The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Raymond's beach house. He adjusted his navy tie and grabbed his briefcase.
Nelson was already waiting outside in the company sedan. He held two coffee cups and wore his characteristic enthusiastic smile.
"Morning, Mr. Sterling! Ready to change the world today?"
"Let's start with changing New Harbor's retail landscape," Raymond replied.
He accepted the coffee gratefully. "Then we'll work our way up to world domination."
The drive to the office was filled with Nelson's briefing, but Raymond's mind wandered to Luna.
Something about their interaction on the plane had stayed with him. She'd seemed genuinely happy for brief moments, like glimpses of the girl he'd known in college.
"Sir? The elevator's here," Nelson's voice snapped him back to reality.
The conference room was buzzing with energy when they arrived.
Diana had prepared detailed presentations. Jake was armed with financial projections.
Even Marcus looked excited about something, which was unusual for the normally reserved project coordinator.
"Alright, everyone," Raymond began, standing at the head of the polished table.
"I've been thinking about our strategy. I want to do something different. Something that will make our mall not just successful, but legendary."
Diana leaned forward. Her eyes were bright with curiosity. "What did you have in mind?"
"Local power, global appeal," Raymond said.
He clicked to his first slide. "We're going to create a platform for local businesses to expand. We'll also bring in the biggest international brands. Think of it as an ecosystem, we nurture local talent while providing world-class shopping experiences."
"Explain that," Sarah requested. Her legal mind was already working through the implications.
"We reserve thirty percent of our retail space for local companies, restaurants, boutiques, artisan shops. We don't just rent them space. We help them grow, provide marketing support, and connect them with our international brands for potential partnerships."
Jake's eyes widened. "That's... actually brilliant. Local businesses have built-in community loyalty, but they usually can't compete with big chains on marketing and presentation."
"Exactly. We become their partner, not just their landlord. Meanwhile, we bring in anchor brands and investors from Europe and Asia. These are companies that want to enter the American market but need local credibility."
Marcus nodded approvingly. "And we invite unique brands from other states. This creates a destination shopping experience."
"Now here's the timeline," Raymond continued, his voice gaining momentum.
"The construction deadline is one month. That gives us exactly four weeks to finalize everything, test all systems, and prepare for our grand opening."
The room fell silent for a moment. Nelson whistled low.
"One month?" Diana asked carefully. "That's... ambitious."
"It's necessary. We need to establish market dominance before our competition gains momentum. This brings me to the grand opening. We need a celebrity brand ambassador. Someone with genuine star power."
The team exchanged excited glances. Jake practically bounced in his chair.
"Are we talking A-list celebrity here?" he asked eagerly.
"We're talking whoever makes the biggest impact. I want every person in the tri-state area talking about our opening." Raymond looked around the table. "Think big. Who embodies luxury, success, and local pride?"
"I have some contacts in entertainment PR," Diana offered. "Let me make some calls."
"Perfect. Diana, you're lead on celebrity relations. Sarah, I need you to fast-track all remaining legal requirements. Jake, work with our international contacts on brand partnerships. Marcus, construction oversight is your priority."
The meeting continued for another hour. Energy built as ideas flowed.
Raymond found himself genuinely impressed by his team's enthusiasm and creativity. When they finally dispersed, Nelson stayed behind.
"Sir, would you like to visit the construction site now?"
"Absolutely. I need to see what we're actually building."
The drive to the construction site took twenty minutes through New Harbor's developing business district.
Nothing, however, could have prepared Raymond for the sight that greeted them upon arrival.
The Sterling Mall rose from the construction site like a modern colosseum. The structure was massive, easily the size of a football stadium.
Its sleek glass and steel architecture caught and reflected the harbor's blue waters.
"My God," Raymond breathed. He stepped out of the car.
Marcus jogged over from a cluster of hard-hatted supervisors. His face was beaming with pride. "Impressive, right? Let me give you the full tour."
They started with the underground levels, two full floors of parking. They were designed with wide lanes and premium lighting.
"Capacity for three thousand vehicles," Marcus explained. "A smart parking system tracks available spots."
The ground floor was a cathedral of retail space.
"Twenty-four shop sections," Marcus continued as they walked through the skeleton of what would become the main shopping area.
"Each with customizable layouts, high ceilings, natural lighting, and premium materials throughout."
The first floor housed four movie theaters with stadium seating and the latest projection technology.
"Plus our food court and casual dining section," Marcus added. "Fifteen restaurants and cafes, from fast-casual to upscale bistros."
But the second floor was where Raymond's breath caught.
The sea view restaurant occupied an entire corner. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided panoramic harbor views.
A crystal-clear protective barrier would allow diners to feel connected to the water while remaining comfortable.
"And this," Marcus said, leading them to the third floor, "Is our VIP level."
"It has a sky view restaurant, luxury boutiques, and exclusive brands. This is where we'll host private events and cater to high-end clients."
Raymond stood silent for several minutes. He absorbed the magnitude of what they were creating. This wasn't just a mall—it was a destination, a statement, a legacy.
"Marcus, this is incredible work. How realistic is our one-month deadline?"
"Challenging but doable. We're running three shifts. The weather's cooperating. Your grandfather's influence has eliminated most bureaucratic delays."
"Good. I want safety as the top priority, but I also want perfection. Every detail matters."
As they drove back toward the city, Raymond felt a mix of excitement and pressure building in his chest.
The sun was setting, shining the harbor in shades of gold and crimson.
"Nelson, would you mind if I drove myself home tonight? You could take a cab from here."
Nelson looked surprised but nodded readily. "Of course, sir. You've had a big day. Sometimes a man needs to drive and think."