November 5th, 2027
Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City
6:45 PM
The evening breeze moved gently through the rows of trees lining High Street, carrying with it the warm scent of cafés, dimly lit restaurants, and the distant hum of Manila traffic. Festive lights dangled across the open walkway—soft white, elegant, calm. The kind of atmosphere perfect for a meeting that would shape the next thirty years of global energy.
Timothy arrived first.
Crisp black button-down. Dark slacks. No tie. Sleeves rolled, as always. He stood beside the restaurant entrance, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed but sharp, like a man waiting for a promise finally fulfilled.
A black SUV eased to a stop nearby.
The door opened.
Dr. José Reyes stepped out.
He scanned the street—until his eyes found Timothy.
Their gazes met.
A moment hung between them.
Recognition. Curiosity. And something deeper: the weight of shared ambition.
Timothy stepped forward and extended a hand.
