The hum of the computer filled the cramped apartment , the only companion is Noah Madden's world. My name is Noah Madden , and i'm not your typical tech nerd. I graduated from Standford University with a 4.5 GPA in Computer Science and Engineering, and now i work as a senior software developer at SAP SE. It's a role that demands innovation, precision, and an unyeilding dedication to pushing the boundaries of what software can do - and i thrive on that challenge. My home, though spacious and meticulouly designed , ofen feels too large for just one person. Its a constant reminder of the family i wish could be here with me.
You see, my family is complicated. My mother never supported me, and i later learned that its because i am not my father's son. She had an affair , and that man i grew up calling dad found out. His resentment toward me run deep, a constant source of pain and isolation in my life. Despite this, there's one person who has always been my rock my sister, Emily Madden. She's married to a wonderful man named Liam Hope, and together they have a two-year-old son, my nephew Leo. Seeing the love and happiness in their family is my greatest source of joy.
Liam is a good man who truly loves my sister, and that brings me immense happiness. Even after all my professional achievements, it's the sight of my sister's smiling face, the sound of Leo's laughter, and the warmth of their family that truly fulfill me. They are the reason I can find happiness amidst the challenges and complexities of my own life.
But still, I often feel lonely in my home. Tonight, as I sat at my desk working on a project that had been delayed by a junior team member, I couldn't help but feel the weight of that loneliness. My manager had tasked me with completing the project and promised to provide a team for support. Puffing smoke from my cigarette, I looked at the code with a bit of frustration. "These juniors keep making syntax errors," I muttered to myself as I fixed the issues one by one. After a long two hours, I finally completed the work. Stretching, I said, "Good job, everyone," to the team on Microsoft Teams. They nodded and one of them asked, "Sir Noah, can we go now?"
I nodded and replied, "Yes, you can leave. I will inform our manager tomorrow." They all smiled and said, "Thank you, sir," before logging off. I stood up, wearing my white shirt and shorts, my six-foot-tall frame with black hairs and ocean blue eyes with athletic build feeling the strain of the long hours. I made my way to my bed, reflecting on the day and the strange mix of fulfillment and loneliness that marked my life.
I was about to head to bed when my phone rang. It was my manager. Glancing at the time, I saw it was 11 o'clock at night. "At this hour?" I muttered before answering, "Hello, sir."
"Hello, Noah. I assume you've completed the project I assigned?" my manager's voice crackled through the phone.
"Yes, I did, with the help of the team you provided. These juniors made some silly mistakes like syntax errors and exceptional errors, but I fixed them and ran the code. It works, but we still need to test it thoroughly, sir."
"Very good," my manager replied, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Just as I expected from you."
"Thank you, sir," I said.
He continued, his tone turning serious, "You know this project is crucial for our company, right? Our CEO has high expectations, and he wants you to meet him and present the project report."
"Yes, sir. I have the project report ready. I'll be there," I confirmed.
"Okay, sharp at 11 AM in his office," he instructed.
"Okay, sir," I replied, and he hung up. I sighed, feeling the pressure mount.
Just then, my phone rang again. This time, it was my sister. "Hello, Noah. How are you?"
"I'm fine, sis," I replied, a hint of happiness in my voice. "Why are you calling me at this hour?"
"Yeah, I called because tomorrow I'm making your favorite egg rice. Liam thought it would be nice if you could come and eat with us," she said.
I smiled. "I would love to, but tomorrow I have a meeting with my CEO, and it might take a long time. Maybe next time."
With a hint of disappointment, she said, "Really? Okay, but please take proper rest. Don't work too hard."
"I will, sister," I assured her. "How's Leo?"
"He's sleeping. He would be happy if you came, but it's okay. Get some sleep now. Don't overwork yourself," she said.
