Chapter 13 New Projects 1

At that time, I was out of my car and willing to kill and quell my disappointment. He took a few steps backward to avoid my fist.

"Give me the address, now," I yelled and advanced towards him.

"You have to believe me, Mr. Zenith. He did not leave any application with me," he panted and covered in sweat.

I faced the other workers and inquired, "Is that possible? How did he know that he was looking for a job if he did not see his application?"

"He informed us," one of them explained.

"Oh! He is your relative. You attended to him unofficially. Am I right?" I asked them hoping to get any useful information about him from them.

They were gobsmacked by my accusations. Without waiting for their explanation, I got back into my car and ordered them, "Find him," before I shut my door and drove off.

"Where do I look for him," I asked myself.

After a careful thought, I said to myself, "He must have gone to another gold field."

Without hesitation, I hit the road in search of the only boy who was capable of taking the place of Denise.

Back At The Gate

"Mr. Zenith is right this time," one of the guards said.

"Why do you think so?" Another person asked him.

"We should have gotten his application letter as we usually do before interrogating him."

"You are right but he is too handsome and so fragile to work here." 

"We were carried away by his look and the quest to rescue him from the slave driver and forgot to do our work," another person said.

Those in positions of high responsibility often experience stress - both from their mistakes and that of others. The burden was on the CSO and he never bothered himself with their arguments.

"How do we get him?" He asked them with a burdened tone.

Everyone was unaware of the answer to his question and was morose. After a careful thought, one of them said, "Should we check out for him at Westminster?"

"Why? He would not have gone there since the king wants only female staff members," the CSO pointed out.

Presently, they were in a dilemma. Not because of work but because their boss was in love.

Mr. Zenith's Search 

Since he was in my organization to seek a job, I concluded that he was interested in working in the gold field. Therefore, I decided to visit my counterparts in the gold mining business. My first port of call was Johnson's gold field and he was surprised to see me.

"What's up, Reuben?" He furrowed his brow and asked me.

"What's up, Johnson? Is it absurd to visit you?" I attacked him, hoping to cover up the truth.

I had withdrawn from friends and social life since the death of Denise. They were not aware of our relationship and considered it the death of a friend. Probably, they were aware but kept it to themselves. Johnson was one of those cross with me because I was inconsolable.

He smiled at my attack and answered me, "Why should it be? I'm glad to have you, anyway."

I smiled as well and responded, "Thank you for having me. It's been a while."

"Yes. Sit down," he said and showed me a seat.

"Thank you for the offer," I appreciated him and sat down.

He focused on me to search for my level of healing and seemed pleased with me.

"You are doing well," he complimented me.

I pretended not to know what he was talking about and answered him, "You are right. Business had been good."

"I see. What brings you," he asked me.

"I wish to reconnect with good friends like you. Or what do you think?"

"I like that. What about having lunch with me?" 

"That would make my day,"  I accepted the offer hoping to stay longer with him and nose around.

He was pleased with my acceptance and called out one of his staff members. He arrived at once and he instructed him to take my order. He obeyed and left afterward. 

"It's been a while, Johnson," I pointed out.

Johnson was genuinely happy to see me. He shook his head and said, "You have said it all. A lot has happened since you left. Never mind, we have a lot to talk about."

To inquire about Julius, I continued, "You are right. You have expanded your building and I can see some new faces among your staff members. Did you employ any new staff of late?"

"Yes of course. We even employed one yesterday," he responded without attaching any meaning to my question.

The information raised my hope. I concluded that Julius came to him after he left me and he employed him. I came up with an idea that would make me see him.

"That is good to hear. I can ..."

I stopped when his phone rang and he was distracted.

"Excuse me," he said and picked up the call.

"Hello, Dear," he greeted the caller.

I suspected that the caller was his wife and they would speak for some time. I relaxed on my chair and kept myself busy with my phone. While they were speaking, his staff returned with the lunch, set it on the mini-conference table, and walked away.

Shortly after, Johnson was through with his call. He faced me and apologized, "Pardon me for keeping you waiting."

"Never mind," I responded.

"Let's eat," he said and got up from his swivel chair.

I got up as well and waited for him to lead the way. Once we settled down and began to eat, he reminded me, "You were about to say something before I got a call."

"Yes. I wanted to say that I can help you to train your new staff if you permit me."

He smiled broadly and made it clear to me, "Why not? You have not changed, Reuben. You are still your old self - always willing to help out.