The Orphan
Copyright© 2025 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 5
Tuesday morning, Nicholas arrived at UCLA and tried his slight hand several times. Once, he told the girl she had dropped her wallet and returned it to her. The second one was an asshole who pushed him out of his way. He lifted the assholes wallet, took the cash, and threw the wallet into a trash can. Mia met him in the administration lobby and went to the testing area.
Professor McIntyre started the testing, which ended at 2 p.m. Mia asked Nicholas to have Kelli call her so they could set up a meeting to review the results of his testing. Nic agreed and asked Mia where she met her boyfriend. She wondered why, and Nicholas lied, saying some of the books were intelligence-based studies. Mia said, “Oh my god, that explains his frequent trips.” They met here on campus last year. He was taking psychology courses for his master’s.
They said goodbye, and Nicholas returned home. He got out the language program and listened to four Japanese CDs. Each language had eight CDs, so he was halfway through the program when he sensed Kerri was nearby. He shut off the computer and went to the kitchen. While they ate dinner, Nicholas told Kelli he had completed the testing, and Mia wanted her to call and arrange a meeting to discuss his results.
Kelli said she would call her tomorrow, but a meeting on campus was out of the question now. They were flooded with phone calls and clients wanting their services. So, she’ll have to meet us here in the evening, at the office, or on the weekend. Besides, any meeting she arranges during business hours will make David think she’s interviewing for another job. Oh, and there was a package delivered for you, and it’s in my office.
Nic asked if David had assigned him a workspace yet, and Kelli said yes. It’s next to the computer room but isn’t a full-sized office. Nicholas said that’s good because, as busy as you’re getting, you’ll need me out of your office. David wants to meet with you tomorrow because several attorneys complained they couldn’t access websites. Nic said they shouldn’t be viewing porn during work, and they laughed. After dinner, they said goodnight and went to bed.
Wednesday morning, Nicholas teleported to the basement gym and practiced martial arts. Returning to his room, Nic showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. On the way to work, Nicholas told Kelli he won’t be upset if they bypass the Dodgers’ offer. He has a bad feeling about it and knows they have ulterior motives. Kerri said she feels the same, and if they go, there will be safeguards. No one had arrived yet when they arrived at work, and they went to Kerri’s office.
She gave Nicholas his package and showed him his office. It was ¾ the size of hers but plenty big enough for what he needed. There was a desk, a credenza, an office chair, a file cabinet, and two visitors’ chairs. It even had a couch behind the chairs. Nic said there was even a bed, and they laughed. Kerri told Nic to see her if he needed anything and returned to her office.
Nic checked out the credenza, and the top and bottom were empty. However, the drawers on the right side weren’t as deep as the left. He pulled out the drawers and removed the back. There was a journal with a list of bank account numbers, logins, passwords, and a code that looked like deposits, withdrawals, or transfers. Nic closed the back, reset the drawers, and opened his laptop. He went to the first bank website and entered the login and password.
He was shocked to see it work and the account balance. There had been no activity for over twelve months, and he checked the other accounts listed, and they were the same. Nicholas thought briefly and returned the journal to its hiding place. Then David entered his office and asked Nic how he liked the office. He said it was great and had all the space he needed. The only thing missing was a computer. David told him to order one with what he needed and put it on the credit card.
Then he asked Nic about the website access issue, and Nic said there aren’t any restrictions other than known porn sites. He installed the new firewall and antivirus program last week. He found over 75 viruses and worms on the mainframe, so he removed them and restricted those websites. David said Those assholes know better than watching porn at the office. Nicholas said if they complain again, tell them I’ll gladly check out their computer.
David laughed as he left his office, and Nic went online and ordered the parts for his new computer from Newegg, charging the firm’s credit card. Then he ran a cable through the wall to the computer room and hooked up the backup drive to the mainframe. This was the second backup for the system in case something happened to the cloud storage. No one would expect it to be in another office. He went to Kelli’s office and asked for an expense report.
She gave him one and told him to make several copies for his files. Nic went to the copier and made twelve copies, then filled out his expenses to date with receipts. He thought about where to put his expense report, as his office didn’t have a lock. Nic closed his door, lifted the file cabinet, and slid the report underneath. Then he finished his tracking and attack bot program. He checked the program and installed it on the mainframe. Sensing Kelli was nearby, he lay on the couch and closed his eyes.
She knocked on the door and entered, and Nic said, “You disturbed my nap.” She laughed and told Nicholas to get his ass up because they were going to lunch. While they ate, Kelli told Nic she had called Mia, and they were meeting tonight at their house. However, a formal meeting at UCLA will be necessary for him to enroll at the university. But don’t worry; we’ll discuss our options tonight and decide what to do.
Kelli said she also called Richard at Dodger Stadium, and they were planning a press event. So, the Saturday visit was canceled, and Nic asked if they were going to the beach. Kelli laughed and said they were not going to the beach, so you could check out the babes. Nic said seeing the different types of bikinis and the girls’ shapes would be educational. Kelli laughed again and said it’s not happening and we’ll find something else to do.
They returned to the office and passed Tammy and her helpers, who were busy answering the phones. When they entered Kelli’s office, Nic said he had nothing to do for the rest of the day. So, he would order a Lyft ride home and pick up a few things for his office. She asked where he was going, and Nicholas said to his favorite store. He left Kelli laughing and ordered the ride.