"Okay. Bye, sis," I said and hung up the phone. And he get to bed
The next morning, around 6 o'clock, his alarm clock rang. He shut it off and woke up. After stretching, he headed to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Then, he launched into his exercise routine, completing 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and a 10-mile run on the treadmill. Following his workout, he showered and got dressed. Breakfast was a healthy mix of two whole eggs with toast, smoked salmon, and a full glass of milk. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was nearly 7:30 am. He proceeded to his closet and donned his teal suit, consisting of light blue jacket and matching pants, a crisp white shirt, and black dress shoes.
After that, he gave his laptop documents a final review and approval. He then packed his bag and headed out, locking the door to his apartment behind him. On his way out, he saw his neighbor, Clara, who was cleaning outside. She looked up, smiled, and greeted him, "Hello Noah, you're looking handsome today, just like my son!" Noah smiled back and replied, "Thank you, Aunty." She smiled again as he continued on his way, and the lady watched him go, a smile lingering on her face. He reminded her of her son, and she returned to her work.
He exited the elevator and headed towards the metro station. After purchasing a ticket, he entered the station and found a seat. As he settled in, he noticed a pregnant woman standing nearby, her face etched with fatigue. Noah stood up and gestured for her to sit."Excuse me," Noah said kindly, "Would you like to take this seat?"The woman's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Oh, thank you so much!" she exclaimed, gently lowering herself into the offered chair. "You have no idea how much I appreciate it."Noah smiled warmly. "No problem at all, ma'am. Happy to help."He put on his headphones and delved into Eminem's music. The lyrics resonated with him, offering a sense of solace and relatability. He closed his eyes, letting the music wash over him, lost in the world of sound.Finally, his stop was announced. He disembarked from the train and hailed a taxi." Take me to Sap se ," he said to the driver.The driver, a man with a kind smile, nodded in understanding. "Sure thing," he replied, pulling away from the curb and taking Noah towards his destination.A quick glance at his watch as he entered the taxi revealed it was around 9:30 am. Relief washed over him – he was right on time. After a smooth 15-20 minute ride, he reached his destination and paid the fare. Entering the office, he found his colleagues already at their desks, engaged in conversation. As he approached, they all turned to greet him."Good morning, Sir Noah," they chorused.Noah smiled warmly. "Good morning everyone. Please, no need for 'sir' – I'm not that much older than you all."Mia, a young woman with bright eyes, interjected, "But Sir, you are our senior! We wouldn't feel right addressing you otherwise."Noah chuckled, meeting Mia's gaze. "Alright, Mia, if that's what you prefer." A faint blush crept up Mia's cheeks, and she quickly turned back to her work.Settled in at his desk, Noah reviewed his documents. "Mia Katz," he muttered to himself, "joined the company a year ago as my junior." He glanced at her desk, then back at his paperwork. "There's definitely a crush there," he thought with a sigh. "But I just don't feel the same way." A pang of guilt hit him. "Maybe rejecting her will break her heart. Ugh, this is complicated." Just then, his manager's phone call rang out, interrupting his internal debate He answered, "Good morning, sir."The manager, with no nonsense, asked, "Are you ready for the presentation?"Noah glanced at his watch. "I am ready, but it's only around 10 o'clock, sir."The manager chuckled. "I know, I know. Just checking. Our CEO will be here around 10:45, so prepare a presentation as well."Noah sighed. "Yes, sir. Already prepared by my junior, and I double-checked it to be sure.""Excellent," the manager replied. "Then be ready."He hung up, and Noah groaned. "What a headache." He got up, walked to the coffee machine, and brewed himself a cup. As he stood there waiting for the CEO, his mind churned with the upcoming presentation and the awkward situation with Mia.Then, he called out, "Mia, could you come to my desk?"Mia, a blush already blooming on her cheeks, approached him. "Yes, sir?" she responded, her voice barely a whisper.Noah sighed internally. "Listen, you know we have the presentation for the CEO at 10:45, right?"Mia nodded, her eyes downcast."Good," he said, forcing a smile. "He'll be here any minute, so good