Never would anyone have imagined two such different young men becoming friends, and yet no friendship seemed as deep and sincere as theirs.
On one hand, a tall, brown giant with an IQ of 143 (according to evaluations by a psychologist consulted when he was 15) and from a very disadvantaged background. Mikhail had left Chechnya with his parents when he was only three years old, an episode of his life he had no memory of, but with a strong cultural attachment to the Chechen community living in the United-States.
On the other hand, a charming young man with a relaxed demeanor and a touch of dandyism named John, intelligent but within the range of average human intelligence. A detail that did not cause him any inferiority complex compared to his best friend.
On the contrary, and for a good reason : he was the only son of the founder and owner of Katika Company, the global leader in pharmaceutical production.
However, their differences mattered very little to them, and even less on this crucial day in their lives, as both were about to begin their careers in the world of business and management.
After brilliant studies at Yale, the two inseparable friends had been hired by John's father's company, now retired, based on his recommendation, of course.
Although naturally showy, John was a bit nervous. His future depended on his performance at Katika over the next few years, and although his initial contractual salary was more than enviable ($10 000 per month plus a company car as a bonus), he wanted more than anything to carry on his father's legacy and make him proud.
His nervousness didn't escape his friend, sitting beside him in a taxi that was taking them to the Katika Tower, a San Francisco skyscraper nearly 120 meters tall and the headquarters of the multinational company.
In this giant defying the sky, their future awaited them, watching for their arrival like the forty centuries contemplating Napoleon and his soldiers from the top of the pyramids.
"Hey, buddy, you look all tensed up, relax !" he said to him.
Far from calming the tension within him, these words had the effect of bringing him out of his silence.
"I know, but it's a first, and I'm afraid of messing it all up," he replied. "Can you imagine? The global leader in pharmaceuticals! And they're hiring us in the sales department, as executives, no less! How can you stay so calm?"
His friend smiled. He had never seen his wealthy friend in such a state, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"After twenty five years of existence on this planet, is it now that you realize the immensity of your old man's empire?"
Mikhail would reminisce about the moments they had experienced intense emotions together : during their final exams, on result day, during the graduation ceremony... He had always known John with his grand gestures and compulsive flirtatious attitude. It must be said that he knew him well, they had grown up together, done everything together, they had met at the age of 8, and his friend's happiness was as important to him as his own.
Not understanding the humorous nature of this sentence, John continued to talk about the company in order to better prepare for it, almost to obtain from his friend's mouth the serenity he needed at this crucial moment in his life.
"The CEO is a friend of my father, he was his assistant for nearly 20 years. He's kind of like an uncle to me, you know, and I know he's really cool. He's not one of those heartless bosses who would fire you over a 1% decrease in stock value."
Mikhail was happy to know that everything was working out for them and blessed the day he had met John, he whose life had been a constant struggle to survive with his family. So many memories came back to his mind until the gigantic tower appeared in the taxi window.
That was it, they were both on the threshold of their new life, and the entrance to their careers.
However, one detail caught Mikhail's attention : a familiar-looking man seemed to be waiting for them, the CEO of Katika, the one John described as "kind of like his uncle.".
Miles Woodford was a square jaw, short brown hair and a gaze that exuded a sense of power and benevolence.
Once they got out of the taxi, the man vigorously shook their hands like an old friend.
"John! So, not too anxious about entering the workforce?" he asked. "And this tall young man must be the famous Mikhail? Nice to meet you! John has talked about you so much that I feel like I know you as my own son".
Surprised by such a warm welcome from a CEO with a pronounced Texan accent, Mikhail couldn't help but adopt a pleasant and professional attitude right from the start.
"Pleased to meet you too, Mr. Woodford !" he replied with an almost convincing smile.
Their new boss let go of his hand and clapped his hands together.
"Well, follow me, both of you. I'll take you to my office so that we can discuss the details of your positions,", he said.
Mikhail and John didn't need to be asked twice and followed him. They walked through the building's vast hall, teeming with men and women dressed in such conventional attire, with their black or gray suit jackets, their tailored suits, and their polished and gleaming shoes clicking on the sparkling black tiled floor. It almost seemed like a world built on the artificiality of appearances.
John vaguely observed them, nothing a sense of unease that they were trying to hide behind polite smiles and confident strides. It was a common behavior, one that ordinary people could observe every day in every individual in public spaces : everyone tried to mask their true personalities to some extent and adopted a neutral attitude to avoid being confronted with the fraternity that binds humans together.
Children of the Earth who seemed to forget their peers more and more each day and acted in the most brazen individualistic nonchalance possible, having reached the abyssal stage long ago.
Surprised by his uninviting thoughts, John quickly brushed them aside and continued walking through the hall until they reached a very modern elevator that emitted a faint scent of cleaning product. Miles Woodford pressed the last button, the one that led to the 158th floor. The doors closed, and Woodford immediately engaged in conversation.
