Chapter 14 - It is difficult to walk away.

"You need to join dots like this," Dean explained while drawing E with dots. "When you do, you will see the actual letter very clearly." Dean looks back at his class and smiles. The kids nodded their heads and started to scribble on their books. The teacher nods his head as a boy raises his book to show his letters.Dean steps between the desks and follow the movements of his students. His eyes focus and help a student erase his mistake properly and not tear his paper. The boy grinned and continued to press the tip of his pencil on the book, joining points that were slowly forming an image of a dolphin."I thought it was a shark, but it's a whale." A girl exclaims while showing her book to her teacher with a wide smile."This also teaches us that we shouldn't assume things without knowing them properly," Dean said as his students looked at him with confusion.He chuckled and shook his head, forgetting that he couldn't throw mature words into kids' minds. Their innocent minds don't even know about the negative side of the world. He sometimes thinks about how his students will survive in the future, which can be better or worse than now."Teacher," A soft call tore at Dean's deep thoughts. He quickly hums and searches for the source."Teacher, Amira is..." A little boy looks closely at his deskmate. "She's crying," The boy says, and Dean walks over to the student.He kneels next to her desk, watching the girl try to wipe her tears. "Is anything bothering you?" Dean asked, giving her his kerchief.The girl shook her head while sniffing. She tries to control her tears. "Nothing, teacher."Dean sighed and stood up. In any case, as a teacher, how far can he go with his student? He can't force the girl to speak if she doesn't want to say anything. A hand tugged at his sleeve as he immediately sat down."Mama doesn't live with us." The girl sobs, looking at her teacher. Dean wipes her tears, whispering, "Did your mama go somewhere?" The girl shook her head."Mama will never be with us. Papa was crying." This answer brought a frown to Ayan's face.Even his papa sobs as he holds his mother's picture. Does that mean even his mother will never live with them? His mother, however, is staying on a star for a mission, according to his papa. Maybe her papa forgot to tell her this."Don't cry, Amira. Your mother, like mine, went to a star." Ayan said with a soft smile, grabbing everyone's attention. Dean looks at Ayan with confusion. "My papa said..." Ayan stops speaking. A secret mission is supposed to be secret and not to be told to anyone."Uncle will tell you everything." Ayan ends his speech while nodding to himself. Maybe his mother and Amira's mother are working together on this mission. It'll be fantastic. Ayan smiles to himself and continues to scribble in his book.Dean makes a mental note to ask Ayan properly about his statements. A human living on the star? What kind of fairytale did his father tell?He looks back at his crying student. "Your mama will return soon. Don't cry," Dean tries to reassure the girl, who nods her head. Finally, the sobbing stopped.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　"This is the agenda for today's meeting," Roman said, looking at the board members sitting together and listening to his presentation with focused eyes on the projector."This is the assumed turnover for this year." Roman continued speaking while changing the slide to a graph. He examines everyone in the room. He looks at the COO sitting with others as the man has his eyes inside the papers given to him. He glanced at his subordinates and got a nod as a reply."If we get an investor and a good brand ambassador, we can get a bite in the consumer market." Roman went on, drawing raised eyebrows from those sitting in the chairs."You mean to say that the person we have now is not good?" A person spoke, getting offended as the current ambassador is his cousin and a social media influencer too.Roman quickly shook his head and said, "I didn't mean that. Certainly, we are not getting new consumers either."The COO looked at Roman and spoke calmly. "You are aware that we do not have a large budget to hire top singers or actors as ambassadors."Roman nods his head. "I know, sir. But if we need to reach another end of the world, we need to take a risk." The COO nods his head."If you are talking about risk, let's risk someone who is not popular." The COO said while standing up and pushing the file aside, which needed his approval.The people sitting stood up immediately and asked, "Isn't this like suicide?" All the people started whispering to each other.The COO stood in front of Roman and looked straight into his eyes. "I will hand over this task to you, Roman. Find a face for the brand.""Sir--""If you don't bring it, then send a resignation letter from anyone in your department." The COO clearly knows that Roman will not hesitate to give his resignation if needed. Also, this company doesn't wish to lose an employee like Roman."Sir, is this supposed to be done by the marketing team?" Roman tries to reason. He just forwarded his plan and didn't wish to get highly involved in this."I believe