Chapter 122 Brandon at The Stakeholders Summit

Chapter 122 Brandon at The Stakeholders Summit
Brandon's POV

The stakeholder’s meeting is an event that occurs only once a year. It is crucial for every business entity to move forward, as the stakeholders must convene to discuss the way ahead for their companies. It’s a time when decisions that will shape the future of the organization are made, and no stone is left unturned. 

This is why, twelve hours after the interview session with NTN television, I find myself meticulously dressed in a sharp, dark Italian suit and tie, heading straight to the meeting. My heart races a bit, not because I’m unprepared, but because every stakeholder meeting is a battlefield where ideas clash, egos are tested, and only the best strategies survive. I’ve attended many of these, yet the tension never fades.

Similarly, Alessandra, with her usual grace and poise, has gone to her company to handle their stakeholder meeting as well. She’s as dedicated to her business as I am to mine. It’s one of the things I admire most about her—her relentless drive and commitment to excellence. As much as we are partners in life, we are also warriors in our respective fields, battling to secure the future we envision.

When I arrive at the company and take my seat in the boardroom, I notice the usual faces—some stern, some thoughtful, others eager to make their mark. We dive into discussions immediately; no time is wasted. The hours tick by, but it feels like mere minutes as we deliberate over the finer details of the company’s future. Strategies are proposed, challenged, and refined. There’s a rhythm to these meetings—a dance of intellect and ambition.

We don’t spend more than four hours, yet by the time we’re done, it feels as though we’ve run a marathon. The intensity of focus required leaves everyone mentally drained, but there’s also a sense of accomplishment. We’ve set the course for another year, and now it’s up to each of us to steer the ship in the right direction.

As the meeting adjourns, I can’t help but think about Alessandra and the many sacrifices she’s made alongside me. She’s not just my wife; she’s my confidante and my partner in every sense of the word. I decided it’s time to do something special for her. After all, who wouldn’t want to cherish someone as beautiful, both inside and out, as Alessandra? We’ve been through so much in the past few days—struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. It’s only right that I do something to show her just how much she means to me.

So, with that thought in mind, I make my way to one of the most luxurious stores in the city. It’s a place where every item speaks of elegance and sophistication, much like Alessandra herself. I browse through the collections, selecting a few exquisite pieces—a handbag that exudes class, a pair of shoes that scream elegance, and a dress that compliments her luxurious style. Each item is carefully chosen, not just for its beauty but also for the way it will enhance her already impeccable fashion sense. Alessandra has always had an eye for the finer things, and I want her to have the best.

As I step out of the store, bags in hand, something catches my eye—a little girl standing across the street. She’s barely clothed, her top hanging loosely around her neck, tattered and worn. Her skin looks pale, almost as if she hasn’t eaten for days. My heart tightens at the sight of her. There’s something about her that draws me in—something that makes it impossible for me to look away.

I find myself staring at her, trying to understand what’s going through her mind. She’s gazing at the store I just left, her eyes wide with a mixture of longing and despair. It’s as if she’s in a world of her own, lost in thoughts far too heavy for someone her age to bear.

“What could be going through the mind of a girl as young as this?” I ask myself, unable to shake the feeling that there’s more to her story. So, I keep watching her, hoping to glean some insight.

Every child has a dream. I remember when I was her age, I used to dream of becoming the CEO of the World Bank. I would wake up each morning with that thought in my mind and a smile on my face as I imagined the power and responsibility that would come with such a position. But life has a way of steering us in different directions. I found my true passion in business, and that’s where I’ve poured my heart and soul ever since.

For this girl, I can’t help but wonder if she’s dreaming of a better life, one where she’s not standing on the sidelines, staring longingly at things she can’t have. Maybe she dreams of owning a store like the one I just left—a place where everything is within her reach. My thoughts seem to be confirmed as I see a small, almost imperceptible smile spread across her face.

“Wait! Did she somehow hear my thoughts?” I wonder, startled by the timing of her smile. Now, she’s looking directly at me, and the smile becomes more evident. There’s something about her expression that feels almost communicative, as if she’s trying to tell me something without uttering a word. She touches her stomach, and I can’t help but notice that it seems to rumble with hunger. The sight is heartbreaking.

I never had to worry about where my next meal would come from when I was a child. I’ve been fortunate, blessed even, to have always had more than enough. But I’ve always tried to put myself in others’ shoes, to understand their struggles and their pain. I can’t imagine how hungry this girl must be or how desperate her situation must feel if her stomach is literally protesting its emptiness.

I feel an overwhelming urge to help her, but I’m not sure how. I start thinking of ways to lift her out of this misery, but nothing seems quite right. “I can’t just give her money,” I tell myself. “She’s a child and wouldn’t know how to use it to change her life.” The thought circles in my mind, leaving me frustrated, until suddenly, another idea strikes me.

“Adoption,” I whisper to myself. The word lingers in the air, and for a moment, it seems like the perfect solution.

But no, I can’t make such a significant decision on my own. Alessandra and I are a team, and something like this requires both of our inputs. I need to talk to her to make sure we’re on the same page. But I also realize that if I let this girl go now, I might never see her again. The thought of losing her, of missing this chance to make a difference in her life, makes my heart ache.

I decided to call Alessandra right away. As the phone rings, I feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. When she picks up, her voice is warm and reassuring, as always.

"Hey, babe,” I begin, trying to keep my tone light. When she responds, I continue, “I might be bringing someone home with me. Let’s talk more about it when I get home and come to an agreement. Please?”

Alessandra has always been supportive of my decisions, even when she doesn’t have all the details. She’s the kind of person who trusts me implicitly, and I’ve never taken that trust for granted. Though she doesn’t know what I’m planning, she agrees to wait until I get home to discuss it. “Okay babe. Be home soon,” she says, her voice full of understanding.

With her confirmation, I feel a sense of relief. I put everything I bought into the trunk of my car and then walked over to the child across the road. As I approach her, I make sure to smile, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. I crouch down to her height, hoping to make a connection.

“Isn’t it a beautiful store?” I ask gently, pointing to the place where I just made my purchases.

The girl says nothing; she just continues to stare at the store with that same longing in her eyes. It’s as if she’s imagining herself inside, surrounded by all the beautiful things she can’t have.

“Do you want to own something like this in the future?” I ask, smiling again, hoping to engage her. But she doesn’t respond. She just ignores me, much like she did before. 

This reminds me of my own childhood, of the times when I would ignore my father’s friends even when they said interesting things—like wanting to play soccer, basketball, or go to the playground. I was always so wrapped up in my thoughts, dreaming of the future, that I barely noticed the world around me.

With a nostalgic smile, I ask, “What’s your name, and where are your parents? Are they around here?”

The girl continues to ignore me, and I start to feel like I’m embarrassing her. Maybe I’m coming on too strong, or perhaps she’s just too shy to respond. I decide it’s best to leave her be. Perhaps someday we’ll cross paths again, and she’ll be more willing to talk.

But just as I am walking away, she finally speaks.

“Jeruel!” she says, her voice small but clear.

I stop in my tracks, turning back to her.

“My name is Jeruel, and I am hungry," she says, and I hear her stomach protest her hunger again.