Upon arriving home, Nic drove the Bronco to the West LA Goodwill store. He bought a desk lamp, a floor lamp, a picture of a sailboat for the wall above the couch, and several knick-knacks for the credenza. Then he went to Home Depot and bought a digital lock for his office door and a small shop vacuum for the computer room. Nic returned home and finished the Japanese language program. Sensing Kelli was nearby, he went to the kitchen.
Kelli arrived with Mia, and while they ate, Mia discussed his testing scores. She said Nicholas tested at the third-year college level, so he can select advanced-level courses once he enrolls. The problem is his IQ score, which will draw the university’s attention. Kelli asked if they could sign Nicholas up for online courses and avoid the meeting. Mia said there’s no avoiding the meeting because of his age and lack of college transcripts. Kelli told Mia to go ahead and set up a meeting for Saturday. We’ll determine whether to accept or decline the university’s offer, but there will be no press or photographs.
Mia left after dinner, and Kelli said,” It’s looking like trying to get you into UCLA was a mistake.” Mia has no authority to control the process, and other players will be at the meeting. A high IQ score will bring out the leeches who want a piece of you. So, the agreement will be key, and we need to read it carefully. Nic said At least we have something to do on Saturday and they laughed. They said goodnight and went to bed.
Nicholas and Kelly drove separate vehicles to the law office on Thursday morning. Nic unloaded his purchases into his office and arranged them. Then, he installed the digital lock on his office door. He cleaned up with the shop vac and put it in the computer room. Then he went to Kelli’s office and said, “How about we make everyone sign an NDA before starting the meeting?” That way, no one can discuss what’s said in the meeting. Kelli said That’s a genius idea, and it will piss everyone off, and they laughed.
Kelli said she’ll write one up and have ten copies for them to sign. She will also include your testing results. Nic asked if she had heard anything else about the partnership. Kelli said no and would let David know she’d give the headhunters the go-ahead on Monday. Nicholas returned to his office, opened the secret compartment in the credenza, and got the journal. If things turned to shit, he didn’t want to lose it.
Nic completed his expense report and submitted it to Sharon, the head of administration. He asked when payroll was deposited, and Sharon said tonight. Nicholas thanked her and returned to his office. He hacked into the payroll system, and David processed his bonus and pay for the computer work. Kelli’s bonus for the Croft settlement went through, too. He logged out and shut down his laptop.
Kelli came into Nic’s office and complimented him on his additions. She asked what he paid, and Nicholas said $50. But he also got snake-skin boots, a black Stetson cowboy hat, and boot-cut jeans for another $50. It was the nicest Goodwill store he’d ever visited, and all the items looked brand new. Kelli laughed and said, “Let’s go to lunch.” During lunch, Kelli told Nic not to buy more for the office until her partnership issue was resolved.
She said the longer the wait, the less likely she’ll make partner. Nic said he turned in his expenses to Sharon and said the bonus would be deposited tonight. She checked, and ours were processed. Kelli said it was good because her assault settlement was paid directly to her, so when they figure that out, it will be too late to do anything about it. Another thing they don’t know is that the Craft Industries CEO is aware I’m considering changing firms, so they are holding off on signing up with Collins and Kroft.
They weren’t impressed with Ronald Skylar and wanted me to handle their litigation. So, I’m removing all my personal items and copying my files in case shit hits the fan on Monday. They finished lunch and returned to the office. Nicholas told Kelli he would see her at home and left. Upon arrival, he hid the journal in his closet and watched two more DVDs from Mia’s boyfriend’s stash.
The first was about disguises and how to alter one’s appearance. At the end, they listed a website where he could purchase everything he needed. It was a movie makeup website, and Nic ordered a deluxe makeup kit. The next DVD was about counter-surveillance techniques: how to spot a tail and how to lose it. They also taught how to determine whether the tail was a threat and how to deal with it. Sensing Kelli was near, he put the DVDs away and went to the kitchen.
Kelli arrived with dinner, and while they ate, she said David questioned where she went to lunch. He’s never done that, so he’s getting paranoid. Nic said to call in sick on Friday, and Kelli said David would have a heart attack, and they laughed. After dinner, they said goodnight and went to bed.
Nicholas teleported to the basement gym and practiced martial arts on the heavy bag. On a whim, he also practiced moving the one-pound dumbbells with his mind. It took concentration, but he finally got them to move. More practice was needed, so he returned to his room, showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. Kelli arrived, and they headed to the law office.
Upon arrival, Kelli told Nicholas to check his bank account and see if the deposit had been made. Today should be interesting, so they went to their offices. Nic checked his account, and the money was there. Then he went into the mainframe and checked Robert and David’s emails. The communication from yesterday caught his eye. David emailed Robert and said we need to decide on Kelli’s partnership. Robert said we’ll wait until the end of the year. That will save us a couple of hundred thousand in bonuses.
David said, “You’re making a serious mistake.” If she leaves, it could cost us millions in lost revenue. Croft Industries hasn’t signed up yet, and if she leaves, they may follow her. Robert told David to promise Kelli a partnership at the end of the year, and she’ll stay. David told Robert it would be on his back if she left, and the email exchange ended.
That pissed Nicholas off, so he sent Robert a thank-you email for his bonus and attached a worm. He wondered why Robert hadn’t been in the office recently, and when he got control of his laptop, he’d find out why. He did maintenance on the mainframe and ran a virus scan. He found several viruses tied to porn sites, so he added those sites to the ban list.