luck."Mia blushed even harder, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Thank you, sir," she mumbled before scurrying back to her desk.Noah watched her go, shaking his head slightly. "This is going to be a long day," he muttered to himself,A voice, laced with amusement, cut through Noah's thoughts. "Popular with the ladies, eh?"Noah spun around, startled, to find his friend Jack leaning against the wall. Jack, a man of average height with dark hair and mischievous brown eyes, was clad in a sharp maroon suit."Jack," Noah sighed, recognizing the glint in his friend's eyes. "Yes, I know she has a crush on me."Jack chuckled. "Not just 'a crush,' my friend. She's practically smitten! You'd be a fool to miss out. Look at her - beautiful, smart, and seems kind. Not to mention, you're both single." He gestured towards Mia, who was now organizing some documents at her desk.Noah rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say, Casanova," he countered, referencing Jack's well-known reputation with women. "Besides, I just don't feel the same way."Jack threw an arm around Noah's neck, pulling him closer. "Come on, don't be stubborn. You're a handsome devil yourself, you know. Maybe you just need a little push..."Before Jack could elaborate, Noah's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. "CEO just arrived," he announced, his voice laced with relief. "Presentation time."Jack whistled. "Alright, alright. Go get 'em, tiger. But remember, what I said!"Noah nodded, his gaze flicking towards Mia for a brief moment. Just then, the office door flew open, revealing a stern-looking woman in a business suit."Mr. Madden, Ms. Katz," she addressed them curtly. "The CEO is expecting you both in his office."Noah and Mia exchanged a look, both straightening their clothes and following the woman down the hall towards the CEO's cabin.Pushing open the cabin door, Noah and Mia were met with a scene far grander than they'd anticipated. Four figures sat around a mahogany table, their gazes fixed on the newcomers. An elderly gentleman, his face etched with wisdom and experience, sat at the head. Beside him was a middle-aged man, radiating a quiet confidence that spoke volumes. Noah recognized his own manager, a hint of nervous anticipation in his eyes. Finally, there was a young woman, her sharp features belying a surprising youthful glow."These are my top performers," their manager announced, his voice tight with pride. "This is Noah Madden, senior software developer, and Mia Katz, junior software developer."Noah and Mia bowed respectfully. "Noah Madden," he confirmed, extending a firm handshake to the elderly gentleman. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. William Sap, the founder of this esteemed company."A faint smile touched Mr. Sap's lips as he grasped Noah's hand. Then, Noah turned to the middle-aged man. "And you must be Lucas Sap, former CEO."Lucas Sap nodded curtly. "Indeed. It's a pleasure."Finally, Noah's gaze landed on the young woman. "And you are...?"A slight smile played on her lips. "Ivy Sap," she replied, her voice surprisingly warm. "Daughter of Lucas Sap and current CEO of this company."A wave of surprise washed over Noah. He'd read her groundbreaking paper on cybersecurity, a feat that had earned her immense respect within the industry. "I've read your research paper, Ms. Sap," he admitted, a hint of awe creeping into his voice. "It was truly remarkable."A collective silence descended upon the room, broken only by Mia's soft intake of breath. Even the ever-stoic manager seemed subtly impressed. Ivy's gaze lingered on Noah for a moment, a hint of something akin to amusement flickering in her eyes."So, this explains your manager's unwavering trust," she said, turning to him. A slight edge of challenge entered her voice. "Impressive homework, Mr. Madden. But let's see if your presentation skills match your research prowess."The tension in the room was palpable. Noah exchanged a quick glance with Mia, a silent understanding passing between them. Taking a deep breath, he straightened his posture. "You're absolutely right, Ms. Sap," he replied, his voice steady. "Let's begin."Mia, her nervousness momentarily forgotten, moved towards the laptop and projector. With a determined click, the presentation screen flickered to life.The presentation began with Mia taking the lead. She confidently walked the room through the application's functionalities, her voice clear and concise. After a captivating hour, Ivy leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
"Excellent work, Mia," she said, her voice genuine. "That was a very clear and comprehensive overview."
