Between chess moves

easing to the eyes. Scratch that-I was confident in my looks. So w

ecially in a world full of people lacking it. But I'

attention-something I rare

itter taste of dismissal clung to me. It wasn't just about the phone-it was about the way he looked right through me,

; I had made it clear that such formalities weren't necessary. They made me uncomfortable. I wo

replayed what

entlemanly thing to do. Instead, the man behind him-who I presumed was his assistant-had be

roaming the streets,

oor and got in, leaving the events of the m

am?" John-my c

rritation from earlier still

led away. I had a meeting in a few minutes, 30 to

dings and people moving in chaotic harmony. I should have be

t, something about today's meeting felt heavier than usual. Maybe it was the discussion on tech

integration of technology by introducing online stores, online delivery services

ls, the excitement of finding the perfect dress, trying on different outfits until you found the one that fit best, and the interaction

g quickly, and we had to adapt. Embracing technolog

out of my thoughts. I checked my

. This was the part of my work I enjoyed the least-sitting for hour

vacy, but the kind of person I was demanded I look every man in the eye to

ilding, updating me on my schedule for the

lways, all members were already a

oes clicking on the polished floor

eeting to order. Thank you all for being here. Let

retary to carry out t

to keep my mouth shut as much as possible and listen keenly. B

eeting. Are there any adjustments?" I

orporate line. However, evening wear sales dropped by 8%. We need to decide i

was too sophisticated for the market, but I opted to give it a try due to the persuasion

the board

opped, and I had let myself be talked int

d better designs," th

nsider more marketing, bad design or n

nated me-how quickly they fought for their opinions, how easily they overlooked past f

me for my final ver

ruly awful," I began, pausing momentarily to maintain my composure. "Since we're on the topic of marketing, I think it's

across the creative direc

rand was tied to the traditional mo

argument, but a part

cked fabric, the rush of trying on an outfit that transforms you-that wa

won over

m, another of my dreams is to make this brand worldwide," I stated. "Technology offers this in the easies

embers nodded

ience reflects our brand's exclusivity-maybe a virtual styl

irst and observe how it performs. Going full-blown at once in a field tha

m," I said, lock

influencer collaborations, and targeted promotions will be key for both the online stor

nd Mr. Richard, do you think we have enough capital to carr

uld, though I'd need to do some resear

ther matters that need to be addressed today?"

ve no designs under the gym wear category," the head designer, wh

ve is more pressing than launching gym wear-I don't think it's wise to add more to our plate. However, I'd

answered, seemi

bjections?" I asked, pausing for a f

meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for your i

nst the marble floor, a strange mix of

paper. But progress al

shion was meant to be touched, felt, lived. Now, I was stee

't matter. What ma

t embracing chan

e highest point of the building, a

ut of the way, but that

hich required my full attention to ensure precision. And now that we had agreed on going digital, I needed to research what that trul

eeded in-depth knowledge of it. I refused to be the kind of CEO wh

had it easy-that we simply sat back while others did the work.

fast approaching. Another round of perfectly curated events filled with high society f

ith people who only spoke in veiled criticisms and

uisite-a masterpiece tailored to perfection-and witn

ng of

o host a f

t one together soon, I risked becoming old talk-a na

g

y assistant dropped them off. My eyes scanned every line, doubl

dn't afford that. Not now. Not when this shift towa