Infinite Paragon

"Boss, there is something you should see." Elena, the middle-aged hefty receptionist called in to Evans's office.

"What is it, Elena? I'm in the middle of something here." Evan called out as he was reading a file on a new drug company called Valtrex.

"Just come grab the paper and see for yourself." She snidely remarked.

'This woman is always so mouthy, then again if she was complacent, I probably wouldn't keep her around.' He couldn't help but think to himself. With his upbringing it was difficult to get along with overly nice people. He didn't feel right if someone was too nice. He had some trust issues thanks to his parents. The only time they were nice was as a ploy to either berate or beat him. Bluntly honest people were his preference. Sure, they were abrasive and a little rude, but you always knew what they thought of you, good or bad.

Evan walks out of the door in a slim 2-piece cheap suit, although cheap, it is tailored to fit his built frame perfectly. This was a phrase taught to him by the sweet old lady down the street. You can skimp on the material, but never the tailor's work. A good tailor will make you look good in a burlap sack.

"Yes?" He peers over to Elena with a "what now" look on his face.

Elena doesn't say anything just points to the New York Times Business page left open on her desk. It was opened to a headline reading "New Company Freeman Financial on the Rise!"

Evan's face sunk. He knew how these articles usually went. They would over exaggerate the lives of the person of interest. His life was already pretty bad, so he expected the absolute worst. He would be excited if he was looking for new clients, but he was past that period in his life. Hell, he only opened this place out of boredom.

"New Financial Firm 'Freeman Financial' has been on a drastic rise lately handled solely by the Founder, CEO, and only investor in the company. Somehow managing to make high risk investments utilizing small amounts of capital to reign in major profits. Evan Freeman has taken the financial world by storm. Coming from a derelict family from a small town in Iowa where he graduated from high school at the top of his class at the young age of 15, he quickly made headway for young adults to pursue higher education. He attended Arvard University where he received his master's in financial management in only two years. He was quickly picked up by J.D. Morgan afterwards where he made an astounding career in the 3 years, he was there quickly moving up the corporate ladder to Jr. Partner. After reconnecting with his family, he spent 3 years in hiatus, enjoying the wealth he had quickly accumulated. According to our sources Evan started his own firm out of boredom, and within 3 years he was contending for the highest profit margins in the country. Freeman Financial has just broken a record to be the first Fortune 500 company who has only 2 employees. Respectively being Evan Freeman himself, along with his very outspoken and abrasive receptionist Elena Sanchez, who refused comment when approached last week."

Evan's heart was racing the whole time reading the article. It was just a small excerpt and didn't have very many details about his life, they even undersold his rough childhood. This was shocking in in itself. Evan couldn't help it though. He was having a panic attack. His dirty laundry was being aired, and the worst part was that he couldn't do anything about it.

It was at this moment that Evan lost consciousness and fainted. Due to the shock of that small little article had caused, and the recognition that his firm had actually broken 500 million dollars in revenue this year was too much to take. Sure, he was good at his job, but that number was astronomical. He only has 10 accounts open in his firm and 8 of those are private clients worth no more than 200k. Yeah, he invests his own money through his firm, but he usually only has about 10 million in circulation at one time. That only leaves one other option to pull that kind of profit down continuously OMEGA Industries. The small medical research company that helped him open the firm about 3 years ago.

OMEGA was small but very unique, very high in demand, and very, very rich. They invested 30 million in 401K investments every quarter. They created high tech medical supplies from prosthetics that are motorized, to artificial hearts that could extend life up to 20 years. The things that he receives for fiscal responsibility is just unbelievable sometimes. The last one was a valuation for an optical nerve that can give the ability to see in the thermal spectrum.

*High pitched whine*

"Ugh what is that noise." Evan groggily said as he tried to open his eyes, only to be blinded by bright lights.

*Massive throbbing on right side of head*

"Jesus what hit me?" Evan asked to no one, just speaking out loud.

"My desk, ya idiot. Just go headbutting my desk, next thing you'll tell me is I'm not getting paid for bringing your ass here." Elena's sarcastic nasally voice pierced his ear.

"Bring me where?" Evan still couldn't get his eyes quite open with the blinding light.

At this time a deep burly voice hit his ear. "The hospital Mr. Freeman. You fainted due to hyperventilation. You had a pretty severe panic attack. You hit your head pretty hard on the corner of a desk." Clearly the Dr. was talking to him.

"Must've been a good hit. I feel like I got hit by a truck." Evan joked. This is how he deals with uncomfortable situations, bad jokes, it was something he worked on in therapy after his parents messed him up. It usually helped people relax around him.

"It was a very hard hit. You have 7 stitches just behind your hairline. After someone hits their head that hard, we usually order a CT scan and MRI. Mr. Freeman I have some potentially upsetting news to tell you."

"Shit, I knew it I'm dying. Elena, please tell my dog I love him. Oh, and don't steal office supplies after I kick the bucket." he chuckled making another bad joke to both the doctor and Elena.

"Sir…Mr. Freeman. This is actually pretty serious…Upon looking at the MRI and CAT Scan, there is a large growth located here (points to slide of cranium) on the amygdala."

"Which means what exactly?"

"Well, we can't be sure without further testing, but we can't rule anything out either."

"Sorry doc, but what are you trying to say?"

"Mr. Freeman, do you have any family you can call?"

"I mean yeah, but why? It can't be serious." The panic was starting to set in on Evan's mind. Dr.'s only talk like this when something is wrong, seriously wrong.

"Well Mr. Freeman most people usually like to have some support here for something like this, and it might be a little easier to take the news." At this time, the Dr. was starting to get jitters. No matter how many times he's had to deliver bad news he still gets nervous, jittery, and an overwhelming sense of dread.

"With all due respect Dr. I'm a grown man and I don't need mommy to hold my hand." Evan couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark, his go to maneuver when his nerves start to get to him.

"Sir, keep in mind that it is still early and most likely benign, but it is too early to rule out cancer as a possibility."

The word hit him like a brick. CANCER.

Everything else the doctor said from that point out was a blur. Evan could only think about that one word. He agreed to more testing, but he already knew.