Cindy's phone buzzed, disrupting the quiet of her afternoon studies. Curious, she picked it up and saw a text message from an unknown number: "Ms. Thompson, this is Mike Bentley, the secretary of Chairman Ronald Braun of the Braun Empire Group. The chairman is inviting your presence at the Braun Empire office tomorrow at 2 PM. There's something the boss would like to discuss with you."
Surprised and intrigued, Cindy's heart skipped a beat. The Braun Empire was a well-known and prestigious real-estate company, and Ronald Braun was its esteemed founder and chairman. She couldn't fathom why he would want to meet her, but she felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness at the opportunity.
The next day, Cindy arrived at the Braun Empire office promptly at 2 PM. She was ushered into a luxurious waiting room, adorned with exquisite artwork and elegant furnishings. After a few moments, the door opened, and Ronald Braun himself appeared, extending a warm smile.
"Ms. Thompson, please come in," he said, his voice exuding charisma and authority. He seemed familiar too.
Cindy followed him into his spacious office, where floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. She settled into a plush chair, feeling a mix of awe and anticipation.
"I must admit, Mr. Braun, I'm honored that you reached out to me. But I'm curious, why did you want to meet?" Cindy asked, her voice laced with curiosity. Since she came in, she could not find the courage to look at the Braun Empire's chairman's face.
Ronald Braun leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with appreciation. "Ms. Thompson, what you did that night was truly remarkable. You saved me from a dire situation, and for that, I am forever grateful. I believe in repaying kindness, and I wanted to offer you an opportunity."
Cindy was stunned. And by looking intently at the man in front of her, she finally realized that this was the man he saved two weeks ago. The only difference now was he was wearing suit and tie, and he looked clean.
Cindy's eyes widened in surprise. "Y-You're that man? Oh, no, sir. I'm sorry I couldn't recognize you back then."
She wanted to ask what really happened to him that night, but she didn't want to sound too nosy.
"You're probably wondering what happened to me. Well, it's my hobby to be walking around downtown late at night or in the wee hours of the morning whenever I can't sleep. I thought I was safe since I made sure no one would recognize me. But it turned out robbers aren't picky."
"I'm sorry it happened to you, sir. I'm relieved to know you have recovered quickly. Please be more careful next time." Cindy answered.
Ronald Braun smiled, his gaze steady. "I would like to extend a job offer to you, Ms. Thompson. I apologize for hiring a private investigator to dig into your life. I only wanted to know my savior. I'm sorry to know that you have lost your parents in a car accident when you were ten years old. I'm sure it had been so tough for you growing up alone. And I have witnessed your dedication and passion. Since high school, you were already a working student, and yet you managed to top your classes. I believe you would be a valuable addition to the Braun Empire. Your skills and work ethic align perfectly with our company's values."
Cindy sat speechless for a moment, the weight of the offer sinking in. Working at the Braun Empire was a dream she never thought possible.
"I... I don't know what to say, Mr. Braun," Cindy finally managed to stammer. "This is beyond anything I could have imagined."
Ronald Braun chuckled warmly. "I assure you, Ms. Thompson, this is a genuine offer. I have seen potential in you, and I believe you have a bright future ahead. Take your time to consider it."
Cindy nodded, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. "Thank you, Mr. Braun. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. I will carefully consider it."
Their conversation continued, as Ronald shared his vision for the company and the values he held dear. Cindy found herself captivated by his words, inspired by his passion for success and making a positive impact in the world.
As the meeting concluded, Ronald extended his hand. "Take your time, Ms. Thompson. I have no doubt that you will make the right decision. Feel free to reach out to me when you have an answer."
Cindy shook his hand firmly, a newfound determination burning in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Braun. I won't let you down."
As she headed out of Chairman Braun's office, Cindy couldn't contain her excitement. This unexpected turn of events opened doors she had never imagined. The prospect of working for such a prestigious company, under the guidance of Ronald Braun himself, ignited a fire within her.
Upon opening the door, she bumped into someone. She almost lost her balance, but the guy caught her by the waist.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know someone's coming out." The man had deep voice. Based on his looks, he seemed to be in his early 20's, probably older by a few years than Cindy.
"I'm sorry too. I was in a hurry." she replied.
The guy let her go and gave her that quizzical look. He looked at Ronald Braun, who was just watching them from his position behind his desk.
Then, he gave Cindy a faint smile and a nod before continuing his way inside the office. Cindy followed him with her gaze, curious about the person. He was wearing some ripped jeans, faded sneakers, and a casual T-shirt. He didn't look like an employee.
She shrugged, deciding to mind her own business, and continued walking away. She remembered her new-found excitement, and it was still too fresh for her to process.
As she stepped out onto the bustling streets, Cindy whispered to herself, "This is my chance to prove myself, to show the world what I'm capable of." And with that, she embarked on a journey that would forever change her life, all because of a chance encounter and a selfless act of kindness.