Chapter 5 NEW BEGINNINGS

It's been four weeks since Ace moved to New York, he's had almost no opportunity to meet with Carlton Howard. He's been rejected multiple times by the security in his building and with his savings decreasing each passing day, as expected when moving to a new city, he had to get a temporary job.

Being an ex-convict, the odds of getting a solid job were almost non-existent so he had to get something that didn't require much dissection into his life, so he applied for a job as a bartender.

He still tried all means to reach Howard, but his hopes were slim on that front and with resources and real life issues, he put that on hold.

Working at "John's café" which is located a few minutes away from the office building of Howard Inc. he could easily be in luck one day. And so he was today, as he was in early for the morning shift and in walked none other than Mr. Carlton Howard.

For someone who's been trying to meet with the head of a corporation, he should at least be able to identify him, but Ace didn't.

He came in just five minutes before opening time and since Ace wasn't really occupied, he served him his coffee and some toast, handed him a newspaper and carried on. Ace was just in behind for a few seconds but as he came out, he saw his only customer that morning was choking.

His face has gone pink and he wasn't able to make a speech or breathe. Ace rushed to him with some water from behind the counter, held his shoulder as he beat his back repeatedly until he coughed out what seemed to block his airway then handed him the glass of water to which he showed his appreciation.

It was then, Ace noticed the name tag on his cufflinks. He made to get up, but a part of him told him to try his luck so he paused.

"Mr. Howard?" Ace asked to which his guest raised his head in affirmation.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" He asked, trying to recognize the man that just saved his life.

Ace shook his head. He couldn't believe his luck. He'd been looking for an opportunity to meet him for the past month now and suddenly, here he was. Right in his workplace, sitting just inches from him. He couldn't believe it.

He tried to explain but words wouldn't come out. Getting his act together before he'd make a mockery of himself, Ace introduced himself to Howard and explained his encounter with the cell mate and his attempts to seek him out.

Having listened to everything he said, Howard smiled at Ace. Pulled his card from his pocket and gave it to him. Asked him to call on him in a couple of days and they'd have a lengthy discussion on that front.

"I want to know how Harvey is doing." He told him before getting up, paying his bills and reminding Ace to get in contact with him soon and departed.

Ace stared at his retreating back as he left the café and put the card in his apron pocket then cleared the table. Soon enough, this place would be booming with customers, he has to be for them all. His plan was back on track now that he'd met with Howard. He could feel it.

Ace contacted Mr. Howard a few days after their initial encounter and he invited him over for coffee at his house. Getting there, Ace was shown into the mansion and into the gold course where Howard was just finishing up his last tee. He pointed Ace to a seat and sat opposite him, offered him some refreshments and they began talking.

Ace told him all he wanted to know about Harvey and how he was doing and when he was done, Howard had an amused look on his face.

"Tell me something, kid." He began when Ace was through.

"I can't see why Harvey would send you to me. What's the deal on that front." He asked.

This was the main reason he was here, but he was lost for ways to put his thoughts into actual words without sounding like a beggar. Rich, influential people hated leeches and he wasn't going to act like one.

He began explaining his skill set and his accomplishments during the time he was working with the Rodger's to Howard and he just smiled at him when Ace was through.

"I see. I'll tell you something, kid." He said to Ace with a smile on his face.

"I like you. You seem intelligent and goal-driven. Come up to the office on Monday and let HR see you." He said.

"I'm not making any promises. It's on you to impress these people. If you do a good job, the job might be yours. But you have to deserve it." He said leaning back onto his seat.

Ace thanked him multiple times. That was actually easier than he'd thought. He just had to get the job now. He wasn't going to screw this opportunity up. He'd be on his best personality for his interview and rightly so, he was.

A week later, Howard's Inc. announces a new Head of Department to the business world and it's business partners, his name, is Ace Mackenzie.

And with that, He was back in the business world. Stage one in his plan has been accomplished already, now, stage two was about to kick in.