Chapter 36: HAND OF DESTINY

"Hey Rachel ! How have you been ?" Audrey asked from the other end of the phone.
"I'm good ! What a pleasant surprise to hear your voice !" Rachel replied.
"I was missing you so much and more than you, I was missing the days when we used to talk and laugh for hours sitting in an empty classroom and in your dorm room" Audrey recalled.
"Yes, there used to be almost endless things to talk about, and time used to just fly by as we chatted together," Rachel responded as she was transported back to the graduation days.
"I don't remember when was the last time we met and had a long talk with each other," Audrey said.
"Yup, it"s been quite a while. We were both so busy in our hectic schedules, going through personal issues in our own respective lives and new career moves that we really stopped seeing each other," Rachel replied. "Calls and texts are not enough !"
"I know, right ! We have not seen each other since ages !! We should catch up soon," Audrey suggested.
"Indeed !" Rachel exclaimed.
"Are you free next week ? Audrey asked. "I know, it might be difficult for you at such a short notice but if you can spare some time to escape from your everyday professional obligations and are able to pull this off then we both can have a fantastic way to catch up," she added.
"Sure !" Rachel responded. "But where ?"
"Rachel, I'm having one of my fundraising charity events, 'Fashion Funds the Cure - Runway to Hope' for Pediatric Cancer Cure, on a beach city. It's a perfect place for a vacation too," Audrey suggested.
"I can accommodate this vacation into my schedule as it has been more than three years since I've taken any time off. This everyday grind is not coming to an end soon," Rachel replied.
"Then, just scroll it through the net, if it suits you then we can plan to meet up there," Audrey said excitedly.
"Of course ! Audrey, we can meet and I would love to attend the charity event also," Rachel replied.
Audrey and Rachel, always believed that the unsung heroes and most of the local charities did some amazing work at the grassroots level, so they always tried to be part of these events since their college days.
"In addition, we can share our daily struggles, complaints, triumphs and most of all, our laughs during this vacation. I desperately need someone whom I trust to vent out my feelings," Audrey said.
"As we both live in different locations, let us travel to our vacation destination separately and then we can spend some time together," Rachel suggested.
"Sure ! I'll be meeting Alex for the first time. Just can't wait to cuddle him in my arms. It will be great fun to be with him and you can also have a time off and can relax on the beach," Audrey proposed.
"Audrey, being a parent is a whole lot of fun, but relaxing is the last thing it is !" Rachel responded.
"When I think of the beach, I think it's calming, peaceful, and relaxing, right ? So, dear you can just chill !" Audrey remarked.
"Now, add a toddler and the beach and you get a whole lot of chaotic mess ! Sand in diapers ? The worst," Rachel added in humour.
"Do you remember those carefree days when we used to party and talk all night ?" Audrey reminded.
"They are gone— long gone. Now I get to stay up all night but it's not as much fun," Rachel humorously said. "But let's freeze this plan, for sure !" she added.
"Great ! So it's final !! We're meeting next week to spend our vacation together," Audrey said in excitement.
"Audrey, send me all the itinerary details so that I can make reservations," Rachel replied.
"Sure, sis !" Audrey replied.
See you soon !" Rachel responded as they hung up their call.
* * * * *
At the Emerson Group headquarters...
"Mr Emerson, I've made all the reservations for you to attend the fundraising charity event, 'Fashion Funds the Cure - Runway to Hope' for Pediatric Cancer Cure, next week," Daniel informed.
"Make sure that my resort stay is comfortable and near the beach. I really need this break before I pursue my personal matters more diligently," Leo shared.
"Sure, Sir !" Daniel assured.
"I wanted to ask you something," Daniel said to Leo.
"What is it that you want to ask, Daniel ?" Leo asked.
"How sponsoring a fundraising event will uplift our brand recognition in the market ? I often see you sponsoring such events" Daniel asked Leo.
"Daniel, professionally, partnering with a charitable event is a great way to create goodwill for our brand. Not only will we gain the respect and loyalty of our employees, we'll also benefit from the customer loyalty," Leo explained.
"How will we ensure customer loyalty ?" Daniel asked. "Does it work ?"
"By building our brand"s reputation as a socially conscious corporation that cares for the community it operates in, we will be able to expose our brand to new audiences," Leo assured. "Fulfilling our CSR (corporate social responsibility) by successfully supporting a charitable organization that is committed to alleviating the suffering of people struggling due to economic, social or environmental pressures is our duty," he explained.
"I understand, Sir," Daniel bowed. "I just wanted you to sign these reports," he added as he handed the documents to Leo.
"All the project files are now showing an upward graph in profits," remarked Leo as he appreciated Daniel's hard work.
"You're right, Sir ! After winning the global tender bid, most companies have restored their faith in us. We're getting many investors interest in our upcoming projects !" Daniel informed.
"Good. Keep me posted on that front," Leo instructed, mow that he had to maintain this hard earned reputation as he was now better off at the professional front.
"Yes Sir !" Daniel replied.
"Daniel, on my personal front, I need you to provide me with all the details of Rachel and her son as soon as possible," Leo commanded, who was now quite restless after meeting Alex.
"I had given you the file with the details yesterday, Sir," Daniel reminded.
"The information which your so-called sources have revealed is all available on the net, it's of no use. Provide me the details of her son from the hospital where he was born- date and everything," Leo ordered firmly. "I don't want any further delay in that. I hope I'm clear," he impatiently added.
"Absolutely, Sir !"
* * * * *
In the hospital of the beach city...
"Hello, gorgeous !" Dmitri greeted Hazel as she walked inside the hospital to join the department of Isabelle and Dmitri.
"Good morning, handsome ! Oh, it"s so good to see you after three long years !" Hazel squealed with all the warmth she had and a big smile as she hugged her dear friend. "I hope you did not forget me," she huffed.
"Hey ! I've been missing you," Dmitri replied.
"Hello Dr. Hazel ! We're glad you've relocated and joined our team as the hospital is really growing and we need more specialists like you in our team," Dr. Isabelle said while welcoming her.
"Dr. Isabelle, I've heard so much about you from Dmitri over the course of three years that it doesn't even feel like we're meeting for the first time !" Dr. Hazel said.
"Girl ?" Isabelle said. "We have just met, but I know things about you not everyone would know, courtesy Dmitri. He talked about you so often when he reminisced about his orphanage days and start up of career time."
"So girls, I'm saved from the formalities of formally introducing two of my doctor colleagues to each other," Dmitri said with a good laugh.
"Yeah, yeah. That is why you talked about us so much to the other," Hazel rolled her eyes, making Dmitri and Isabelle laugh.
"Finally I have my pillars of strength with me rather than my two best friends," added Dmitri.
"Pillars of strength ?" Both Hazel and Isabelle resonated together.
"Ah hmm ! One since childhood and one since I became a parent," Dmitri said in love and gratitude towards those two beautiful souls.