The Prince from my dreams

Elliot’s POV Finally! I would see her after all these years of wait. I never felt this anxious all my life. As I sat in my office, tapping my foot in anxiety, my secretary James said, “Whoa! Watch out buddy. I never saw you fret like this.” He sat on the couch beside me and patted my shoulder, winking. I wouldn’t have tolerated this behaviour if it were anyone else. But James is not just my secretary he is also my only friend and close buddy since childhood. I smiled at him. Though I cant see my face at the moment, I know I look stupid sporting my ear to ear grin. I couldn’t help it. I am finally going to meet her after five long years. A lot has happened in these years. Firstly, she went off the radar for unknown reasons. With the limited resources I had back then, I couldn’t trace her whereabouts. After my graduation, I studied management and took over my family business two years ago. Now, I am the CEO of the Walton Group of industries, which has a strong foothold globally. With my newly found power, I spread my net far and wide. Now is the time to fish her out. A man who knew she had changed countries. She is working as a researcher in Halmiton’s AI Research centre. “I wonder why you intend to speak to the researchers today. As much as I know you, you were never the type to waste your time building relations or interacting with others.” James spoke prodding to get the truth out of me. Though I am sure he knows by now what I am after. “Don’t spout nonsense. I talk to you. Don’t I?” “Hey! I am different. How can you compare others with me? Are they the same as me?” James pouted, seemingly hurt. “Don’t act like my boyfriend. Jeez! Someone might mistake my orientation.” I remarked, moving away from him, to the farthest end of the couch. “Not that it would affect you. You were never interested in women.” James retorted when there was a knock. It was hard to miss his teasing tone. “Come in.” I commanded curtly, glaring back at James for his last comment. Both of us got back to our business as usual expressions when we saw Mr. Hamilton’s secretary walk in. “Sir! The researchers are ready and waiting in the lobby.” Ms. Parker said handing over the list of researchers. Ria’s POV “Hey Chloe! Whats up?” I spoke into my mobile as Chloe’s face appeared on the screen. She was still in her school uniform and seemed to have arrived home just now. “Nothing Sis. The same old story of a small town girl. School, homework, helping mom and sleep. Its boring without you.” she complained. A frown forming on her cute little face. She was just eight but still my best friend. I could talk to her for hours and never get tired. “I will come to visit you soon. We can go on a vacation. Just the two of us.” “Oooh! Sounds fun.” She raised her hand for a hi five, for which I reciprocated. “Mom wants to talk to you.” she looked side ways while her mom appeared in the frame. “Oh dear! Look at you. You have lost weight. You must eat well.” Sheryl said. “Hmm.” “Where is dad? At the store?” I asked, not bothering with pleasantries. “Hmm. He is not at home.” She replied apprehensively. Chloe took over and said, “Lets go on a cruise trip for vacation.” Beaming. “Sure thing. I have to clock in. Bye.” I swiped my access card at the entrance. Monday mornings always excited me. For they put an end to the boring weekends and I could start my week getting lost in my world of algorithms and code. Hamilton’s AI research centre was my favourite place. So, today was an exciting Monday morning. I was at the AI research centre minding my own business when I heard the announcement out of the blue. “ALL THE RESEARCHERS FROM THE LAB ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE LOBBY IN TEN MINUTES.” Most of my colleagues in the lab shared confused glances, whereas few nodded understandingly. There are always few people in every batch who were up to date with latest gossip. Sadly, I was not one among them. So I looked up to someone who was good at gossiping and asked, “Carla! Do you know what this is all about?” Carla grinned sheepishly and chattered excitedly, “Don’t you know? Some big company wants to acquire Hamilton’s AI and Robotics corporation. The CEO is here to talk to us. He might want to weigh our capabilities before making the final decision.” “What?” I really have no reasons to believe her. She is the gossip queen around here and her head runs wild into everyone’s territory. And boy! I can say she really gets creative in her head most of the time. I called Uncle Cory to know what was happening. I blurt out my question without waiting for any pleasantries. See! I told you I don’t like anyone disturbing my Monday morning. All I wanted to do was get back to my work instead of meeting some cold and proud CEO. “Uncle Cory! Why are the researchers asked to assemble in the lobby.” “Hello Ria! How are you? Already at the institute I believe? Such a hardworking child. I hope you rub some of your habits onto Sony. She is still sleeping.” Came uncle Cory’s gentle voice as he complained about his daughter and my best friend, Sony Hamilton. “Ha ha! Let her be uncle. But listen, can you tell me real quick why are we asked to assemble here in the lobby?” Uncle Cory chuckled as he spoke, “Don’t worry! Its nothing much. The Walton Group’s representative wants to talk to the researchers. You can ignore it if that seems much of a trouble to you.” “Why would someone from Walton Group talk to us?” I asked. “I will explain when we meet in person. Come home for dinner. I will have Victor pick you.” uncle said. “See you at dinner then. Don’t bother Victor. I will come on my own.” I said before I hung up though I knew Victor would definitely turn up to chauffer me home. As I dragged my feet to the waiting area, I heard the gossipers speaking, Gossiper 1: “Hey did you see the handsome man today?” Gossiper 2: Do you mean the new guy dressed in black suit? He had bodyguards with him. Looked like someone important. Gossiper 3: Are you kidding me? Don’t you know who he is? Gossiper 2 and 1: Who is he? Gossiper 3: He is Elliot Walton, the CEO of Walton Group of companies. The youngest CEO to be listed on Forbes top 10 list. That’s when my heart jumped to my throat.