A few months had passed and Emily had gotten over the divorce and was living happily with her son. She thought life had finally given her a happily ever after but no. Life has other plans and it wasn't time for a break yet.
Noah sat in his office in the USA. He returned the previous day and was in his office that morning, drinking coffee. Following the divorce, Noah decided to leave the country and go back to the United Kingdom where he stayed after he got married to Emily ten years ago. Jones supported him too. According to him, he needed a break and he could use that opportunity to look after a branch of his company down there. He stole a glance at the clock and sighed. It was 8:30 am. He took up his phone and dialed a number.
“Hey! You better start coming if you don't want me to kill you,” he said as soon as the call was answered.
“It hasn't gotten to killing me, you brat! I know you love me too much to do so. Don't worry, I'll be there in no time, okay?” his friend, Jones, answered.
“Better. You had better be here in the next one hour!”
While he was in the United Kingdom, Noah received a memo from an international body, hosting a competition. He was invited and given the opportunity to be one of the dignitaries in attendance. He was also selected to be the one who would give out the prizes to the winners of th competition.
That day, he was in his office with his friend, Jones when his secretary, Mr Jordan came to relay the information.
“Young master Harper, please, you have an official email sir.”
“Let me see.”
Mr Jordan went closer to him and showed him the email on the tablet he was holding.
“No. Decline it,” he said immediately after reading it.
“What's that? What are you declining again?” Jones asked. He used ‘again’ because Noah has declined about three proposals from his marketing team that morning.
“Show it to him,” he said to his secretary.
“Why are you declining?” Jones asked.
Noah didn't answer him, rather, he looked at him as if he was an idiot.
“Okay, don't look at me like that. Answer me. Why are you declining it?”
Noah gestured his secretary to leave, he bowed and left.
“What do you want me to do? Accept it and travel to the USA to watch kids compete? Did you even read that mail?”
“I did. Firstly, traveling isn't the problem. They probably sent this mail to you because live in the USA. Secondly, it's not a bad idea. Remember, we are trying to move on, do things we have not done before and spend time doing other things so that we can fix ourselves. Trust me, it's not as boring as it seems. I watch these shows sometimes and it can be interesting watching little kids challenge themselves in a subject like mathematics.”
“It can be interesting, but I'm not interested.”
“I'll reply the mail. You are going,” Jones said with a tone of finality.
Noah looked at him and smiled.
“Not so soon. You will not win everytime. Do you want to be my representative?”
“Jokes on you. You are going, Noah . Let's see it as something to pass time. I know it's not your thing. It's lame but, you know, Jones doesn't have bad tastes. Trust me when I tell you it's fun watching these kids in a competition. Fine, I'll follow you,” he offered. This offer made Noah raise a brow.
“Okay, why do I find this creepy? Are you forcing me to go? You even offered to follow me to the place? Hey! Jones, is there something you are not telling me?”
“Common, don't be unreasonable. I've always wanted you to leave the country and take a break. It will help more than ever. It's lame to you, I know, the biggest CEO in a kiddies mathematics competition and all that. But it's not, to me. I'll accompany you. We can also get to visit some places in the USA. There are some things I need to fix, okay? Let's accept this.”
“And if it's a mess, I'm going to kill you myself. This isn't a joke,” Noah said and both laughed.
“Threat accepted, your majesty!” Jones said in between laughter.
Noah accepted the invitation, travelled with Jones to the USA a day before the competition. Jones was to meet him in his office that morning and together, they would go to the competition. When Jones helped Noah reply to the mail, he requested an additional invitation as he would be coming with a company. The board was more than glad to do that and they sent another invitation immediately.
Noah looked at the clock again and sipped his coffee as he waited for Jones to show up. The clock ticked slowly and one hour passed but there was no Jones. Ten minutes later, Noah 's phone rang and it was Jones. Jones had the habit of calling Noah whenever he got to his door, even if they had an appointment. He called it extreme courtesy. Noah answered the call and said,
“Get you lazy ass inside the office now!”
He thought Jones had called to say he was at the door.
“Easy, Harper. I'm sorry, I…I don't know how to say this, but something came up and I have to attend to it. My clients…”
“You are joking, right? Jones, tell me this one of your pranks!”
“I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll be there, but I'll be late and I don't want to delay you, who's a guest of honour. I'm sorry,” Jones pleaded.
“You are horrific. Damn! You took me out of my country and abandoned me in a strange land. Now, I'm sounding like you kidnapped me,” Noah said, making Jones relax. He wasn't even angry as Jones feared.
“I know Harper will never be angry with me.”
“I'm going to spank you if I find you. I went through the videos you sent about previous competitions and I don't think it's bad. I'll give it a try but just so you know, you owe me a treat.”
“Yes, young master Harper. I will commit that to memory, sir.”
“Jones, you are crazy. Go away. Let me go for a competition and see how smart those kids are. Wait! What about the prize we prepared? How do I get it from you?” Noah asked. Jones had suggested that he prepare a prize from his individual pocket for the lucky winners of the competition and he did as Jones said. Both of them pooled resources together and got something for the best three in the competition.
“Come to my office and take it.”
“Huh? Did you just say that to me?”
“Hahahaha. I already sent someone to bring it to you. I'll talk to you later, see you!”
“Bye Jones,” Noah said and the line went dead.
“I'll have to go alone. Not bad,” he muttered and continued drinking his coffee. That was the fourth cup of coffee.
The competition was about to begin when Noah arrived. He was delayed by the man whom Jones sent to bring their prizes. After he brought it, Noah had to get his secretary to wrap them properly. This was something he would have done with Jones if he had come earlier that morning.
The man who was making an announcement suddenly stopped when Noah entered the place.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let's stand to welcome the guest of honour, Young master Harper, the enigmatic CEO of Blackwood Towers!”
Everyone stood up and many turned to the door to see this man who was a very popular fellow. He had a tall imposing frame that commands attention, and chiselled features that make him unforgettable. He had jet black hair which fell perfectly across his forehead and his eyes were more beautiful than a woman's. His skin had a warm golden glow as if he kissed the sun. He moved with confidence and grace and every aspect of him radiated a powerful aura of quiet strength, intelligence and unwavering self assurance. Everyone, man and woman alike admired this young man as he entered the room. For some people, this was their first time meeting him while others had seen him before. But it seemed he looked very handsome and exceptional that day.
Truly, Noah looked more handsome that day. After his divorce, he was declining in his features and everything until Jones came to his rescue.
“Thank you so much, for honouring the invitation, President Harper,” the announcer said and showed him to his seat on the high table.
Noah sat down and looked around the room discreetly. From where he sat, he saw the kids who were participating in the competition looking all smart in their various school uniforms. However, he paid no heed to them even as they were called out to introduce themselves, by saying their names and their school. Noah wasn't listening until he heard a kid say,
“I'm Liam Harper Muxin. I'm from Sparkle Start School.”