Is this destiny?

During lunch, Mr. Heine observed Ron and three youngsters (Zula, Allen, and Julius) who arrived with him. It is obvious that Ron is the leader of that team and that all four of them are truly knowledgeable.

Mr. Heine clearly heard ten people taking turns and discussing current trends on the market and they provided insights about Mr. Heine's business, risks, partners, and competitors. Ron listened and asked meaningful questions while reading the reports people handed him before giving the reports to Zula, Allen, or Julius. It seems that they divided the work and each is responsible for a different area, all under Ron's guidance.

Mr. Heine's heart ached. That is his son. The one he lost. Ron looks like a young business owner and Mr. Heine would be proud to call him his heir.

Mr. Heine didn't dare act too familiar with Ron because of how much he wronged him, and also because Ron is obviously someone important under Jeffrey White.

What Mr. Heine didn't understand is: Why is Ron here? Jeff must have many other people who can come here. Is this a coincidence? Or is Jeff sending him a message? Would Jeff involve himself into something that is clearly a family issue and totally unrelated to him? Or did Ron ask to come here himself? Mr. Heine dismissed this last question as not possible. Why would Jeffrey White listen to an eighteen years old boy? Or did Ron come here with a hope to reconcile with him? Anything is possible and everything is unbelievable.

Mr. Heine decided to observe, for now. He should not act rashly, no matter how uncomfortable the current situation is. He can't afford to offend Jeffrey White, and even without that, his business is in trouble.

~ 20 miles East from Springfield (Missouri) ~

9:23 PM

At the Heine family residence…

Ron got ready for the night and plopped on the bed.

Everything went according to the plan, but he is mentally exhausted.

After lunch, they took the limousine Ron's father arranged and visited Mr. Heine's office at Heinelurgy.

Heinelurgy is the name of the business Mr. Heine started when he was a teenager, with the help of his father. The initial idea was to make things out of scraps such as metal, glass, or plastic. The material was cheap because they were using things others discarded, and the machines needed were minimal, at first. It was a straightforward process: wash the material, heat it, and pour it into molds.

Mr. Heine started by creating simple items such as plates, bowls, utensils, nails, etc. Over time, the business grew, and the variety of items offered expanded further. The latest department in the factory was added about three years ago, and it's producing circuit boards.

Other than a number of factories, there is a recycling facility, and stores across Missouri and surrounding states, which are selling products made by Heinelurgy. 

What started as an idea in the mind of a teenager, became a company which employs more than a thousand people full time.

They spent two hours listening about the current status in Heinelurgy and Mr. Heine disclosed existing deals and partners. Out of the top twenty partners Heinelurgy has deals with, eleven canceled collaboration.

"At this rate, even if no one else bails on me, I will need to cut my production costs and shut down parts of Heinelurgy. People will lose jobs." Mr. Heine said solemnly at the end of their meeting. "I hope that you can help me find a way to prevent that."

"We will see what we can do, Mr. Heine." Ron responded. "CEO White sent us here to observe and assess before coming up with recommendations. We will review this data and tomorrow we expect a tour of your factory and stores in the city."

Mr. Heine frowned. "Is that necessary?"

Ron confirmed. "If a business can be saved based on numbers and reports only, we would not be here in person. You agree that your company is much more than a faceless bunch of files. Yes?"

Mr. Heine had no choice but to accept. It was getting late, so they went to a local restaurant for dinner before they all arrived at the Heine family residence for the night.

Few maids stirred, it was obvious that they recognized Ron. But when they saw how Ron and Mr. Heine are distant toward each other, the maids didn't dare say anything.

Ron, Zula, Allen, and Julius got a bedroom each and they retreated for the night.

Back to the present…

Ron is unable to sleep. He suspected that something like this might happen, but he needs to face his demons. Only like that, they will go away.

Every time he closes his eyes, memories of his teenage years are resurfacing, and images are flashing in front of his eyes. He can hear sounds and faintly smell the scent. Various scenes…

His mother in the garden, sitting on a bench and reading a book. Ron enjoys the sight of a smile that lingers on her face as she is engrossed in whatever she is reading. And the sweet scent of roses is soothing. He was seven or maybe eight years old then. His heart is aching when he remembers that she is long gone.

His father teaching him to hit the baseball. "Straighten your back, bend your knees, eyes on the ball… here it comes…" Ron can hear his father's voice. That memory seems like from a lifetime ago.

The day when his father introduced Julia as his new mother. "She is not my mother. She will never be one!" Ron raged as he stormed into his room. Ah, at that time he was angry that his father is thinking of replacing Eileen, the kindest woman in the world. Ron refused to believe that she passed.

And inevitable memories of Julia looking at him strangely. It took Ron some time to understand why she is making him uncomfortable. And by the time he understood, it was too late. And then the shame, and the pain, and the memories which made his insides churn.

Ron groaned and punched his pillow. The anxiety was eating him up.

'I can't stay here, I need to leave… I knew that coming here was a mistake… I can't do this…'

The feeling of being all alone and weak overwhelmed him and he felt like screaming and running away... and then everything was silent.

Ron remembered that he is not weak anymore and he is definitely not alone.

Ron got out of the bed and went to the room next door.

"Zula?" Ron called in a whisper when he closed the door behind him. "Are you awake?"

"Ron?" Zula mumbled, obviously half-asleep. "Did something happen?"

When he didn't respond, Zula propped herself on her elbows. The darkness in the room is hiding his expression, but she can see that he is standing next to her bed, without moving.

"Can I sleep here?" Ron asked after some time.

Zula smiled and moved the cover on her left, indicating for Ron to come. "Of course…"

Zula's breath hitched when Ron pulled her into a hug.

They hugged many times before, but never like this… in the bed, in the dark, with only thin pajamas on them.

Slowly, Zula moved her arms around Ron and hugged him back. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of his shower gel, before asking: "Is this OK?"

"Yes, this is perfect…" He murmured close to her ear. "Thank you."

"I couldn't sleep alone." Ron admitted.

"I will always be here for you, Ron."

'I know…', he thought. Ron closed his eyes and he was happy that the bad thoughts didn't come anymore. Zula has that power over him, she can chase away his demons.

It didn't take long before Zula confirmed that Ron is sleeping.

She snorted in frustration. He came to her bed, woke her up, and he is sleeping!? And it would not be bad if not for the fact that she hoped that they will do more than sleeping. And he smells nice. Ah, she is so excited that she can't sleep!

Zula told herself to calm down her restless teenage heart. She knows about Ron's history and that he came to her bed probably because he remembered his past. She is glad that he came to her when he needed someone.

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