Call Me Aarinola

Chapter 1

AARINOLA KEHINDE

"What is this, North Korea?"

John complained behind me. "Why won't they let us take some pictures? I understand they want to keep things hush-hush, but why give college students a tour in the first place?"

Everyone tucked their phones and camera inside their bags or their pockets.

"I don't know. It's like they want to prove they are relatable, but then act like some kind of evil corporation." I mocked.

This had not been a problem when we rode the shuttle around the very large campus surrounding Futuretech. We checked out the various salons, gift shops and restaurants. Once we got inside, it changed. The inner feel of Futuretech was nothing like the outside. It was void of brightness and color, but filled with whiteness and lots of screens.

Seems like everywhere you'd look, there was a screen displaying some curated technology or an ad. There was this robotic voice across the halls announcing how innovative the world was because of Futuretech.

John claimed it was a sublime message for the tourists that came to visit, but I don't mind it.

Futuretech was the leading company in technology and somehow remained in that position for the last 10 years. It would be a dream if I could work here—even if it was an internship position.

Unfortunately, they don't accept interns, as the tour guide had answered earlier.

We went to the food court, and the variety of options enthralled me. They laid it out in a buffet style, and you can take as much of whatever you liked. The soups, salads, and drinks might appeal to any dietary preferences.

The tour guide mentioned the culinary team organically grew and sourced every food here. They hoped to promote a healthy lifestyle for their staff.

He continued and walked through the food court to the next level area.

"Futuretech is setting the pace for technological advancement and a change in the world. We had the chemist department that created the bio-fuels, I am sure many of you have heard of it. It is now going to be used in the launch of rockets."

The guide paused like he was waiting for an applause.

A hand shot up in the air. "I heard you guys bought the bio-fuel from a small startup in India."

"Well, we like to think we gave them an opportunity to explore their potential and they wouldn't have done it without the resources at their disposal here at Futuretech."

"What a perfect media answer." I turned to whisper to John to find him plugging in an ear bud.

He shrugged at me. "It's kinda boring, isn't it?"

"Well, I am going to look for the restroom. Be right back."

Walking away from the rest of the group, I strolled down the hallway until I spotted a bathroom at the end. My hand pushed against the door. Nothing could prepare me for what I witnessed.

A shirtless man swiped his eyes up at me. He had one hand halfway in his sleeves and the other reached into the bathroom sink.

The unexpected sight of him made my stomach do a backflip. My eyes traced his body to his flexed hand, gripping his shirt.

A red stain plastered over his shirt. Was that blood?

"Are you hurt? Should I call 911?"

My trembling hands were on his body until I opened the shirt to reveal a toned stomach.