Chapter 8: A Name Worth Remembering
The spacious lobby had grown quieter as the evening drew to a close.
Most of the guests had already left, leaving only a handful of employees tidying the reception area. Soft classical music drifted through the air, replacing the lively atmosphere from earlier.
Benny hurried out of the elevator, his emerald-green eyes anxiously scanning every corner of the polished marble floor.
"Please let it still be here..."
That wallet contained everything he had.
His university ID.
His bank card.
The little cash he had saved after paying this month's rent.
More importantly...
It held the only photograph he had left of the woman who had cared for him when he was younger.
Losing it wasn't an option.
He searched around the reception desk, beneath the nearby sofas, and even retraced his steps toward the hallway where he had bumped into the frightening man earlier.
Nothing.
His shoulders slowly slumped.
"...Did someone already pick it up?"
Just as he turned around—
His footsteps froze.
Standing only a few meters away was the same man.
Nathan Cooper.
He stood beside the elevator with several bodyguards behind him. His charcoal overcoat rested neatly over his broad shoulders, and his cold sapphire-blue eyes were fixed on Benny.
Benny instinctively straightened his back.
"Why does it have to be him again?"
Nathan walked toward him with calm, measured steps.
The sound of polished leather shoes echoed softly across the marble floor.
Each step made Benny's heart beat faster.
When Nathan finally stopped in front of him, neither of them spoke immediately.
The silence stretched between them.
Then Nathan lifted his right hand.
In it...
Was a worn brown wallet.
Benny's eyes widened.
"My wallet!"
He reached out before suddenly stopping himself.
"...Is that really mine?"
Nathan looked at him.
"Your name."
"Benny Miller."
Nathan turned the university ID toward him.
"It matches."
Relief washed over Benny's face.
"It really is mine!"
He accepted it carefully, almost afraid it would disappear.
The first thing he did was open it.
His fingers quickly checked the contents.
The cash.
The cards.
Then...
The small photograph.
Still there.
He quietly released the breath he had been holding.
"Thank goodness..."
Nathan noticed the visible relief in the young man's expression.
"You didn't check the money first."
Benny looked up, slightly confused.
"Huh?"
"Most people would."
Benny smiled faintly.
"The money can be earned again."
He gently touched the old photograph inside the wallet.
"This can't."
Nathan's gaze briefly fell upon the picture before returning to Benny.
"Someone important?"
Benny nodded.
"My grandmother."
"My real parents passed away when I was very young."
"For a while... she was the only family I had."
Nathan didn't ask another question.
He simply watched as Benny carefully placed the photograph back into the wallet as though it were something precious.
"Thank you," Benny said sincerely, bowing slightly.
"I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost it."
Nathan replied in his usual calm tone.
"You should be more careful."
"I know."
Benny laughed awkwardly.
"I've always been a little absent-minded."
Nathan almost remembered the earlier collision in the hallway.
A little?
That seemed like an understatement.
For a brief moment...
The corner of his lips almost moved.
Almost.
Benny blinked.
"Did... did he almost smile?"
Before he could be sure, Nathan's expression returned to its usual calm indifference.
"You attend Crescent University."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"Computer Science."
Benny nodded.
"I've always liked computers."
Nathan looked at him for another second.
"You repaired your own phone."
Benny looked surprised.
"How did you know?"
"The screws."
Nathan's eyes briefly shifted toward the phone in Benny's hand.
"One is missing."
Benny instinctively looked at it before laughing sheepishly.
"You noticed..."
"It was cheaper than buying a new one."
Nathan gave a small nod.
"I see."
The assistant standing behind Nathan was secretly astonished.
His boss...
Was actually making small talk.
In all the years he had worked for Nathan Cooper, he had never seen him voluntarily continue a conversation with a stranger.
Benny scratched the back of his neck.
"Well..."
"I should probably go."
"My friend is waiting outside."
Nathan didn't stop him.
"Mm."
Benny smiled politely.
"Thank you again, Mr..."
His voice trailed off.
He suddenly realized...
He didn't know the man's name.
Nathan looked at him for a moment.
"Nathan."
"Benny."
"I know."
Benny smiled awkwardly.
"Right..."
He bowed once more before turning toward the exit.
Nathan watched him walk away.
Just before Benny pushed open the glass doors, he turned around unexpectedly.
Their eyes met again.
Benny lifted his hand and gave a small wave.
"Goodbye, Mr. Nathan!"
Nathan remained silent.
But after Benny disappeared into the night...
His assistant heard him speak quietly.
"...Benny Miller."
As though committing the name to memory.
The assistant lowered his head respectfully.
"Sir?"
Nathan looked toward the dark street outside.
"For some reason..."
"I have a feeling this won't be our last meeting."
The black Rolls-Royce pulled away from the building, disappearing into the city's glittering lights.
Outside, Benny climbed into Daisy's car with a bright smile, completely unaware that the cold, untouchable CEO had just remembered his name for the very first time.