you." Stating this, the COO walked out of the meeting room.Roman sighs, running his finger over his hair. This will be difficult. He's skilled in Excel, presentations, and planning. He doesn't understand marketing or how he will search for a new face now."What's the process of hiring a new face?" Roman asked, looking at the marketing manager."I'll help you; don't worry. My team and your team will work together on this." The manager assures him. Roman nods his head. At least he has a backup now.The manager pats his back and says, "Honestly, I am thankful that you talked about the ambassador. That guy is not doing his job properly. He occasionally posts pictures of the perfumes and asks for an increment in every conversation I have with him."Roman frowns. "Then why didn't you inform the director about this?""You know, he has a reference from the assistant of the COO. I can't lose my job either.""Let's inform our teams first. Then, we can post this job online." Roman said, earning a nod from the manager.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　Dean walked around the playground, looking out for his students. He smiles at the kids grinning at him. Daniel is also next to him. Both their classes planned to play, and they are looking after the kids."We will play secret Santa this Saturday," Daniel informs while rubbing his palms together to warm them. Dean nods his head and says, "Yeah, I read the chat.""How do these kids play in the cold?""Just like we did in our childhood."Daniel laughs, remembering his childhood. "You know, I used to fight with my classmates.""Yeah, even me," Dean replied, giving a tight-lipped smile."You don't look like someone who could be violent.""Look who's talking.""Are you going to your hometown for Christmas?""Maybe; I don't know. Granny might visit us, or we'll go. What about you?""I'm going to visit my family." They're eagerly waiting for me. That reminds me, I need to buy gifts for my nephew. "Will you give me company for shopping?""Sure. I'll buy something as well."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"What!""How did he conclude like that?""From where are we supposed to get a new model?""It would be such a long process.""We're now on the stack.""We should start working on this now.""Aren't any of you available for this?"Roman closed his eyes when he heard a commotion in his team. This was an expected reaction. He glanced at the marketing manager looking at his team."Actually, it is a good idea." The manager steps forward, looking at each one. Roman frowns, not understanding his words."Any of you familiar with photo shoots and acting?" The manager asked, looking at one. "Or do you guys know anyone who would like to use this opportunity to step into the entertainment world?""We need two men and two women for this work." They will get income and incentives according to their performance. Additionally, we want them to be LGBTQ+ supporters.Roman pulls the manager's shoulder and asks, "Why?" The manager raised his eyebrows. "I mean, this is not needed, right?" Like, why would--""Roman. "In which era are you living, bro?"The manager looks back at the crowd. "How many of you have heard the word LGBT? Please raise your hands." People looked at each other, and many of them raised their arms."This is wrong, sir. A man having a romantic relationship with another man is a sin." A man in the crowd spoke, getting a subtle nod from Roman too."You know that lying to oneself or yourself is also a sin. Don't many of us still do?" The manager asked back and glanced at Roman."If we continue this conversation, it might lead to an argument." So, let's drop it here. I told them they should support the LGBT community, but I didn't say they had to be a part of it. There's a big difference between supporting and participating."Now, many people are nodding their heads. Roman is remaining silent. The manager sighed and further added, "If they support the community, it'll draw more consumers too. Also, Roman," the manager said, looking at Roman. "This time we will do the final testing of the scents together. We would make the necessary changes and launch the best perfumes, colognes, and scents on the market."Roman nodded while crossing his arms and looking at their team. Many people sighed, were relieved, and were hopeful for their company's future."If you know anyone, ask them to prepare for an audition and write your name on their resume," Roman informs, earning nods and yeses in the chorus."The audition will be next week." "Is it alright, Liam?" Liam, who is the manager, nods.