Five
1059 Words
Klein nodded.
That necklace was all he had on him when he was taken to the orphanage. He wore it around his neck everyday and everywhere. But then, his classmates always mocked him and said he kept a useless piece as something valuable.
Truly, Klein guarded the jade necklace with his life. It was the only thing that reminded him of his family. He only had a vague memory of what happened.
There were even times when some school bullies took the necklace from him just to make him cry. Klein flared up and beat them all up, which caused him to be suspended from school.
After that time, he had to change the position of the necklace. Instead of wearing it on his neck, he found a way to wear it on his waist. That way, no one would see it, make fun of it or steal it.
“I'm sorry that it was broken. Do you want a replacement…” He would be doomed if the CEO learns that any of Mr. Edward's things were destroyed.
“No!” Klein said sharply. His necklace can never be replaced. It was more valuable than all the jade pendants in the market! He was heartbroken that the necklace got broken after guarding it jealously for over fifteen years. But he was even angrier that the assistant dared to speak about a replacement!
“Sir, how about I get a doctor to attend to your wounds before taking you to see the boss?” he offered.
The CEO would be furious if he learnt that his employees did this to a very important guest. Klein on the other hand was eager to see the CEO, know what was happening and get all over with it.
What if he got to the office and it happened to be a mix up? Maybe he was the wrong guy? He would be thrown out and they would ask him to pay the medical expenses which he can't afford. He would see the doctor later, he reasoned.
“I'd rather see the CEO first. It's past the time for my appointment and I don't want to keep him waiting, sir.”
“Oh no! You don't have to call me sir. I'm Ben. Just call me Ben.”
“O….okay,” Klein finally said. He was in for so many surprises that day.
The assistant said nothing more as they both entered the elevator. On getting to the top floor, Klein fed his eyes to the beautiful sight before him. Rich dark wood panels adorned the walls. The floors were polished to perfection and they shone brightly. The lights were golden, illuminating the corridors and giving it a warm glow.
Mr. Ben came to a halt at a door which had the inscription, “CEO of Skype company” boldly written on it. The office had double doors made of rich dark hardwood with polished brass handles. Ben knocked and entered upon invitation.
A majestic hand crafted mahogany desk dominated the room, accompanied by plush cream colored leather chairs and matching sofas. The sofas were L- shaped for informal meetings in the office. A high backed plush leather executive chair stood behind the mahogany desk.
A crystal chandelier was above the desk, giving the room a warm and inviting appearance.
The oil paintings on the wall showed that the CEO was a lover of art. Framed accolades, awards, certificates and recognition from industry peers hung on the wall and a silver Skype logo seated proudly atop the desk alongside a laptop.
Contrary to Klein's expectations, the CEO was an elderly man in his early sixties. Wrinkles edged on his wise gentle face, speaking of experience and leadership.
His bright piercing eyes sparkled with warmth. His slightly grey hairs were combed back, revealing a prominent forehead. He was dressed in a tailored grey suit with pinstripes, white shirt and a patterned tie. From the look of things, he was a simple old man.
On seeing the two people that entered his office, he raised his head and his face greased into a frown. Klein's heart did this mad palpitation. Has the man seen there was truly a mix up? Was he the wrong person?
The old man took off the pair of reading glasses that perched at the edge of his nose and stood up.
“Who did this to him? Does that person have a death wish!”
Mr. Ben trembled before the CEO. His name was Mr. Henry Ford.
“It was the receptionist and the HR
manager. I had wanted to fire them but Mr. Edward requested they be given a second chance.”
Satisfied that the culprits would have been severely punished but for the intervention of the victim, Mr. Ford nodded his head and turned to Klein.
“Accept my apologies for your ill treatment, Mr. Edward. But you should have let Ben give them the punishment they deserved. It's fine if you choose to be merciful but they don't deserve it! Please, have a seat.”
Klein had his trousers torn in the reception when the security men were manhandling him. As he went to sit, Mr. Ford saw a mark on the upper part of his thighs.
“Is that a birthmark, Mr. Edward?” he asked.
“Yes sir. I'm sorry that my clothes are messed up…”
“Oh no! I should be apologizing because
it's my employees who did that. Mr. Ben, get him the latest clothes from Brandon collections right now!”
“Yes sir!”
Klein's eyes widened in surprise. Brandon collections?
Brandon collections were the biggest designers in the country. Some wealthy families even had to wait months just to secure a spot and another month to get their clothes.
“No sir, I'm fine. I can change when I get home,” he protested but Mr. Ford would hear nothing of it.
“Can I know about the birthmark, Mr. Edward?”
This very important man before him addressed him so formally as Mr. Edward unlike other people who struck him on the face while calling him Klein.
“The birthmark is the design of a bird, a phoenix, to be precise.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Ford went on his knees before him and kissed his feet.
- Writer