Mia beamed, her earlier nervousness replaced by a surge of pride.
Ivy then turned her gaze to Noah. "Now, Mr. Madden," she said, "tell us about the testing phase."
Noah stepped forward, his posture radiating confidence. "I've conducted a thorough run-through of the application," he explained. "However, I believe some scenario-based testing would be highly beneficial."
A spark of interest flickered in the eyes of the elderly William Sap.
"Scenario-based testing, you say?" he inquired, his voice surprisingly deep for his age. "Why not fault-based testing? That would identify all potential bugs and vulnerabilities."
Noah nodded respectfully. "Indeed, sir. Fault-based testing is a valuable tool. However, scenario-based testing allows us to involve our team members as simulated users, mimicking real-world customer experiences. This approach can uncover up to 90% of errors in a shorter timeframe."
A wide smile spread across William Sap's face.
"That's precisely what I was hoping to hear," he boomed, his voice filled with approval. "Excellent thinking, young man."
The presentation continued for another four hours, with Noah expertly delving into the project report. Finally, Ivy called for a break.
"Why don't we take a well-deserved rest?" she suggested. "We can reconvene later and discuss the project further."
Mia and Noah bowed in unison. "Thank you," they said in grateful acknowledgement.
Emerging from the conference room, Noah and Mia exchanged relieved smiles. "Great job out there, Mia," Noah said, his voice sincere. "You did fantastic."
Mia beamed. "Thank you," she replied. "You too, sir. Your explanation was very clear."
Noah chuckled, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "Let's ditch the formalities for now. How about we grab some lunch?"
Mia readily agreed, and they headed towards the cafeteria. As they entered, Noah spotted Jack at a table, surrounded by a group of giggling women.
Jack, ever the charmer, saw Noah and waved him over. "Hey there, buddy! Come join the party – we have two extra seats here."
Noah nodded, a slight sigh escaping his lips, and followed Mia to the table.
"So, how'd the presentation go?" Jack inquired, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Mia, still basking in the success of the meeting, couldn't contain her excitement. "It went great!" she exclaimed. "They were all so impressed with Noah – "
Jack's smirk widened as he noticed a faint blush creeping up Mia's cheeks. "Looks like someone's got a little hero worship going on," he teased.
Mia stammered, her cheeks burning even brighter. "N-no, it's not like that! He's just… very passionate about his work."
Noah, choosing to ignore their playful banter, focused on his lunch. He opted for a simple but satisfying meal of rice, a latte, and two scrambled eggs.
Jack, reveling in the opportunity to stir things up, made introductions. "Ladies, this is Noah," he announced with a flourish. "The brilliant developer who just saved the day. And this lovely lady is Mia, his talented partner in crime."
Lucy, Ella, and Aria, all stunning in their own way, greeted Noah with warm smiles and flattering compliments.
"You look quite handsome in that suit," Lucy purred, leaning in slightly.
Noah managed a polite smile. "Thank you," he replied, feeling a touch of unease.
Mia, unable to hide her jealousy, stole a glance at Noah, her gaze sharp and accusatory.
Jack, sensing the shift in atmosphere, cleared his throat. "So, Noah," he said, his voice laced with amusement, "is there something interesting going on here that I should know about?"
Noah, caught between the awkward situation and his growing concern for Mia's feelings, simply shrugged and said nothing, his appetite suddenly vanishing. The lunchtime conversation continued, laced with a newfound tension.
A sharp buzz from his phone shattered the camaraderie around the table. Noah glanced at the screen and sighed. "Looks like we have to cut this short, guys," he announced, gesturing to Mia. "Meeting time."
Mia, understanding the urgency, rose from her seat. "Next time, Jack," she said with a playful smile.
Jack chuckled. "Anytime, Mia. Good luck with the rest of the presentation."
