Walking into my boss’s office I lay the papers on his desk with a name and all the information I was able to gather about the person he wanted. He appears to read it over before setting it down and saying, “Son, I’ve been thinking about what you told me the last time I visited you and I want my experts to look you over thoroughly.”
“Sir, there’s no need.”
“It's not a request, Michael. Before we can move forward I need to know that I can rely on you.”
“Have I failed you yet. Besides I thought we had an agreement that I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
He sits up leaning his crossed arms on his desk as he replies, “No, I can’t say that you have. You've always been one that I could count on for anything, no questions asked but I’m worried about your future, my son. If you do in fact have this disease you were talking about, then we need to take care of it right away before it gets worse.”
“Sir, I assure you even the best doctors in the world can’t do anything to stop the progression at this point.” I pause before continuing, “Mr. Ramirez, do know, that I don’t perceive a future where any matter of mine will disrupt me from doing my job for you.”
He then leans back in his chair, resting his elbows on the arms of it as he interlocks his fingers. Gliding his thumbs across his jaw line as he thinks over my words carefully while I stand there staring at him wondering when he's going to pop the real question on his mind. Moments later he grabs the paper off his desk once again and looks it over as he asks, “So, did you interview this child or his parents?”
“He doesn't have any parents, just a caretaker and a nanny. The child is a bit on the wild side but he’s still young enough to be taught. Of course, that will take time and a lot of patients. Although, you may want to consider some conditioning for him before you proceed with your plans.”
“I see. You sound as if you are familiar with this.”
“Sir, I’ve had my fair share of dealing with children of this nature and I can only give you advice based on my knowledge.”
“Well then… based on your experience how long do you think this process would take?”
“Depends on what you are looking to achieve.”
He places the paper down on his desk again and stares at me as he asks, “What kind of lifestyle did you have growing up?”
“Sir, I don’t think my childhood has any bearing on the situation at hand.”
“Oh but Michael, my son, it does. It makes all the difference in the world on how I want you to work with this child and prepare him to take over Frank’s position one day…” he pauses to lean on his desk again as he continues, “As loyal as Frank is he doesn’t posses any type of abilities as you call them. In fact other than you, I have no one else to turn to that will have my back regardless of what I ask them to do. Believe me, I’ve looked into finding someone else but many of my employees like to play secret games. I honestly think they prefer the approach of cat and mouse rather than getting to know the truth.”
“Why do you want me to do this?”
“Because son, you are more than just a faithful companion to me. Your devotion to this company and myself go far beyond what any other employee has ever shown. I believe that given the right circumstance you would in fact sacrifice yourself for either one, am I wrong?”
I wanted to blurt out that he was dead wrong but instead I replied, “Sir, I do whatever is set out in front of me the way it's intended to be done.” I can’t help it if it appears as if I'm a loyal obedient dog.
YOU ARE READING
The Hidden Truth
FantasyMichael Morgan is a young adult who is fresh out of college with his eyes on the company he researched. After returning to his best friends home to collect his siblings, he finds that they are now missing. Fearing for their safety, he resorts to dra...
