Chapter 37 Laying the Groundwork for Her
Fiorello hopped into the car with resignation, the driver couldn't help but chuckle.
"Mr. Flores, it's quite late. Mrs. Flores must be worried," the driver commented.
"Cut the chatter," Fiorello said with a deep voice, "head back to Cityhomes West."
The driver started the car and made their way back. En route, the driver received a call from his wife asking when he would be returning home.
Fiorello heard the woman on the phone mention that she had kept dinner warm and then proceeded to talk about their kids' studies with affection.
The driver told his wife, "I know, I know, you're quite the talker. I've got to hang up now."
Despite his words, the driver was secretly pleased, showing a happy smile on his face.
Fiorello, curious, asked, "Uncle Lee, does your wife also urge you to come home for dinner every day?"
Uncle Lee, the driver, chuckled: "Yeah, she says that a meal doesn't taste the same without both of us sitting at the table together. It's been over a decade of marriage, and she keeps a clean and orderly house, our kids are polite and understanding. Having a woman at home really does make coming back, no matter how tired you are, so comforting."
Uncle Lee had been driving for Fiorello for several years now and spoke quite freely.
Fiorello couldn't help but think of his home with Maggie.
He often had evening engagement, and house cleaning was done by her.
In his memory, the house was always neat and tidy, the air perfumed with the fragrance of fresh flowers.
Arriving home, Fiorello twisted the doorknob and walked in. Maggie had left a lamp on for him.
As he stepped through the door, Fiorello took in the clean, albeit small, home. He felt the comfort Uncle Lee had described.
Maggie had already gone to bed, but he went to the kitchen and found the food warm in the pot.
A smile curled on Fiorello's lips. He had already eaten at the old mansion, but he served himself a bowl of food anyway.
The next day.
It was Monday again, and Fiorello had to get up early to go to the office. His partner, Maggie, woke up half an hour earlier to make him breakfast.
After getting washed up and ready, Fiorello emerged to find Maggie had set a bowl of creamy oatmeal, a side of mixed veggies, and some scrambled eggs on the table.
"Eat before you head to the office," Maggie said.
"Sure," Fiorello sat down, offering an explanation for the previous night, "My phone died last night, and by the time I got back, you were already asleep."
"It's okay," Maggie smiled, "Eat up, otherwise you won't have enough time. You guys have to clock in at the office by 8:30, right?"
Fiorello didn't need to punch a time clock. He could go to the office whenever he wanted.
"No rush."
The two of them sat down and enjoyed breakfast together before Fiorello finally left for work.
As for the visit from Samwise to see Maggie yesterday, Fiorello didn't ask and acted as though he was oblivious to it.
Once Fiorello had left, Maggie started cleaning up the house, and only after finishing did she start working on her crafts.
Around eleven in the morning, Maggie received a call from the HR department of the jewelry company under Visionary Futures Group, inviting her to an interview the following day.
Maggie was overjoyed and eagerly accepted, "Yes, yes, what time tomorrow?"
"Two o'clock in the afternoon, Central Avenue Office Building A..."
"Great, no problem, thank you."
After hanging up, Maggie couldn't wait to share the news with Fiorello.
She sent him a message on WhatsApp.
Maggie: [I got a notification for an interview, they want me to come in tomorrow.]
At the Visionary Futures Group corporate office.
In the vast conference room, dozens of senior executives sat in silence.
It was the company's weekly meeting, and Fiorello sat with an impassive expression, looking unapproachable, causing everyone beneath him to remain quiet, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Just a few seconds ago, Fiorello had given a stern talking-to to a regional manager from the South.
The ping of a message notification rescued the beleaguered manager, as Fiorello checked his phone, his austere demeanor softening slightly.
He picked up his phone and replied.
Fiorello: [Congratulations, prepare well.]
Maggie received a message that put her in a good mood. More and more she considered Fiorello a kind and gentlemanly man. She pocketed her cell phone and began to prepare for her job interview.
She had no idea that the man she deemed gentle was seen quite differently by the senior executives at Visionary Futures Group. In their eyes, he was a cold and demanding leader.
"Meeting's over," Fiorello declared as he stood up, his gaze sharply sweeping over everyone. "Visionary Futures Group doesn't carry dead weight. I hope you're clear on what you should be doing. The company can function without any one of you."
His message was clear: those who lacked ability didn't deserve their positions because the company was never short on talent.
After dropping that statement, Fiorello strode out of the room, with his chief secretary, William Harrison, following behind.
In the CEO's office, William Harrison reported, "Mr. Flores, the interviews you wanted to schedule have been announced. So far, over four hundred people have signed up."
"And," he continued, "we've found a suitable bone marrow match for Christopher’s son. The transplant is set for next week. We've also applied for and received funding from the Angel Fund, which means all of the surgery expenses for Christopher's son will be covered."
Fiorello responded indifferently, "Good work."
William, curious, asked an extra question, "Mr. Flores, why go through all this trouble for Christopher’s son to find a bone marrow donor?"
Having worked with Fiorello for many years, William was well aware that Christopher was just an ordinary person and seemingly had no connection with Fiorello.
Flores’s lips curved slightly, "He gave me a gift of fifty dollars once. It's a matter of returning a favor."
Now William was even more confused. He remembered something and took out a stack of documents. "Mr. Flores, here is some information about Samwise's Law Firm. It's a newly registered company. Interestingly, this Samwise rents both his car and his house. He's got some fame abroad. Seems like he's proud of his talent and has come back to the country to advance his career."
Fiorello naturally wanted to gather information about anyone who harassed his wife.
Upon hearing about Samwise's situation, Fiorello's brows knitted slightly and his well-defined hands carelessly flipped through the files, glancing at the information.
William added, "The largest shareholder of the law firm is actually Jane. I did some digging. The two were classmates. The competition among local law firms is fierce these days. A newly established firm like theirs hardly lands any cases. If they do, they're just minor issues like neighborhood disputes or legal aid cases."
After reviewing the files, Fiorello was unimpressed by such a competitor. "Give them something to do, keep them busy."
Too much idle time might lead them to bother Maggie.
William Harrison understood, "Got it."
Around five in the afternoon, Maggie set up her stall and also learned from Christopher that his son's surgery was going to happen.
Christopher Evans, brimming with excitement, said, "Maggie, we've found the right bone marrow for my son, and the surgery won't cost anything. I heard a world-renowned expert will perform it."
"Really?" Maggie responded, genuinely delighted, "That's fantastic!"
Christopher's furrowed brow finally smoothed out as his eyes filled with hope for life, "Yeah, it looks like the tough times are finally coming to an end."
Maggie remembered a saying from Fiorello, "After the bitterness, sweetness comes." Suddenly, she felt as if Fiorello was some sort of prophet, with his words always coming true.
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