Narrator's pov
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Burning flashes came left, right and center. Each bright white flash brought light to the scene in two seconds before disappearing and reappearing again and again. Atleast a hundred cameras all barricaded behind security guards and iron barriers as they desperately tried to get the perfect angle of the brown hair girl who stood at the top of the stairs
It looked like the whole city had turned out for the event tonight, the crowd was packed, people were lined all down the street far from the event itself but they were determined to be there. Ember had invited a few patients from the hospital that she knew were struggling with various things. None of them knew what they were in for
The screaming crowds whistled and clapped to show their appreciation for Ember as she waved over them
Ember smirked to herself, knowing the man made road she walked on was becoming a path set by herself
The girl pushed her hands into her pockets as she rocked back and forth on her heels, feeling her anxiety creep in as time ticked away
She was awaiting the arrival of two persons who's faces she wanted to see, especially after she breaks the new news to them
"Ms Ember! Over here!"
"Ms Atkins! What are your plans for this place!"
"Ms Atkins! Is it true that your parents aren't aware of the project?"
Questions poured from the paparazzi and reporters who themselves had no clue of what the girl's next move was
Ember chuckled as she took a step backwards to the podium
The night sky had casted a few stars over them, Ember stood in front a building that was being covered by a tarp, word had gotten around that the new face of Atkins hospital was throwing an offical party to celebrate her successes, but no one knew exactly why the building was covered
It was a freshly constructed building that had been in the works for some time, it was Ember's new project she had been planning ever since she stepped foot into her new job
There was no way she would ever agreed or taken up a seat on the board of directors or being the face of the hospital without pulling strings
When the opportunity was given to her, she was ready to refuse. She was ready to throw it down the drain and kick sand into her parents eyes. She wanted nothing to do with them or the hospital built on staff's blood, sweat and tears
But then after some thinking, Ember realized it was the perfect opportunity
If money and greed was the one thing her parents wanted, then they'll surely regret placing her at the top
And she was going to make it impossible for them to remove her without it starting a war
"As many of you know, Atkins hospital had recently gone through some changes. My parents has stepped down as boards so they could devote their time, study and energy into our patients care" Ember smiled on the outside but felt sick internally, knowing that was far from the truth
They only placed her up there to avoid their faces being turned in their lawsuit. It was either Ember or them, despite the girl being their daughter, they would rather her be the one in trouble and blame it all on her being rebellious if something ever went wrong
"Our commitment to healthcare and having the best standards remains on top. My parents and I-" Ember said as she glanced away to see the vehicle she was waiting for, approaching
"-are dedicated on improving the world little by little. However we start, we build and grow in numbers. Atkins hospital has always been a safe place for everyone to feel comfortable and safe" Ember said
A black Mercedes slowly approached the street, a few cameras started to turn in their direction to capture the moments
The driver came around to the door, opening to reveal the two adults who's brows were pressed tightly together, their rage could be seen from before the stairs as they started to speed walk their way up to the podium Ember stood behind
"The Atkins hospital would like to introduce-" Ember smirked as she glanced over to the staff holding the tarp
With one wink, the staff members nodded and tugged the tarp downwards
"Our free cancer clinic and research center" Ember stated as the covering fell flat to the ground
The crowd exploded in roars, claps echoed through the city. A few eyes widened in shock, their faces hallow but their eyes twinkled as bright at the candy coated stars above them
The only two sour faces of the night came from the adults who was surely regretting not using protection 20 years ago
Their speed walk suddenly turned into them slowly approaching Ember, their expressions changed quickly to pull off a fake smile
Their turned to face the crowd and started to wave, their smiles reaching as high as their hands above
"Thank you, thank you all for coming" they smiled
A few more steps and they approached Ember at the podium, hovering behind her
Her father placed a firm grip on Ember's shoulder, tightly gripping her skin and sinking his nails into her bones
His smile still lingered on his face while he used his other arm to wave to the cheering crowd
"What. Do you think. You're doing" He hissed quietly
"Something you should have done if you truly cared about your patients or the hospital. I found the account you've been storing excess bill charges in and I thought... Hmm... I feel like sharing" Ember smiled
"Do you have any idea what you've do-"
"But we're not finished" Ember announced into the microphone, cutting her father's sentence
The man cleared his throat and took a step back away from her, by now his veins in his forehead was twitching along with his bottom lip. His face was flushed bright red from his anger but that smile on his face could be used as a Colgate advertisement
"There was no way we could stop at only a cancer treatment center. No way" Ember smirked before nodding towards the staff members again
With one press of a button, a projector had flashed onto the white painted building
"We've built an LGBTQIA+ center for all gender identities, for those who feel alone or need help in any way possible. Treatment, a meal, a bed, everything you need is available right to you" Ember said
Roars went off in the crowd again, blissful cheering of the crowds came with tears of these who's heart had been swollen by a gesture which they desperately needed
"We all know sometimes we don't feel safe in our own skin, our own homes or even being in public. Let this center be your reason to be you" Ember smiled sweetly
Her father was ready to burst into flames behind her, she could feel his rage radiate onto her and the piercing eyes stabbing in her back
"There's no way she did this" her mother muttered under her breath
"Oh just you wait mother, I'm not done yet" Ember smirked and gave a wink to the woman who's face widened in horror at her words
"We've also established a mental health clinic just near the park and programs in every school. We know how suffocating it is to deal with so much, whether you're stressed or battling your own internal demons, we have the help available to you. Never be afraid to approach us about anything you're facing, big or small, we care" Ember said
If there wasn't enough energy between the crowds then there surely was, their claps echoed and their screamed filled the air. Ember was doing more for them than they've ever had from the government itself
"We're still not stopping here" Ember chuckled
"Jesus Christ" Her father hissed
"As we speak now, we have ongoing construction of free homes being available"
"What the fu-" her mother scoffed
"That's it, we're shutting this down" The man hissed quietly as he started to approach Ember
"And the best for last" Ember yelled before gripping the microphone tightly, rushing past her parents to walk closer to the crowd
"All services provided by Atkins Memorial Hospital are now free of charge"
It was the final straw into everyone bursting their vocal cords. Not a voice wasn't heard, families of all types, people of all parts. All were now able to receive the best possible opportunity for their love ones and it was all possible because of Ember. Their cheers filled the city, hands tried to reach out to pat the girl on the shoulder as she walked through the screaming crowd. Eyes were glazing over with tears while a few hugged their love ones tightly
Ember glanced over the few patients she had invited, seeing their faces congested with smiles as they hugged their parents tightly. Those who struggled with their bills would struggle no more, there would be no limitations on their insurance to their medication
Ember knew if she was going to go through hell, then no one else should. Accepting the job wasn't for her benefit
She wanted everyone to benefit from something that would break her
Her heart was big and her past was painful. But finally, just finally she felt like she had a purpose
A purpose to bring smiles to the faces of people who had too much pain to bare
And despite the backlash and troubles she would get into
Ember still wasn't finished
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A/N
Nobody:
Ember: