The tensed atmosphere in the DM Inc. board room that day was harrowing. There was no sound that even a dropped pin would be heard as the accounting staff quietly observed their brooding young boss of one year. Their accounting team failed to secure the 10 million dollar Simon account in a bidding. This was the first major setback in Aaron's watch as the new CEO.
As Aaron sat there contemplating, his people glanced at each other nervously. Some of the members were praying to be let off that board room as soon as possible.
"You're all dismissed. You may leave now."
They hurriedly gathered their things and one by one they left.
Aaron leaned back in his swivel chair and closed his eyes tightly. He raised his right hand and rubbed his temples gently.
He took a deep breath and sighed. This blunder was no one's fault but his. He couldn't blame his team for this failure because he knew that they burned their eyebrows with candles for this project.
God! I never knew how difficult dad's responsibilities were.
Since he started handling the family business, he didn't have time for himself. Even his on and off girlfriend for 9 months Lori complained a lot. He declined her several offers of dinner dates and so today, she finally decided for a break-up.
"My parents flew all the way here from Miami just to meet you A.D. and now you're telling me you want to cancel our dinner plans because of that stupid business of yours! How could you?!"
"Lori, this is the final meeting and I don't want to miss out on it. I know your parents will understand. Just explain and apologize to them on my be—"
"My mom went to the salon to have her hair and nails done because she was so excited to meet you tonight! This is the third time you said you can't meet them!"
"I'll make dinner plans for us but not tonight. I promise I'll be there. I'll be free next week."
"Next week?! My parents will be leaving the city in three days!"
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't make it tonight."
"Oh, you will be sorry, Mr. Morrison because from today, consider yourself single!"
Then she turned the call off.
Aaron shook his head. As of now, Lori would be gathering her things from his bachelor pad and soon she would leave his home.
He stood up, shaking his head. Then he grabbed his black suit that was draped behind his chair and walked towards the door. His lanky executive assistant David was already waiting for him to exit the board room.
"Mr. Morrison, I would like to have a word with you?", David spoke while fixing his round rimmed glasses on his face.
"Not now David, I'm leaving."
David eyebrows perked up. It was unusual for his boss to leave the office at this time. It was three in the afternoon.
"I just want to inform you sir that your father is currently on hold. He wants to speak with you."
Aaron stopped on his tracks and turned around. David handed him his iPhone.
Aaron took a deep breath and reached for it. He forgot he left his phone on top of his office desk before he requested for an emergency board meeting.
"Hello Dad."
"I heard from David what happened."
"Yeah?", he glanced at David, who was nervously fixing his eyeglasses on his face again. "Well, we didn't expect this outcome. Someone must have played dirty tricks on us. I really thought we won the bid. Everything was going smoothly but... I guess my disagreement about gutting the forest down and removing the locals from their habitat didn't sit well with them."
"We built our company not just to make profit but also to take care of those in need. I'm glad it didn't push through A.D.", Eric answered.
Aaron sighed a breath of relief. Relieved because he didn't disappoint his father.
He pushed his hair back with his right hand and nodded at David as a signal that he would leave now.
David hurriedly took his phone from his breast pocket and called Ben, his boss' bodyguard-driver to inform him to ready the car.
"I'm glad you approved of my decision." Aaron made his way to the elevator and pushed the ground floor button.
"When I left the company, I know I can count on you A.D."
"Thanks Dad."
"Anyway, I have to go now son. I promised your mom we will take the yacht out today."
"Have fun you both and send my love to mom."
Then the call went dead.
Aaron left the elevator. His employees at the ground floor greeted him. As he passes by, he nodded his head at them.
He stood by the bay and waited for his private Audi A8 car to arrive. Not waiting for Ben to open the car door, as soon as the car stopped in front of him, he immediately slid inside the passenger's seat at the back.
"Ben, drive me to the Park, please", Aaron immediately unbuttoned his suit and loosened his tie. Then he leaned back onto his cushioned car seat.
"Yes, sir", Ben nodded. He didn't have to ask which Park was his boss pertaining to because he knew so well where it was located. They made their way to their destination.
Aaron closed his eyes, and felt all the exhaustion washed over his body.
He fought with his ex, lose a business deal...
What else could I ask for to one of my most miserable days in life?
He took a deep breath and stared out the window.
It was a beautiful autumn day, the leaves were starting to turn brown. He smiled gently, remembering the Park where he and his family loved to visit when he was a kid. Unbeknownst to his parents, he still visited the place when he had free time. It was the place where he could gather his thoughts and where no one could recognized him.
He started to feel a little bit better when he noticed that they were getting nearer to the Park.
Ben maneuvered the car into a free parking spot and Aaron left the car.
"You can leave me here and come back in an hour", he instructed Ben.
"Yes, sir A.D. Please call me if you want me to fetch you early."
"I will."
Aaron made his way into the familiar cemented pathway when suddenly his phone rang.
