Page 1 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
CHAPTER 1
OSCAR
Finished with the last email of the morning, I put my phone on ‘do not disturb’ and slip it into my pocket. The car is already arriving at Rooted Pantry’s headquarters, and I have a first impression to make.
“You look fine,” Cole mutters, noticing me leaning forward to get a peek at the rear-view mirror. “More than fine, actually,” he smirks. “The women are gonna fall all over you, just like they always do.”
“Because that’s the point of this meeting,” I counter, not going easy on the sarcasm.
Our driver parks at the curb, allowing Cole, myself, and the rest of the legal team to exit. Rooted Pantry’s offices are in an unassuming building on the edge of downtown Seattle – so unassuming that it’s almost quaint.
It’s not my style at all, but I can make do. Especially for a company that has so much promise.
There’s activity through the windows, and I make sure I’m already smiling before I reach the doors. Being bought out by alarger company can be a nail-biting situation, but I’m here today to show my new team that they have nothing to fear. In fact, I’m about to make their lives much better.
Inside, several people in suits wait for us in the lobby. I recognize Juan, the CEO who is stepping down, as well as a few others from calls.
“Oscar.” He reaches forward and shakes my hand.
“Good to see you, Juan. This is Cole, head of my legal team. And Marla, Ben, and Kameron.”
More introductions are made. Hands are shaken. Meanwhile, I surreptitiously take in the lobby. It’s cheery, posters of old Rooted Pantry ads lining the walls. The chairs are in need of replacing, though, and the carpet has seen better days.
No worries. The lobby is just one of the many things that will improve under my care. Rooted Pantry won’t be the first company that I’ve taken to new heights.
“You ready for retirement?” I ask Juan.
“Trust me, I’d already have a cocktail in one hand and a paperback in the other if I could.” He laughs heartily then looks around. “Our COO Alice is running a little late, but she should be here soon.”
“No worries.” A little rush followed by a quick ache passes through me. It’s always the same whenever I hear that name.Alice.
I knew an Alice once. So long ago that it feels like another lifetime. It’s hard not to think of her every time the name comes up, but like I always do – like I’m so good at doing – I push the ball of emotion down and keep smiling.
"I'll be stepping in as CEO temporarily," I say, switching topics in an attempt to get my mind off the past. "Until we find the right person to lead Rooted Pantry into its next chapter."
Juan nods, and I detect relief in his eyes. "That's good to hear. The team was worried about an immediate upheaval."
"I never rush into these things," I assure him. "This is my seventh acquisition in the health food sector. Each company has its own DNA, its own culture. My job is to enhance what's working, not dismantle it."
Cole steps closer. "Oscar's portfolio is quite impressive," he adds. "From farm-to-table meal kits to organic supplements to plant-based protein alternatives — there's a synergy here that will benefit everyone."
I shoot Cole a look. He doesn't need to sell me - I'm already the buyer. But I appreciate his enthusiasm.
"Let me show you around," Juan offers, gesturing toward a hallway. "We're not as flashy as some of your other holdings, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what we've built."
As we follow Juan through the main workspace, I notice the energy in the room. People are busy but not frantic. There's a sense of purpose that I respect. Heads turn as we pass, curious eyes taking in the new ownership.
"Our R&D kitchen is through here," Juan explains, pushing through double doors.
The kitchen is impressive — state-of-the-art equipment, plenty of space, and three chefs in white coats working on what looks like new recipes.
"This is where the magic happens," Juan says with obvious pride. "We test all our new frozen meal concepts here before scaling them up."
"Excellent setup," I comment, genuinely impressed. "This is actually larger than I expected."
"We've always prioritized innovation," he says. "It's what's kept us competitive."
We continue through product development, quality control, and marketing. I make mental notes of areas where I can implement immediate improvements and others that are running smoothly. The tour ends back at the lobby, where Juan checks his watch.
