He was such a lovely boy. Probably the loveliest boy Noah had ever seen. Noah was a very cold person and rarely spared people a glance, talk more of a second glance. The boy had a pretty face and a small firm mouth. His eyes were teary, yet lovely. Before he could realize it, he handed the boy a handkerchief.
"Good morning Mister," Liam greeted in Chinese. Noah was taken aback. Ohhh! He was a foreigner.
"What is your name?" Noah asked in English, hoping the boy would answer.
"Liam," he answered and wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He didn't take the handkerchief.
"Hey kid, here is a handkerchief," Noah said nicely, still holding the handkerchief towards the boy. He was even surprised at his own kindness and patience. Liam shook his head and said,
"No. My mummy said I should not take things from strangers," he said in English.
"What an obedient boy," Noah thought.
"It's okay. It's good to be obedient. Are you Chinese?" he asked
"Yes," he replied
"What's your name again?" Noah asked further
"Liam Muxin", he answered.
Emily had taken up a Chinese name after some time. She went by the name Emily Roulan Muxin. Her last name was Muxin.
"What is your own name?" Liam asked surprising Noah. He hadn't expected the question to be returned by the little boy.
"I'm Noah. Noah Harper."
"Okay, Mister Noah," Liam said and smiled.
It was a smile that could melt the heart.
"Be careful next time, and don't run into the road again, okay?" Noah cautioned, smiling warmly at the smiling boy. He nodded and was about to say something when he saw his teacher.
"That's my teacher. I need to go. Goodbye Mister Noah," he called out waving at him. Noah waved back too. He just couldn't say no.
Noah drove to work with a broad smile on his face. The little boy, Liam had lifted his spirit.
Twenty minutes later, his secretary, Mr Yates walked it.
"Good morning sir," he greeted.
"Morning," Noah responded for the first time. Mr Yates was taken aback. The response was unheard of.
"Sir, the competition is set to begin in thirty minutes and you are the guest of honor," Mr Yates said.
"What competition?" Noah asked puzzled.
"Sir, it's the building block competition," he replied.
"Did you accept that on my behalf? When did I start attending competitions? Have you gone nuts?" Noah yelled at him.
"I am sorry sir. But sir, it was you who signed the approval," the secretary interjected.
"What? When? Let me see," Noah answered.
"When did I do this? How did I accept to show up as a guest of honour at a competition? I have already dispatched delegates and representatives to my various meetings for the day," Noah thought within.
"Sir, this is it," the secretary said handing a document to Noah. Noah glared at him and took it. On the document was his signature, and his seal. He had signed that two weeks ago. How and when did he do that? What was all these? So, he would be going to a competition? Impossible…
"Sir, should I get the car ready?" Mr Yates called interrupting his thoughts.
Noah took a deep breath. It was going to be embarrassing if he didn't show up. He had already signed the invitation long before hand. He nodded and said,
"Okay, get the car ready. Get set too. You are coming along."
"Yes sir," Mr Yates said and left the office.
"Damn!" Noah swore and banged his fists on the table in exasperation.
"Good morning distinguished ladies, gentleman, teachers, parents, well wishers and our beautiful and amazing kids," the Master of Ceremony cleared his throat and said.
"We welcome you today to the fifteenth annual building blocks competition and the first being hosted in the united States." There was a excited shout and round of applause from the audience.
The Master of Ceremony continued after the applause and noise and cheering had died down.
"The competition will be divided into three sections. The first will be all the participants, the second will be the best ten and the last will be the best five…."
His words died in his mouth as a sudden hush fell over the hall. He looked up to see what it was that stunned the audience.
He saw a man walking in like an emperor, with a noble and domineering aura. His body was almost 1. 88 meters tall and he was dressed in a black suit. The man had a majestic brow and a perfect profile. His deep black eyes were as profound as the night and his imposing presence was intimidating.
The man who was cold and dignified had the vigour of a noble man and the confidence of an upper class person. He was a formidable man. He walked without looking at anyone as if everyone and everything were trivial to him.
It was no other than the mighty Noah Harper. President Noah Harper. The guest of honour.
"Let's welcome our guest of honour, President Harper," the MC said after he found his tongue. The audience cheered and clapped.
"He is the CEO of Blackwood Towers, the famous company in our country and its environs," he said, explaining Noah's identity in details. Noah sat down and soon, the competition began. The competing kids were called out.
In five minutes, Liam was done arranging his building blocks to the amazement of the audience. He was done while the other kids were still struggling with theirs. By the time they got to the finals, Liam emerged the winner.
"Let's call upon the guest of honour, President Harper to hand the price to the winner," the MC announced.
Noah stood up and was surprised to see that this very impressive and amazing lad was Liam, the boy he met in the morning. When Liam saw him, he flashed him a brilliant and beautiful smile. Noah smiled back instantly. Noah shook his hands, congratulated him and handed him his prizes.
When the competition and the occasion was over, Noah was happy to have come. He was proud of Liam as if he were his own son. He walked to his car in satisfaction. He was about entering the car when a little hand stooped him. He was amazed. That never happened. Everyone knew his status and knew better than disturbing him. He looked at the person and it was little Liam. He had the cutest smile as he said,
"Mister Noah, can I take a picture with you please, I want to show it to my mummy."