CHAPTER 6 – THE BOSS

THEO

"Theo... where are you going?" As soon as I heard that voice I immediately stood still...halfway to my room door...my uncle stood in the parlour with his arms folded, moving from my wardrobe and back to me...

"Nowhere important," I replied casually. "I just have some notes to finish at a friend's place."

"Notes?"

"Yeah."

"Which friend?" I hesitated for a second.

"Faithful...”

"You don't have a friend named faithful."

"I... met him recently."...My uncle stepped closer.

"Theo."

"Yes?"

"Look at me." I slowly looked at him...

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

"You are." He sighed heavily before turning back to me..."You've been acting strangely since yesterday. You keep checking your phone every minute. Now you're dressed like you're going for a job interview." ...I laughed nervously before replying...

"A job interview? Uncle, seriously?"

"So that's what it is?"

"No!"

"Then hand me your phone."

"I can’t find it..."

"Then look for it..."

"I'll be late."

"For your notes?"

"..." he shook his head.

"I knew it." Before I could react, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back into my room.

"Uncle!"

"You are not leaving this house today."

He pushed me inside...

"Uncle, listen—"

He turned the keys from outside my room and locked the door.

"Uncle!"

"I'll unlock it when I'm sure you've stopped lying."

"Please! Just hear me out!"

"No."

His footsteps faded away... he walked away from the door...I clenched my fists. "This can't be happening." I rushed to the door and banged on it repeatedly.

"Uncle! ...Open the door!"

"I'll explain everything!" still no answer from him...I hit the door one last time before resting my forehead against it.

"Damn it..." Several minutes passed... still no reply from him...

I looked around the room...there had to be another way.

My eyes settled on the window and a slow smile spread across my face

"You forgot one thing..."

I walked over to the window and pushed it open...the distance from the ground to the window wasn't too high...

"I've jumped higher."

Taking a deep breath, I climbed onto the ledge.

"Here goes nothing." I jumped and landed awkwardly on the grass.

"Ouch...No turning back now."

I dusted my clothes and hurried toward the street...as I reached the next driveway, something caught my attention...a black SUV...Its windows were tinted, and the engine was still running.

"Who's sitting in a parked car this early?" For a moment, I considered walking around it...but I continued walking...Just as I passed the car doors flew open...two men stepped out dressed in all black...

"Theo." I immediately stopped mid way...

"How do you know my name?" One of the men smiled politely.

"We've been looking for you."

"For what?"

"We're from the company."

"What company?"

"The one you applied to."

"The jewellery company?"

"Yes."

"They sent you?"

"They did." I looked at both men suspiciously.

"If you're really from the company...show me some proof." One of them chuckled.

"Smart." Before he could say anything else, the front passenger door opened...someone climbed out...the moment I saw his face, something felt familiar...he walked toward me with a calm smile.

"Good morning."

"Have we met before?" he smiled faintly.

"I don't think so."

"I'm sure I've seen you somewhere...You probably have one of those familiar faces."

"No...I'm almost certain."

"My name is Malachi."

"Theo."

"I know."

"Right."

Malachi nodded toward the SUV and opened the car door

"Our manager is waiting."

"Manager?"

"He doesn't like being kept waiting."

I glanced at the two men...then back at Malachi.

"You promise this isn't some kind of kidnapping?” One of the men laughed loudly.

"If it were, we wouldn't tell you."

"Ignore him Theo... You came looking for work."

"I did."

"We came to bring you to it." I stared at him for several seconds...something about him felt untrustworthy but for the sake of the Job I had to go with them

"Fine." I climbed into the SUV...the ride was surprisingly quiet...no one spoke for several minutes...eventually I cleared my throat.

"So..." Malachi looked over.

"So... what exactly does this company do?"

"Jewellery."

"I know that."

"We design it."

"Only that?"

"For now." Something about this jewellery company sounded mysterious

"Mysterious."

"Our manager likes mystery."

"I've noticed."...the SUV finally slowed down...I looked out the window... an enormous glass building stood before us.

"This place..." One of the men grinned.

"Impressive, isn't it?"

"It looks expensive."

"It is." The vehicle stopped in front of the building... then Malachi opened the door.

"We're here."

I stepped outside...employees hurried in and out of the building...everyone looked busy...the moment they noticed the men beside me they immediately lowered their heads.

I whispered to one of the men beside me...

"Why's everyone acting like that?"

"They're working."

"No..."

"They look scared."

"Come."

We entered the building...everything looked impossibly expensive.

"This is incredible..."

"It gets better." Malachi responded...we stopped outside a large office...Malachi knocked once.

"Come in." A voice from inside replied...we stepped in and a man sat behind a massive desk...his chair faced the wall-sized window instead of us.

Only the back of the chair was visible.

"You brought him?"

"Yes, sir."

"Leave us." The two men left us...only Malachi remained.

"So...Theo."

"Yes sir."

"You applied yesterday."

"I did."

"Why?"

"I need a job."

"Everyone needs a job."

"I need this one."

"Why this company?"

"I've always admired jewellery."

"Oh?"

"I like how something so small can carry so much value."

"What experience do you have?"

"I worked part-time at my neighbour’s jewellery repair shop."

"What did you do there?"

"Cleaning pieces, organizing displays, helping customers, learning basic repairs."

"Were you trusted?"

"Yes."

"Ever stolen anything?"

"No."

"Ever been accused?"

"No."

"If someone offered you a million to steal a diamond?"

"I'd refuse."

"Why?"

"Because I'd lose something more valuable."

"What?"

"My integrity." Malachi glanced at me briefly...the man asked another question.

"What if no one found out?"

"I would still know."

"Interesting."...He continued.

"How do you handle pressure?"

"I stay calm."

"Conflict?"

"I solve it before it grows."

"Fear?"

"I acknowledge it."

"Loyalty?"

"I don't betray people who trust me."

Finally... He asked one last question

"I have one last question."

"Yes, sir."

"If I hired you today...” He paused.

"...could you keep a secret?"

"What kind of secret?"

"The kind that could cost you your job if broken."

"I don't understand."

"You don't need to."

"You've passed."

"I... have?"

"Yes."

Relief washed over me.

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me yet." He leaned back slightly.

"There's one condition."

"I'm listening."

"No one...must know you work under me."

"I'm sorry?"

"You heard me."

"But... why?"

"That isn't your concern."

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to."

"What if someone asks where I work?"

"You lie." I hesitated.

"I don't like lying."

"You'll learn."

"But—"

"Can you do it?"

"I suppose..."

"Good."

The man sighed softly...a lighter clicked... he lit up a cigarette between his fingers...he took one slow drag before removing it from his lips.

For the first time...the chair slowly turned.

The face became clear...the same sharp eyes...My mouth fell open.

"Professor..."

The cigarette rested between his fingers as he looked directly at me.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Theo?"

"...Professor Adrian?" his smile widened...

"Welcome to my company."