He checked the caller I.D., it was one of his best friend Jacob.
"Hey, A.D. the guys are planning to go out clubbing tonight. Did Leo called you up?"
"I didn't check all the missed calls I had. I was in a business meeting."
"So, how was it?" Jacob inquired, referring to the later.
"Schlecht. We didn't acquire the Simon account but my father called and told me it was the right decision. However, I feel so frustrated."
"Hey buddy, don't be so hard on yourself. If you asked for my opinion, I would say the same thing Uncle Eric said. There are other better options out there for you."
"You know I hate losing."
"You didn't lose. You were directed to a better position. Believe me."
Aaron frowned, not because of what Jacob had said. He noticed that there was someone already sitting in his favorite Park bench.
An unknown, petite woman wearing a worn brown trench coat sat there.
He couldn't explain why but as he drew nearer, he felt his heart beating faster. It was as if he was warm all over even though the weather was cold that day.
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Catherine signed the contract without even studying its contents thoroughly.
As soon as she saw that the lowest bidding amount starts at ten thousand dollars, she let go of her inhibitions and fears.
She agreed to a thorough embarrassing physical examination in a private OB-Gyne clinic near the club. It was her first time to spread her legs in a stirrup and let someone examine her intimately. Luckily the doctor was a female and she was gentle in handling her naive and shy patient.
"You have to be lubricated well in order for you to receive a man properly, Miss Meza. You have an intact hymen and a very narrow opening."
Catherine nodded in embarrassment. She was aware that Dr. Fritz knew what kind of 'work' she would be doing tonight.
"Here, take this", she handed Catherine a patient's prescription after she wrote something in it. "I would have offered you to have the contraceptive shots but that would not be wise for you to have it today. Instead you may collect this from the pharmacy and take it regularly once a day starting today."
Catherine took the paper and without reading its content, she said her farewell and left the clinic.
She went to the nearby pharmacy and took the morning-after pills that were prescribed for her for free. Then she rode the bus and headed to the DM hospital to check on Miggy's condition.
As she got near the hospital, she recalled her conversation with Luchi before coming here.
"You need to have a good sleep later after your doctor's appointment because we will start at 9 tonight. You have to be here before 8 so we can prepare you for your performance."
"P-performance?", that word rattled Catherine.
"Yes, you will have to dance for the men before the auction. That's how it works here. Don't worry, it wouldn't take long. Maybe about 5 to 10 minutes. Usually that's how the men make their choices. The more you can dance better, the higher the bidding would be."
Catherine took a deep breath. She was never a dancer, even in school. She could sing, yes but dancing was never her forte.
She suddenly stopped and studied her surroundings. She unconsciously walked towards the Park nearby while her mind was somewhere else. She heard children giggling not far from her. She smiled as she saw them playing tag.
The innocence of those children about the cruelty this world could bring made her envy them.
Catherine bowed down and picked up a perfectly brown autumn leaf that fell from the maple tree nearby.
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"Hurry children, pick the best leaves you could find. We can use them to decorate our balcony", Bertha instructed them cheerfully.
"Do you think Papa bought good pumpkins this time?", a teenage Catherine asked as both of them were carrying a shopping bag full of Halloween decorations.
"I'm excited for the treat or treating tomorrow night. I made a bet with Julio that this year I will have more candies and chocolates than him", a nine year-old Miggy grinned.
"Cathy, you may lower your bag here", Bertha instructed as she placed the two shopping bags she carried on top of a wooden bench. "Now, I want you to find only the best looking maple leaves, okay?"
Both children nodded and started their rummaging.
"Ma, look! I picked the biggest one I could find", Miggy showed them a large leaf with crooked edges.
"I found three that are larger than yours", Catherine bragged and showed them her treasures.
"Not fair!", Miggy grabbed the leaves Catherine held and ran away with them.
"Hey, give them back!", Catherine giggled as she ran after Miggy.
Mama Bertha chuckled as she watched her kids playful bantering.
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"Throw the ball!", a boy shouted nearby.
Catherine was brought back to reality. She shook her head to clear her mind, and stared at the maple leaf in her right hand before placing it inside her brown, trench coat pocket.
She wasn't aware she made her way in a nearby bench that overlooked the sun set view. She sat there, and looked up the sky.
Tonight would be the night.
Tonight she would let go of her religious beliefs and her parents' traditional teachings.
Tonight she would receive the largest amount of money she never earned before.
Tonight she would be a certified paid prostitute.
Just like my biological mother.
Guess the old proverb, 'The apple never falls far from the tree' is true.
Those words haunted her repeatedly.
Catherine closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists in despair. The maple leaf in her hand crushed.
Then suddenly she noticed a shadow covering her face from the glare of the sunlight.
As she opened her eyes slowly, the first thing she saw was a man in a suit.
She looked up and gasped.
Standing before her was a large silhouette of a gentleman.
That day Catherine met an unknown stranger that would change the course of her life forever.