Briefing

All these memories flooded back to Alexander, and he just couldn't shake them off because he had left the house that day, and this man, never call to check on him But all of a sudden wanted him back. Because life is really unpredictable.he muttered

With that, he closed his laptop, took his phone, and scrolled through social media. He saw that Soundwave had signed a new artist, Rebecca David . She's not bad, talented, and she's even a Colombian student, that's nice. With that, he kept scrolling, thinking he would just attend the guest lecture because he had thought he would send Thomas...

********

At the other side of New York, in Colombia, Emma was standing near her class. She was already late, and the lecturer was inside. She didn't know how to go in because she had always come early to school to avoid attention

. But today, she was late because people were resuming, and she wanted to look okay. She had spent a lot of time in front of the mirror trying to look nice, thanks to her mom who had changed her wardrobe to tight clothes to boost her confidence. But she still lacked confidence.

She stood outside, frozen, worried about what people would say. She knew she wasn't pretty, but she didn't want people to notice. Maybe after mid semester, not now, when she couldn't handle criticism.

Just then, Jessica, a girl from her room, walked past. "You're not going in? Standing outside isn't going to make you slimmer. You're fat and ugly, everyone knows that. You just have to accept it and live with it." She left, not attending that class.

Emma was left standing, feeling embarrassed. Why is she so crue and sweet at the same time, she thought,

just then A guy walked past, pushing her slightly, and asked, "Good evening, Mrs Do you know where the financial accounting briefing is? We're doing our briefing today, and I'm lost. Why are you outside? Though ? Or Is your daughter inside?"

Emma was too embarrassed to reply. Mrs? Daughter? She is just 18 she felt dejected

The guy eventually asked someone else, who pointed to the door next to Emma . He turned to her with a weird face that said, "So why didn't you show me if it was this close?" and went into the class.

Feeling shy, Emma followed him. As she entered, there was a total silence, followed by snickers and laughter. The lecturer glared at her.

"And you are?" he asked.

"I'm Emma Stanford, sir. I'm from the Philippines, and I'm your student. And I'm sorry for coming late," Emma stammered.

"Yes, you're my student," the lecturer cut her off. "Why are you late?"

Emma explained, and she was asked to sit in her seat. She felt a heavy gaze on her and turned to see the guy from earlier staring at her intensely. And what was that in his eyes? Pity? Guilt? She didn't care and began to powder her face, ignoring the commotion.

The lecturer started talking about course outlines, registration deadlines, CGPA tracks. Emma wrote everything down like her life depended on it.

She felt nervous and unable to raise her head to

even look at the face of the lecturer. staring at her

compact as if it was the most interesting thing. A few minutes passed and yet Emma was still engrossed in whatever she was doing not staring, to avoid meeting the gazes of others.

“Emma Stanford!”

she heard, which drew her out of her thoughts.

Emma was taken aback by the high scale of the lecturer’s voice. Now everyone was staring at her.

Did you get what I was trying to say, or were you busy romancing your compact?” the lecturer asked.

Sir…I …. I did .. I jotted an……

“Emma Stanford, I don’t know whatever problem you have or whatever it is that you are going through, but you just have to focus. You have to be able to understand the way and navigate the whole of school before you will be able to become a better student. besides Everyone in this class is the same. We are equally the same Emma “

With that, a scoff was heard from row six. Everyone turned back to see it was Rebecca.

“Good morning, sir, she said.Everyone here, we are equal, right?”

The lecturer gave her a nod. Then she turned to the side, toward Emma.

“Including ....scholarship students?” she asked which drew a lot of laughter from other students.

The lecturer’s eyes hardened. Dead silence.

Everyone being a scholarship student or not we are all equal. And this should be the last time I hear you, or anybody, point to any scholarship student. That is, if any one of them is here.”

With that, silence fell, even though some scoffing and whispering laughter still held in the background. The lecturer finally capped his pen.

That’s all for the briefing. Attendance will be taken next meeting. One more thing all of you, every single person in this room, our first year Financial Accounting students, are required to attend the guest lecture today in the main auditorium. The guest is Alex Maradona.”

He said it with so much pride in his eyes. “I’m sure all of you know him, right? He is a multi millionaire and a well spoken man who will advise you on how to navigate school, surroundings, and other various lectures

He paused. And.. “He is a partner of SoundWave. Although the owner is not known, he is a prominent partner. And most of you who have talent you know how SoundWave builds people. Your certificate is not enough in this society. You need other experiences.

If you have talent, it will be better for you to attend this meeting. as he might be able to help a few of you.”

The room exploded. ..

Shouting. “Alex Maradona? Here?”

“Alex Maradona!

Oh my God,

he is like a ghost! He is so handsome!”

He is a multi millionaire! I’m very happy

A student raised her voice. Wait! “SoundWave? … Rebecca, isn’t that your label?