Chapter 9 The cold eye of Sarah

John took a calming breath as he stopped at the high-rise apartment building's slick glass entrance. As he entered the code Sarah had emailed him, the gleaming marble flooring of the lobby mirrored his tense gait: "We must speak. This evening. 8:00. My location. The unexpected and brief communication had come that afternoon. No niceties, no explanation.

He thought back to their previous chat two months before, in which she accused him of failing her and lacking ambition. He had staggered home in desperation and disgrace back then. He now questioned if she had gotten in touch with him because of his recent achievement or just out of worry for a past romantic interest.

He was carried upstairs by the elevator. His image in the stainless-steel walls seemed different: more certain, with his shoulders set and his eyes full of purpose. He looked at his phone: Population: 71.5% Fortune: $27.59. At least the app's analytics were truthful, which was an odd consolation.

The doors led to a silent corridor on the eighth level. He located her apartment number and knocked with a shaking fist. Almost instantly the door sprang open.

Sarah's hair was arranged in a beautiful chignon as she stood there wearing a pencil skirt and a flawlessly fitted jacket. Just as he recalled, a single strand of hair fell like a silk curtain over her forehead, perfectly groomed. However, her eyes were like ice.

"John." She spoke in a controlled, courteous, yet aloof tone. She moved to make room for him. "I appreciate you coming."

As he stepped through the doorway, he gazed around the minimalist décor of the foyer, which included a marble-topped console, an imported-looking sculptured lamp, and a vase filled with white orchids. Everything shouted success-or the appearance of it, anyhow.

He managed to say, "Nice place."

She did not grin. "It is leased. corporate benefit. She shut the door. "Sit down."

She slipped into a couch opposite from him, hands folded neatly on her lap, legs crossed, while he sat on a low leather ottoman.

Unspoken past weighed heavily on the stillness. At last she spoke something.

"You quit working for BlackStar Industries?"

He gave a nod. "Really, I was officially dismissed. However, I have moved on.

"Fired," she said again in a cold voice. "Drama was always drawn to you." She glanced at his phone. "Are you still attached to that thing?"

He looked down. The UI of the software shone brightly: * "Mission: Rekindle an old connection." Gain 2% more popularity. * He shut the screen. "I just looked at my schedule."

A cold half-smile curled Sarah's lips. "Best wishes on your new endeavor. Was it Reality Layers?

Surprised that she had heard of it, John took a deep breath. Indeed. We have offices, a small workforce, and startup money. It is expanding.

Her gaze become piercing. "How is your level of popularity?"

He blinked. "What do you mean?"

She clasped her hands and leaned forward. "I have been keeping up with you on social media. When you left BlackStar and exposed Mark, my feed exploded. People like a story of redemption.

He made himself chuckle. "I do not manage a show."

"Are you?" She spoke in a soft yet acerbic tone. "I saw the increase more than 70%. That is very remarkable.

John had a twinge of discomfort. "I would rather create something tangible than focus on metrics."

Sarah's eyes wavered, almost disheartened. "Do you tell yourself that?"

He became agitated. "Yes."

She reclined. I am not here to dispute, John. I wanted to know whether you were alright, which is why I invited you.

He examined her. "You wanted to know how I was doing."

"Avoid giving me that." She folded her arms. For three years, you were my boyfriend. Since the evening I discovered you, you have not called "

The recollection made his heart constrict, and he turned aside. He had interrupted Sarah and Mark that evening. Any treachery had been overshadowed by Sarah's claims.

"I apologize," he muttered. "Roughly then."

She held out a hand. Don't. You were to blame for it. You allowed Mark to take advantage of you. I... She swallowed, hesitating. "I felt enraged. and embarrassed.

He became softer. "I get it."

Sarah's calmness returned as her gaze shifted to the side. "All right. You are deceived, bankrupt, and dismissed, and then some magical software made you a tech idol?

He looked her in the eye. "More effective than the sticky web you attempted to bind me with."

She clenched her jaw. "John, I have done well for myself. At Sterling & Pines, senior PR manager. I am stable and have a job.

John gave a nod. "Well done."

Her voice was low as she leaned forward. "Stability was another option available to you. After you left BlackStar, you received offers for jobs and consultancy. However, you decided to go to the valley of death.

He scowled. "I made a decision based on my beliefs."

For a moment, she closed her eyes. "Belief is inexpensive."

He got up. "So, why did you call me here?"

She glanced up, momentarily exposed. "In part." She let out a breath. "You were missed. I was also intrigued.

He hesitated, experiencing a tension he had not anticipated a mixture of relief and nostalgia. "You did not see me?"

Sarah drooped her shoulders. "Perhaps." She shrugged off the admission after that. "However, I can not act like I still love you."

Slowly, he nodded. "I understand."

There was more quiet. The room was filled with the quiet hum of the building's ventilation system.

Sarah got to her feet and went to the window. Below, the city lights glistened. She crossed her arms and turned. "I have a question."

John tensed up.

"Why did you allow Mark to steal from you if you are so intelligent?"

Her comments struck like sledges. John's chest constricted. He balled his hands up.

"Because I had faith in him," he said calmly. "I thought I would be taken care of by those around me."

She gave a headshake. "Naïveté is expensive."

He took a step toward her. "Perhaps. However, it also shaped who I am now.

Sarah's icy demeanor somewhat softened. "You are not the John I knew, then."

He smiled a little, sadly. "No. I have improved.

She looked at his face, studying him. At last, she let out a breath. "I hope the best for you."

The genuineness of her words caught him off guard as he glanced at her. "I am grateful."

She turned aside, coldness taking the place of vulnerability. "John Turner, look after yourself."

After a moment of hesitation, he softly touched her arm. Her eyes never touched his, yet she did not back off.

"I will," he said.

---

John listened to their chat again on the way home. Although Sarah's remarks still hurt, he found they were less painful now. She was a reminder of a history he had outgrown, a chapter of failure and reliance. By closing those doors, he had created new ones: a company based on teamwork, a life with meaning, and a future free from outdated preconceptions.

He launched the Billionaire's Club app in his flat. The screen flashes a new mission:

"Leave the past behind and embrace the present. Express thankfulness for a minute. +3% of the population"

John hovered his thumb at the prompt. He hit the "Skip Mission" button.

He did not need algorithmic reassurance for once. On his own, he was sufficient.

And John Turner, who was no longer the Sarah she knew, grinned to himself as the city lights flickered outside his window.