Playlist: The Man by Aloe Blacc

Samuel Pov:

"Once upon a time in a magical world, there lived a clever and compassionate princess. She was full of love and caring but one day, she fell in love with an ordinary man. It was against the law to fall in love with someone, but she did. Despite all the challenges, she chose him." I narrated the story to the kids. Everyone was listening to the story as if they were the story's main characters. Attentive and fully engaged.

"What happened next?" one kid asked in desperation.

"Where they were together?" the other one.

"Why is their love forbidden? is it because she is a princess and he is an ordinary man?" another kid asked.

"No, no. Their love is forbidden because the ordinary man is a coward. The princess chose him over everything but he chose his insecurities over her and that's what makes their love forbidden." I said, lost in my thoughts.

"So, did they have a happy ending?" one kid asked from the corner of the room.

"No, at the end the princess gave up and went back to her kingdom to rule the world," I replied.

"Ohhhhhh," everyone said in a unanimous sad tone.

I chuckled.

"I know, it's sad but, what's important is the moral of the story. You need to be brave enough to take a step so that you can have a happy ending with your princess and not end up like the man in the story." I said hoping that they would understand my point. 

"Mr. Parker" a voice came from the door.

It was Ms. Teresa. In charge of this orphanage. She is around 50 years old and she is a very warm and sweet person to be around. 

"Yes, Ms. Teresa," I acknowledged with a small smile.

"Your secretary is looking for you near reception," she said with a warm smile.

I glanced at the watch and figured out that it was almost time to leave.

"Ah! yeah! I have an important meeting to attend this afternoon. I had totally forgotten about that" I said while feeling embarrassed. 

I've done this previously, so it's not entirely new to me. When I'm around these children, I lose track of time. The purity of these children enriches my existence. That is why I come here at least once a month to spend time with these kids, give them gifts, tell them tales, and sometimes we even play football, and chess, and participate in other activities. I adore them, and I believe they adore me as well.

"They love you, Mr. Parker" it was Ms. Teresa's voice.

"Huh?!" 

"Kids! Mr. Parker. They all love you and you are their inspiration." she said with a fond smile.

"Thanks, Ms. Teresa. But, I'm not the person from whom one should get inspired." I said looking at the kids with a lazy smile.

"Maybe you just need to find your princess and show some courage, this time!." She said looking right into my eyes.

"I wish, Ms. Teresa." I gave her a knowing smile and nodded my head. "I really wish." 

I took my black blazer which was on the chair and held it with my two fingers on my shoulder wished the kids goodbye, gave them a few hi-fi's, wished Ms. Teresa goodbye, and went down to reception where my sweet secretary waiting for me on the couch.

"Get your ass off, Andrew," I said making him daze out of his thoughts. 

"Are you fucking kidding me! Did you see the time? We need to be at the office in 15 minutes and that's impossible." he said with a stern tone.

"And did you forget that you work for me?" I said walking out of the reception. 

"Oh please! I have known you for a very long time and I think we are past this professional phase, isn't it?" he said nudging my arm.

"Jeez! I really need a new secretary." I said looking at him from my side eye while entering the parking space.

"Dude! I have a girlfriend, don't do that to me" he said with a dramatic tone and that made me roll my eyes. 

"keys!" I demanded.

He tossed me the keys.

I drove through the heavy traffic of Seattle and in 10 minutes we were in front of our office building and looked at my so-called secretary who was about to puke in my fancy car! You guessed it right, he has Tachophobia and I take full advantage of that.  

"I will cut your month's salary if you dare to puke your stuff in my car," I warned him. 

His eyes shot up to me and covered his mouth with his two hands and got out of my car in a flash. He will die but, he won't lose his salary at any cost. All thanks to his girlfriend.

I tossed the car keys to security and went straight into the office lobby and then into the elevator and pressed the top floor. I entered my floor and found my assistant sitting across the table, who was checking something on her laptop, and stood up immediately after noticing me. 

"Good afternoon, Mr. Parker," she said with a small smile.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Travis, is everything ready for the meeting?" I enquired.

"Yes, Mr. Parker! Everyone is waiting for you in the conference room," she informed.

I nodded and walked straight into the conference room making them startle with my presence. Soon, Andrew joined us. I think he is fine now. 

"Good afternoon everyone let's start the meeting," I announced and took my seat across the table. 

"Sir, this is about the new game we are creating. We have some issues over this project" A man named Kevin. I guess took the initiative.

"What's the issue?" I asked.

"Actually- the database that we outsourced is being paused because the technical architect who is handling the project had a heart attack and he is no more," he said with a worried tone. 

"When did this happen?" I asked with no emotions in my tone.

"It's been 3 days sir.' he answered. 

"So, what's the update from the company?"

"They said, they will be appointing a new technical architect as soon as possible and meanwhile asked us to cooperate with them, but if the work, gets delayed the post-production work will also get delayed and we won't be able to meet the deadline as we planned," he said while waiting for my response.

"OK, ask them to find a new replacement for that role by Monday, or else ask them to forget about this project. find another company for database management who will deliver the result as soon as possible. We can not wait for eternity. " I declare.

"Will inform them, sir," he said 

"Anything else?" I asked while standing up from my chair.

"No sir!" everyone said unanimously.

"Okay, the meeting is over." Having finished speaking, I walked out of the meeting room and Andrew came along.

"You are being harsh on them," Andrew stated.

"To whom?!" I asked walking into my cabin.

"To the company, who just lost their employee," he said sternly.

"I don't think so, I have already given them a week to find a replacement. So many people worked hard on this project and their lives depend on our company, I can't risk those lives just because of someone's demise. I have a company to run not a welfare center to sympathize with." I answered him.

He sighed, "I thought you changed Samuel." It made me look at him.

"But I forgot, you're just a bad boy turned good and you still have that bad boy personality somewhere." With that, he left the cabin and Me in a mess of thoughts.