The Woman Behind His Fortune

The day Damian Blackwell became a billionaire, the first person he forgot was the woman who had once gone hungry so he could eat. five years earlier, he had been nothing more than a poor young man with worn out shoes, and empty wallet and big dreams. Naomi Williams had been the only person who believed he could achieve it. ''Damian,take this.'' Naomi stretched a small nylon bag toward him. Inside it were some pieces of bread and a bottle of water. Damian stared at the food before looking at her face. ''What about you?'' Dont worry about me I'm fine. ''I ate already.'' He narrowed his eyes.'' are you sure you are fine. ''yes I am.'' She said. He know Naomi too well. She had a habit of pretending she was fine whenever she wanted to help him, last week she had sold one of her work craft machine to pay for his transportation to a job interview. the week before that, she had used the money she had been saving for a new malterial to help him pay his due rent. he hated being a burden to her. ''once I make it,'' he said, accepting the food,I will repay you for everything.'' ''Everything?'' ''even the money spent buying you that shirt?'' Damian glanced down at his faded shirt and chuckled. ''Yes especially that one.'' she laughed,and for a moment, the worries surrounding them disappeared. They were standing outside a small restaurant on the outside of the city. The afternoon sun was mercilessly, and the street was crowded with people rushing toward their Destination. Naomi had just finished helping at her aunts shop. Damian had spent the morning visiting companies in search of employment, only to receive rejections. He had begun to wonder whether success wasn't meant for people like him, people with no influential relatives, no wealthy parents, and no connections. ''I got another rejections today,'' he admitted. Naomi smile faded. ''was it from the companies you interviewed with earlier in the morning?'' He nodded. ''what did they say?'' ''They needed someone with more experience. how is it possible to gain experience if nobody gives me a chance ?'' Naomi stepped closer. ''Look at me, Damian.'' He reluctantly lifted his eyes. ''you are not going to remain poor forever.'' ''You sound so certain.'' ''Yes because I know you.'' ''you know the man who cannot afford to feed without your help.'' No Danian, ''I know the man who stays awake at night studying business plans. I know the man who walks into interviews even when he expect rejections. I know the man who refuses to steal, even when he has nothing.'' she touched his arm. ''And I know that one day,people will wait outside of your office just to get five minuets of your time.'' Damian stared at her. Nobody had ever spoken about his future as if it were something real. Nobody except Naomi believed in him. ''What would I do without you.'' he whispered. she smiled. neither of them knew that one day, those words would become a painful reminder of everything he had lost. That evening, Damian accompanied Naomi to a cool old mango tree behind her aunt's house. it was their favourite spot. the tree had stood there for decades, its thick branches spread across the sky like protective arms. They came there to talk about their dream, gist and laugh whenever life became unbearable or they feel heat, Naomi wanted to become a successful, business woman. Damian wanted to build an empire. They had made severe promises, beneath the tree,but that evening Naomi was unusually quiet. ''Whats wrong?'' Damian asked. ''I got my admission letter.'' Damian blinked. Then his face lit up. ''you got into the university in London?'' ''yes.'' ''congratulations I'm happy for you.'' He lifted her and spun her around. “I knew it! I told you that you would get it!” Naomi laughed, holding tightly to his shoulders. For a few beautiful seconds, she forgot why the news had made her heart ache. Then Damian put her down. “When are you leaving?” “Three weeks from now.” His smile slowly disappeared. “Three weeks?” “Yes it's a five-year program.” The silence between them suddenly became unbearable. Five years. Five years without her laughter beside him. Five years without her encouragement when another door closed in his face. Five years without the only person who had ever made him feel that he was worth something. “What about us?” he asked. Naomi looked at him. “Do you think I would leave you?'' “I don't know.” He turned away, pressing his hands against his waist. I am trying to build something here. I have nothing, Naomi. Nothing. And now you're leaving.” “I'm leaving to study, not to abandon you.” “What if you meet someone else?” She stared at him as if he had slapped her. “Is that what you think of me?” “No.” He rubbed his face. “I'm afraid, Naomi. I'm afraid that when you return, you'll be a different person. You'll have money, a career, and people who can give you everything I cannot afford to give to you. She stepped in front of him. “Then become the man you want to be.” He looked at her. “Don't ask me to remain small because you're afraid I might grow beyond you. If you truly love me, build your future. I'll build mine. And when I return, we'll meet each other as the people we've worked so hard to become.” Damian swallowed. “You make it sound easy.” she reached for his hand. ''But I believe in us.'' He held her hands tightly. “Promise me something.” “Anything.” “Don't let success change you. Don't forget the people who stood beside you when you had nothing. And don't ever make me regret choosing you.” Damian pulled her into his arms. “I swear, Naomi. When I become successful, I'll come for you. I'll marry you, give you the life you deserve, and never let you suffer again.” She rested her head against his chest. “Then let's make a promise.” He led her beneath the mango tree, where the roots rose from the earth like twisted fingers. She had no idea that the greatest test of their love would begin after he got everything he had ever wanted.