of the conference hall, where they're having a meeting with various board members working under him. These members represent his different companies, all registered under his name.

He spoke softly to his personal assistant, almost in a whisper, "Introduce the new head to them now." The attendees in the meeting hall are waiting to meet the newly appointed CEO, whose name has been announced, but none of the workers have seen him yet. Mr. Taiye Jackson was the former CEO, while his late father, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, was the founder of the Benson Group of companies, which stands for Benjamin and Sons Group of Companies.

They are waiting to witness the new handling of company ownership by Mr. Taiye's only son, Liam Jackson. He's rumored to be cold and unapproachable, and the workers know that once he resumes the position as the new CEO of Benson Group, they might face challenges.

Some workers have heard of him as arrogant, mean, and unappreciative, but nonetheless, they acknowledge his hard work in running some private businesses in the states. Before his father finally announced his retirement plan and asked him to return home to take over the multimillion-dollar companies, Liam had initially refused. He didn't want to return to his country, as he found nothing interesting there, except for his mother, a God-fearing Christian woman who dresses modestly and never misses church to pray for him and his father. As Liam is her only child.

Liam understands that his mother underwent a lot of marital crises at the beginning of her marriage. His grandfather, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, had opposed his son, Mr. Taiye, marrying Mrs. Juliet. Despite women flocking around Taiye and calling Juliet barren, Mr. Taiye truly loved her and insisted on marrying her without engaging in any extramarital affairs.

Mr. Taiye remained loyal to his wife, Mrs. Juliet Jackson, even though his family claimed she couldn't give him another child after 10 years of Liam's birth. Liam's mother had many miscarriages, which Liam attributes to her constant worry about his father leaving her for another woman. At 30 years old, Liam is their only child, while his mother is 60 and his father is 68.

Liam loves his parents nonetheless, but his father tricked him into returning home by lying about being sick and even arranging a fake doctor to call him. Liam was shocked to return home and find his father healthy, attending business meetings.

Liam was angry that his father had tricked him into returning and refused to let him go back to the States.

****

 Inside the headquarters of the Benson Group of Companies, they produce oil, gas, steel, and other basic amenities, making them well-known globally.

Liam is in a private room on the second floor, adjusting his necktie. He wears a long white sleeve shirt and black trousers, with his black suit on the table. His father had spoken to him about introducing him to the board members and business partners.

Liam breathed out heavily, picked up his suit, and wore it. Just then, his office assistant, Brown Anderson, knocked on the door, and Liam responded, "Come in."

"Boss, it is time for the introduction to begin," Brown informed him. Liam nodded and wore his black suit properly.

As Liam steps out of the hall, his father's spokesperson announces to the prominent men and women sitting in the large meeting hall, "Welcome, Master Liam Jackson, New CEO of Benson Groups of Companies Limited."

The hall erupts in applause as Liam steps onto the podium. His father sits at the front seat while his father's assistant, Mr. Silas Greystone, hands him the microphone to give a speech to the staff.

"Thank you all for accepting our invitation and witnessing my induction as the new CEO of Benson Group. I would like us to continue with our integrity and work hard to build our company into a beacon of transparency and quality. Thank you all once again for being part of my new journey. Thank you," Liam says, handing the microphone back to Mr. Silas Greystone.

Liam steps down from the podium, and the applause intensifies as he walks to his seat. Some of the top staff stand up immediately to shake hands with him as he approaches his seat.

After the handshakes, Liam sits, and his father, Mr. Taiye Jackson, smiles faintly as he stands up to give his speech before the final closing remarks from Silas.

"Thank you all for honoring my invitation and witnessing this new beginning with our new CEO, my son, Liam Jackson. I appreciate all our past workers who have worked hard to uplift our company's name and create a sense of transparency. We are one of the best production companies in Nigeria. I ask you all, both old and new workers, and retirees, to respect and cooperate with our new CEO and follow his decisions for our company's global growth. Thank you all once again. Silas, please close the meeting," Mr. Taiye says, handing the microphone back to Silas, who reads out new briefings about the products and prices.

After the closing remarks, the invitees and top workers stand up and exit the meeting hall.

Liam remains in the hall with his father as the number of guests and staff dwindles, leaving just a few discussing. He stands up and walks over to his father, who is conversing with his friend, Mr. John Patrick.

"Father, I want to have a word with you," Liam says, waiting for his father to finish his conversation with Mr. John Patrick, one of their top managing accountants.

"Okay, son, I will be with you shortly," Mr. Taiye responds, while Mr. John Patrick turns to Liam.

"Oh, Master Liam, congratulations on your new position as our CEO," Mr. John smiles faintly at Liam.

"Thank you, sir; it's an honor to meet you and work with you all," Liam replies.

"You can always count on us, Liam. Your father is my boss and a very good friend. I am so happy to see you take over as the new CEO. I know you will lead us to greater heights than your father and grandfather ever did," Mr. John says.

"Thank you, sir," Liam smiles faintly, appreciating the praise.

"You're welcome, Liam. Mr. Taiye, I need to leave now. My daughter will be very upset with me for missing her convocation today. She called me to come with her mother to the venue," Mr. John Patrick says to Mr. Taiye.

"You know I couldn't miss your son being introduced as the new CEO, so I asked her mother and brother to attend her convocation on my behalf. She will be very annoyed with me," Mr. John tells Mr. Taiye, who responds, "Oh, I am so sorry about that, Mr. John. I hope she understands."

"Yes, boss, she will," Mr. John offers a faint smile.

"How about I make it up to her by introducing her to my son? Maybe we can extend our family friendship to marriage. I'm sure she will be happy about that," Mr. Taiye suggests.

Liam frowns as he stands beside his father, waiting for him to finish his conversation with Mr. John Patrick. Mr. John quickly rejects the idea, "Oh, thank you, Boss, but that's only if she will accept."

Mr. John knows how stubborn his daughter is and doesn't want her to cause any problems between him and his boss. But Mr. Taiye insists, "Why won't she accept? Liam is handsome, and every lady wants him. What did she study at the university?" Mr. Taiye asks, but Liam's frown deepens as he looks from his father to Mr. John.

Women aren't of his interest, and Liam doesn't like how his father is trying to set him up with a woman he hasn't even met and doubts he would like, just because their fathers were friends.