With a quick goodbye, Noah and Mia hurried back to the conference room. Lucas Sap greeted them with a curt nod. "Ready to proceed, Mr. Madden?"
Noah straightened his posture and bowed respectfully. "Yes, sir," he replied.
The next hour flew by in a flurry of reports and explanations. Noah delivered his presentation with clarity and confidence, leaving a positive impression on Lucas.
"Excellent work, Mr. Madden," Lucas said with a rare smile. "You haven't disappointed us."
Ivy, however, leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful look on her face. "So, this project is finalized," she confirmed, her gaze flickering towards Mia, who stood expectantly by the door. "Mia, you can be excused."
Mia bowed and exited the room, casting a worried glance at Noah before the door closed behind her.
Once alone with Noah, Ivy's demeanor shifted. "We have another project in mind," she announced, her voice laced with a hint of challenge. "This one delves into the medical field."
Noah's mind raced. "Of course," he replied, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "But I wouldn't want to proceed without the necessary expertise in that field."
Ivy smirked. "Leave that to us," she said confidently. "There's someone perfect for the job. My sister, Ava Sap. She's a brilliant gynecologist looking to develop an application for her clinic. You'll be receiving a call from your manager to arrange a meeting with her this evening. Is that clear?"
Noah bowed. "Perfectly clear, Ms. Sap," he replied. Lucas added, "You'll be reporting everything to me – project reports, source documents, the whole package. We expect nothing less."
Noah met their gazes with unwavering determination. "I won't disappoint you," he vowed. As he turned to leave, a thought struck him. "Ms. Sap," he began hesitantly, "I noticed you're working on an AI chatbot project."
Ivy raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Yes, that's correct."
Noah took a deep breath. "I'd be honored to work alongside you on that as well. I believe I could learn a great deal from your knowledge."
A thoughtful silence descended upon the room. Ivy studied Noah for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke.
"I'll consider your offer, Mr. Madden," she said, her voice surprisingly gentle. "But for now, focus on this medical application. We'll discuss the AI project later."
Noah bowed once more. "Thank you, Ms. Sap," he murmured before exiting the cabin. The weight of the new project settled on his shoulders, but a spark of excitement flickered within him.
Lost in thought, Noah mumbled to himself as he walked back to his desk, "Medical application... first time for this."
A hand landed on his shoulder, startling him from his reverie. He turned to see Jack's grinning face. "Hey there, buddy. Everything alright?"
Noah forced a smile. "Yeah, all good. They liked the report and even threw a new project at me."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "New project? What's the scoop?"
"Medical application," Noah explained, slumping slightly into his chair. "Seems like a challenge."
"Medical, huh? That's definitely outside your usual territory," Jack chuckled.
Noah nodded. "They're assigning a medical professional to work with me, though. A gynecologist named Ava Sap."
Jack's smirk widened. "Ava Sap, huh? Ivy's younger sister, I hear she's a real looker."
Noah rolled his eyes, a hint of amusement creeping into his expression. "Seriously, Jack?"
Jack burst into laughter. "Alright, alright, just messing with you. So, this Ava wants an app for her clinic?"
"That's the gist of it," Noah confirmed.
Jack leaned back in his chair thoughtfully. "Well, you know if you need any help with the non-medical stuff, don't hesitate to ask. No need to be a one-man show."
Noah offered a genuine smile. "Thanks, Jack. I appreciate that."
Jack stretched, glancing at his watch. "Alright, buddy, time to call it a day. How about we grab some pizza? My treat!"
Noah, relieved to be done with work for the day, grinned. "Sounds good to me. No more reports for tonight."
They quickly gathered their belongings and headed out. A nearby Pizza Hut beckoned, its aroma a siren call to their hungry stomachs.
Inside the restaurant, the two settled into a booth and placed their order: two large pepperoni pizzas, extra cheese. As they devoured their slices, Jack steered the conversation towards a familiar topic.
