ARROW’S POV"Yes, l, I can," Kalmia said confidently walking towards my desk. "Can I get the business contract file?" she asked, looking around the room.Mr. Williams, the manager shaking under pressure; quickly handed her all the necessary files. With a great deal of confidence, she showed the people present in the room.She was so confident that I was taken aback, and soon I found myself stealing glances at her as she flipped through the pages of the document."Good morning, sir," the cleaner said, breaking the spell. "Mr. Jude, our client, is here to see you.""Alright, I'll be there in a minute," I replied adjusting my clothes. He looked at Kalmia and then the other remaining six workers and sighed."I want this client to invest in our company," I said to Kalmia's face. "Kalmia, please, I would be happy if you make us proud. I know you haven't done this before, but I just believe in you," Mr. Williams said, desperation and hope so thick in his tone it almost bordered on break
ARROW’S POV"What do you mean by that, Williams? You talk to me like that?," ARROW yelled over the phone at the top of his lungs."I am very sorry sir," Williams said in a soft and cool tone. "Sir, kalmia is dying; she needsto undergo surgery, that's why I called you.""What kind of surgery?" ARROW asked gruffly. "She was fine this morning, why would she need surgery now?""Emma collapsed due to heart failure, the doctor wants to perform heart surgery," Williams calmly informed.Before speaking, ARROW paused for a moment on the other side of the line. "Inform them to proceed with the surgery," he stated, maintaining his cool tone with a touch of acceptance."Sir, they require a deposit of $10,000 before they start the surgery," Williams said with much interest.But little did he know, ARROW was about to utter a response that had nothing to do with Mia’s case:"Williams, have you scheduled all the meetings for this week?" ARROW asked in a dismissive tone."Yes, sir, I have," Williams
WILLIAMS POVLouis and I had been inseparable since high school, and through those many years, a bond had formed that could stand the test of time and distance. Attending different colleges and subsequently choosing different career paths did not disrupt their communication; they shared everything that happened in their lives. A friendship based on trust, lots of laughter, and mutual support was what Louis and Williams had.Our trio, once complete with Stanley, had been inseparable; however, fate had other plans, and Stanley's untimely death left a void in their lives. The loss brought Louis and me closer, cementing their brotherly relationship even further.From all-nighters to spontaneous road trips, the memories were countless. A friendship that had seen time and distance and even adversity finally bloomed into being a rock to Louis and me for support and encouragement in life's ebbs and flows.As we grew through our adult years, the bond remained strong. They would often call one
Mr. Jude's face softened, but his will remained strong. "Louis, I understand that you must be desperate, but I simply can't invest my 250 million dollars in a company that is not qualified. I am sorry, Louis. I am."Louis' body shook with sobs, begging, his hands clasped together in supplication. "Just this once, Uncle. Please. kalmia will die if you don't help."Mr. Jude's eyes clouded with pity, while his voice stood firmly unmoved. "I know this is serious, Louis, but I have investors and a business reputation. I have to make no compromises on standards."With only the muffled sobs of Louis breaking the stillness, the silence in the room spoke of the battle going on inside Mr. Jude-empathy versus business acumen.In an instant, Mr. Jude's face brightened. "But I can offer an alternative," he said with a ring of new hope in his voice.Louis's head jerked up, his eyes filled with anticipation. "What is it, Uncle?—-----------------------------------------------------ARROW’S POVI beg
ARROW'S POV "What do you mean by that, doctor?" I pressed urgency in my tone. I couldn't afford to lose the contract, not now. "Calm down, Mr. Arrow," insisted the doctor. "I'm afraid she isn't responding." "What do you mean, doctor?" I asked, my voice escalating. "It means she's dead," Doctor Frederick said bluntly. "Dead.?" I repeated, in a heap of shock. "Did you say Kalmia is dead?" It was as if a ton of bricks fell on me as the impact of the news hit me. My business and my contract depended on Kalmia's recovery. It was as if a tornado had swept through my mind; I mechanically reached for my phone. "I have to call her friend Sharon," I muttered. I dialed Sharon's number, my hands shaking slightly. After a couple of tries, Sharon finally picked up. "Hello, Sharon," I said with a tone of solemnity. "Hey, Arrow! What's up?" Sharon responded, fully unaware of the disastrous news. "I'm so sorry, Sharon, but your friend Kalmia just. kicked the bucket," I said rather blunt
ARROW'S POV The message was from Mr. Jude, and my heart jumped with joy. I sprang into immediate action to ensure everything was set for the meeting. "Arrow immediately went inside, instructing his workers to ensure that the conference room was spotless," I thought as I dialed the cleaner's number. "Theophilus, the conference room must be clean. Today, Mr. Jude is coming to sign the contract." Theophilus nodded and immediately got down to work. I retired to my office, where I drafted the documents I needed for signing. I collected the papers and went to the printer to photocopy each document. While the printer worked, my mind drifted away, getting the contract to what it would entail: my business scaling to greater heights. After collecting all the documents, I was told that Mr. Jude had arrived and was in the conference room. I took a deep breath and composed myself before walking into the conference room with confidence. "Afternoon, investors," I said to the people in th
