A wave of dizziness washed over me. COO? Chief Operating Officer? Me, the man who weeks ago couldn't afford a decent meal, entrusted to run a multi-million dollar company? Laughter bubbled up in my chest, a hysterical response to the absurdity of it all. But before it could escape, I clamped my jaw shut.
"Mr. Powell," I rasped, the words catching in my throat. "I… I have no experience. No qualifications for such a position."
He leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I know that," he said and remained silent.
I didn't know what to say so I just stared at the table.
"Neither did David Rockefeller when he started out, James," he countered, his voice surprisingly gentle. "What you lack in experience, you make up for in intelligence and a work ethic I haven't witnessed in years."
His words resonated. My past life, the one I desperately tried to bury, had instilled in me a relentless drive, a determination to claw my way out of the gutter. But was it enough? Could I handle the pressure, the scrutiny that came with such a position?
"Mr Powell, I really do not think I'm fit. Please allow me to study you for sometime before taking over the position." I said.
Mr. Powell seemed to sense my hesitation. "Look, James," he said, his tone softening further. "I wouldn't offer you this if I didn't see potential. You have a fire in your eyes, a spark I haven't seen extinguished in a long time. That, combined with your sharp mind, is exactly what I need."
Fire in my eyes? A spark? Was he talking about the same James who had become a ghost, a shadow of his former self? But a flicker of hope ignited within me, a tiny ember threatening to bloom into a raging inferno.
Maybe I could do this.
"Alright, Mr. Powell," I said, my voice surprisingly firm. "I'll do it. I'll be the COO of Powell Group."
A satisfied smile spread across his face. "Excellent," he boomed. "Now, the first order of business…"
***
"Wow, you've become a big shot, haven't you?" Ria said. She was helping me pack my bags, I was moving out of her house.
" I'm so thankful for you, Ria and also for Daniel. I can never wish for better best friends. One day I'll repay you for the kindness." I said with great emotions.
"There isn't any need to repay. You're growing, big brother…" she whispered, "I'm so happy for you. These positions have been coming in quick succession and I couldn't have been prouder." She said as she hugged me.
I hugged her back. She called me big brother and that was the only thing I grasped from her sentence.
"Thank you Ria. Thank you so much Ria. Thank you for being my sister. Thank you for letting me be your brother…" I said into her ears.
"You're my brother, James. You know this. You took care of me while I was in the shelter. When I was adopted, I wished you could come with me. You were my hero. I went back to the shelter several times to look for you…I couldn't find you but I'm grateful I have you here now." She said.
We stayed like that for a moment, a silent promise exchanged.
"One day we will talk about your life after the shelter, is that okay?" I asked softly.
She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.
I resumed packing, a disquiet settling in my gut. There were too many loose ends, unanswered questions from my past. But for now, I had to focus on the future, this incredible opportunity Mr. Powell had offered.
***
How is your new place? Have you gotten everything settled in?" Mr Powell asked, his voice booming through the phone.
"Almost, sir," I replied, standing in the middle of my sleek, modern condo. It felt a world away from the cramped room I'd shared with Ria.
"Excellent. There's no time to waste. I need you to represent me at a meeting in Texas this weekend."
"Texas? Sir, I…" I stammered, caught off guard.
"No arguments, James. Don't self-sabotage! If you were incapable, I wouldn't send you. This is a chance to prove yourself. Get prepared. When you're back, we'll find a personal assistant for you. Someone to help alleviate some of the workload."
And just like that, I found myself on a plane to Texas,
***
"I found you a new personal assistant. Mr Powell asked me to." Mr Orlando told me.
"That's cool…when shall this new personal assistant resume?" I asked.
"Next week, Sir." He replied.
As he bowed and walked out of the office, I wondered if I should tell him to desist from calling me Sir.
***
"I must commend James for your work in Texas. It caused a boost to our company's stock." A man said in the boardroom. We were once again in another board meeting.
"Thanks Sir" I responded.
"I'm glad that we can all see James's hard work. I have seen an intelligent young man in ages" Powell began.
"Because of his unique qualities, I'd like to inform the board that I have found a successor. James Black is my Successor. I will groom him for the position of CEO." Mr Powell announced and resumed his seat.
There was deafening silence. Mr Powell wants to make me CEO of Powell group? The almighty Powell group?
Just when I thought the silence was going to linger, someone got up and roared. "No!!!! Not this thief! This…this petty thief! You think I'm not aware of your little shoplifting skills?" A man screamed.
I wanted to crawl under the table. My past had come to haunt me. Who was this man? And how did he know me?
I looked at Mr. Powell but his face remained an unreadable mask. Had he known about this all along? Was this some kind of twisted test?
"You!" the man continued, pointing a finger at me, his voice dripping with venom. "You whose Job has been 'thieving' for months…And now you think you deserve to be CEO of Powell Group?!"
The blood drained from my face. My carefully concealed past began to crumble my current life. This man – this stranger – held the key to destroying everything I was being handed.
But the most terrifying question echoed in the silence. Did Mr. Powell know about the theft? And if so, what did it mean for my future?