The morning sun cast a golden haze over the sprawling grounds of the Sterling family estate, a mansion that spoke of old money and quiet power.
Raymond, dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his broad shoulders, walked through the manicured gardens, the crisp air a stark contrast to the previous night's smoky bar and hazy memories.
He felt a familiar sense of purpose returning, a focus that had been clouded by alcohol, sex and the bombshells dropped by Marcus.
He started to his familiar family estate and reached the library.
He found his grandfather, Elias Sterling, in the grand study, the scent of aged leather and pipe tobacco hanging in the air. The old man sat in his high-backed chair, a chessboard laid out on a table before him, the pieces perfectly aligned as if in a standoff.
"Grandpa," Ray said, his voice cold, "I came to say goodbye and to discuss a few things before I leave."
Elias didn't look up, his gaze fixed on the chessboard. "The pieces are set, Raymond. You have your queen, your knights, your rooks. What move will you make?"
Ray understood the metaphor immediately. "I'm not playing on the defensive anymore," he stated, pulling up a chair and leaning forward. "I've decided I'm handling the Daniel issue myself. Marcus's findings were clear enough."
Elias finally looked at him, his eyes sharp and analytical. "And how do you propose to deal with him? He is a snake, and he has a lot of connections. A direct confrontation would be… messy."
"I'm not looking for a direct confrontation. I'm going to deal with him through what he values most: his business," Ray explained, a cold, calculating glint in his eyes.
"He wanted to swallow our company? I'll make him watch as his own empire crumbles. I'll make him regret ever thinking he could touch us."
A slow, proud smile spread across Elias's face.
"That's my grandson. A ruthless player. I like it. But what about Luna?"
"Ah, Luna," Ray said, the name a strange mix of annoyance and nostalgia.
"She's the wildcard. The new Harbour City mall project is a two-way street. She's trying to establish a foothold, but I see a perfect opportunity."
He stood up and began to pace, his mind already spinning with strategies. "I want to put every resource we have into this project. I want the most aggressive team, the best architects, and the fastest contractors. I want to build that mall so fast, so magnificently, that she'll be a non-issue before she even starts."
Elias chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "You want to crush her spirit before she even has a chance to show off? Interesting. A good move. A very good move indeed."
He picked up a black knight and moved it, knocking over a white pawn. "Consider it done. I will instruct the board to give you unlimited support.
Daniel will get a front-row seat to your triumph. Now, let's go have lunch. Your mother has been waiting."
Lunch was a rare, intimate affair. Ray's parents, William and Maria, joined them at a circular table on the veranda. The conversation was light, filled with Maria's gentle concern about his travels and William's quiet pride.
It was a moment of normalcy, a brief respite from the high-stakes world he was about to step back into.
Maria reached across the table and held his hand. "Be careful, my son. And call us when you land."
"I will, Mom," Ray promised, squeezing her hand.
As he said his goodbyes and climbed into the sleek, black car, he felt a knot in his stomach. The tranquility of his family's home contrasted sharply with the storm brewing inside him.
He was no longer just a businessman; he was a vengeful son, a grieving friend, and an adversary to a woman who was both his greatest rival and the one person who truly understood him.
At the airport, he was whisked through a private terminal to the tarmac. The midday sun glinted off the fuselages of several private jets, an ostentatious display of wealth that was the norm in his world.
He started walking towards his plane, a sleek Gulfstream G700, when a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up beside him. The car he had seen last night.
The door opened, and Luna stepped out. She was even more striking in the daylight, her white dress a perfect contrast to her dark hair and commanding presence. She looked at him, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.
"Raymond,"she said, her voice a cool melody. "Small world. I figured you would be leaving today."
"Luna," he replied, the name feeling both foreign and familiar on his tongue.
"Coincidence? Or were you planning to track my flights?"
A slight, knowing smile played on her lips. "A little of both, perhaps. The Sterling family's travel itinerary is an open secret in certain circles. I just happened to be on my way to New Harbour City myself. The perfect opportunity to get a head start on our little competition."
They walked side-by-side toward the tarmac bus, the silence between them charged with unspoken history. As they boarded, Luna gestured to a large, opulent private jet a few hundred feet away.
"My plane is just over there," she said. "Why don't you join me? We can talk business… or whatever it is we do."
Ray's curiosity was piqued. He was used to their rivalry being a constant, but this offer was a step into a grey area.
He agreed, a smirk on his face. "I suppose it would be a shame to waste this opportunity. The enemy of my enemy is… well, you're not my enemy, but you're certainly my rival. And I'm always curious about my rival's plans."
They walked onto her plane, and Ray was immediately struck by the sheer luxury of it. The interior was a study in minimalist elegance, with cream-colored leather seats and dark wood accents. It was chic and modern, a reflection of Luna herself.
They settled into facing seats, a small table between them, and the plane began to taxi.
"So, to business," Luna began, her tone all business. "I'm building the most innovative mall in the city. A nexus of art, technology, and commerce. A place that will redefine the urban experience."
"An ambitious goal," Ray acknowledged. "My goal is a bit simpler. I'm building a mall that will make yours obsolete before it even opens. A fortress of commerce. A place where every person in the city will want to be."
A laugh escaped Luna's lips, a genuine, joyful sound that reminded Ray of her younger, unburdened self. "You've always been so… dramatic, Ray. So, what's your game plan this time? Are you still as blockhead arrogant as you used to be?"
The question was a soft jab, and it opened a floodgate of memories. They talked about their college days, the fierce academic competitions, and the games they played to outdo each other.
He remembered the time he secretly helped her with a complex engineering problem, and she, in turn, shared a key piece of information that helped him ace his business final.
"Remember that time you tried to beat my sales record by selling your father's old car?" Luna asked, a hint of a smile in her voice.
"You were so proud until I sold ten of my paintings in a single day. You were so mad."
"I wasn't mad," Ray protested. "I was impressed by your skill and beauty."
She laughed again. "Sure you were. And what about that time you found out Julian and I were working on a project together, and you got all possessive?"
Ray's expression hardened slightly. The mention of Julian, his name so carefree on her lips, brought back a wave of pain. He watched as her smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding.
"I'm sorry, Ray,"she said softly. "I know, I shouldn't have brought it up and i should have contacted you or been there for you."
"It's fine," he said. "It was a long time ago."
The playful banter between them died, replaced by a comfortable silence. They were two people with a shared past, navigating a present filled with pain and professional rivalry.
For a moment, they weren't enemies or friends. They were just two old souls, suspended in the air, between what they were and what they were becoming.
There was always a hidden spark and Connection between them, Ray being the arrogant Prick never acted like one towards Luna, She being a ice Goddess never acted as one towards Ray. They had a mutual understanding.
The captain's voice announced their descent into New Harbour City, and the silence was broken.
They landed smoothly, and as they walked to their respective company cars, they fell back into their familiar roles.
"I'll see you around, Raymond," Luna said, her voice now sharp and professional. "I hope you brought your A-game. I wouldn't want to win too easily."
"Don't worry, Luna," he replied, a pretty smile on his face. "You won't have to."
He noticed she turned back into her usual cold emotionless nature so he pretended to be same, He saw something that looked weird as she was winking at him while getting in the car like she used to do at their old college after passing her exams.
They each got into their cars, the doors shutting with a definitive click. Ray watched as her sleek, black car drove away, the rear window revealing nothing but a reflection of the sprawling city.
He took a deep breath, the air of New Harbour City feeling different, charged with opportunity and risk.
His story had just begun.