Chapter 3 A Reason To Live

• Emmett shook his head hard to get himself thinking straight. “How … why …?”
• John sighed again. “I have worked without a day off for the past thirty-eight years. My heart is not as young as it was anymore, and neither are any of my body organs. I need rest.”
• Emmett swallowed as he stared at John blankly.
• “I've been thinking about taking a break for a few days. And therefore I would need someone to step into my shoes.” John continued.
• Emmett swallowed as he looked away. “Yes, sure. But certainly, you have staff who could fit into the role.” He said and looked up at John. “You have a next in command. Definitely?” He added with squinted eyes and a hint of doubt in his voice.
• John smiled briefly. “If I could hand over to any of them, I would have left the company in their hands and comfortably gone on vacation back then, don't you think so?” He asked as he squinted his eyes at Emmett.
• Emmett stuttered. “Mr. Campbell, forgive me. I may sound like a silly kid who just got the opportunity to live the good life but is letting it slip out of his fingers.”
• John relaxed in his chair as he looked at Emmett.
• “But this is a really big deal, and I don't understand why you'd pick me, seeing that I am a complete stranger and I could ruin everything you've used all these years to build.” Emmett went on.
• John squinted his eyes at him just as he felt the tickle in his throat again. Why did he feel the urge to handover everything he has to this young man while he takes a week off? And why did he … trust him? He literally met this stranger on the bridge when he was about to take his own life. He didn't know anything about him, except for his name, he was quite loud whenever he got excited, and also that he had a knack for marketing.
• “Why me?” Emmett asked bluntly.
• John looked into his eyes. “Well you're right: you're a total stranger. However I am far in years, Emmett. I have learned to read people. I can tell a few things about a person when I interact with them. And I can tell that you're purpose driven and honest. These two qualities are enough for me.” He said softly.
• Emmett swallowed as he let the words sink in. Then he looked away. “Thank you, for seeing the good in me and believing in my potential, Mr. Campbell. I'm extremely grateful.” he said quietly then he looked up at John. “But I need a real job, Mr. Campbell …”
• John frowned slightly. “This is a real job.” He said firmly.
• Emmett looked at him with sad eyes. “But after a week, I’ll no longer be the CEO, Sir. Then what?” He said quietly.
• “I need a new Marketing Manager so be rest assured that I have a place for you in my company after all of this.” John said.
• Emmett let out a sigh of relief as he smiled.
• “But in the meantime, I need you to fill in the gap for me. Call the shots for a week. I'll give you access to everything I own.” John said.
• Emmett swallowed as his eyes opened wide. “Everything?” He echoed.
• John nodded.
• Emmett frowned. “Please define everything.” He said.
• John sighed softly. “The companies, my bank account …” He started.
• Emmett’s jaw dropped.
• “... this house …” John continued.
• “No!” Emmett exclaimed in disbelief.
• John frowned slightly as he shut his eyes. He opened them and looked at Emmett gravely. “Don't shout at me, Emmett.” He said softly.
• Emmett chuckled. “I’m sorry, Mr. Campbell. I’ll try to use my indoor voice more.” He said quietly.
• John stared at him with a frown.
• “Do you really mean what you’re saying, Sir?” Emmett asked him.
• John nodded. “If I had a wife, you could have her too.” He joked.
• Emmett let out a hearty laugh.
• John frowned as he closed his eyes at the sound of Emmett's laughter. He opened them and stared at Emmett gravely.
• Emmett stopped laughing when he noticed John’s demeanor. He cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he apologised quietly.
• John sighed out and relaxed in his seat. “Cecilia,” he called out softly.
• Emmett looked up and saw an elderly woman walk into the living room. She had golden hair, big brown eyes and was tall and slender. She was beautiful.
• Cecilia stood by John’s side. “Yes, Mr. Campbell.” She said quietly.
• John looked up at her. “Get us something to eat and drink.” He said softly.
• She nodded with a smile.
• Emmett admired her beautiful set of teeth.
• “Yes Sir,” she said calmly and walked away into one of the rooms, which Emmett assumed was the kitchen.
• Emmett watched her go. Then he looked at John. “And Cecilia too?” He asked.
• John looked at him. “No, I’ll go with Cecilia, I need her. I’ll get you someone else.” He said and then he squinted his eyes at him. “You said you have no family to rely on.”
• Emmett nodded with a sad smile. “Both of my parents are late and I'm an only child. My parents’ siblings were around when my dad died of liver failure fifteen years ago. They helped my mom to take care of me. Then they became distant when my mom died in a car accident three years ago.” He said painfully.
• John swallowed. “So have you been depending on your friends for the past two years?”
• Emmett’s eyes opened wide at the sound of the word “friends”. He suddenly remembered that Greg had tried to reach him earlier. He jumped to his feet as he pulled out his phone from his pocket.
• John frowned at him.
• “I’m so sorry, Mr. Campbell, I need to make a quick call!” He said as he checked his missed calls. All three of his friends had called him. countlessly, but he wasn't aware because his phone had been on silent.
• Just then a call came in from Greg. He answered immediately.
• “Oh my God! Oh my God!” Greg exclaimed into the phone.
• John sighed softly as he watched Emmett. He could hear the other person through the phone.
• “I’m sorry, man.” Emmett said softly.
• “We have been worried about you! What is wrong with you????” Greg exclaimed.
• Emmett sighed softly. “Look, I’m sorry. But I can't talk right now. I promise to explain later.” He said quietly.
• “You better explain now! I’m here at your apartment with James and Curtis, and you’re on speaker!” Greg screamed.
• “Speak now, Em!” He heard Curtis in the background.
• Emmett smiled to himself. “Guys, I think I just walked into a shitload of money.” He said softly and looked at John.
• John frowned at him slightly.