Regaining consciousness in the intensive care unit, the wealthy man overheard his wife’s conversation on the phone…

Where did you get such extensive practice? James smiled. Where else? In the village, of course. At my grandfather’s on the distant outskirts.

He had quite a lot of fishing there. I’m not much into hunting, you know, but picking mushrooms, berries or fishing always up for that. So there was a lot of snow there in the winter.

You’d wake up and it’s dark in the hut, all windows covered in snow. You take a shovel and go ahead. The janitor looked at the restaurant owner with undisguised sympathy.

James was a good man. He never offended him with word or deed and sometimes even stood up for him, especially in front of the administrator, who enjoyed bullying those weaker than him. I’ll remember the scoundrel.

And there he is. Mr. Williams, what are you doing? The wind is so strong and you’re thinking of clearing snow. You’ll catch a cold for sure.

Where would we be without you then? Andrew shouted over the wind from behind. James turned around and met the administrator’s eyes, perfectly understanding that he was being deceitful and deliberately flattering him. Oh, come on, Andrew.

It’s nothing. I’m not a kid after all. Tell me, how are things at the restaurant? Suppliers didn’t let us down? And are all the staff at work? At the mention of the latter, the administrator grimaced as if from a toothache.

Dancing on the cold wind, Andrew replied, Yes, everything’s in place, except for that dishwasher. What’s her name? Emma, I think. No matter how much you scold her, she never comes to work on time.

James looked disapprovingly at the administrator and, handing the shovel to the janitor, said, Andrew, you very well know that Emma has four children, whom, by the way, she raises on her own. And I’ve asked you not to call her a dishwasher. Emma is a kitchen worker or a kitchen staff member.

Learn to respect your subordinates. Without that, you can’t build a proper workflow. The boss’s remark sounded so sharp that the administrator shivered and sneakily glanced at the janitor.

What if he heard? What a disgrace! Ah, he heard it loud and clear. Look at him, grinning from ear to ear, shameless. Well, no matter, we’ll sort it out.

Let’s just get rid of the boss first and then tighten the screws on everyone else. At that moment, a stooped figure of a young woman appeared from around the corner, hurrying as fast as possible to get to work, walking straight through the snow. Oh, here comes Emma Fisher, so what’s the excuse this time? Did the bus break down, or did you come up with something more elaborate? The administrator started, but stopped under James’s piercing gaze.

Sorry, Mr. Brown, the bus got turned around on the road, had to find alternatives, Emma replied apologetically, lowering her eyes, her nose reddening. All right, off you go, and make sure everything is in order. Clean the dishes thoroughly, so they squeak when I touch them, Andrew concluded with a stern look.

Emma nodded and hurried towards the entrance door. At that moment she awkwardly stumbled on a step, causing the sole of her boot to skid on the surface. James was the first to react, supporting Emma at the most dangerous moment.

Oh, thank you, I’m sorry for being so clumsy. She began to apologise. Don’t apologise, Emma, it’s not your fault.

But perhaps Andrew should finally get to work and sprinkle some salt on the pathways, James remarked, emphasising the last word. After that he took Emma’s hand to help her ascend the slippery steps. Despite not wearing gloves, her palm felt very warm to the businessman, but then something very strange happened.

Emma suddenly let out a loud gasp and jerked her tiny hand away. What’s wrong, are you hurt? James asked with concern. Emma guiltily lowered her gaze, clutching her hand into a fist.

She looked frightened, not like herself at all. I’m sorry, please, it’s not your fault at all, it must have been my imagination. Sorry again, Emma forced out.

Fear froze in her eyes, a fear he could feel in his skin. But what was it about? What did James do wrong? Did he squeeze her hand too hard? No, it didn’t seem like it. He shook his head in bewilderment, then hurried after Emma.

The businessman caught up with her in the hall where he quietly called out, to avoid attracting the attention of others. Emma, what happened? Why did you react so strangely? She froze and looked at him with a strange pity. I’m sorry, it’s all because of my visions.

What visions? James exclaimed in confusion. Emma paled. Well, the ones that come true, you know, like premonitions but real.

They started back in school when I got a concussion during a P.E. class. We were climbing a rope and I fell. The height wasn’t much.

But that’s when it all began. The businessman frowned. And what did you, may I ask, see in these visions? And tears suddenly filled Emma’s eyes….