Friend's Concern confessed that he had once climbed a mango tree to impress his classmates and ended up getting stuck for three hours.
"You?"
Ophelia laughed.
"You?"
"It was a very tall tree."
"And no one could get you down?"
"My father called the fire service."
She burst into another fit of laughter.
"You are never living this down."
"I was ten."
"You were ambitious."
"And terrified."
By the time they hung up, it was almost midnight.
Neither of them noticed how quickly the hours had disappeared.
The following Saturday, Ophelia arrived at the charity home earlier than usual.
The children were already waiting.
Before she had even stepped out of her car, Zara ran toward her.
"Miss Ophelia!"
"What is it?"
"Mister Ethan is here!"
She smiled without realizing it.
"Is he?"
"He's fixing the swings."
She looked toward the playground.
There he was.
Sleeves rolled up.
Hands covered in grease.
Completely focused on tightening a loose bolt.
He looked up at the sound of footsteps.
Their eyes met.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"You came."
"I volunteer here."
"So do I."
She walked over.
"I didn't know billionaires repaired playground equipment."
He tightened the last bolt before standing.
"The maintenance man didn't show up."
"So you decided to become one?"
He shrugged.
"A broken swing shouldn't stop children from playing."
She looked at him quietly.
It wasn't the answer she expected.
Most people in his position would have written a cheque and walked away.
Instead...
He had picked up a toolbox.
For reasons she couldn't explain, that impressed her more than any expensive gift ever could.
Later that afternoon, the children insisted on taking a group photograph.
They gathered around Ethan and Ophelia, squeezing in from every direction.
"Smile!" the caregiver called.
Flash.
The picture was taken.
None of them noticed the man standing outside the gate.
He lowered a pair of binoculars.
Picked up his phone.
And sent only one message.
They're getting closer.
A reply arrived seconds later.
Good. Keep watching.