The strength of the morning sun's rays was hidden behind the light fog. Mark Murphy rubbed his gloved hands together and blew into them as he and his partner, Jasper, watched a tractor drive along the main road, clearing away snowdrifts for cars.
"I need a miracle now, Jasper, not some fantasy," he puffed, his face red from the cold and his lips curled in a sneer at the mention of the name of the rich tycoon. "You know Knox Woodson he doesn't give a shit about any local charity."
He crossed the main road briskly with Jasper in tow before the tractor drove down the road.
"It's not fantasy," Jasper said. "Sharon, his personal assistant, told me it's legit."
Mark turned to face his partner who almost bumped into him at the entrance to St. James Pediatric Research Centre. He looked exhausted and it was just 9 am. "I don't want to get these children's hopes up, Jasper. I want them to have a happy Christmas. Let's work on getting them some good food for the season, okay?"
"Mark, I know how dedicated you are to these kids. This is an opportunity for us, never mind where or who it's coming from. Knox wants to channel the cash for his yearly Christmas With Coffee party into a local charity instead. The rich old man is tired of his children's indiscretions that are all over the news."
"And how does this work?"
Jasper smiled with relief. "It's done. I just needed you to okay it. Sharon will put forward St. James as the recommended charity for the party."
Mark stared at him with doubt but Jasper patted his shoulders.
ON CHRISTMAS EVE…
The guests of the Christmas with Coffee party were staff of St. James Pediatric Research Centre, and Waiting For Hope, a climate-related local charity.
They were thrilled to have been invited by the wealthy tycoon and it made the news. Who would have thought the rich man would spend time with local charities? Some pressmen thronged the mansion but they were not allowed in.
The well-dressed guests slowly filed into the grand mansion in awe and excitement except for Mark Murphy. Knox Woodson's mansion was a magnificent sight with its towering columns and grand facade. The exterior of the mansion was adorned with twinkling lights and festive wreaths, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
As Mark, Jasper and others made their way inside, they were greeted by a grand foyer with a sweeping staircase and a grand chandelier overhead. The main living area was decked out in holiday finery, with a towering Christmas tree standing proudly in the corner, surrounded by presents and twinkling lights.
Mark was nervous but appeared calm, ready to portray his charity in a good light. He knew Knox's kind, all high and mighty but he hoped the occasion would keep St. James Pediatric Research Centre in the tycoon's thoughts.
Mark and Jasper were surprised to see Knox Woodson welcome each guest with a handshake and a few words.
"Oh, he descends from his throne to welcome us," Mark sneered quietly from the corner of his mouth.
"Shut up, Mark. Don't be like that. He's doing a good thing," Jasper whispered back.
"Good thing, huh? We'll see about that at the end of this party," Mark said as they approached Knox Woodson with a slight smile.
The tycoon was tall, good-looking with grey hair around his temple. He smiled genuinely and shook their hands. "Welcome, gentlemen. St James, right?" He directed his question to Mark whose eyes widened for a second before he responded.
"Yes, Mr Woodson. We are from St. James Pediatric Research Centre."
"Good, good. I'm happy you came. Relax and enjoy the best coffee in the world, if I may say so," Knox chuckled, "cultivated from my fields and produced in my plants."
As they mingled with the other guests and enjoyed the delicious food and aromatic, sweet coffee, they couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in such a luxurious setting.
Yet Mark would not relax. He strolled around the mansion looking worried despite Jasper's encouragement for him to have a good time. He admitted the coffee was the best he had drunk and secretly planned to buy some of the coffee when he had some money to spare after Christmas.
As the party went on, the tycoon made his way around the room to speak with the founder of Waiting For Hope. He gave him a sealed envelope.
"I knew it," Mark thought. "He chose this climate people over sick children!"
Then Knox walked towards him and Jasper. He handed them a sealed envelope too. "That's for your children to have a wonderful Christmas. As you must have heard from the news, I am not a very good father but I'll do what I can for your sick children," he said.
Mark and Jasper shared a glance in curiosity.
"From my findings, your Centre needs the latest equipment for cancer treatment. I have decided to give the $100,000 earmarked for this party to your Centre for the purchase of this equipment."
Mark was speechless. Jasper shook Knox's hand vigorously. "This is an honour, sir and St James will not forget."
"I'm happy to put a smile on your children's faces. If you need more, be sure to let my office know."
Mark found his voice at last. "Thank you very much, Mr Woodson."
Mark discovered the sealed envelope contained receipts of bulk foods, groceries and packs of Woodson's Premium Coffee to be delivered to the two charities the following day. Knox's act of going beyond by paying for a much-needed medical equipment for St James changed Mark's mindset.
As the party ended, Mark realised he had underestimated the rich tycoon. He expected the worst but instead got to know the man had a heart after all.