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Dee!" Ethan walks inside the apartment, hastily removing his shoes.His mom smiles. "Welcome back,""Mom, where is Dee?" Ethan asked, losing his tie and glancing around for his brother."In his room, evaluating activities for kids.""Thanks, mom."Mrs Rayden blinks, not understanding her son's enthusiasm. "What happened?""I'll explain later." Ethan quickly skips towards Dean's room and knocks on it."What's with the knocking, mom? You can walk in any--" Ethan opens the door, watching Dean type on his laptop and scroll through the sites."Hey, it's your brother," Ethan says, pulling Dean's chair and catching the man off guard. Ethan drags the chair toward the bed and sits on it."Why! I was working. I need to learn this origami. The swan is---""You listen to me; I have to tell you something very important." Ethan, who swirls the chair for Dean to face, cuts off Dean's words."I will lose my job, Dee," Ethan mutters, making a sorrowful face. Dean widens his eyes, looking at his brother in disbelief."Why? How? Did you make any mistakes on any projects? Ask for forgiveness; I'm sure they will understand. They know that a new employee will have trouble adjusting to the company."Will you let me finish my words?" Ethan asked, looking at Dean, who nodded his head."I can continue working if I get a new face, like an ambassador for our company.""Ok..." Dean frowns, his fingers drumming on his knee. "Your designation is associate accountant, right?""I know. However, our COO delegated this task to our manager, instructing him to "find a face and hike the market with our products.""Alright, it's his job.""He asked us to find a model.""Oh, ask your friends. I'm sure they would know someone like this.""Dee," Ethan said, narrowing his eyes, hoping his brother would get the point. However, the guy didn't understand."Dean Rayden, the face of a perfume company.""wh-what. no, not happening. I'm happy with my job.""I knew my brother would help me." Ethan hugged Dean, who was denying it."Don't worry, I'll fill out your form and resume," Ethan said, swirling the chair and pushing it back to the table, where a video of swan origami is paused."No, brother. I said no. I don't know anything about acting." Dean quickly stands up from his chair and injects."I will be there," Ethan said as he was stepping out of the room. "Also, can you accept this request from me? You simply go to the audition for me. I'll be happy and grateful." The way Ethan used a soft tone and held his eyes softly didn't allow Dean to say anything in denial. He just nodded his head like a robot.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Papa," Ayan quickly ran towards Roman, who was typing on his laptop."Yes, dear," Roman says, putting the laptop in sleeping mode."Papa," Ayan pouts as he shows his RC to his father and looks down. Roman keeps the laptop on the tea table and takes the car, inspecting it through his eyes."It stopped working," Ayan said, sitting next to Roman. Roman smiles, removing the batteries."The batteries are dead. I'll replace them."Roman informs as he walks towards his room, Ayan close behind. Roman opens the drawers of his study table. He fumbles through the content and searches for those batteries."I kept them here," Roman whispered, opening another drawer and seeing the sheet of batteries."We will fix it," Roman said to his son, who smiled looking at his dad while he fixed the batteries in the device."Try now," Roman said, keeping the car on the floor. Ayan nods and uses the controller to move the car."Yeh!" Ayan jumps from the bed and follows his car. Roman smiles, collecting the dead batteries, throwing them in the drawer, wishing to give them to any recycling community."Papa," Ayan returns to the room. Roman smiled, picking up his son. "Yes, tell me your question," Roman said, earning giggles from his son."Papa, we should bury them," Ayan said, pointing at the drawer."Baby, we don't bury batteries.""But, as you said, they're dead.""Uh, what I meant was, they can't be used anymore.""We throw away what we can't use?""Uhm, yeah. something like that."Why don't you throw away your feelings for your dead wife too? They're of no use.Roman reasoned in his conscious state. However, he quickly shook away those negative thoughts."Papa, Amira was crying today because her mother went to the star," Ayan reports on the morning incident. Roman halts his steps and looks at his son with wide eyes."You didn't tell anything, did you?" Roman asked, stepping towards the hall."Yes, I said, don't worry, just like my mama, your mama went to star." Roman gulps, his mind racing and his throat dry."Did I do the right, papa?" Ayan asked, looking at Roman with expecting eyes like he wanted his father to praise him for being honest.Roman pressed his lips together and gave a quick nod with a forced smile. "You said what you felt was right. But, next time, don't say it to anyone." Ayan appears perplexed."Baby, we don't know their actual feelings. What if your words make them cry more? Not everyone is strong like my baby." Roman kissed his cheek. "Papa is very proud of you for being such a strong boy. You are the sweetest, dear one." Ayan blushed, hiding his face on Roman's neck and hugging his shoulders tightly."Aww, Ayan baby is shy." Roman smiles and looks down at his phone, which has a notification blinking. He picks up the phone with his other hand and checks the notification. Ayan was looking at the screen too while resting his head on his shoulder.Ethan:

Sir, I found a face. He will do justice to his position. I can assure you that he will never take advantage of his image. I won't say anything further. You'll know him when you see him.

Alright, ask the person to arrive on time for the audition.