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The Heroes Project

by Dr Adyasha Acharya
(India)

I tap my foot on the floor while waiting for my turn to come. I have spent a lot of hardworking hours on this project and there’s no way I am going to miss this opportunity of convincing the CEO of Livington Children Funds to accept it.
“Miss Lily Colt, Mr. Hewitt will see you now,” the secretary calls from her desk.
I grab my iPad and rush into Ken Hewitt, the CEO’s office and drop my things in anxiety.
“Are you always this clumsy?” A pair of green eyes assess me.
“I am sorry, Mr. Hewitt. I am just nervous.” Honesty is the best policy, right?
“Maybe you aren’t cut off for a job then.” Or not.
Ken Hewitt stands up and approaches me. He holds out his hand and when I place mine he pulls me up like I am weightless
“Start your presentation. And you have five minutes.”
What? I quickly sit down and open my presentation. Ken waits for me with a quirked brow. “Fast, Miss Colt.”
I try to keep my frustration under control. What’s with this guy? Just because he is one young business tycoon doesn’t mean he can be rude to people.
“You should have ample time on your schedule since you are the one who wants to find unsolicited projects.”
He gives me an amused expression. “Impressive.”
I am about give another snarky comment when a kid bursts into his office. “Uncle Ken-”
“Sir, I am sorry but this young man wouldn’t listen,” the middle aged woman behind says.
I feel out of place now. “Maybe I should wait outside-”
“Miss Colt,” my very recent favourite CEO urges me to sit back down. “This is my nephew, Jamie. My sister is not home so he is here with me today.”
Why is he even telling me all this? I wave at Jamie. “Hi, Jamie.”
He clings to his uncle and smiles at me. Such a cute kid. “Hi.”
Ken nods at the woman to leave. “So, tell me about your project.”
“It is about helping out single parents and kids by building a special community for them. Where they can work while there kids are being looked after then bond with others and not feel lonely.”
“Hmm…but we do have nannies and helps.”
“Yes, I do know that. But it is difficult for a single parent to do a job and pay for their livelihood. In this community, there will be people who will take care of their kids and the parents won’t have to be too far. Plus they will be in a society which will appreciate them.”
Jamie steps forward. “What are you two talking about?”
“Well,” I grab his tiny hands and pick him up to make him sit on my lap. “We want you and your mom to live in a superhero base. And I am sharing the plan of that base with your uncle. But seems like your uncle doesn’t like superheroes that much.”
Ken chuckles. Okay, I admit this was something I wasn’t expecting. “Miss Colt-”
“Call me Lily please.”
“Lily, well, congratulations. I have decided to go forward with your project.”
“What?”
“Yayy,” Jamie claps cheerily and hugs me. “ Now we can have our superhero base. Uncle Ken agreed. I have to tell Mom.” He grabs his uncle’s phone from the table and heads to the couch.
I am still shocked. “Uh, I didn’t think it would be this fast.”
“You are clearly invested in this project and I want someone devoted to the cause. Not a business person.”
I smile at him. “Thank you, Mr. Hewitt. I won’t disappoint you.”
He grins back at me. “I don’t think you will. And call me Kane, please.” He shakes my hand. “Before you leave, one last question- what would you like to call this project?”
“The Heroes Project.”