James POV
James McKenzie.
A name that is uttered with fear by some people, with reverence by some, with hatred, with envy, with awe, with concern...there were people who show a spectrum of emotions for that name, but what does the man behind that name feels no one knows. And he likes to keep it that way. Not because he wants to be mysterious, but because it is none of their business. In simple words, he doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't care what people think of him. Caring means giving a chance to let people in...raising hope...giving them a weapon to hurt you with. Which they ultimately do. They always do. And James McKenzie can be many things to people, but a fool is not one of them.
James looked at the elegance of Atlanta from his office. He stood at 6'.3'' tall, in a black suit, a Rolex on his left hand and shiny black shoes from a top brand-his normal office attire. He was in Forbes for 'most powerful people in the world', for two years. Not to mention 'most handsome men in the world'. In fact, he was ranked in the top 10, five times, for consecutive years now. With his green eyes, chiseled jawline, straight nose and dark brown hair, he was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. This, it is safe to say, it is well-placed. A journalist once said- ''he has a mystique that surrounds his persona, yet woman flock to him because of his aggressive, attractive body. His presence has a separate magnetic field that disturbs the laws of nature. Women can't help themselves but to crave to include in that field. With his arrogantly authoritative walk, James McKenzie sure knows how to exhibit his power''.
James folded his hands behind his back as his gaze penetrated the sky of Atlanta. Some would say he built his office in glass panes to enjoy the view. The truth is, he ordered it to build in that way, so that he reminds himself of his goal. What pray tell his goal would be? You may ask. It's to be on the top, always. That's why his office is on the top floor of this building. Though his office resides in the hub of Atlanta's main vein, with a few selected staff with him, the main headquarters of Aon Air Lines, Inc., is located at the Western boundary of the Atlanta Airport, for obvious reasons. Other than that, they have hubs in all the major cities of America.
James learned his lesson when he was a mere child that nothing comes freely. Everything has its price. People listen to the one who has more money...more power. So, he set his mind to do just that. Of course, his family background also helped by which he means, their shares in the airlines.
Today Aon Air Lines, Inc., is one of the major airlines of the United States. It's not easy to be the CEO of a legacy carrier. The competition is always there. Many Industries tried to pull him down, only to get crushed on the wheels of his planes. Which he has many. The airline along with its subsidiaries, that rank in two digits, and regional affiliates, not to say Aon Connection-their regional airline brand, operated over 6500 flights daily in countries, when added- is more than half a century, on six continents.
He built this empire, which was tethering on the edge, no thanks to his father who almost bankrupted the company. People believe what they see and media believed it is because of an increase in fuel costs, but he knows better. That was 13 years ago. He was a freshly graduated 22-year-old then, newly appointed CEO, which he gained after forcefully making his father resign. He started building this empire inch-by-inch with his hard work. However, the other companies sensed the new blood. And the shareholders were not far from them. They thought to use this power bid to overthrow him. Buying the stocks underhandedly. He had to fend-off the hostile takeovers from many major airways. They thought they could easily crush him...hunt him. A mere boy in the forest. But they don't know one thing then...he was called 'Wolf' for a reason. All they saw was a pretty face, sitting on a throne that can be easily taken. It took them 5 long years to realise he was the predator here. Not them. Now, he does the taking, he does the hunting, and he has the bulk to add to that pretty face, making him intimidating to the onlookers. Now, he is the one who picks the smaller airlines and dismantling it into pieces. Crushing them who thought he was easy to fool.
It was not always easy. People still try to undermine him. They covet his throne and they are many. We do not hear an entire airline belonging to a single family. As for the shareholders who tried to overturn him, once he found the footing after those hard years, he bought the major shares of the airlines making him the solo leader to this throne, so that never again shall someone have the authority to out-do his.
He expects the same dedication from his staff as himself. It's not asking much as he provides them with a salary that is 30% more than they could earn outside these airlines with their credentials. It should not be difficult. Not to mention the over-the-top hotels all over the cities that are reserved especially for his staff. Though they be air hostesses who joined a day ago or an executive with year's of experience. Everyone is treated with respect and equality. Hence, when he learned about a certain situation, he thought of handling it by himself. Once a matter is overlooked, they will think of repeating it again. Thinking of getting away with it. Not in my company. People shall never forget who he is. It's time to show the wolf's claws.
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Authors note-
As this is a fiction novel, some numbers and details are exaggerated to fit the male lead's character. The name of the airline means '1' in Gaelic. Unfortunately, there is an aerospace and aviation with that name. This novel has no relation whatsoever with that organisation. Also, the pandemic is ignored here. Hence, it doesn't affect any airlines. Please consider this story in 'before the pandemic' scenario.