He ran on the treadmill, feeling his muscles burning and his heart thudding against his chest and ears, the sound of his heavy breathing in the gym and the this of his sneakers against the treadmill conveyor belt, he reached a stage where he could no longer go on and running felt like a distraction. He slipped and stayed on the floor staring at his black sneakers, seeing and feeling the sweat trickle down his arms to his fingers and the sound of the drops dropping on the hard ground. The floor was cool against the balls of his palms.Dax brushed his eyes clenching his teeth, the past lingered around his head, one voice telling him that he couldn't live without Allora. He took a deep breath trying to ground himself by setting his sights on the mirrors around him, the gym equipment with the lights bouncing off the shiny leather. He felt like he almost drowned and had to come up for air, from the way he was huffing and puffing. He clutched his hair now in a dilemma. The texture of his ha
Dax heard the uproar as well, he glanced at the group of people protesting against him at the entrance of the town hall.Something red splattered on the windows, a sea of angry faces were outside, flashing placards of different colours.They struggled against the barrier of security men shouting loudly and demanding for attention.Dax wanted this project to work but he needed the community's support in order to do that. His chest heaved up and down, he couldn't go outside. What were the socialites saying about decreased property value and increased crime rates?The security men hindered the crowd from breaking into the town hall. Dax experienced a shortness of breath. The people didn't trust him. It seemed like when he was making progress, another barrier was raised against him. They trusted the media completely.He took a handkerchief and brushed his face dry from the sweat, suddenly he felt uncomfortable in his suit.Their voices threatened to raise the roof.Dax motioned for Bryson
"Do you want to have dinner with me?" He asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. And as he waited for her response, the air seemed charged with possibilities.Shannon didn't look the least impressed. She was good but he looked like he had not had dinner. "No Dax but you look like you could use it." Dax watched her leave. Gratitude welled up within him. Gratitude for having a friend like Shannon, someone who was there not just in the good times but also during the trying moments. Her rejection, in this light, felt like a reaffirmation of their friendship, a reminder that he had someone who truly looked out for him.Respect filled his thoughts as well. He respected Shannon's boundaries and her decision to prioritize his health over a simple dinner. Her honesty was something he cherished, a testament to the strength of their connection.Yet, there lingered a touch of apprehension. As he nodded in understanding, Dax couldn't help but feel the weight of his responsibili
As Dax finished his speech with a passionate appeal for harmony and advancement, the room erupted into applause. It began as a modicum of claps but quickly surged into a thunderous ovation. The sound washed over him, a wave of support and affirmation that seemed to chase away his earlier doubts.Dax's heart swelled with thankfulness and consolation. The applause was not just for him; it was for the shared vision of a better assembly. It was a reminder that the people in the room believed in his administration and the prospect of positive change.He couldn't help but smile, and a sense of renewed energy filled him. The community was standing with him, and together, they would face the challenges ahead.As Dax left the community meeting, heartened by the cheering and support from the audience, he couldn't help but notice a group of socialites who had attended the event. Their reactions were far from supportive, and their contempt for the upbeat response he had received was evident.In th
Dax scoffed, the powerful forces at play could be the wealthy were against the agenda and chose to stick to the status quo. Because they were benefiting from the current situation or the politicians.His heart pumped when he thought about the loan sharks. It was undeniable that their customer base would lessen if he continued with this project. Dax lifted his chin facing Councilman Smith, he knew he meant well when he spoke out to him."I'm sorry but the people are counting on me. The people can't continue like this and I must ensure that there's solidarity. I won't be a puppet for the government either."...Dax sat at his desk, his sleeves made zipping noises as he rolled them up to get some work done. He stroked his chin briefly thinking deeply about with Councilman Smith had said. Each time he addressed it, there was a mounting headache.He studied the proposal from SilverStone Construction. He was eager to get the project moving forward and believed they could do the job efficien
Her shoulders slumped, and for a moment, she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.[Maybe there's a way to find a balance. To be there for Mom and still fulfill my professional commitments. But can I really do it all?]"I'll come, Mom. I'll be there as soon as I can. I promise."Minnie's voice softened, filled with gratitude and love. "Thank you, Jennifer. That's all I wanted to hear."Jennifer hung up the phone, her heart heavy with both fear and determination. She knew that she had to find a way to balance her responsibilities to Dax and her mother's urgent need for her presence.Leaving her office, she returned to Dax's workspace, her face still pale from the emotional conversation. She cleared her throat and pushed up her glasses, a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes held a deep resolve."Dax, I've taken care of everything you needed. Now, there's something important I need to discuss with you."Dax looked up, sensing the seriousness in her tone. "What is it, Jennifer?"
Octavian continued, his tone dripping with accusation. "Dax has made promises, grand promises about this project, but what he's not telling you is the truth. The truth about how this project will burden us with debts for generations. The truth about the shortcuts he's taken to cut costs."Gasps spread through the crowd. Octavian's accusations were carefully crafted to cast doubt on Dax's integrity and the project's viability."I have evidence," Octavian declared, holding up a stack of documents. "Documents that reveal the financial irresponsibility behind this project. I have bystanders who can testify to the corners that have been cut."Dax's face paled as he attempted to defend himself, but Octavian had strategically chosen this moment, knowing that Dax wouldn't be able to provide an immediate response.The crowd began to murmur, some people nodding in agreement with Octavian, while others remained loyal to Dax. The atmosphere had turned volatile, and Dax could feel the weight of Oct
Dax's face paled as Octavian's words hung heavy in the air. The accusations were false, baseless, but the damage was done. Some in the crowd exchanged worried glances, while others whispered in disbelief."I have documents," Octavian declared, holding up a folder, "documents that prove these allegations."Dax, his voice shaky but determined, responded, "Octavian, these accusations are completely unfounded. I assure you, there has been no misappropriation of funds. Our accounting is transparent, and I'm willing to open our financial records for scrutiny."But Octavian was relentless, his accusations persistent. He cited fabricated evidence, attempting to erode the trust the community had in Dax and the project. Dax fought back with facts and integrity, but Octavian's false accusations had cast a shadow of doubt over the entire endeavor.The room was divided, with some believing Octavian and others standing by Dax. It was a moment of crisis, and Dax knew that he would need to navigate th