"The building may seem intimidating when you first discover it, but you'll see : it's quite friendly, and the employees are like one big family."
John couldn't help but think that no place seemed less likely to give that impression than this one. But before responding as cordially as possible, he interjected,
"You know, Miles, Katika is probably the least liked family in the world, if you know what I mean..."
Some scandals had indeed shaken the international reputation of the group, such as vaccines that were found to be potentially carcinogenic in certain cases, unbridled extraction of water in Kashmir, and corruption of political figures.
Woodford burst into laughter but didn't say anything. The elevator opened to a corridor with a gloomy floor, covered in dull grey and drab carpet, contrasting with the black tiles of the hall, which, while equally gloomy, concealed its shabby appearance with dazzling cleanliness. At the end of the corridor, there was a metal door with a golden plate on which was inscribed in large letters:
M.B. WOODFORD, CEO.
Armed with an electronic card, Woodford scanned it, and the door opened automatically, revealing a modern office in stark contrast to the shabby appearance of the greyish corridor.
The CEO settled comfortably in front of a PC, took out a folder with flaps, opened it, and placed two stapled contracts in front of the young men facing him.
"Gentlemen, I welcome you to the Katika empire! You have been hired for strategic executive positions, and now I can reveal the roles that have been reserved for you," he said.
He first turned his face towards Mikhail and looked at him intently.
"Mikhail, our sales director has left us for a position at Milibar Cola. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that your skills, education, and the recommendation from our owner and former CEO, Mr. William Katika, made you by far the best fit for this position!"
In that instant, Mikhail could hardly believe that he was appointed as the first job, the Sales Director of the global pharmaceutical leader! A tear threatened to fall from the corner of his right eye, but he composed himself and extended a slightly trembling hand to Miles Woodford.
"It's a tremendous honor you bestow upon me, Mr. Woodford. I will strive to meet the expectations and hopes of the Board of Directors, and even surpass them!" he said.
His new boss maintained his businessman's smile and shook Mikhail's hand firmly.
"I am certain that you will live up to our expectations. Will spoke highly of you for weeks during the review of various candidates."
He released his hand and turned to his ex-boss's son, John:
"John, in your case, the most suitable position was evident. Your name is synonymous with the company, and your father is its founder - the man who took me under his wing and trained me to succeed him. It's my turn to return the favor. That's why I've decided to appoint you as the Chief Operating Officer! It's the second most important position; I held it for years. In fact, until last month before your father retired and I assumed his role. So, what do you say?" he said, playfully giving John a paternal pat on the back.
John wasn't surprised by the position now bestowed upon him; he had always suspected that with his academic qualifications and especially having a father like his, the second-highest position within Katika's hierarchy was more than achievable.
However, Mikhail was struck internally by this news. His less intelligent friend, the one who always tried to outperform him academically but consistently failed, was now catapulted into the position of COO at Katika!
A cold chill spread through his brain as he absorbed the fact that his best friend would be his hierarchical superior and probably better positioned to make a name for himself in the business world. Perhaps it was even planned that he would succeed Woodford one day and take over the company as both CEO and principal shareholder once his father passed away.
Jealousy wasn't a typical characteristic of Mikhail, but he had a burning desire to succeed, an ambitious fire within him: to become the most accomplished businessman of his time and lift his family out of the discomfort and poverty they had become accustomed to since being uprooted from their native Chechnya, a cold land where honor lies in glory, and glory lies in bringing honor to one's family name.
When Woodford handed them two black pens and asked them to make everything official, an absurd idea crossed Mikhail's mind: what if he ultimately refused this position? What if he refused to be placed in a lower rank than his less brilliant friend? Perhaps, after all, another company would appreciate his qualities and skills more justly and value him appropriately...
But all these fleeting thoughts were mere foolishness. Come on! Refuse a position as a commercial director in one of the most profitable companies in the world?
Mikhail knew it: he would never get such an important position elsewhere, let alone in a prestigious company like Katika, as quickly as he did now. He had the chance to obtain this position thanks to his friendship with John, and his father had recommended him. Nowhere else would he have such an opportunity.
Even if it meant sacrificing his pride, his oversized ego, Mikhail hesitated no more and grabbed the pen. As he saw his signature next to the notary's and Woodford's, his jealousy momentarily faded away, and he felt an immense sense of pride coupled with an urgent desire to prove himself and climb the ranks in the intricate world of business. Both feelings created a warmth in his chest, a very pleasant warmth he had already experienced when he learned he officially graduated from Yale.
