Present Day – The Morning After the Dinner
I hadn't planned to stay.
But fate—or maybe irony—had different ideas. I stood near the window of my penthouse suite, sipping espresso, watching morning fog lift over the city. The skyline shimmered in the distance, completely different from the dusty streets I remembered from childhood. And yet, the feeling in my chest hadn't changed.
I was back.
And this place still felt like unfinished business.
My phone buzzed.
"Unknown Caller"
"Cade."
"Mr. Cade, this is Mark Jenkins. Sorry for the early call."
Jenkins. A familiar name among my circle of investors. Old school, numbers-first. We weren't friends, but he respected power, and I had plenty of it.
"What's on fire, Jenkins?"
"We just secured preliminary rights to the Fairfax Industrial Park site. New zoning laws passed this morning."
"Fairfax? That's here."
"Right there in your backyard. State's throwing incentives for green initiatives. The board wants you on-site. Face time with city council, influence local media. We need someone who can seal it fast."
"I see."
He paused. "You staying?"
I looked out at the morning sun and smirked. "Looks like I am."
---
Minutes later, Vanessa Hill called. She never wasted time.
"Good morning, sir. I hear you're extending your stay."
"You really do have microphones everywhere."
"Only the tasteful kind. I've assigned you a local assistant. She can help with logistics, housing, transportation."
"Name?"
"Lena Rivers. My cousin."
My fingers stilled on my coffee cup.
"Rivers? That name sounds familiar."
"You probably don't know her. She just moved back from L.A. Said she needed a change and begged for the position when she saw your photo."
"My photo?"
"You know, the Forbes feature. The one with the helicopter."
I chuckled dryly. "Of course."
"She said—and I quote—'If this man is half as successful in real life as he looks, I want to be in the same room.'"
"Sounds like I'm being auctioned."
"You're the product, Cade. I just do the packaging."
---
Skyline Tower Lobby – Noon
She arrived right on time. I admired that.
She stepped into the lobby, scanning for me. She wore a cream silk blouse with a tailored black skirt. Heels that matched her bag. She carried herself with nervous elegance. Polished, but not rehearsed.
When her eyes landed on me, her breath caught.
"M-Mr. Cade?"
I stood, buttoning my jacket. "Lena?"
She walked over, extending her hand. "It's an honor to meet you. I'm... still wrapping my head around being here."
I took her hand, firm but gentle. "Relax. You're here to work, not audition."
She laughed nervously, then blinked. "You sound different than I imagined."
"Older?"
"No. Just... grounded. Confident. Like someone who owns the ground he walks on."
"That's one way to describe shoes."
She smiled wider, letting the ice between us melt.
"Vanessa told me this is your first time in the area, so I took the liberty of arranging some home viewings. Temporary residences, of course, but upscale."
"Thoughtful."
"It's what I'm paid for. But between you and me..." she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice, "I might have volunteered a little harder than necessary."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She blushed. "I guess... I wanted to see what power looked like up close."
I nodded, not unkindly. "Let's not keep power waiting. Lead the way."
---
House Tour – Two Properties Later
"This one has six bedrooms, two home theaters, and a koi pond the size of a community pool."
I stepped through the glass doors, taking in the panoramic view.
"The last owner was a retired tech mogul," Lena added. "He moved to Monaco."
"Good for him."
She watched me closely.
"You make decisions so fast. Like you've already seen everything once."
"I have a good eye for what fits."
"You also have this... presence. Like a storm that knows exactly where it's going."
I turned toward her. For a second, I caught a flicker of something else in her gaze. Admiration, yes. But something deeper too. Curiosity.
"Does that make you nervous?"
"Not nervous. Just... curious."
"Curious about what?"
She hesitated. "Who you were before all of this."
I smiled faintly. "Some things are better left as mystery."
She didn't press.
---
Luxury Auto Dealer – Early Evening
"You want something elegant but aggressive. A statement car."
Lena guided me through the marble-floored showroom like it was her personal garage. She was more confident now, pointing at features, suggesting colors.
"This matte black Urus," she said. "It's dangerous, rich, and sleek. Like you."
"Dangerous?"
"In a good way. Like... you walk into a room and people stand straighter."
I laughed. "You have quite the imagination."
She looked down. "Sorry. I probably sound like every other star-struck assistant."
"You're more composed than most. And I appreciate blunt honesty."
She brightened. "So... you'll take it?"
"Done."
We left the dealership as the sun set, golden light spilling through the windshield of the new car.
---
My New Home – Nightfall
Lena helped me settle in. She adjusted furniture, coordinated deliveries, and double-checked everything herself.
Before leaving, she stood at the doorway awkwardly.
"I know this is just work, but... thank you for not treating me like I don't belong here."
I looked at her. Really looked.
"We all come from somewhere, Lena."
She nodded slowly, her eyes searching my face.
"You feel familiar," she said softly.
I tilted my head. "Deja vu, maybe."
She smiled, but something lingered in her gaze. A flicker of doubt. A memory that hadn't surfaced yet.
She left with a quiet goodbye.
---
Later That Night
Silence filled the house. Expensive silence. The kind that made you feel alone even when surrounded by things.
I walked to the private study. Closed the door. Pulled out my watch.
Pressed a button.
[SYSTEM ONLINE]
A pale blue interface appeared, humming softly.
> Display Attributes
[RICH MAN'S SYSTEM – CORE STATS]
Strength: 100
Agility: 100
Intelligence: 100
Charm: 100
Confidence: 100
Endurance: 100
Financial IQ: 100
Physical Appearance: 100
[PASSIVE TRAITS]
Wealth Aura: Automatically influences others
Memory Vault: Perfect recall of every interaction
Charisma Surge: Enhances persuasion in high-pressure scenarios
[SPECIAL SYSTEM NOTICE]
All stats are MAXED.
New relationships detected.
Hidden storylines activating.
I leaned back in the leather chair.
She didn't know who I was.
But soon, everyone would.
---