Mira stood frozen, her heart was palpitating hard against her ribs. What she saw made her jaw drop. The interior of Aliyah's condominium wasn't just lavish; It was breathtakingly Luxurious, a symphony of glass, chrome and rich darkwood.
Spanning the large room in this Condo, she saw the clear sky through the floor to ceiling windows. A grand piano, sleek and black, gleamed in one corner, while abstract art adorned the walls, lit by subtle recessed lighting.
The furniture looked less like pieces to sit on and more like sculptures, arranged with almost-like precision. It was a kind of place that she had only seen on glossy magazines, utterly at oddswith the comfortable but modest life Aliyah had always —
"BOO!!!"
A loud playful pop exploded directly behind her, causing Mira to shriek and jump that had her suitcase clattering on the polished floor.
She turned to see Aliyah standing behind her doubled ober with laughter as she held the remains of a balloon.
"Aliyah! You freaking scared me half to death!" Mira gasped clutching her chest, a weak laugh bubbling up as relief washed over her.
Aliyah wiping tears of mirth from her eyes straightened up with a radiant smile on her face. "Sorry dear... I just could not resist pranking you. You should have seen your face." She smiled as she embraced Mira warmly, pulling her gently into her lavish Abode.
"Come on in, make yourself at home. Or you can try too" Aliyah felt a little awkward seeing the way Mira cringed at how luxurious her condo was. "I know it's a bit too much..".
"A BIT MUCH" Mira echoed loudly at Aliyah's words, Surveying, the sprawling, extravagant space. Getting curious about the household, Mira asked quietly, "Aliyah, what's this place? How did you afford this?" Signaling the whole expensive items and antiques she was seeing around her.
"Let's get you settled first, then we can talk" Aliyah merely winked as she said this. She led Mira to a guest bedroom that was way larger than Mira's entire previous apartment.
The bedroom was painted white, featuring a white king sized bed, with a gold outline around it. A private balcony overlooking the city, a huge wardrobe at the side with a cool vanity table and an ensuite bathroom that looked like a luxury spa.
"Take your time unpacking. Dinner will be ready soon." Said Aliyah to Mira who gave her a face. "...What?" She asked being confused of why Mira gave her that face.
Mira huffed, "You are doing that stuff again."
"What stuff?" Still not getting wht Mira was insinuating.
"The part when you try to take me of a topic that I ask by offering me your delicious meal. It's not the first time but I still fall for it..." Sulked Mira making Aliyah burst out laughing.
"What's so funny? " she asked being confused of why Aliyah was laughing.
Aliyah calmed herself down a little before facing her friend, being careful not to blurt out her laughter anymore as it could annoy Mira.
"Mira-bee—"
"Why are you calling me Mira-bee?" Asked Mira folding her hands in front of Aliyah.
"Listen dear... I'm not taking you off the topic; I'm allowing you to sort yourself after that hectic journey. As I said earlier, Let's get you settled first—"
"—Then we could talk" butt in Mira completing Aliyah's sentence.
"Exactly darling... I'll be waiting for you while I make dinner." Aliyah turned around ready to leave the room when she heard Mira say grumpily.
"Don't think I've left you off the hook, Tuna."
"Sure" she replied leaving Mira all alone in the splendid room to sort her belongings.
××××-××××
××××-××××
After settling down and having a soothing shower, Mira joined Aliyah in the expansive dining area, where a gourmet meal of grilled salmon, roasted vegetables and quinoa was elegantly laid out.
'All this space—wouldn't ot echo with loneliness?' This made Mira wonder.
But the Aroma of the grilled salmon alone took Mira away from that thought when she heard her rumbling stomach.
Both of them paused and stared at each other for a while before they both chuckled. "I didn't know you were that hungry. Here have a bite" said Aliyah offering Mira the salmon she cut out.
Mira didn't argue.
Hunger won.
They ate for a moment in comfortable silence before Aliyah asked, "So, how are your dad and Aunt Joy doing?" She poured sparkling water into both glasses, bubbles fizzing.
Mira's smile softened. "They're good. Dad's still working like a machine, and Aunt Joy's garden could win awards. I tried not to drag them into my moving chaos—they worry too much."
"That's good to hear," Aliyah said. "Family's important. Just remember to call once you've settled in. They'll want proof you survived the big city."
Mira nodded, warmth settling in her chest.
Aliyah's tone shifted, businesslike but still friendly. "Now, about Wayne Corps. It's a beast, so tough —but a beautifully run beast. You'll be starting as an Assistant Manager in HR."