KALIMIA'S POVTHE NEXT MORNINGMorning arrived, and I got up, refreshed and more determined than ever.I brushed my teeth, took a refreshing bath, and applied my body lotion did all this with so much deliberation and assurance.I sat in front of the mirror, styling my hair to perfection, with each strand in its exact place.A light makeup, just enough to enhance the natural beauty, and my features were afire.A spritz of vanilla perfume wrapped me in elegance, making me a queen.Down the stairs ran me with the files in my hands, ready to start a new life.But the flash of my eyes seemed to speak volumes as she turned to glance at Arrow, who sat on the couch still, his expression dark."I'm leaving for work," I announced, my voice firm.Arrow’s eyes narrowed. "You're really going to work for Mr. Jude?"I nodded. "Yes, I am.""Where is my food?" Mr. Arrow yelled out as I was preparing to leave the house."I didn't make any food for you," I replied, not an iota of hesitation lacing her
ARROW'S POVI had been angry all day, having spent all day inside my office. My frustration continued to stew on my phone as I kept scrolling down the screen searching for anything to get my mind off things.Then my eyes fell upon a photo that made me see red.There was Mr. Jude and Kalmia, sitting and eating together and laughing as though they were couples.Scrolling down, I saw even more implicating evidence.There was Kalmia, clad in some sexy swimsuits, swimming with Mr. Jude.A video of them playing in the pool, splashing water at each other.My anger exploded.I sprang to my feet, banging my fist on the desk."No, this can't happen!" he snarled."I can't stay here and watch her slip from my hands," I said, mumbling to myself.Regret filled my mind."Why did I sign that contract with Mr. Jude?" I reproached myself."Should I break the contract?" I wondered.My head was a maelstrom of desperation.Just then, when I was considering my line of action further, a knock on the door
ARROW’S POV The eerie words of the man sent shivers down my spine as I considered how serious the matter was. I had to react extremely fast to protect the company and its people from this wild man, who seemed almost supernatural in his ability to get into our deepest secrets. I immediately called the top executives for an emergency meeting to discuss the problem and see what alternative I could give to the company. While we all gathered around the conference table, one could almost touch the tension. "We have to get rid of him," said one of the executive members in a straining voice tinged with desperation. "He is a liability, and we cannot have him around threatening our existence." Another executive nodded her head in agreement. "But how do we get rid of somebody that has... abilities like that?" she pondered, having already given a second thought to the very same question. We talked about everything from trying to understand this strange man's powers to calling for help from the
ARROW’S POV I kept asking him even when the dread kept building within me. "What about your family? Are there any, by the way?" He sank back, leaning back into the chair, his eyes glittering with laughter in my presence. "My family is... complicated," he said, as though they were from a different... strand of existence. His answers began to sound like stuff out of a fantasy novel, but I was sure he kept something hidden. Or perhaps he was just messing with me. Either way, I was determined to get to the bottom of it. I leaned forward, curious. "A different strand of existence?" I echoed, trying to figure out whether he meant it the way it sounded. "You mean like, parallel universe or something?" He nodded slightly, the smile returning to his lips. "Something like that. Let's just say my family's... history is complicated and not really bound by the same rules as this reality." I rubbed my temples, feeling a slight headache coming on. This talk was getting weirder by the minute. "
ARROW’S POV Now as I sat in this atmosphere of applause from the audience, one of the investors lifted his hand, and I nodded for him to go ahead. "I have something to say," he said to all present, his voice a steady confident exclamation with some enthusiasm. "In fact, I want to take this opportunity to say that Arrow Company is where your money can grow. Indeed, most investors should invest in this company." His words left me with some proud excitement. Here was my venture, Arrow Craft Company, getting noticed by investors, and there inevitably appeared to be something big in the offing. "Many thanks, as always," I said with a smile to the investor. "I'm quite excited to hear that you are looking at our company. My worker did a fantastic job showing off our vision and values." The applause had died down, and I inhaled deeply to carry on with the prepared proceedings. "Now is the time for the main event," I announced with a smile to the audience. "It is time to call the chall
