Next Day
Elian fixed his collar.
First suit. Cheap one. From the mall. Still itched.
But he needed a job.
Diamond money was for investing. Not living. Lola raised him better than that.
He walked into Harkwell Holdings. Glass building. 40 floors.
Asked for HR.
Manager was nice. Late 40s. Tired eyes.
"Marketing position?" The manager scanned his resume. "I'm sorry, Mr. Eldridge. We filled that role last Friday. Actually… all entry positions are occupied right now."
Elian nodded. Wasn't surprised.
"Thank you for your time, sir," he said. Meant it. Shook his hand.
Turned to leave.
Head down. Already thinking of the next place. Maybe retail. Maybe construction. Didn't matter.
He pushed the glass door—
And walked straight into someone.
Hard.
Elian stumbled back. Fell on his ass. Cold floor.
"Sorry— I'm so sorry, I wasn't—"
He looked up.
Old man. 70s. Wool coat. Cane. Two bodyguards behind him.
Everyone in the lobby was bowing. "Good afternoon, Mr. Harkwell."
The old man looked down. About to speak. Probably a lecture.
Then he saw Elian's face.
And froze.
Elian froze too.
_Gray face. Blue lips. Robson and Burrard._
"You," the old man said. Quiet.. Stunned. "From yesterday. The street. Are you— are you okay?"
Elian didn't answer.
Just stared.
Then: "Are you the boy that helped me yesterday?"
Elian scrambled up. Brushed his pants. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry for bumping into you. I wasn't looking. It's my fault—"
"Why are you here?" Mr. Harkwell cut in. Voice sharp. But not angry.
Elian blinked. "I… came to apply. Marketing position. But the manager said everything's occupied. I was just leaving."
Mr. Harkwell studied him.
The boy who didn't know him.
Who held his hand on the street.
Who saved his life
Mr. Harkwell nodded. Slow.
Reached into his coat. Pulled out a black card. No logo. Just a name and number.
_Arthur Harkwell_
_Chairman_
"Call me," he said. Pressed it into Elian's hand. "Saturday. 10 AM."
Elian stared at the card. "Sir, I don't—"
"Saturday," Mr. Harkwell said again.
Then he walked past.
Bodyguards followed.
The whole lobby watched.
Manager's mouth was open.
Elian stood there.
Card in hand.
Ass still cold from the floor.
And realized he'd just bumped into the owner of the whole building.
The man he saved.
Later that day at the hotel
*Text to Cherry, 2:05 PM*
*Elian:* _Pink. You're not gonna believe this._
*Elian:* _Remember the old man?_
*Elian:* _He owns the company I tried to apply to._
*Elian:* _And he just gave me his card._
Three dots.
*Cherry:* _ELIAN WHAT_
*Cherry:* _ARE YOU KIDDING ME_
*Cherry:* _Told you you're not servant boy anymore, stupid._
Elian looked at the card again.
Smiled.
Maybe he didn't need to find business.
Maybe business just found him.