But Woodford cut short the moment and declared with a smile reflecting great satisfaction:
"You are now employees of Katika Company! Head over to Miss Wiles on the 3rd floor to receive your access cards, work computers, and keys to your company cars. After that, the Human Resources department will guide you through everything you need to know about the Katika environment: company culture, internal policies, administrative procedures... Given the importance of your positions, Richard Raymond, the Director of Human Resources, will introduce you to your respective teams. I count on you to develop bonds that will optimize their performance. Once all of this is done, I expect you tomorrow at 9:00 am so that I can separately explain the expectations of the responsibilities that are now yours".
The CEO stood up, opened the door, and motioned for them to follow. When they reached the elevator, they crossed paths with a tall, blond man who gave them a conventional and unenthusiastic nod. Woodford greeted him and explained to John and Mikhail who he was:
"This is Anthony Davies, a member of our executive committee. You'll have a chance to get to know him better, but I must warn you: he has a very unsympathetic nature".
They entered the elevator, and Woodford pressed the buttons for the 157th and 3rd floors, respectively.
"I need to attend a board meeting, of which you are now members by right. There's no need for you to come to today's meeting; you're still on your orientation day at the company".
The elevator stopped on the 157th floor, facing a modern white door with a digital scanner on its right.Woodford stepped out of the elevator, wished them good luck in their new roles, and then entered the room after scanning his thumbprint.The elevator door closed, and Mikhail and John continued their descent to the 3rd floor, where a security guard was waiting for them.
"Good morning, gentlemen, can I help you?" he asked.John took charge of the response:
"Good morning, we're looking for Miss Wiles to receive our employee equipment"
"First door on the left, I'll open it for you. You'll need an access card", the guard replied.
"Thank you very much", John replied mechanically.
The guard led them to the designated door and scanned his access card. The door made a slight sound of opening, and they entered an office where a charming young redhead, who couldn't have been more than 25 years old, was working on a computer while jotting down notes in a small notepad. Upon seeing them arrive, she greeted them with a professional smile.
"Good morning! Is this for your onboarding?", she asked.
This time, it was Mikhail who took charge of the response, much to John's chagrin, who would have been delighted to talk to such a beautiful woman.
"Hello, miss," he replied. "Yes, indeed, my name is Mikhail Goyevs, and this is John Katika. We have been hired as the Director of Sales and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Mr. Woodford told us to come to you to retrieve our equipment".
Upon discovering with astonishment that she was facing a man who happened to be the new COO and whose last name was the same as the company's, the young secretary stood up and shook hands with Mikhail and John, maintaining an attitude that would put her in good favor with her new superiors.
For John, such a charming young lady couldn't leave him indifferent. He leaned forward slightly, with a charming demeanor, and asked confidently, while looking at her passionately:
"Miss, I wouldn't want to appear intrusive, but would you be willing to have a drink with me after your workday?"
She held his gaze, their blue eyes seemingly merging like two oceans meeting at their ends, blushing slightly.
"With pleasure, sir," she replied.
"Call me John. And you, what is your lovely name?" he asked.
"Rebecca," she automatically responded, looking slightly intimidated, "I'm Rebecca Wiles, the Secretary of Human Resources."
John leaned on the desk with his left hand.
"How about 6:00 PM at Planet Coffee?" he asked.
"Yes, of course!" she replied with the same eagerness she had shown a few seconds earlier.
Observing the scene of seduction, Mikhail cleared his throat, trying to appear as unbothered as possible.
"I apologize for cutting short your plans, but we need to get our executive equipment," he said.
At that moment, John's cell phone made a sound, indicating that he had received a message. He took it out of his right pocket and realized that the message was from his father:
"Hey son, you must be aware of the position you've been given by now. I've reserved a table at Luxurious Plazza at 9:00 PM to celebrate your success properly. One of my friends will be there."
Without bothering to reply, John put his phone back in his pocket and stated:
"Yes, indeed, we must continue with our onboarding. But the drink date is still on," he added with a playful wink.
The young secretary let out a little laugh and turned to her computer to check the arrival records and the list of equipment to be provided. She got up and opened a safe embedded in the left wall of her office.
From it, she took out two gray backpacks adorned with a familiar logo: a goose swimming above a brand embroidered in large gold letters "KATIKA."
Rebecca Wiles handed the backpacks to the young executives and returned to her desk.
"Inside, you will find all the personal items related to your activity within the company: access card and unlocking key for your work computer, keys to your company car (parked at spaces 5C and 8A on the 3rd and 1st floors of the underground parking, as indicated in the manual provided with your personal belongings), a company credit card for various expenses related to your role (business trips, entertainment expenses, professional purchases, etc.), your access badge, and various office supplies.
I must also remind you that expenses made using your company credit cards should be strictly related to your professional activities and not for personal use, like paying for a woman's drink, for example," she concluded with a teasing tone directed at John.
The latter glanced briefly in Mikhaïl's direction, who responded politely:
"Thank you, miss. Where could we find Mr. Raymond, please?"
"Last door at the end of the hallway", Rebecca replied.