apter 0018
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“Well, thank you! That’s a compliment, and I take it,” she said, smiling
“Now that your father isn’t here and you’ve just turned IB, what do you plan to do?”
“Well, for now, I can’t do much. But when all of this is over, I want to take my things and…” She paused as
a thought crossed her mind. Maybe she had changed her mind. She worried that revealing her plans
might drive him away
“What is it?”
“No, nothing. For now, I don’t know what I’ll do. My family’s situation is complicated, and I can’t do much without putting them in danger.”
“But if you weren’t in that situation?”
“Well, maybe… no, they’re just crazy dreams. Things I dreamed of as a child. But one thing’s for sure: Id leave my father’s house and be free. I’d find a job and earn my own money.”
Maximus was surprised to hear the girl’s statements. She was so sweet that she didn’t seem to have suffered with her family. To anyone looking at her, she appeared to be a pampered child from a loving family. Yet, once again, she made it clear that her situation hadn’t been good, except for the comments about her grandfather. Her family didn’t seem to be the best company.
He was about to ask another question when the café girl arrived with their order–two cups of coffee and a slice of strawberry cake. The cake looked so appetizing that Maximus found his mouth watering at the sight of it.
“Excuse me, do you have a candle? It’s my birthday, and I want to make a wish,” Mary said, her eyes fixed on the slice of cake.
“Oh, of course! Wait a moment; I’ll be right back with one.”
Maximus just watched how her eyes sparkled, as if she truly believed the wish she was about to make would come true. For a moment, he found himself thinking about the kind of life she must have had at home. He remembered when he was young, his father had a serious talk with him and said
“Maximus, you’re young, and I don’t want to take that part of your life away from you. But I want it to be clear that you will carry the responsibility of being the company president on your shoulders. Well do everything when I retire. Believe me, I’m already tired. I’m just waiting for you to be old enough to take my place. For that reason, you must be careful with what you do from now on.”
“Father, what do you mean by that?”
“Son, you must be an honorable man. You’re young, and sometimes youth makes us make mistakes that we have to live with for the rest of our lives. Keeping that in mind, you must be raised knowing you’ll be
my successor.”
“What about Peter?”
“Peter is young and reckless. I’m not sure if I leave our business in his hands that he’ll manage it well. But you have always shown a good sense for business, and you’re my firstborn.”
Maximus was lost in that memory when the café girl returned with a pink and white candy candle for
Chapter 0018
Mary.
“All set, Miss. How do you like this one?”
“It’s perfect! Thank you so much!” Mary said, a wide smille on her face.
Mary noticed that Maximus seemed to be somewhere else but chose not to ask to avoid making him
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