Chapter 3 Numb and celebration

somewhere across the city,in a place where time seemed to slow down......

The water rippled around him as he came up for air, slow and unhurried. Sunlight danced off his skin, making every drop shimmer as it slid down his chest. He pushed his hair back with one hand, blinking the water out of his eyes, calm like he had all the time in the world.

He climbed out of the pool with an easy grace, not rushing, not showing off-but there was no missing him. The way he moved was too confident, too natural. His swim trunks clung to his hips, water dripping down the deep lines of his abs as he walked across the stone tiles.

Five maids stood nearby, eyes cast down. One stepped forward with a towel, hands shaking just a little as she held it out. He took it gently, like he didn't even notice the effect he had on people.

"Thank you," he said softly, almost like a whisper but his voice had this calm, low warmth that made you want to listen.

The maid nodded, cheeks pin upk, and glanced up at him. He gave her a small smile,not flirty, just kind-and for a second, everything felt still.

Then he turned and walked away, drying his hair with the towel, leaving nothing but silence and a trail of wet footprints behind him.

He didn't try to make an impression.

He just was the impression

The maids stepped aside as he walked through the hallway, their eyes downcast in quiet respect. He didn't acknowledge them; he didn't need to. His mere presence was enough to command attention.

When he reached his room, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He quickly pulled on a loose shirt, the fabric hanging effortlessly over his toned frame. His movements were calm, almost as if he had all the time in the world. He sat at his desk, eyes briefly scanning the room before he began to settle in.

Just as he was about to open his laptop, a knock sounded at the door.

"Who's there?" His voice was calm, like a command, but the tone was steady, unhurried.

"It's Jason," came the reply.

"Come in."

Jason opened the door and stepped inside, carrying a file in one hand. He set it down on his desk, their eyes meeting for a brief moment.

"Here's the file for your meeting. You should take a look at it soon. Better be early," Jason said, his voice casual but with a hint of teasing.

Nathaniel glanced at the file, then back at Jason with a slight smirk. "Early? I'm Nathaniel Hawthorne. This is my company. I walk into my office whenever I feel like it."

Jason chuckled, clearly unbothered by Nathaniel's response. "Of course. Just making sure you're on top of things," he teased, folding his arms.

Nathaniel waved him off, his attention drifting back to the window, the view of the busy city below. "I'll get to it when I get to it. No need to rush."

Jason grinned, clearly amused. "Alright, alright. But you know we have to hit the club later, like we used to, right? What do you say, dear friend?" he asked with a playful smirk.

Nathaniel's lips curved into a small, amused smile. "We'll see. Maybe."

Jason chuckled again, shaking his head as he turned to leave. "You're impossible, you know that?

Nathaniel didn't respond. He simply leaned back in his chair, the silence of the room settling around him. He was in no rush. After all, he had all the time in the world.

------

The afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows of Nathaniel's office, stretching shadows across the room. The investors sat around the sleek, dark wood table, hanging on to his every word. Nathaniel stood at the front, casual but commanding, exuding confidence without effort. His tone was calm, but his words were firm, persuasive.

"This isn't just about building structures," he said, looking at each of them, making sure they felt the weight of his words. "We're talking about creating landmarks, things that will stand for decades, maybe even centuries. Our company doesn't just build; we create legacies. And this contract? This is only the beginning of something much bigger."

He let the words sit for a moment, watching their reactions. Nathaniel could feel the shift, the moment they started to understand. They were listening now.

"We have everything it takes: the resources, the expertise, the drive. We'll turn this project into something that sets the bar for everyone else. You'll see your investment grow,not just in numbers, but in value."

One of the investors shifted in his seat, clearly impressed. "You're making a strong case, Mr Hawthorne."

Nathaniel gave a slight, knowing smile. "It's not just a case. It's the truth."

By the end of the meeting, the deal was his. It was almost too easy. The investors signed the papers, shaking his hand without hesitation. Nathaniel nodded, giving his usual polite smile, but his thoughts were already on what came next. For him, this was just another day, another win.

----

Back at Maya's house, it was a different story. She had become a shell of the person she used to be. Walking through the day like a ghost, her mind numb, her heart heavy. Her life had turned into a blur of faces, voices, and memories that wouldn't let go.

She stumbled down the stairs, eyes empty, every step feeling like it was too much. Her parents were sitting at the kitchen table, their eyes immediately locking on her. The worry in their faces was clear.

"Maya, honey, you look......" her mom started, but Maya cut her off before she could finish.

"I'm fine," she said, the words leaving her lips automatically, like she had practiced them. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth, either.

"You sure you don't want to talk about it? We're here for you," her dad added, his voice tight with concern.

But Maya couldn't hear them, not really. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want anything. She just needed to disappear into the world outside. The ache inside her was too big to hold, and the only thing that could dull it, even for a little while, was to escape.

"I'll be back by ten. Don't wait up," she said, her voice flat, lifeless. She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and walked toward the door without a second glance.

Her parents shared a look. They could see it in her eyes, the emptiness. But neither of them knew how to fix it. How to bring their daughter back from whatever dark place she had slipped into. Maya didn't even stop to listen. She wasn't really there anymore.

She stepped out into the night, the cool air brushing against her skin, but it did nothing to ease the heaviness that weighed her down. She was already thinking of where she'd go, what she'd drink. Anything to stop feeling like she was floating in an endless void.

"I'll be back," she murmured, but to no one in particular. The door clicked shut behind her, and the house felt quieter, emptier.

Her parents stayed at the table, their silence filling the room. They didn't know what to say. They didn't know how to help her find her way back. They just watched her disappear, wishing they could do more.

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Nathaniel stepped out of the meeting room, unbothered and satisfied, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. The moment the door closed behind him, he loosened his tie slightly and headed toward his office. The hallway buzzed with quiet footsteps and hushed voices, but he barely noticed.

Jason was already there, leaning against Nathaniel's desk with a grin that said he'd been waiting for the verdict.

"We got it, right?" Jason asked, eyes lighting up with that familiar mix of excitement and pride.

Nathaniel didn't even pause as he stepped in and picked up a bottle of water from his desk. "We always get it," he said, cool and confident, flashing a quick smile before taking a sip.

Jason let out a sharp laugh. "Damn right we do. Let's go partyyyyy!" he said, dragging out the word like a kid who just got out of finals.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at him, amused. "You really haven't changed."

"And you still need to learn how to celebrate properly," Jason shot back, already halfway to the door. "Come on, don't make me go without the great Nathaniel Hawthorne."

Nathaniel chuckled, grabbing his phone and tossing his jacket over his shoulder. "Let's go. I could use a drink or three."

The two of them left the office, walking side by side like it was just another win on the scoreboard. And for Nathaniel, maybe it was. The deal was locked in, the company was thriving, and now....it was time to loose just a little