Chapter 19: A Reasonable Favor

*Declan*

The last couple of months have been rough. Several hours a day were spent strategizing and drawing up plans for the company, but we're almost done; the official launch is on Saturday.

I stood by the window in my office on the top floor of Samuelson Inc, overlooking the sprawling metropolis underneath. This view reminded me of the longest conversation I'd had with my father.

It was his office before mine, and even with all the upgrades I had made, it still felt like all I had to do was turn around and I'd find him sitting in his brown leather arm chair, scrutinizing me with those all-knowing eyes.

"You see all this," he said to me, barely 12-year- old, pointing out the window. "This is the power of innovation and grit. You have to constantly prove yourself or you become yesterday's trash. I do my bit, and it may be your turn to hold the mantle sometime soon."

Well, Saturday will be my debut.

I glanced at my watch. It was still early in the morning. I shook my head and foc