Come Alive- Chapter 2

"Name: Sakrovsh Diete1

I am qualified. I don't have a degree in nothing. I didn't go to university, but this is my work.. "2

It was an unusual piece of blueprint. Nonetheless, Sakkem was impressed. This man was brilliant, however eccentric he was. His final verdict was to employ Sakrovsh; despite the nagging thought at the back of his head, telling him that something was astray.3

"I'm usually wrong," he thought, brushing off the uncomfortable feeling.4

And he was right, now that he looked at it. Things were better at his company than it ever was before. Now, more than half of the town's constructions were under him. The money expotentially increasing.5

Life before Sakrovsh, Sakkem fanthomed, was something he quickly pushed out his head.6

He was on the edge and was about to go bankrupt. Money trickled in like drops from an untighthened pipe - not very consistent and undoubtly little.7

He laughed at other companies like his now.8

"Hah. I bet they rejected this genius! Them big companies. Small people are never good enough, eh?"9

Sakkem was still in dreamland when Sakrovsh made his way into his office, without knocking, as usual.10

And if Sakrovsh had not made coughed hard, it was almost impossible to pull Sakkem back into reality.11

Surprised, Sakkem looked over to see Sakrovsh. Sakrovsh was dressed in a tuxedo, always black, never blue - though both colours were allowed to allow for an increased variety of clothing for employees.12

Even his tie was black. In fact, he was all in black. From top to bottom. Unironed, though. But it made no difference. It was expected for Sakrovsh to beat the norm.13

Sakrovsh never came to Sakkem's office unless there was something important. "Important" usually meant that Sakrovsh needed money, which was never very often since he was already the highest paid employee in Sakkem's company. Though, his pay was only 1% of what he made for the company. Sakrovsh knew that very well but never asked for a raise.14

"Money, nothing but paper - the buyer of desires. Fools, some things are worth so much more."15

Sakrovsh was sure Sakkem knew that he knew. He was, afterall, an intelligent man, that Sakkem. Else, why would he have employed and kept him?16

Sakkem smiled. It was a businessman smile, a smile so devoid of love and care, just pure business. And of course, greed.17

It was the type which would have said, "I'm greedy. Talk fast" if it had the ability to talk.18

Sakkem took a look at Sakrovsh and immediately knew that it was not about money this time. His smile dropped into frown. If it wasn't about money, it was that other thing Sakrovsh needed from Sakkem. Not again.19

"Kid, I know what you want but you ain't getting it this time, know?"20

Sakrovsh looked unmoved. His expression unchanged.21

*22

"To smile to people you don't want to smile to is lying," he had once said to Amanda, after being asked by Amanda of his cool character.23

"Don't you think it's rude?"24

"No. It's a lie to be polite when you aren't. You lied just a few minutes ago, Amanda" Sakrovsh said; Amanda understanding Sakrovsh fully.25

Amanda fell silent. Sakrovsh was right, she thought. She was always insincere. The smile on her face was pasted and lacked the honesty it required.26

Unusually, Sakrovsh continued his sentence with a postscipt, "The meaningless lives we lead make you this way. Don't be so full of guilt as to lose it."27

It was as though Sakrovsh was comforting Amanda and in normal people's words, he would have probably said, "It's alright, Manda. It's not your fault."28

Amanda looked at Sakrovsh from the side. He was still working on his new sketch. He was almost emotionless.29

*30

"Boss," Sakrovsh said finally.31

Boss was what Sakrovsh had insisted calling Sakkem; though Sakkem had insisted many times for Sakrovsh to call him by his first name. It seemed that Sakkem's insistence had not affected Sakrovsh.32

"It's not that."33

Sakkem was shocked. He thought he knew Sakrovsh well enough to know of his wishes - one: money. Two: charity fund. There was a number three? That was something new.34

"I... What is it, Sakrovsh?"35

"I quit."36

Sakkem smiled at Sakrovsh, thinking that this might all be a joke. After all, United Constructions was THE only company would employ him. If he quit, who would be paying for his trips to Russia? Sakkem doubted that other companies would find his absence of a degree amusing like he did.37

"You quit?" Sakkem said in disbelief, feeding Sakrovsh a line, hoping he would continue. He never did, though. The question shot unanswered. Sakrovsh had a habit of hanging his words in the air and unless asked the way he wanted it, he never gave details.38

Sakkem tried again.39

"I know our company requires you to work hard but Sakrovsh, we can arrange things for you. I can bend your schedule. Twist it a little. Maybe you can come by 10.00 am instead of half past six? Would you like that? Sure, Amanda'll be jumping on my desk but..."40

Sakrovsh stopped Sakkem midflight with a slight wave of hand, his usual gesture of disagreement, usually accompanied by a slight stitch of brows.41

"Boss, it's not that. It's not Amanda either. There is something I need to do that will affect you if you keep me. You see, I..."42

"Mr Lionnel," Amanda said at Sakkem's door, knocking slightly; interuppting Sakrovsh.43

"Bad idea," Sakkem said to himself. He knew very well from experience that if Sakrovsh's sentences were interupted, he would never continue later. It was a habit he had.44

Now, Sakkem knew he'd never be able to know the reason why Sakrovsh had chose to give up his $200,000 a month.45

"What's that Amanda?"46

"I need you to come see something."47

"Ok. I'm coming," he said, turning to Sakrovsh once again.48

Sakrovsh was long gone then.49

There was a letter on Sakkem's work desk. It read: "Letter of resignation."50

It was unusual for Sakrovsh to be so formal. Sakkem would have expected otherwise. He didn't bother to look at the details.51

Soon, he would wish he had.52

*53