Options are structured many ways. I recently cash
Post# of 75001
In reality at that point, I either got a check for the differernce between the original basis and current price if the stock price was higher, or I paid the difference at that point. Lucky for me, the sale price was higher.
I should also note that I did not have the right to exercise the options when I wanted to. My company got to choose when they would repurchase my stock, other than if the company had sold. At that point, the note was due and option exercised.