Mizuki sat across the dinner table from Pablo in his modern apartment, her eyes drifting in thought as he casually chatted about his day at Wolfe Group. The aroma of freshly baked lasagna filled the air, its cheese bubbling over the top, while a side of risotto and garlic bread sat on the table between them. Pablo had always enjoyed cooking Italian dishes, and tonight he had outdone himself.
"I've been getting myself familiar with the company operations, you know?" Pablo said, slicing a piece of lasagna. "Visited the mall, checked out the shops, met a few staff members. A lot to take in, but it's been exciting so far."
Mizuki nodded absently, her mind clearly elsewhere. Pablo noticed the distant look in her eyes and paused, studying her. "Hey, what's going on? You seem a bit distracted tonight. Something on your mind?"
Mizuki snapped out of her reverie, apologizing as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry, I've just been thinking a lot lately."
"About what?" Pablo prompted gently, his tone casual but curious.
She took a deep breath before answering, her voice quiet. "I have an old friend from bridge school... Eugene. She works for an NGO that helps abused and abandoned women and children. It's a cause that's close to her heart, and she's been telling me a lot about the work they do."
Pablo's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really? I didn't know you had a friend like that. What's the organization about?"
Mizuki gave a small smile, though it was tinged with concern. "It's an organization focused on offering support, shelter, and care for women and children who have nowhere else to turn. They've been doing a lot of great work, but they're always in need of more resources. Eugene mentioned that they could really use financial support to keep going."
Pablo's gaze softened, and he nodded. "So, you're thinking of helping them out?"
Mizuki nodded. "Yeah, I'm planning on opening an account to do monthly remittances to them. I've been looking into it, and Eugene even encouraged me to do a background check on the organization before committing. I trust her, but I wanted to make sure everything is legitimate."
Pablo leaned back, considering her words. "I understand. Your friend is also nice to suggest doing a background check on them as well. It's not to be rude. It's important to be cautious about these things."
Mizuki gave him a reassuring smile. "I've already done the background check. Eugene forwarded me all the details about the organization, their funding, and their work. Everything checks out. I feel comfortable supporting them."
Pablo was silent for a moment, then nodded in approval. "That's good to hear. Since you're sure about it, I'd be happy to help, too. Wolfe Group Singapore would also love to get involved with supporting them."
Mizuki's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait... You're sure about this? I mean, without asking Dad first?"
Pablo shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "Your dad gave me free reign to run the Singapore branch as I see fit. And, since we're still in the early stages, we haven't yet established any formal charity partnerships. This would be a great opportunity for us to get involved with something meaningful."
Mizuki looked thoughtful for a moment, still processing his words. "But... how does that benefit Wolfe Group? I mean, what do you get from it?"
Pablo shrugged, picking up a piece of garlic bread. "It's not always about getting something in return, Mizuki. Supporting a charity, especially one that's doing good work like this, can have a lot of benefits for the company, even if it's not directly linked to profits."
He glanced at her, his tone growing more earnest. "First, it's about the positive publicity. People appreciate when companies support social causes. It shows that we care about more than just making money. If we align ourselves with a cause that's helping those who are suffering, it makes the brand more relatable, and that builds trust with customers."
Mizuki nodded, following his thoughts.
"Second, it helps us build a reputation in the community," he continued. "Being part of something that brings real change can create stronger connections with our customers, our employees, and the broader public. It shows we're invested in improving lives, not just selling products."
Mizuki's gaze softened, clearly moved by his words.
"And third," Pablo added, "it boosts employee morale. People want to work for companies that make a difference. Supporting a charity like this creates a sense of pride among employees, and it might even attract top talent who share the same values. It's not just about donations—it's about creating a culture of giving back."
Mizuki smiled, her heart feeling a little lighter. "You're right. I hadn't thought about it that way."
Pablo reached for his glass of wine, raising it in a quiet toast. "And, most importantly, it's about leaving a legacy. If we can help people who really need it, we've done something that matters. We've made a difference. And that's something Wolfe Group can be proud of."
Mizuki clinked her glass against his, feeling reassured by Pablo's perspective. "Thanks, Brother. I think I'm ready to move forward with this."
Pablo reached out and patted her on the head. "You're welcome, Little Sis. Send the details to my email later so I can present them to the board."
Mizuki smiled gratefully at her 'adoptive' brother. She now realized how great it was to have a supportive big brother to rely on. "I will." She would send all the details from Eugene, as well as the results of the background check, so that Pablo wouldn't have to do much work. After all, the investigator she had hired was from a reputable agency.
That night, back in her home office, Mizuki read through all the documents about the organization, wondering if it was the same NGO that had helped Lizbeth in her past life. The name St. Anne seemed familiar, but she wasn't sure. After all, while she might be reborn, she couldn't recall every single detail of her previous life. She only remembered the big events—the ones that had truly affected her emotionally: happiness, sadness, and fear.
"Lizbeth, Little Peanut…"
Now that she had a valid reason to step into their lives, she knew she couldn't procrastinate any longer. She had to find them.