Chapter 3 - Date with Destiny

One early Sunday morning, Daisy was at her desk, trying to finish her engineering assignments, when she received a call to reach the university immediately as an important meeting was being held. Daisy had no idea, what this meeting was all about. To reach the university on time, she changed into formal clothes and left for the University. Daisy suddenly was directed to the Dean's Conference Room, where people of all age groups were found seated. Daisy entered the room and settled herself, curious to know what was happening, why she was called and what meeting she was going to be part of.

A moment later, when the meeting began, Daisy realized that she was being introduced to The Toastmasters International Club, the local chapter of Pitești. Daisy was surprised out of so many students, why was she selected for this gig by the leader of Training Cell? Daisy also participated in table topics, where individuals had to speak on the spot for the topic that he received through random chit picking. Guess what, Daisy was bang on, she realized that everyone liked her speech and she had the potential to be a great speaker one day. Daisy thought to continue with Toastmasters Club, which will be good for her personal development. It was with this club that she met Felix, a happy-go-lucky person, who happened to be the CEO of one of the businesses in the industry. Little did Daisy know that this man is going to be a force of change in her life.

Another Sunday came, and when once again she was doing none other than writing assignments, Mr Felix called Daisy and asked, "Daisy what are you doing now?", Daisy replied, "Doing nothing, just boring assignments." Mr Felix invited Daisy saying, "I want you to come to the Bookworm's Club, there's an Italian author himself, who is going to come for his book review – he is a young, Charming and enthusiastic guy, I think you will enjoy and that Daisy you should come!" Well, Daisy was surprised to hear that an Italian author himself was coming for the book review!

That was a great moment when Daisy could network again, especially with the Italian author, and get some tips on how she could get started on writing her book one day. Daisy reached as fast as she could and got seated in one of the rows. The author was well suited wearing a three-piece tuxedo and entered the room with nothing but confidence and a smile on his face. It was in no moment the review began; young Daisy was completely flattered seeing him. Daisy was inspired, by how someone could write a book. Well, at the review she met, Mr Stefano – whom she is familiar with, through one of the workshops he had conducted at the university. Daisy never expected that the author could be selling books post his review. Mr Stefano asked Daisy to join him, while he purchased the book from the charming author. During the interaction, Daisy came to know that Mr Stefano had known each other. Mr Alexander, the author was a student of Mr Stefano. At the time of purchasing the book, Mr Stefano turned to Daisy and asked, "Would you like to have the book written by Mr Alexander?" Daisy replied, "How can I, I did not bring any money, thinking it was just a book review." Mr Stefano being humble replied, " Don't worry, you can pay me later if you want?" Daisy struck by Alexander's charm said, " Yes, I'd like to have one." And that was a beginning of a new story. Daisy went on to buy that book and it was within a week that she had finished reading it. Daisy learnt during the interaction between Mr Stefano and Alexander, that Alexander was also going to have a book review at the University as well, to inspire students about his success and book writing. Daisy took this as an opportunity to interact more with Alexander this time, as she would be closely coordinating and assisting Alexander with his speech this time.

Daisy got an opportunity to interact with Alexander's Mother who had also come to cheer his son for showcasing his success to university students. However, this time Daisy took an opportunity to interact with Mr Alexander, this time in more privacy than earlier. Having interacted with Mr Alexander, she felt happy to share that she also wrote. Mr Alexander asked Daisy, " What do you write?", and Daisy replied, " I write in big sketchbooks -A3, but just not like you." Mr Alexander, not familiar with such kind of response, was surprised to hear a statement like this. Mr Alexander asked Daisy over a coffee. Struck by the dazzling charm of Alexander, she just could not deny the offer. It was a day after the event at university, that Mr Alexander had a chance to meet Daisy. Well, Daisy brought one of her sketchbooks, to show what kind of writing did she do. The discussion was speechless. Daisy was completely drawn to Mr Alexander, she felt happy, safe, and most importantly calm in his presence. The discussion ended by hugging each other and departed on their separate ways of life.