ARROW’S POV But that was much later, after the crash echoed through the studio only to be followed by a shattering sound. The man's eyes opened wide at the noise and before he realized what was happening, he raced towards the sound. I fastened my pace and hurried behind him, my heart thundering in expectation. We both reached what would be the source of the noise: one of the challengers' canvases had fallen off its perch, and the artwork lay shattered on the floor. But there was even more. Beyond the ravaged canvas, at the other side of the wall, there was another, it looked like, conjured out of thin air. It was a magnificent mural, bright with color, and it had an intricate pattern. His eyes would fly open with wonder and turn into my face with a quizzical look. "What has gone on just like this?" he asked, wonder mixed in his voice. I shook my head in similar confusion. "I do not know," I said. "But this competition got a whole lot more interesting." While we pondered th
ARROW’S POV It was an electric moment, with all six contestants going their separate ways, caught in their own thoughts. The challenge loomed over them like the sword of Damocles, its edge positively glowing. They knew they were going to enter a crucible in the next seven days, a test of their creativity, skill, and resolve. The odd one joined the tease of questioning. "I'll be watching your progress," came the low voice of the man whose words dripped with enigma. He held their eyes with an intensity that gave the rest a shiver. "I'll be waiting for you to reveal your masterpieces." Then he blended in with the crowd, leaving the others to ponder the stranger's identity and his true intent. A benefactor? A critic? Something altogether more sinister? The other five challengers exchanged apprehensive glances as torturous questions raced through their minds. What was he after? What did he want from them? What kind of masterpiece was he expecting? Parting ways, the six went back to the
ARROW’S POV "This is interesting," the strange man nods with a hint of a smile, like the first brush of dawn. "I'm not afraid of challenges," he says strongly, like a boulder anchored firmly in the wind. The crowd erupts in excitement, with several cheering aloud, while some stood in quiet awe, like excitement flooding the room. I am studying the strange kind of person, trying to see through him-like detectives on a manhunt. Narrowing my eyes, I try to read him, like he is a challenge waiting to be solved. What drives him? What motivates him to take on this kind of challenge? "Fine, then," I said, still smiling-most apparently like a flower blossoming in full sunlight. "Let us proceed. You have one week, and no more than that, to carry out the experiment 'Echoes in the Night,' " I exclaim, barely able to stay calm, like a host who had just announced the winning contestant on a quiz show. "If you succeed, you will obtain both the reward and the job offered at our company," I challen
ARROW’S POV "Okay, thank you very much," said the man whose voice was like a dingy summer breeze, and then he nodded to the crowd. But with the sudden laughter and chatter resuming in the room, the pair of strange-man-like eyes remained gazed on my face. It seemed as if he was studying me, and his expression was unreadable like a mask hiding true feelings. The very anticipation electrified the air, the crowd was like one huge buzzing hive of bees hovering around a sweet flower. The ambience I could sense-bright smiles and exaggerated nods were everywhere as I scanned the room, like a sailor negotiating turbulent waters-even an iota of doubt was significantly possible, and I felt the heavy mantle of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "I realize that this is no small task; yet one also knows there is someone, with the talent and creativity, who could certainly breathe life into 'Echoes in the Night,'" the voice had a clarity and confidence, almost bright, like the peal of a bell
ARROW’S POV Well, now is the time to get a contract, I say with excitement and anticipation, surveying a sea of faces, all shining with hopeful expectation. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a challenge," I say, words lingering in the air, promising something extraordinary, something to which they could respond with skill. The pause was meant for effect. The silence that ensued was thick; the applicants leaned in, eyes fixed on mine, their faces full of curiosity and intrigue. "This is a photo of the legendary 'Echoes of the Night' by the rare artist Julian Backward," I continued, a sense of reverence creeping into my tone as I unveiled the enigma posed before them. Another silence fell, broken only by the patchy humming sounds of anticipation as the applicants awaited what would come next from my lips. "The original has long gone from our world for many decades, and all we have now is just an incomplete and cryptic message left behind by the artist," I further described, pa
ARROW’S POV I drove to where all the beautiful employees were-the company-as if a race were being run in my head with all kinds of thoughts and feelings; even the words of my pretty wife continued to replay in my mind, her idea like a tempting dream. The drive was more of a blur at that moment. The heart picked up with excitement and expectation; all I could think of was the work at hand. Reaching the company, I made my way to the HR office, each step deliberate and determined. Hands reached out to knock on the door. I knocked; a voice from inside called, "Come in.” I cracked it open, the creak of the hinges being a gentle accompaniment to the movements, and stepped into the inside. The office was warm, welcoming, with air and polished wood scent filling my sensory reception. Mr. Dayemi looked up from his desk with a smile as he greeted me. "Oh, good morning, sir," he said, with a friendly and courteous tone of voice and crinkled eyes as he got up. I responded to his greeting w