Mira nearly choked. "Assistant Manager? That's… more than I expected."
"You're sharp, quick, and you can solve problems before most people notice them," Aliyah said with a small smile. "My recommendation nudged your résumé forward, sure... but your qualifications sealed it."
She leaned back, explaining with an almost conspiratorial pride. "Wayne Corps isn't just a financial powerhouse. They've got stakes in everything: real estate, tech startups, green energy, luxury hospitality. Leonard Wayne—the CEO—is a visionary and a total workaholic. Runs the place with an iron fist but rewards competence above all. Decisions get made fast, backed by mountains of data. Market research, risk analysis, corporate social responsibility, a legal team that could scare governments—they've got it all. Their international branches run almost like independent kingdoms but answer to headquarters when it matters. Everything is tight, efficient, and very, very private."
Aliyah detailed Mira's role. "You'll guide new hires through onboarding, training, policies, all of it. Organize development workshops, keep records straight, process admin paperwork. HR is the company's backbone—it keeps the people, the real engine, moving. It's intense, but if you're serious about knocking out that debt, it's the perfect place to learn the ropes of a massive corporation."
The idea made Mira's pulse pick up again. Scary? Absolutely. But exciting in the best way.
---
Later that night they lounged in the vast living room, city lights spilling across the glass like glitter. Mira smirked. "Alright. You live in a palace, you're crushing it at work… anyone special I should know about?"
Aliyah actually blushed—rare enough to make Mira sit up. "Actually… yes. I'm seeing someone."
Mira gasped dramatically. "No way. Who? And you didn't tell me?"
"He's… private," Aliyah said, a touch of nerves in her voice. "It's new. I'll introduce you to him, when the time is right. For now, let's just say his world is… complicated."
"Complicated? Sounds more like mysterious. Is he famous? Rich? Secretly a rock star?"
Aliyah only laughed, shaking her head. "Later, Mira. For now, just know I'm happy. And with you here? Even happier."
---
Across the city, a different scene unfolded.
Leonard Wayne stepped from a sleek self-driving car onto the long stone drive of the Wayne estate— owned by The Wayne Family. a modern fortress of glass and concrete set deep in manicured acres. The house glowed against the night, elegant and private.
Inside, his grandfather George waited in the study, a tumbler of amber liquid catching the light. George's sharp eyes still carried the steel that built the family empire.
"Took you long enough," George said with a dry smile. "I assume you've heard about Mr. Barnes's latest attempt at social climbing?"
Leonard loosened his tie with a sigh. "Unfortunately. Diego told me this morning. The man's shameless—trying to pitch a 'marriage alliance' like I'm a commodity."
"Relax," George said, amusement flickering. "Your mother was ready with a scathing refusal before you even got here. Barnes thinks marrying his daughter into this family will save his floundering ventures. Some people never learn."
Leonard dropped into a leather armchair. "Exactly. And Jessica Barnes? She's too crazy. I'm not interested."
"Good," George said, sipping his drink. "Now, enough of him. Your sister Cece sends her love. She's finishing her last semester overseas—says she can't wait to come home, though I expect the usual whirlwind when she does."
A small smile touched Leonard's face. Cece's energy was unstoppable and lively, even though she was very annoying.
George continued the family report with a touch of pride. "Samantha's fashion line just landed a major deal in Paris. Jason's still in Africa with a wildlife group—driving your Uncle David crazy that he won't join the law firm. Robert's expanding eco-friendly developments, David's buried in international cases, Edward's funding archaeological digs, Frank's quietly building schools, and Gareth's making a fortune in disruptive tech. Every one of them carrying the Wayne legacy forward."
Leonard felt the tension ease from his shoulders. For all the corporate chaos, family stayed steady.
"As long as everyone's well—and no one's trying to marry me off—we're good," he said.
"But I was going to ask, when will you get married? I need Great-grandkids to keep me lively and I'm sure that your Father will agree with me." George cunningly suggested
Leonard frowned at his Grandfather who was being sneaky."When I see the right person, who's good for me, I'll let you know... But for now, you and my dad should not interfere in my matters"
George chuckled. "You're a Wayne. You set your own course. Now," his eyes sharpened with curiosity, "tell me about this quantum-computing investment I've been hearing whispers about."
Leonard's expression brightened, business mode sliding back in. "Ah, that," he said, leaning forward. "Here's where it gets interesting…" as both of them discussing more about the progress of their Company.