Chapter 76
Adrian
The room is like a blur from all around me with employees passing me by and Michael, alongside other shareholders, pop open a bottle of expensive champagne. Their laughs are loud and echo across the room while me and my team work tirelessly to make for sure that there are no cracks that can be seen in my project.
Tracer is active on her website. I can see it as soon as I look over at her screen. The tiny green dot besides her name makes me feel secure about my decision to launch the project today.
If it weren’t fort for Tracer, I would not be here today. There would have been no project launch. At the end of the day, it is Tracer who was able to get the website up and running, not me. I simply guided her in the right direction.
“Adrian!” Michael’s hand slaps onto my shoulder. I am shocked by the suddenness of his gesture and turn to look at him, taking one of the two champagne flutes he holds in his hands. “We are so proud of you! We never doubted your abilities or project!”
I raise my eyebrow at him, my lips spreading into a thin line. Michael angles his face ever so slightly and furrows his brows before turning back to the shareholders who stand with him. Catching onto his silent cue, I force a smile onto my face and raise the champagne glass up into the air.
“I would like to thank you all for supporting me on with this project. I am so happy to have your support,” I speak through gritted teeth.
Other employees catch wind of my words and they begin to gather around Michael, the shareholders, and I as I address them. They stare at me with wide eyes and they hold plastic cups in their hands filled with much, much cheaper champagne.
I try to step behind Michael, to let him make the celebratory speech, but he is quick to push me forward in the middle of the group. I let out a frustrated sigh and turn to the group, keeping the smile on my face.
“A big thank you to you all for your help, especially to my employees who have been in the trenches with me every step of the way. Without you, there would never have been a project and for that I am forever grateful,” I tilt my glass towards them.
They begin to clap amongst themselves, soaking in all of the attention and praise that I throw their way. It is nice to see them look so happy instead of being overworked and tired. Maybe I should give them extra vacation days for how much overtime they worked.
“And, to my shareholders, thank you for not pulling the plug on my project. You will see that our patients and customers are ready for this type of service. Not only will your pockets be full, but their loved ones will have an extra day on this planet because of us, and at the end of the fay, that is what matters the most,” I tilt my glass to them, a gesture in which they return, and the room erupts into cheers as soon as my very small speech is over with.
Everyone brings the glass to their lips and takes a sip of their drink once the applause and cheers die down. I follow suit and notice one of my employees move from out of the corner of my eye.
“Sir,” one of the higher up IT employees approaches me with a tablet in hand. I drop my glass from my mouth and turn to look at the screen. “We will be ready to launch as planned in just a few minutes. Our waiting queue is filled to the max with more to be expected throughout the day.”
I nod and pat him on the back, watching as he walks away. Michael approaches me next. His champagne flute is empty so I pass mine over to him, a gesture in which he happily accepts.
“Adrian, the shareholders are so happy with you,” he begins, “but they are annoyed that you left early from the gala.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up.
“Your wife said it was something with your mom? I hope she gets better soon,” Michael finishes and my nerves relax. I nod at him and he walks away, giving me room to breathe.
I sit down at my computer and turn on the screen. Tracer’s name pops up and is bold, signifying that she has sent me a message. I sit up in my seat and lean towards the computer, clicking on her name as well as the message that is displayed.
Tracer: Congratulations on the project launch, Adrian. You deserve all of the success in the world. I’m glad to have been a part of it.
A small smile threatens to break across my face. I hold it back and look around the room, the back of my mind tingling with familiarity of my wife through Tracer’s words.
I stand from the desk and head towards the front of the room where the main computer sits. The back wall is filled with connected screens displaying the number of how many users have joined. Currently the number sits at zero.
This is the place where I will launch the project and the next phase of my career. This is where the entirety of my work has gone to so far.
“Ready?” I ask the IT employee. He nods and gives me a thumbs up. “Alright everyone! We’re going to launch!”
The room gathers around. I navigate my way across the screen and make it to the final phase of the launch. My finger hovers over the button before I press it.
Confetti goes off from inside the room. My eyes widen from shock and I turn around to watch as the glittery plastic pieces fall from the ceiling. The room erupts into cheers and it feels as if the world moves in slow motion.
The numbers on the back screen begin to rise. It starts off slow then it begins to skyrocket as more and more users join. I laugh from surprise, not expecting such a large influx of patients to join the interface so soon.
I have done it. I have finally reached my career goal in wanting to save as many people as possible. With my service, I am saving countless amounts of lives and it honestly feels so good to know that I am making a difference in the world.
Something feels off, though.
My eyes land to the empty spot beside me. There is a hollowness inside of my chest, at my side, and it is beginning to eat away at me. I swallow the lump in my throat and try to get my mind off of her but it is of no use.
I wish that Stella were here beside me. I wish that she were here to celebrate alongside the rest of my company because without her help at the shareholders gala, I wouldn’t be standing here with a successful project under my belt.
