DECEPTION

Ch. 8: A Web Of Coincidences.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized the unexpected connection. The man on stage, the one who had just been announced as the keynote speaker, was none other than the same person I had encountered the day before - the one who had been driving the Mercedes Benz, and the one I had spoken to so rudely.

Our eyes met, and I felt a rush of embarrassment and surprise. He smiled at me, a knowing glint in his eye, as if he had been expecting me to be here all along. I, on the other hand, was still trying to process the coincidence.

Micheal and Justina noticed my reaction and followed my gaze to the stage.

"What's wrong?"

Micheal whispered, but I just shook my head, still in shock.

The man on stage began to speak, his voice confident and charismatic.

"Good evening, everyone. I'm thrilled to be here tonight to share my journey, from a simple idea to a global phenomenon..."

As he spoke, I couldn't help but think about the irony of the situation. The man who I had dismissed as just another entitled rich guy was now standing on stage, commanding the attention of the entire room. His words were captivating, and his presence was electric.

I felt a nudge from Micheal, who whispered again,

"What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I leaned over to him and whispered back, "That's the guy from yesterday, the one in the Mercedes Benz. I was so rude to him..."

Justina's eyes widened in surprise, and she whispered,

"No way! What are the chances?"

I shook my head, still trying to process the coincidence. The man on stage continued to speak, sharing his story of innovation and perseverance. I found myself getting drawn into his narrative, despite my initial reservations.

As he spoke, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay in store for me. Was this encounter a chance to make amends, or just a strange twist of fate? I listened intently, eager to learn more about this enigmatic figure.

As the man introduced himself as the heir of the Middletown company, I felt my heart sink. He was the one responsible for the innovation showcased tonight, and I had been rude to him just yesterday. I thought to myself,

"Oh God, what have I done? Is he going to cast me or sue me?"

As he continued speaking, our eyes kept meeting, and I couldn't concentrate on his words. I was too busy worrying about the consequences of my actions. He announced that he would personally reward those who had presented their ideas tonight and invited others to submit their information for future opportunities. The winner, he promised, would receive a huge reward.

When he invited the teams to come up on stage and shake his hand, I felt a surge of fear. I couldn't bear the thought of looking into his eyes again, so I hesitated. My friends encouraged me to stand up and join the others, but I couldn't muster the courage.

In a bold move, I decided to leave my seat and avoid the awkward encounter. I quickly scanned the room, spotted a distraction, and made a beeline for the restroom. As I shook his hand briefly, he said,

"Thanks,"

And returned to his seat.

I felt a mix of emotions: relief, anxiety, and embarrassment. I couldn't believe I had walked out on the opportunity to meet him and make amends. Now, I was left wondering what would happen next. Would he recognize me again? Would he confront me about my behavior? I couldn't shake off the feeling that this encounter was far from over.