Chapter 74: déjà vu !!

The morning sun filtered through the canopies of the man-made forest that bordered the winding road to Cinder Square. Cool air brushed against the window of Miles’s car as he cruised along in silence, the engine humming like a lullaby beneath the faint jazz playing through the speakers.

As the trees thinned ahead, Miles’s eyes caught sight of a car pulled over by the roadside. Its hood was popped open, steam faintly rising into the air.

Miles gently pressed the brakes and slowed to a stop.

From behind the hood, a young man emerged—probably in his early twenties. He wore a crisp navy suit with polished shoes and a silver watch that sparkled in the light. His shirt was a bit untucked on one side, suggesting a rough morning, but he still looked like someone straight out of a business school brochure.

The man spotted Miles’s car and lifted a hopeful hand. “Hey, brother! Mind giving me a lift?”

Miles rolled down his window with a calm glance. “Where to?”

“To Cinder Square,” the young man replied quickly, brushing sweat from his brow. “I’ve got an appointment there. Super important. Can you drop me?”

Miles nodded once. “Get in.”

“You’re a lifesaver!” The man grinned and jogged over, sliding into the passenger seat.

As he settled in, his eyes widened with awe. “Damn! This car interior is on another level. Is this custom made?”

Miles gave a faint smile. “Kind of. Done by the company though.”

“Woah… That’s premium as hell. Feels like I’m riding in a CEO’s car.”

He extended a hand with easy confidence. “By the way, I’m Alec.”

“Miles,” he replied, shaking it briefly. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too, man. Seriously, you saved me. Nobody stops these days. I’ve got this huge thing at Cinder Square. Thought I was gonna be late.”

Miles glanced over briefly. “What kind of thing?”

Alec scratched the back of his head, a bit sheepish. “It’s a little embarrassing. My dad wants me to join his company. You know, family legacy, corporate grind and all that. But I really want to start my own thing. Be my own man.”

He exhaled with a dramatic sigh. “There are two shops vacant at the Cinder Square Tech Complex. I’ve already paid part of the advance. Thought if I’m gonna prove something, might as well do it where business is booming.”

Miles chuckled. “Sounds like your own little adventure.”

“Yeah—and it’s tiring as hell!” Alec groaned. “I used to wake up at noon. Now I’m up before the sun. My dad gave me a year to make it work. Just one.”

Miles nodded, glancing at the road. “All the best with that.”

“Thanks, man. What about you though? You work in Cinder Square too? You’ve definitely got the vibe of someone important.”

“I work in administration,” Miles replied, keeping it vague but truthful. “Cinder Square operations.”

Alec blinked. “Wait—you mean you work in that building that’s been all over the news lately?”

Miles nodded casually.

“No way!” Alec leaned forward, clearly intrigued. “I heard the new boss is a Sterling. Big name. In just a month, he’s made waves all over Star Harbor. You’re working under that guy?”

Miles gave a dry chuckle. “You’re quite the talkative man.”

“Right?” Alec grinned. “My girlfriend says the same thing. But hey, my college buddy works in your building. Says the new boss is a good guy. Gave him a raise, new benefits. Real generous. You’re lucky to have a boss like that, brother.”

Miles laughed inwardly, keeping his eyes on the road. The irony was delicious.

Moments later, he gently slowed down.

“We’ve arrived. That’s your tech complex, right there.”

Alec’s eyes lit up. “Oh hell yes. Thanks a ton, brother.”

He opened the door and stepped out, adjusting his suit. “We’re practically neighbors now. Swing by my store once it’s up. I’ll hook you up.”

Miles offered a calm nod. “Sure.”

With a wave and a grateful smile, Alec jogged off toward the building.

Miles pulled into the reserved parking zone of the adjacent tower—his tower. The glass facade of the building reflected the golden sky as he stepped out of the car, slipping into the world that Alec had unknowingly praised.

The stranger had no idea he’d just shared a ride with the very man he’d been talking about.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime as Miles stepped onto the 32nd floor of the Cinder Square Operations Tower. His sharp gaze swept over the sleek corridor as a chorus of respectful greetings followed.

“Good morning, Chairman,” several employees greeted with polite nods.

Miles offered a subtle blink and a faint smile, his version of a warm hello.

He strode into his private office—a minimalistic room with expansive glass windows overlooking Star Harbor. On the large interactive screen embedded into his desk, the morning’s reports flickered to life.

June, his ever-efficient executive assistant, followed him in with a tablet in hand.

“Boss, this week was very profitable again,” she announced with a bright smile.

Miles leaned back in his chair, arms crossing casually. “What do I even do with all this money now?” He chuckled. “Umm… I’m thinking about giving my family a new home.”

