Chapter 1

Whoever said that money didn't make the world go 'round was a liar.

The entire world revolved around money. Nations, businesses, families, and even the environment needed and depended on money to grow and maintain stability. Those who had money thrived and saw success while those who didn't struggled and drowned. Kyle Staub was one of the unfortunate souls who had nothing.

Like most Americans, Kyle had lived a normal life. But that was before his mother died in a car accident when he was ten. Ever since then, it had been his dad and him. No one could replace Mom, even if Kyle's dad had wanted to move on and find someone else to love. He didn't, though, and that was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it kept his mom's memory alive just by knowing that she was so precious and special that no one could ever replace her. It was curse, though, because they had struggled so much financially. Once Kyle turned sixteen and had found a job, things got easier. Not by much though.

That was why Kyle had always planned on getting a full time job as soon as he graduated high school, even though he really wanted to go to college. Even community college would do; an associate's was better than nothing, after all. His father had even expressed support in Kyle going on to community college, so he started saving up money. Grants and loans would help him out, but Kyle would have to pay that back and he had always believed in being prepared. When senior year came, Kyle figured that he had everything lined up and ready to go, which put him ahead of some of his classmates.

But then his car decided to die on him.

And Dad needed help with the bills.

There went all of his savings and Kyle knew that college, even community college, was out of the picture. At eighteen, he had hoped that he'd be enrolled for a fall semester, getting ready to drone on and on about homework but secretly enjoying it because it brought him that much closer to his degree. Luckily for him, he managed to find a full time job straight out of high school, just like he had originally planned. Unfortunately for Kyle, the company he had worked for was bought and he was laid off as a result. That left him with a dwindling bank account and no job.

Kicking a pebble off of the side walk, Kyle continued walking down the street, not sure what he was going to do or where he was going to go. He needed to find a job and fast, because his father was getting older and even though he was working, they still needed help. Surely, he'd be able to find something in town. Well, Kyle didn't exactly live in a town; it was too big to be called a town, but too small to be called a city. There were a few tall business buildings that crowded the area; nothing as spectacular as New York City, but still pretty awe-inspiring to someone like him. Kyle would apply to the businesses that he had been passing since he entered the large business and shopping district, but he had no one what their qualifications were. And with only a high school diploma, he doubted that he'd find something in a business company.

As he continued to walk on, Kyle's eyes scanned the various businesses surrounding him, looking for help wanted signs. He drew the line at fast food joints, so there was no way in hell he'd apply to McDonalds or Burger King. Small diners and eateries were nice, but Kyle knew he'd never make it as a waiter, and dish washing was just as bad. Working for a grocery store was always an option; his first job had been as a stock boy in a grocery store and he figured that cashiering couldn't be all that difficult. But grocery store pay wasn't the best and he needed something that paid more than minimum wage. There was always Wal-Mart or Target, though.

Making up his mind, Kyle made a right hand turn and began to make his way back home, planning on applying online. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts and concerns that he failed to notice the silver haired woman that he was heading straight towards. But he couldn't ignore her when he bumped into her rather hard and caused her and her various papers and documents to fall all over the side walk.

"Jesus! I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going and I just…" He stopped talking and bent down to help the woman pick up her papers. She looked at him through her glasses and smiled, her blue eyes radiating understanding and warmth.

"No, it's quite alright, young man. I wasn't paying close enough attention myself, so the blame can't fall entirely on you." Kyle gave her an awkward, sheepish smile. He had always had a hard time with strangers, especially women, which normally resulted in him feeling awkward around them. Like at that moment.

"Yeah, well, if my mind wasn't so wrapped up on getting a job, I'd be more focused and alter." Together, they finished gathering up the lady's papers and were able to neatly sort them before she put them in her bag.

"Getting a job, you say? There aren't many young people who are overly concerned with finding a job." Kyle watched as the lady closed her bag and turned to look up at him. He noticed that she was dressed in a white lab coat that covered most of her clothing. Only an inch or two of her white skirt could be seen below the lab coat. Was it normal for an ordinary person to wear so much white? She looked like a business woman and she was certainly educated. There was no way that she could be a business woman, could she?

"You can't make money without a job. And my dad could certainly use the help." She nodded and took her glasses off, folding them neatly before placing them in her coat pocket. Kyle shifted uncomfortably as she scrutinized him for a moment longer before she spoke up.

"Indeed. What's your man, young man?"

"Kyle Staub."

"And how old are you?"

"Eighteen." Kyle was a bit curious as to why she wanted to know who he was and how old he was, but she smiled brightly at him and held her hand out, so he had to put his curiosity on the back burner.

"My name is Dr. Alexandria Harris and I've been looking for a volunteer to help me with a presentation that I'm giving tomorrow at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon." Kyle's heart started to beat fast, until the words sunk in and he realized that Dr. Harris had said volunteer. She must have been able to see his disappointment, because she smiled gently at him.

"It's paid work, of course. Between two to three grand I do believe." At that, Kyle perked up and a small, hesitant smile spread across his face.

"What kind of work?"

"I just need you to help me present something to the Board of Directors at the Holding-Smith Corporation just a block from here. Would you be up for the task, Kyle? You really would be doing me a great favor and helping me out tremendously." Kyle's small smile turned into a big one and he straightened himself up. It may not be what he was looking for, but he could use two thousand dollars. That'd help him and his dad out for a little while at least, and that was a step up from their current predicament.

"Of course I'm up for it! This is great! It really is, Dr. Harris. Thanks!" She laughed softly.

"Good. Now, as I said before, the presentation is at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the Holding-Smith Corps building. I'll need you to show up at no later than twelve thirty on the dot. Plain street clothes are fine. You'll need to take the elevator at the main lobby up to the eleventh floor and then go to the last door on the right down the hall. I will be there waiting for you and I will explain exactly what I will need you to help me do." Kyle nodded as he tried his best to memorize all of the information Dr. Harris gave him. Smiling at him kindly, she pulled out a blank sheet of paper and wrote on it before handing it to him.

"That is my cell phone number. If you need assistance getting here, give me a call." Kyle grinned and met her gaze.

"Thanks a lot, Dr. Harris. I won't let you down. I promise." She nodded and patted his arm.

"I have the utmost confidence in you, Kyle. I will see you tomorrow." With one last smile, she walked past him, turned the corner, and disappeared from his line of sight.