Mr Alexander was in Pitești, for a short period and was going to return to Italy in no time. Daisy knew it, even though it was difficult for her to let go, she could not turn back at this time. Daisy was all about moving forward. Little did she know, the story that she had read by Mr Alexander, was going to enter her life. Something she never expected and how it took a toll on Daisy's family. Meeting Alexander in her life, was just a moment of relief before she was going to receive a moment of utter shock.

Daisy had been facing a rough time with her studies, due to a lack of concentration at her home - lots of heated arguments between her parents, leading her to leave the house for a while and stay at her aunt's house. Aunt Celia was like her second mother, who lived in the same town i.e., Pitești. Having a negative environment at home, young Daisy decided to stay for a week at Aunt Celia's house, until matters could get settled at home. Reasons for the scarcity of money made it difficult for Daisy's home to maintain a positive environment. Danielle felt drained and completely exhausted, rather felt tortured to stay with George anymore. However, she deferred from doing anything and rather held herself back and did not revolt, only for Marcus and Daisy. Aunt Celia welcomed Daisy with her open arms and treated her like her own daughter. It had been quite a while since Daisy had not visited her Aunt's Place – a Way that she thought would make her life peaceful for a while.

It hadn't been two days, when Daisy received a call from Danielle, stating that George was fired from the Company, where he worked. At first, Daisy did not believe her mother, until she repeated, "Daisy, your father has been kicked out from his job, I saw that he came along with the letter of termination too!". Daisy was taken aback. What shall Daisy's family do? Daisy thought it was better for her to reach home right away, instead of spending more time at Aunt Celia's Place. Having figured, that George must have been expelled due to his irregularities lately at his workplace, he was involved in quick rich schemes-to double the money – he travelled to nearby cities instead of his workplace, leaving him with very little attendance or punctuality. Daisy reached home, as soon as she could, only to find out that George had discarded the letter of termination, as he did not want to reveal the reason for his termination. However, George never told the family, why he was terminated – which remained a mystery.

Marcus had a difficult time digesting it all at once. On one hand, he was preparing for his final exams for High School and on the other hand, knowing that his father lost his job, made him difficult to concentrate on his exams. The following days went even worse. George would completely blame Danielle for all of this as if she was doing everything. Danielle was not educated enough to pursue her career, and hence her life mostly revolved around Marcus's and Daisy's upbringing. At the same time, Daisy had her final year at the university. It was important for her to concentrate on the final year project. Neither Marcus nor Daisy had a good time concentrating their efforts to pass the exams. One day while Daisy was preparing for her project work in her room, Daisy heard her mother crying very loudly. She immediately went downstairs to find out what happened. George's eyes were red, as he strikes the cable against Danielle's hand.

The noise was loud enough, for Daisy to leave her work immediately and reach the living room. Daisy could not help but see her mother cry, and in agony, Daisy rushed toward her father and pushed him against the wall. She started striking the same cable that he used to strike over Danielle. He was shouting please stop it, but Daisy could not. Her father developed bruises on his body, having heard the moments of violence at home, Marcus came running down to find out what happened. The moment he came to know, how brutally he stroked the cable cord against his mother, he just could not stop himself with tears running through his eyes, in anger started punching his father. The mornings started with this, and evenings ended with the same topic. As much as George was depressed about losing his job, he was as lazy to do anything about it. Daisy insisted to apply for other jobs, but he lost his self-confidence and determination to do anything. Daisy still had hope and thought she could help her father turn his perspective around by trying just one more time before he could get back on his feet.

No matter how hard she tried to convince him, the fact is George was never willing to get back on track. Out of shame, being fired from his workplace, he never stepped his foot outside his house or entertained any type of social gathering. All he did was play a cards game on his desktop and blame Danielle for his current situation. However, badly George abused Danielle – Her mother was a lady to honoured, never left him, or fought against the torture she went through. Daisy was proud to see her mother enduring everything and admired this quality of her mother. Daisy was not happy, with how things were turning at home. Daisy was thoughtful, she started analyzing, "How different characters build your personality- which ultimately leads you to your destiny!" It was remarkable to find how Daisy was also inspired by Strong, Independent and Confident Women who have greatly contributed to the development of Human Society. However, Daisy was clever enough to leverage such kind of experiences happening around her and use it to the best of her ability.