Where The Heart Lies.

CHAPTER 1: HAPPY DAYS. Cheers and applause filled the board room. Everyone seated in the board room gave a standing ovation for such a magnificent presentation of a new development that would take the company to greater heights and serve humanity better.  The brains behind this development was Ben Luke, who turned forty three years old a month ago. He had been the brains behind many other scientific breakthroughs in the area of health and medical technology.  Ben had been one of the founding members of the company, OMNI TECH, located in Manhattan New York, right from it's inception, 10 years ago. He gave his all to the growth of the company, until it became a force to reckon with in the whole of the United States of America, and globally of course.  "Now that's one heck of an innovation Ben. I see this revolutionizing the whole space of medicine," said Mr Gerald, the chairman of the board of directors of OMNI TECH.  "The board fully approves of this. The company's resources are available to you to implement this. I mean, it's not just gonna help humanity, it's also gonna help enrich our already fat bank accounts. Am I right?" Mr Gerald asked with a big smile on his face. "Of course," they all replied.  "Isn't that right Ben?" asked Mr Gerald. "It sure is sir," he replied.  "That being said, I think we can all take our leave and let Ben and his team get to work," said Mr Gerald, concluding the meeting.  On their way out, Ben received lot of accolades. Everyone came around and shook his hand praising him. He wore a big smile all the while he was praised. Indeed, he deserved the praise. He had worked hard for this innovation. This innovation was to be a government licenced app that would connect medical personnels and Doctors who are unemployed, and even those employed, to patients who are unable to make it to the hospital, as the patient describes his or her challenge, and a health personnel available with the specialty for such a case, would respond and attend to the patient as scheduled by them both.  OMNI TECH profits by getting a percentage from what is paid the medical personnel, and also from the monthly subscription made by the medical personnels.  Mr Gerald called on Ben as they walked out. With his right arm across Ben's shoulders, he said, "I couldn't be more fortunate to have invested in you when you came to me 10 years ago. You have made this company grow tremendously, and put us on the world map. We owe all of our achievements to you Ben." "I'm only here to serve sir. And it's a normal principle of life, for value to beget profit," Ben replied. "It sure is begetting profit alright," Mr Gerald retorted elatedly. "Keep up the good work son. Let me know if you need anything," said Mr Gerald as he got into the elevator, heading to the first floor from the tenth floor of the office complex, to take his leave from the company's premises, in his black Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Ben returned to his office, an office with a glass view of the bustling city of Manhattan. Taking off his suit jacket, he sat leaning back into his white reclining chair. He gleaned with joy, knowing what laid ahead of him and the company.  He poured a glass of wine and sipped on it, thinking positive thoughts. Then he heard a knock on his door, but before he could give permission to let in who was knocking, the person walked right in. "Privacy and permission aren't found in your diction and vocabulary huh?" he said to the person who entered, Paul.  "Come on dude, haven't we gone past the point of me knocking before entering?" said Paul. "Oh, so you just swoop right in huh? What if I needed privacy and some alone time?" he asked Paul. "Whoa! Now what would the great and geeky Ben need privacy for? Don't tell me you have a visitor?" Paul said as he winked.  Ben shook his head left and right wondering, "How in the world did I become friends with this individual?" Paul had been Ben's friend right from college, and Ben offered him a position in OMNI TECH when the company was new. He is a very enthusiastic individual, he had very good people skills, and he did employ those skills during negotiations that has been beneficial to the company. He was a valuable member of the company. And also, Paul was someone Ben could count on. They had been through a lot over the years.  "I couldn't help but notice how delighted everyone was, and you're gleaning with joy too. Come on spill the beans. They accepted your innovation, didn't they?" "They sure did," Ben gladly replied. "This calls for a celebration," Paul said smacking his hand on the table in excitement. He picked up a second wine glass on Ben's table,poured himself some wine, and said, "Let's toast to this. We're toasting to more prosperity, and more prosperity." "To more prosperity," replied Ben, as they clinked their glass, and sipped their wine.  "Like I said, this calls for a celebration. We're going out, and the drink's on me," said Paul. "No man, I can't go out. I need to prepare for next week, and you get some rest this weekend," Ben contested.  "Buddy, you've got no choice. We're going out. When last have you gone out?" He asked Ben. "I don't know. But am always busy an-" "You're not escaping this time," Paul interrupted. After your divorce, you've not even placed yourself out there in dating scene. When last did you even get laid?" Paul asked sarcastically. Ben looked at him, almost disgusted at the question.  "But seriously man, you're successful, good looking as a forty three years old adult. Come on, you really need someone in your life now. And who knows, you may find one and have your happily ever after."  "I don't think there's such a thing as a happily ever after," Ben replied.  "Anything is possible. We just need to be open to such a possibility my friend," Paul responded.  "Yeah, that's true," Ben acknowledged. "But I don't think love is meant for some of us. I speak from experience." "Experience or not, we're gonna have a good time tonight. I'll pick you up at 7 pm. You had better be ready by the time I arrive. I wouldn't want us to waste time and lose from all the fun that awaits us. Tonight is gonna be a good night. I can sense it," Paul said already feeling excited.  "Alright, see you then," Ben replied, as Paul exited his office happily. Ben takes a sip of his wine again and went ahead to tidy up things in his office and research lab, as he prepared to make his way home, and enjoy the weekend.  "Abbie, isn't it time to be headed home? You should be headed home now," Ben said to his secretary. "I'll be done soon sir. I'm done with the paperwork, I just need to upload them into our database," she replied. "Alright. Just don't work late, okay?" "I won't sir," she replied.  He took his duffle bag from his office in one hand, and his suit jacket in the other, and he took the elevator downstairs to the first floor, exiting the office complex, he got into his car and drove off, calling it a day.  While on transit in his car, a Lexus ES 350, from his office complex at Fifth Avenue to his residence at Greenwich village, he thought to himself, "Tonight is sure gonna be one hell of a party."