Chapter 3 THE INVITATION

Emily had just resumed working as the CEO's secretary for just a few weeks when she received an email marked "URGENT" from the CEO's office. She nervously opened it, expecting a new task feom Roberto. Instead it was an invitation to the Harrington Foundation Charity Gala, that evening, hostwd by none other than the Harrington family themselves.

Though attending was optional, she knew how much these events mattered to Roberto's image and reputation, perhaps showing up would be a way to prove her dedication, to show that she could keep up with the demand of this new world she finds herself in. And, she thought, maybe she'd find a way to feel less like an outsider in the company. All staffs of the company also got the invitation to attend the Harrington Foundation Charity Gala.

That's how she found herself standing in a grand ballroom feeling a bit out of place, and nervously catching a glass of water as she observed the crowd. She moved towards the quieter area where volunteers gathered, and soon found herself surrounded by the children from the foundation helping them with donated toys and chatting with their kids.

Just then Margaret Harrington moved through the well dressed crowd at her foundation charity gala, her heart far from the glamour surrounding her. The event filled with laughter, music, and polished smiles, but Margaret was searching for something more- a moment of genuine connection, a reminder of the world outside the glitz. Even in her eighties, she had a sharp sense of intuition, especially about people.

Tonight, however, her heart drifted to her grandson, Roberto, who seems to be loosing himself to the power-driven circles he has entrenched in. She longed for him to meet a classy lady but from a wealthy background, someone who could remind him of the simple, grounding values he had grown up with. Someone who could reach out to him in a way no one else had.

As Emily laughed with a group of children, Margaret noticed her at the far side of the room, standing beside a group of children and volunteers from the foundation. Unlike many of the attendees, this girl seems more focused on the children's stories than the socialising.

She wondered whose daughter she could be that is so different from the other guests, and also seem different from the girls she had arranged on several blind dates with her grandson Roberto.

Margaret finds herself captivated by the young woman's sincerity, her animates life, and the genuine warmth that shone from her. Margaret edged closer to listen, curiosity growing with each step. The young woman who introduced herself as Emily, and was kneeling on the floor, engrossed in a story a little boy was telling.

She held out a brightly coloured book, showing pictures to the children, her face lighting up with each turn of the book. Margaret couldn't resist striking up a conversation. She approached Emily and extended a hand with a warm smile. "Mind if i join?", she asked, she voice gently, yet inquisitive.

Emily looked up, a bit startled, but quickly smiled in return, her eyes kind and welcoming. "Of course not!, the kids are great company". She replied. "I'm Emily by the way". Emily introduced herself. "I'm Margaret", she responded, leaving out her last name. She did so because she wanted Emily's openness to continue naturally, without her pretending if she had knew her identity.

"So, Emily, do you volunteer with us often?", Margaret asked. "Oh, i wish i couls say yes", Emily laughed as she replied, her eyes flickering downward as if a little embarrassed. "I only just moved here, i'm still finding my way around trying to balance work and- well everything else". She said. Margaret nodded, encouraged by her honesty and still wondered which of the families she knew just relocated back to town.

"It takes a lot of courage to start over in a new place". Margaret said. "Where do you work? If you don't mind me asking". Emily hesitated, looking away before she answered. "Actually, i just got hired at Harrington Corp, its been... challenging, to say the least.

Margaret smiled inwardly, so fate had brought them together. "Its a big company", she said, hee voice light. "Must be overwhelming at times". Margaret added. " " You could say that," Emily replied with a small laugh. "But i'm grateful for the opportunity, i just try to keep my head down and do the best i can, even if not eveeyone there is .... Welcoming. Emily added.

The honesty in Emily's voice tugged at Margaret's heart. Here is a young woman with dreams, humility, and resilience, striving to make her way in a world that didn't make room for sincerity, also striving independently without her family's support. How many children of the reach can be this special. Margaret thought within herself.

Margaret also couldn't ignore the growing feeling that Emily was exactly what her grandson needed. She felt her mind racing with possibilities. "Emily, do you mind if i ask you something"? Margaret beganher tone thoughtfully. "Of course", Emily replied, looking at her with genuine curiosity.

"Would you consider meeting someone i know?He's- special, but i think he's lost sight of what truly matters in life". Margaret's voice softened as she spoke. "He could use someone like you to help him remember". She added.

Emily blinked, taken aback by the unexpected question. She laughed quietly. "I-i'm not sure what you mean", she replied, a little confused but flattered. "I'm not sure i'd make much of an impact on anyone". Margaret looked at her warmly, a glint of hope sparking in her eyes.

"Trust me, my dear, I believe you will. He's a good man at heart, but sometimes the world can cloud the best part of us". She said, as she took Emily's hand gently. "Would you think about it?". Emily hesitated, a blend of curiosity and uncertainty crossing her face. Her mind raced with questions.

"Who is this woman?, really?, and why did she seem so certain?, i'm just seeing her for the first time, is this how they behave in the city?, who is this someone? What if he doesn't like me? Or we end up embarrassing each other?. Emily kept thinking to herself.

But the sincerity in Margaret's eyes made Emily want to trust her. After a long moment of silence, Emily nodded, "alright- i'll consider it". Margaret's face lit up with a warm, almost relieved smile. "Thank you, Emily. Your response means more to me than you know". She said joyfully.

As they finished talking, Margaret gave Emily a card, and a warm hug, as they bid each other goodbye. Margaret was very happy because she knows, she'd set something in motion that could change her grandson's life for the better. She had already decided that she'd set up a meeting, casually convincing Roberto that he needed a break from his always busy schedule, just long enough to meet a remarkable young woman she believed he would find refreshing.

That evening as Margaret got home, she couldn't shake off her feeling of hope. She also knew her grandson wouldn't be thrilled by yet another of her match making attempts , but this time she felt something very different from her previous attempt, something in her kept telling her, he would love her when he sees her.

"Emily could be one of the daughters of a socialite in the society, but very different from daughters from rich families she has tried to arrange for her son. As she comes from a wealthy background, she is definitely not one of those low status gold diggers who just wants to eat her grandson's money and run away as Roberto's mother did to her grandson's father Gabriel, that led to his early demise". She said within herself.

"Yes, Emily is different, i mean very different, with my knowledge and years on earth i can tell that Emily is someone with depth and sincerity, someone Roberto cannot ignore even if he wants to.

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The following morning, Margaret got up early and went downstairs to sit and wait for Roberto to get ready for work, so she can talk to him before he left the house. "Good morning grandma", Roberto said , as he climbed down the stairs. "I know you don't come down stairs this early except you want to ask me for a favour, grandma what is it?", hope you're not stressing yourself out? Tell me what's the matter?Roberto inquired further.

"I met someone you would love at the gala night", Margaret said in a low tone. Having knowledge of how her grandson would react, she went closer to him. "Roberto, you know am growing older by the day, if you don't get to meet her now, when will i carry my grandchildren?, do you want me to die like this?", Margaret added with a persuasive tone.

Roberto gave out a resigned sigh, familiar with her persistence on such matters. "Please Roberto, just one more", she pleaded with a soft smile in her voice. "She's very different, you will love her when you see her, it's just one evening son, you know you are all i've got, i need the best for you".

Roberto, finally relented, agreeing to meet his grandmother's choice of a girl just to make his grandmother happy. "Thank you son, you know I love you right?". "I know grandma, bye". Roberto replied as he walks out of the sitting room and went to work.

How will the blind date go? What will be Emily and Roberto's reaction when they see each other? Will there be fury or love?