CHAPTER TWELVE

LEILA

I woke up in the middle of the night. I still want to sleep but I hear the faint sound of the intercom beyond the door of my room. My room was not completely dark. There was just a small lamp that remained on, giving a small comforting glow in the dark, cold room. A monitor was still attached to me because of my brain injury. I guess they were still worried I might just suddenly die.

I was able to finish my assignments. Jason already bought some of my required books for me. The assignments were easy since it was just the first day of school.

I put pillows under my head to lift it while I was lying down and I got my laptop beside the hospital bed. I turned it on. I just bought it a few days ago.

I had been doing freelancing work as a programmer and online artist since I was ten years old. I already have my own website but I wasn't earning enough. It's time I start my own software business.

Since I'm not yet of legal age, I need to employ someone to handle my business for me. I checked online for an IT manager and their average salaries were more than a hundred thousand dollars a year. I was thinking how I can afford to get an IT manager or a software designer. I could not take the risk of another seizure for working full time on my software.

I contacted one who was doing freelance IT manager work. When I told him I was just starting and needed someone to put my software in the market, he agreed that he gets paid per work assigned, and as business improves.

"Mark, my software deals with cyber security. It prevents and detects hacking, improves and sets up firewalls, removes and prevents viruses and bugs." I explained my software to him. I also explained my dilemma of being underaged and the need for someone to stand in my place until I come of age. I also need that person to deal with my customers."

"That can all be arranged, Ma'am. I am very easy to deal with, and I can adjust to any situation," Mark assured me smoothly. He seems very confident and accommodating.

I learned he was forty-one years old. He is married with a young child.

We did a video cam. Even though it was in the middle of the night, He looked very presentable in his business attire and I felt he had enough lively presence to be taken seriously. He had a well-modulated voice and spoke to me in a very respectful manner even though it was clear I was very young. "I also understand your need to hide not only your age but also your identity. Can I know who I am dealing with?" he asked.

"Leila Ziegler," I told him, even though I just met him and still needed to hide my identity. I felt I can trust him.

"Are you related to Jason Ziegler of Emzitech?" he asked.

"He's my father, " I told him, smiling.

"What?" he asked, very surprised with the information.

"He just adopted me less than a week ago." I explained. "That's why Emzitech will be our first client. I hacked into their system two months ago. They need to improve the security of their programs."

He thought for a moment as he realized the impact of the information I just told him. "How much are you going to charge them?"

"thirty million dollars as downpayment. Then for fixing their systems, an additional ten million. Monthly check up and updating, two million a month."

"And how much will you pay me if we succeed in pulling this off?"

"Twenty-five thousand a month and one percent of all proceeds."

"Make it two percent and it's a deal! When do we start Boss?"

Mark worked fast. He was able to get a business permit within two days and was ready to talk to Jason the following day. He called me up as soon as he was able to talk to Jason.

"He wanted us to lower our price to twenty million, saying our product is new and we need to earn his trust. But he said if it works, he will give us an additional ten million. What do you think?"

I thought it over. "I think he has a point. How about that monthly upkeep?"

"He agreed to it."

"Alright, get a lawyer to draw up the contract. I will send you ten thousand for both of you." We signed off and I sent him the money online.

I was pretty excited earning my first million. I hope Jason didn't mind. He was a billionaire already. So if he loses a few million, he won't notice. I hope I was not wrong,

Mark opened a bank account for me. After Jason signed the contract, twenty million was transferred to my account right away. I sent Mark four hundred thousand. He called me up to thank me.

"That was the easiest money I ever made in my twenty years that I had been working as a programmer." He told me happily. I wish we could eat out. I want to treat you to a steak or your favourite food."

"We can't be seen together." I reminded him. "I'm also disabled I wondered how Jason will react if he found out he just gave me twenty million. I felt guilty but I quickly shoved away my guilt feelings. "Can you order pizza for me then? Then we need to start working.

I was eating my pizza when Jason came to give me my homework. When he saw how I was devouring the beef with pepperoni and mushroom family -size pizza, he helped himself without asking for my permission.

"You look so happy today." He observed, looking at me curiously. He brought in some coke and I had juice. He sat comfortably on the edge of my bed.

"I grinned at him. "I haven't eaten pizza for a long time." Then a thought crossed my mind. My Mom and I were suppose to eat pizza… and then my mind blocked out the thought. I frowned.

Jason saw my expression change. "What happened?"

"I seem to remember something, but the thought disappeared."

"Stop thinking about it then." He looked at me carefully and told me, "You don't need to work in removing the virus on Emzitech's systems anymore."

My heart was pounding on my chest as I looked at him fearfully, I stammered, "I don't? Why? What happened?"

"I already got someone to clean out the virus and bugs, and improve the security of our programs. The company promised us our system will be fully recovered within one week. They will improve the whole system."

Jason was looking at me as if expecting me to say something. Does he know I own Danielle's Software Systems? How could he know? Unless Mark told him? What if he did? What will I do? What does Jason expect me to say? Do I have to return the twenty million? Why did he agree to the contract if he knew I was behind the company?

"I was planning to help restore Emzitech's systems…"

Jake interrupted me, "I don't want you to stress yourself, Leila." His voice was hard.

I fidgeted under the blankets. I was about to cry again. I'm such a crybaby.

"So why are you crying?"

"I don't know."

"Tell me."

"I just feel like crying." Then I was really bawling. He hasn't even reprimanded me yet. How uncool, Leila!

Jake sat closer to me and patted my back. "Hush, Baby." He said in a very soft tone, "You don't need to cry."

I placed my head on his shoulder and cried louder.

"Stop crying, Leila. You're going to make yourself sick. I don't want you to get another seizure." He whispered to my ear. He continued rubbing my back, trying to comfort me.

I quiet down after a while. But I like having my head in his shoulder so I didn't more.

"Are you feeling better?" He said gently. He looked at my face. I didn't meet his gaze.

I nodded silently.

"Are you going to tell me what you are going to do with the twenty million?"

It took me awhile to answer him. He patiently waited for my reply.

"I'm saving up for my plane," I whispered.

"Look, I'm going to make a deal with you." He shifted away from me and pulled a chair. He sat near me and took my hand.

"If you are going to be honest with me, no more bugs and viruses, no more lying, no more trying to con me, no stealing, just be totally honest with me even if you know I'll be angry, then I will honor our contract. Emzitech will help your software company. I will help you build your plane."

"Really? You still want to help me?" I can't believe how nice he is! Perfect Daddy! Maybe not as perfect as my real Daddy, but close enough.

"I forgot."

"What?" My heart skipped a bit.

"Can you ask me first before you withdraw from my bank account? And try not to spend more than one thousand dollars a day, okay?"

I nodded silently.

He smiled and patted me in the head. Then he kissed my forehead. "Take a nap before you do your assignments."

He left. I wondered. How could he be so nice to me? It was unbelievable that someone was as nice as he is.