The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, its soft morning light filtering through the half-drawn curtains of Sylvester's dorm room. He stood in front of the mirror, carefully buttoning up a crisp black shirt that sat neatly.
His slim, dark jeans were tucked into clean sneakers, giving him a polished yet laid-back vibe just enough to look put-together without drawing too much attention. On his wrist, a sleek silver watch caught the light perfectly, subtle yet undeniably luxurious.
As he ran a hand through his tousled white hair, a knock no, a doorbell sounded through the small space. Sylvester's brow furrowed slightly. He wasn't expecting any visitors.
He walked over and opened the door.
There stood Liliana, her bright smile illuminating her face as if she had been waiting all night for this moment. "So, are you ready?" she asked, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
"…Yeah." His response was short, but it was enough.
"Awesome!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes. "Let's hurry and get there before he gets mad after that, we can go on our date!"
Her words hung in the air between them, sweet and carefree.
Sylvester calmly closed the door behind him, turning the key to lock it. His expression remained unchanged as he replied flatly, "There is no date."
Liliana froze for a moment, blinking rapidly before her lips formed a cute pout. "H-Hey! You can't just be so cold! You can't reject me like that…"
Sylvester adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth as he started to walk ahead, leaving her to catch up.
As they stepped outside, the crisp morning air brushed against their skin. There, parked neatly by the curb, was a sleek black limousine, its polished surface shining under the soft light.
The driver, a woman in her forties with sharp eyes and a perfectly pressed uniform, moved quickly to open the back door.
"Mrs. Clarke!" Liliana's face lit up as she practically skipped forward. "It's been ages! I really missed you and this limo too, even if I've only been in it twice."
Before Sylvester could wrap his head around her sudden wave of nostalgia, Liliana threw her arms around the driver. Mrs. Clarke stiffened, her jaw tightening as if she were holding back a sigh.
For just a moment, her eyes flicked sideways, revealing a hint of annoyance before she composed herself again.
Sylvester stood there, hands in his pockets, quietly observing. Do they know each other? Or maybe… she's richer than she lets on. His face remained neutral, but he tucked the information away in his mind like a piece of evidence.
"Come on," Liliana beamed, snapping him out of his thoughts as she tugged at his arm with surprising strength. Before he knew it, she had pulled him into the plush interior of the limo.
Sylvester sank into the leather seat, his watch glinting as he adjusted his wrist. Across from him, Liliana settled in comfortably, still smiling as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
Mrs. Clarke closed the door with a sharp click and returned to the driver's seat. The engine purred to life, and the limo rolled forward.
As the limo glided effortlessly through the streets, Sylvester sank back into the plush leather seat, his eyes wandering around the luxurious interior. With gold-trimmed panels, tinted windows, and soft lights casting a warm glow above, everything about it screamed opulence and authority.
He couldn't help but think how pristine this ride was truly stunning. Even he was taken aback by his own musings. This was his first time in a limo, and it felt like stepping into a whole new universe.
Liliana, however, seemed unfazed by the lavish surroundings. She pressed her cheek gently against the window, lost in the scenery outside. Every so often, she attempted to engage Mrs. Clarke in conversation, but the responses were always brief and professional.
Sylvester's gaze flicked between the two, his curiosity piqued once more. There was something about her familiarity with the driver that felt off… What secrets was she keeping?
The limo slowed down, making a turn into a spacious plaza with a glass front. Ahead loomed a towering building, its sleek black exterior reflecting the city like a giant mirror. Bold, silver letters adorned the entrance:
CROWN ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Sylvester's keen eyes lingered on the name, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Crown Entertainment… sounds like it could be a record label or some high-profile company showing off its clout."
The door clicked open, and Mrs. Clarke stood there, her sharp gaze slicing through the air as if every moment was precious.
"Let's go," she said briskly.
Liliana hopped out with enthusiasm, pulling Sylvester along behind her. He stepped onto the pavement, tilting his head back to take in the impressive scale of the building.
"Wow… definitely more than I bargained for," he muttered, adjusting the strap of his bag before following her inside.
The moment they stepped through the glass doors, Sylvester was hit with the sight of a multi-million-pound empire buzzing with energy. The polished marble floors gleamed under the chandeliers above, while sleek glass walls displayed recording booths, trophy shelves, and gold-plated plaques that practically shouted success.
Assistants hurried by with tablets in hand, executives in sharp suits strode purposefully, and the distant thrum of bass from a studio vibrated through the air.
Liliana's face lit up like a kid in a candy store, her steps practically bouncing with excitement. "I've missed this place so much," she exclaimed, almost twirling as her eyes darted around the lobby.
Sylvester, however, kept his cool demeanor, hands tucked in his pockets. Impressive? Absolutely.. His keen gaze lingered on the platinum awards lining the wall, taking in every detail like pieces on a chessboard, before shifting back to Mrs. Clarke.
Mrs. Clarke, ever the professional, marched straight to the receptionist desk. Her voice was crisp and commanding. "Cancel all of Mr. Reid's meetings for today. We're here for something more important."
The receptionist blinked, momentarily stunned, before nodding quickly. "Y-yes, ma'am. Of course."
Without missing a beat, Mrs. Clarke turned back to them. "Come along."
The three of them stepped into a private elevator, its interior gleaming with mirrors and polished chrome. The silence was short-lived as Liliana, standing between them, leaned against the railing and nudged Sylvester with a playful grin.
"You look stiff. First time in a penthouse elevator?" she teased.
Sylvester shot her a sidelong glance. "No. Just thinking how this feels more like a hotel than an office."
Then, out of nowhere, the elevator gave a soft jolt. Liliana yelped, dramatically clutching Sylvester's arm. "Don't tell me it's stuck—!"
The lights flickered for just a moment before humming back to life. Mrs. Clarke sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Sylvester gave a faint smirk. "You all act like the world's about to end, just like you do with the elevators back at school."
"So, Liliana goes to class with you?" Mrs. Clarke inquired.
"Yep, she does! She even waits for me at the spot where we catch the elevators."
"Of course she does," Mrs. Clarke replied, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation.
Liliana pouted and let go of his arm with a huff. "Hmph. You're no fun."
The tension in the air lightened a bit, and a small ripple of laughter broke through the otherwise heavy atmosphere. Moments later, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal a sleek corridor dressed in royal blue carpet.
At the far end, an imposing double door stood with a golden plaque that read:
CEO – Crown Entertainment Group
Mrs. Clarke's heels clicked sharply against the floor as she confidently led the way. She paused before the door, smoothed her blazer, and knocked twice with practiced ease.
Her voice rang out with perfect composure. "It's me. I've brought Liliana."
The silence that followed felt thick, as if the very air was holding its breath for whoever was behind that door.