Episode # 4
PRESENT DAY–LinkDot company
Dimitri sat alone in his office.
He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
He saw her face again–Lana. Her mother beside her. And Indie, with that sharp knowing look.
He sighed and opened the drawer of his desk.
Inside was small box. He opened it.
A single earring lay inside–the pair he bought three days ago.
He had hoped to give it to her. But now... He doesn't hope to.
He closed the box, Just then the door opened.
Tina, his assistant stepped in with a table in her hand.
Tina Kim (ML's PA)
Hey! You said you wanted to do a short course for the students, remember?
Tina Kim (ML's PA)
You said you wanted to do a short course for the students, remember?
Dimitri quickly slid the box back into the drawer and smiled faintly.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Yeah, I remember.
Tina Kim (ML's PA)
You said something about helping students who want to build apps, websites, stuff like that?
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Exactly. Kids who dream about creating things. I want them to learn what I wish I knew earlier.
Tina Kim (ML's PA)
I love that. I've set it up. The students are already on their way up the lobby.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Thanks, Tina.
As she turned to leave, he glanced at the drawer again. Then he stood up, brushed off his shirt, and walked out of the office.
the elevator doors slid open with a soft smile.
Dimitri stepped out, calm, dressed in sharp black shirt. Around the lobby, a group of excited students waited, some whispering to each other, eyes wide with wonder.
But one boy, standing near the edge of the crowd froze.
Lauv. His heart jumped. He hadn't seen Dimitri in years. But he knew that face. Knew the name.
Lauv Johnson (FL's brother)
Dimitri!
Lauv called out, running forward, smiling like a child who had just found a lost brother.
Lauv Johnson (FL's brother)
Dimitri, it's me! Lauv!
Before he could get close, two security guards stepped in front of him.
Lauv Johnson (FL's brother)
Hey...what?
Lauv protested, trying to get past them.
Lauv Johnson (FL's brother)
Let go. I know him.
Dimitri didn't stop walking. He barely looked at him. When he finally did, his face turned cold.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Shut up.
He snapped. His voice cold.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
I don't know you.
Lauv Johnson (FL's brother)
Dimitri... it's me. Lauv. Lana's–
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
The name for you here is Mr Vegas.
Dimitri cut him off sharply.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Nothing more.
The room went quiet. the students looked on, unsure what was happening.
Lauv's face dropped. he stood still, the smile gone.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Does...your family know the oath you've chosen?
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
This life–staying behind a screen for hours, chasing more money just to keep going and build apps.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
No. They don't. And they don't need to.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Because to get what I have now...you need more than dreams. You need support from people who actually get it. People who don't pretend to care.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
People who don't lie to you. Who don't act like they have patience and kindness in them. people who say they love you...and they don't even stay. You'll need real support.
His fists clenched. His jaw tightened. But he said nothing. Dimitri kept going.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
We don't need hard work here.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
We need smart work.
He looked at Lauv, then at other students.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Hard work is for people who want to be slaves. Who wait to be told what to do. Who get used.
He stepped close to Lauv, voice low.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
And looking at you...You come from a family that still believes hard work is enough.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
Not smart enough to know it means nothing...If your brain doesn't work.
lauv's eyes burned. But didn't say a word. He turned and walked away. Dimitri watched him go, his face tight with anger.
Then he turned back to the students.
Dimitri Vegas (ML)
I need smart people. Not hard people.
𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻
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