June’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! Shall I start looking for some good properties?”

“Yes,” Miles nodded. “Find me something exceptional—surprise me.”

“Got it, boss. I’ll get on it right away,” she said cheerfully, then paused. “Actually, I have one more piece of news for you.”

Miles raised a brow. “What is it?”

“There’s a man in Brightvale City looking to sell his entire jewelry store chain.”

“Interesting,” Miles mused. “What’s the business value like?”

“I’ve already done a full analysis,” June said, swiping across her tablet and showing him some projected charts. “The stores are consistently profitable. With the right marketing and upgrades, it could be even more successful.”

Miles’s gaze lingered on the screen. “Then why’s he selling it?”

June’s smile faded slightly. “He’s an old man. No heir. His daughter died in an accident a few years ago… and after that, his wife left him. He’s planning to retire and move somewhere quiet.”

Miles’s expression softened. “Hmm… Then let’s take it. Give him a good price. Make sure it feels like a respectful farewell to his legacy.”

June nodded. “I’ll move quickly. Some competitors are already circling.”

“Let them circle. Just make sure we land it.”

Later That Afternoon

The office grew quieter as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Miles sat at his desk, his expression unreadable as he studied a digital blueprint on his tablet—the interior layout of a warehouse, details marked in red by Monica.

The target for tonight.

Entrances, exits, guard shifts, heat sensor placements… all mapped out.

He had barely begun planning when June knocked and re-entered.

“Boss,” she said, “there are people waiting outside who want to meet you.”

Miles blinked, half-smiling to himself as he glanced toward the door.

“Come on…” he muttered. “I’m getting a serious déjà vu again.”

June offered a soft nod and stepped aside, leaving the door open.

Suddenly—

“Big brooo!”

Two little rockets launched into the room, their laughter bouncing off the glass walls.

Hope and Asher dashed across the sleek office floor, their tiny sneakers squeaking as they ran toward Miles, who instinctively opened his arms, momentarily stunned but smiling.

“Woah—! What are you two little chaos-makers doing here?” he said, catching Hope in one arm and ruffling Asher’s hair with the other. “Don’t tell me you came all the way here alone?”

He glanced toward the doorway.

And there she was.

Elena stood just outside the office, a soft smile on her face, her eyes tender. She held a large, neatly packed lunch basket in her hands.

“Mom?” Miles blinked.

“Hello,” Elena said gently. “I brought some lunch.”

Miles’s expression softened immediately. “Come in, Mom. Have a seat.”

June gave Elena a respectful smile and whispered, “I’ll leave you all to it, Boss,” before exiting quietly, closing the door behind her.

As the family settled in, Hope climbed onto the edge of a long leather sofa and spun around dramatically. “Big bro! Your office is sooo big!”

Asher was already at the corner, peeking out the tall windows overlooking the city. “Mom said all the buildings in the square are yours,” he said, spinning around with wide eyes. “That’s so cool!”

Miles chuckled. “I mean, technically, yeah… but I think the coffee shop on the corner is still holding out.”

Elena smiled warmly as she placed the lunch basket on a low glass table. “We’re not disturbing your work, are we?”

“Disturbing?” Miles scoffed playfully. “Mom, I have all the time in the world for you guys. June handles most things anyway. I’m just here looking important.”

Elena raised a brow and gave him a knowing look. “She’s a good girl, that June.”

Miles nodded. “Yeah. She’s smart. Gets things done. Quietly runs this place more than I do, to be honest.”

He took a whiff of the air, lifting the corner of the basket lid. “Wait a second… I can already smell something good in here. Is that your roast chicken?”

Elena chuckled, sitting beside him. “Woah you can tell, huh?”

“You know me too well.”

He turned toward the small desk console and tapped a button.

A soft chime sounded, and a uniformed attendant entered within seconds. “Sir?”

Miles gestured toward the basket. “Please bring us some dishes. Proper ones.”

“Yes, sir. Right away.”

In a matter of moments, elegant ceramic plates and polished cutlery were brought in on a tray. The assistant set them gently on the table before giving a courteous nod and stepping out, closing the door behind him.

The table shifted subtly with a mechanical hum—expanding from a modest coffee table to a sleek, matte-black dining surface. The office around them faded into quiet again, save for the city sounds muffled behind the glass.

Hope and Asher eagerly climbed onto their chairs, grinning with anticipation as Elena began unpacking containers of warm, homecooked food. The scent of seasoned rice, chicken, and sautéed vegetables filled the air.

Miles looked around at the sight—his mother smiling softly while setting the plates, the twins excitedly chatting over whose turn it was to pick dessert, the familiar aroma of Elena’s cooking…

It almost didn’t feel like a skyscraper office anymore.

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