"So, how's your sister doing?" he inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Noah smiled. "Great, actually. Just landed a new promotion."
Jack whistled. "That's fantastic! You must be proud." He munched on a slice before adding playfully, "So, what about Mia? Any sparks flying there?"
Noah sighed, a hint of exasperation coloring his expression.
"Not this again, Jack," he said, shaking his head with a forced smile.
Jack chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Come on, man," he teased. "You'll die alone at this rate!"
Noah took a thoughtful bite of his pizza. "Mia's a great girl," he admitted after a moment's pause. "Beautiful, smart, the whole package. But... I just don't feel that way about her."
Jack shrugged, feigning disappointment.
"Alright, alright. Another heartbreak for the ever-stoic Noah. More pizza for me, then!"
They continued their conversation in a lighter vein, eventually parting ways with friendly goodbyes. As Noah walked home, Mia's image flickered through his mind. He couldn't deny her appeal, yet a spark seemed missing. Perhaps his heart was elsewhere, or maybe love wasn't in the cards for him right now. He sighed, the weight of the unanswered question settling on his shoulders.
Noah called a cab and headed to the metro station. He bought a ticket, went inside, and found a seat. After a heavy day, he was very tired and thinking about the project. When he reached his station, he got off the metro and checked the time; it was around 9:30. "Ah, I'm early," he muttered. "I could have accepted my sister's request, but I'm full now."
As he walked, he saw a small girl sitting in an alleyway. He paused, wondering why she was out at this hour. She looked scared for some reason. As he looked more closely, he noticed she was half-naked from the bottom, and there was blood. Horrified, Noah approached her cautiously and asked, "Excuse me, are you okay?"
The girl, scared, pulled out a knife with some blood on it and warned, "Don't come near me, or I'll kill you."
Raising his hands, Noah said, "Easy there. I'm not here to hurt you."
She shouted with tears in her eyes, "They all said the same thing! My father also said that!" She realized her mistake and covered her mouth.
Noah looked at her and said, "Your father?" Observing her condition more closely, he felt sick and had to vomit to the side. The girl watched him, and Noah came down to her level, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Did your father do this to you?" he asked, anger simmering in his eyes. The girl began to cry.
Noah took off his coat and covered her. He noticed some spots and said urgently, "I have to take you to the hospital."
The girl, bewildered, asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Noah gently picked her up and replied, "This is not the time to explain. And you don't deserves this" As he lifted her, she said, "Sir, your shirt..."
"Don't worry about it," Noah said, rushing to the hospital. When he reached the hospital, he saw the sign that read "Gynecologist" but didn't focus on it. He entered and approached the nurse at the desk, saying, "Hello, ma'am. I need help. This is an emergency."
The nurse, looking tired, responded, "The doctor is not available right now."
Noah, growing frustrated, insisted, "I said call the doctor! She needs treatment!"
The nurse, equally frustrated, retorted, "Do you even know what hospital this is? It's a gynecologist's office, so you and your child have no business here."
Noah, now angry, said, "This hospital is shit! No professionalism at all. Even your doctor is unprofessional. You should just close this hospital!"
The nurse, furious, snapped, "What did you say? Do you even know whose hospital this is, you little punk?"
At that moment, a lady emerged from a cabin and asked, "What's all this commotion about?"
As Noah stood there, he saw a blonde-haired woman in scrubs and an orange dress. She looked at him and asked, "What do you want?"
He approached her urgently, saying, "Doctor, please, she needs help."
The doctor sighed and said, "Then go to a child specialist."
Noah, desperate, pleaded, "Doctor, I will explain everything, but please, can we talk inside?"
The doctor was about to retort, but then she looked at the girl's face and noticed the blood on Noah's shirt. She softened and said, "Okay, come in."
The nurse, clearly disgruntled, sputtered a protest, "But doctor-"The woman cut her off mid-sentence. "I'll handle this, Brenda," she stated firmly. "Bring me a fresh examination gown."