CHAPTER 55: BANK (4)

But still Smith looked at Adam with worry etched on his young face. He had accepted the plan.

He had understood the vision. But the practicalities of it were still daunting.

"But Director," he asked his voice a little hesitant. "Do we even have that much money? The numbers we are talking about are huge."

After hearing this Adam closed his eyes. He leaned his back against the luxurious support of his director’s chair. "I have already told you all," he said his voice calm and firm.

"The worry of money is mine. You just have to complete the target that you have been given. Execute the plan. That is your only job."

Hearing this Smith looked at Andrew. He was looking for some reassurance. Some confirmation that this was not all a crazy dream. Andrew finally let out a deep sigh. He looked at Smith and then at Adam.

"Smith do as the director is saying," he said his voice now also firm. He had chosen his side. He had chosen to believe.

After hearing this Smith also let out a deep sigh. He felt a mixture of fear and excitement. He was in way over his head. But he was also on the verge of something incredible.

"Okay then," he said his voice now filled with a new resolve. "It will be as you wish Director."

Just then Adam looked at Smith again. "Remember," he said a hint of a warning in his tone. "You don’t have to spend all your time on this. I don’t want your parents to come after me. You must keep attending your school regularly. Your education is still important." Smith just nodded his head. He knew that the real education he was getting was right here in this office.

Just then Adam stood up from his chair. He had said everything he needed to say. "My work here is done," he said. "Now you people see to the rest." Saying this Adam started to leave.

Just then Andrew came from behind. "Adam wait," he said. He caught up to Adam and they started walking out of the bank together.

As they walked out into the bright sunlight Andrew looked at Adam. "When I was looking for people to work in the bank I found a girl," he said his voice a little hesitant. "Her talent is very good. Exceptional even."

Adam was surprised to hear this. "Her talent is good meaning what?" he asked.

Andrew hesitated a little more. "I had actually chosen that girl for the positions of manager and CEO of the bank," he said. "Before you sent this boy Smith. Although I am very impressed by this boy Smith’s talent. But I think that you should at least see that girl whom I have selected once."

Adam was a little surprised to hear this. He knew Andrew was a very good judge of character. It was very rare that he himself would praise someone so highly. Just then Adam smiled. "Where is this girl?" he asked his curiosity piqued.

Andrew gestured to one of the security guards standing outside the bank and called him over. The security guard immediately came in front of Adam and Andrew. "Is a woman named Maria here?" Andrew asked. "She hasn’t come yet has she?"

After hearing this the security guard was a little surprised. "Sir I don’t know the names of the staff working inside the bank," he said apologetically. He was just a guard. He did not know the names of all the new employees.

Andrew gestured for the security guard to go inside.

His voice was firm and authoritative now. He was no longer a food delivery boy. He was a man in charge.

"Go inside and ask if Maria is present or not," he said. "If she is then send her out immediately." The guard saluted Adam and Andrew and turned to leave.

Adam was very surprised by Andrew’s transformation. He looked at his friend with a new respect. "How are you feeling Andrew?" he asked his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Andrew looked at Adam and a wide genuine smile spread across his tired face.

"To be honest Adam these moments of my life seem to be the most golden moments," he said.

"I feel like I am finally able to do what I like. I feel like I am using my real talents. That’s why even if you make me work for 24 hours straight I will do this work happily."

Adam could see that he was telling the truth. Because Adam could also see that there were deep dark circles under Andrew’s eyes.

Seeing this Adam understood that his friend had not slept at all for the last two or three days. He had been working tirelessly to get the bank ready.

Although Andrew had always been a hard worker even before. He had worked multiple odd jobs apart from just food delivery to make ends meet.

Andrew looked at Adam again. His expression became serious. "Adam I know your dream is very big," he said. "But I want to make a small request to you."

Adam just nodded his head. He was ready to listen to Andrew’s request.

"You know where we both have come from," Andrew said his voice now low and emotional.

"We didn’t have good jobs. We didn’t have any real opportunities. We know the value of money. We know what it’s like to struggle. But you must also remember that there were many other people with us. People who were in the same situation. Some of them were talented. Some of them did not have much talent. My only request to you is that when you are building this empire, can you also think about those people? Can you give them a chance? A chance to live a better life?"

Adam was very surprised to hear this. He had been so focused on his grand plans on his own ambition that he had not thought about the people he had left behind.