Pinnacle Of Power

Chapter 6: The prettiest smile

Bradley's POV

My heart was beating so fast and loudly that if you listened closely enough, you could hear its rhythm.

I gulped and swallowed hard when she addressed me.

"Hello sir, this is for you", her voice sounding like the sweetest thing I had heard in a long time-tender and innocent.

I was lost in her eyes, and the world around me seemed to freeze. I got a better look at her. Her face had the perfect set of eyes-catlike and pretty. Her high cheekbones looked like those of a high-end celebrity. Her nose was pointy and she had full lips that were a blush of light pink.

She cleared her throat. "You sure do stare a lot", she teased, smiling sweetly.

I could melt.

What was happening to me? Back outside prison walls, I had seen so many pretty women in all various forms, with every inch of sophistication, even my fiancée-my former fiancée was beautiful. But here, this woman looking so plain and simple held me captive with just her gaze.

I quickly apologized...I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to be rude."

She smiled warmly, "It's ok, I wouldn't hold it against you". She took the parcel of souvenirs and asked me what I would like to take to keep me occupied.

I peered inside. "I don't even know what to take...maybe I don't need anything".

"I disagree...we all need something to keep us occupied-like a push to keep us going".

I gestured around. "What push could I possibly have in a place like this?"

"I understand. But you should know that, wherever you are, no matter the circumstance you find yourself in, you can take advantage of it".

"What possible advantage could I take here?"

"Mmm"...she pursed, putting her long slender fingers lightly tapping on her lips," what are you passionate about?"

My heart ached at the question. I stared blankly at her remembering what my life used to be like outside prison walls. I was passionate about so many things, but it was snatched away from me in the blink of an eye.

She held my gaze-her eyes narrowing slightly, as if she knew what I was thinking about... like she could search into my soul with her eyes.

"I know that look", she remarked. "Did you have a thought of what your life used to be like before you found yourself here?"

How did she know?

"Y-yes", I replied.

"Worrying won't change a thing. It just keeps you busy doing nothing. So tell me what you like doing, let's start from there".

"Tech. I loved every bit of it and still do".

"That's amazing! I love that for you. But...", she paused, scanning round the place, "looking at the environment though, you may feel you can't harness your potential or turn your passion into something useful. But here's something..." she reached inside the parcel bag and brought out a journal and a pen.

"Here..." she stretched her hand, "it's not much but you can write about your passion in here. Everything you love about tech, how it fascinates you and all. Even if it's something you want to build from scratch and how you intend to go about it, you can write them here".

"With a pen and paper?" I scoffed.

She laughed lightly. "I believe in you. And just so you know, the only thing limiting you, is your mindset. A man with a small mindset is limited only to small things. But a man with a big mindset-he can take on the world. There is no limit to what he can do. When you free your mind you free yourself of everything that acts as an obstacle in your path, so instead of seeing an obstacle, you're seeing an opportunity".

I was in awe. Her eyes lit up as she spoke to me. She sounded like someone with an experience too old for her age-like she'd lived through many lives.

Then I looked at her closely. Her eyes, they were beautiful no doubt but they had dark circles. Her palms obviously showed calluses. Her collarbone was prominent and her clothes looked faded and cheap.

Surely, she hadn't lived an easy life. She probably has a past of her own too. Maybe somewhat similar to mine.

"You are right", I said bitterly "I really needed to hear this, thank you so much."

"You don't have to thank me, I'm glad I could be of help", she said softly. "Here's the journal and the pen, don't worry they'll let you use it. And remember, as long as there is life, there is hope-there's always a way".

I was touched. No one had spoken to me this way before. I wanted to reach out and grab her for a hug but I held back.

She started packing up the remaining parcel to join the group. Were they leaving already?

I wished she could stay and talk with me some more.

It took every ounce of willpower not to draw her back into my embrace. She was a woman I just met today. Why has she consumed my emotions like this?

"You are leaving already?" I asked.

"Yeah, of course".

"Will I see you again?" I asked with eagerness in my voice like a child waiting for a positive response from a parent.

She paused as if thinking about it in her head.

"Yes, of course. But until then, keep yourself busy with the journal...you'll find it helpful. And before you know it, time has passed with you doing something tangible and worthwhile."

"I wonder if the wardens will allow me to take it to my room".

She turned, shocked. "Are you kidding me? This is the step two elite special confinement. Of course they'll let you use it".

Special confinement?

I didn't have time to think too much about it as she was already leaving with the group when I called out.

"Four years! I'll be free in four years...and I will love to meet you again".

"Why?" She asked.

"Because I would like to be your friend. I-if you don't mind".

"Ok, but on one condition".

"What is it?"

She gestured to the journal and pen in my hand as she held my gaze. "Promise me that you won't let your passion go to waste...no matter what".

I looked at both items and clutched them tightly. "Is that all?"

"Yes", she replied.

"Then consider it done". I said.

"Good".

Then she gave me the prettiest smile ever and started walking away to join the other volunteers. I watched her leave till I couldn't see her anymore.

It felt as if a part of me had left with her-like I was incomplete. It was like reliving the day I was bound in cuffs, stripped of everything I owned, and thrown into this desolate place.

I was still lost in thoughts when I heard a voice call me from behind.

"Inmate 7418. Your attention is needed".