One week later (Saturday)

Xavier's POV 

For some reason, King's Empire had been making huge amounts of profit lately and the rate at which our services were being required had skyrocketed. I mean it's a really good thing and I'm very glad that such blessing had befallen us but it has been a while since we had experienced such...what's the right word to use...breakthrough. Yeah, breakthrough. And I was hoping that whatever was causing this blessing would continue to do so.

I was looking intently at the green arrow that advanced upwards on my laptop screen, indicating the level of our profits as the difference between the present percentage showing boldly on the screen and the previous one was great by a total of 76.82%. 

Still looking at the continually elevating arrow, I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face as I sipped my coffee and continued working on my laptop. It was 8:30a.m. and I was currently in my office, working. A knock came from the door.

"Come in."

Tyson walked in and dropped some files on my desk.

"Here you go, sir. These are the files for your hotel branches in Toronto, Ontario and for your touring centres in Cape Verde. The files from your event centres and resorts will be here tomorrow. I just received a call from your hotel site in Hong Kong. All necessary machineries and equipment have been shipped to them and the construction work has commenced. They should be done six months from now."

"Good, so everything's going as planned?"

"Yes sir. And sir?"

"Yes?"

“You've noticed the high rise in our profits lately, right?” He asked with a huge smile on his face.

“Yes I have. Do you have any information about what the cause might be?” I asked, still typing some things on my laptop.

"Yes sir, I do. Apparently, a very prominent person spent a night in your hotel here in New York about last week Tuesday. She was caught on camera by a few reporters and a lot of wealthy figures have been visiting your hotels, travel and tour centres and booking the event centres since then."

My hands froze mid air, with my index finger hovering over my keyboard as I stopped typing and looked up at him.

"So you're saying that the way our company has been making great profit this past week, is all because of this prominent person?"

He nodded his head in agreement and answered, 

"Yes sir. She's very successful and influential and because of her visit, your business has been gaining a lot of attention lately."

"Hmm..." I hummed and nodded my head. 

"Uhmm sir?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think she'll give a review about her stay there?"

"I don't know, but you said she stayed there last week Tuesday, right?" He nodded in agreement.

"Well, if she wanted to give a review, then I think she would have done that since, but let's just use her visit to our advantage for now and hope that if she does give a review, it will be a good one."

"Okay sir."

"Yes, thanks for the info, Tyson."

"You're welcome, sir," he said and left my office.

Around 10a.m., Tyson's voice came through the intercom.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"You have a phone call. It's from Mr Arthur."

"Ok, direct it to me."

"Yes sir," he did as I said and I answered the call.

"Good day, Mr Arthur."

"Good day, Mr King."

"How is your day going, sir?" I asked.

"Very well, thank you and yours?"

"It's going fine as well, thank you sir. But to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"It's nothing much. I just wanted to say that my daughter is well settled in and also to appreciate you for your efforts."

"Oh, there's nothing to it, sir. We'll be partners soon and you'll be helping me a great deal in expanding this business, the least I can do is give your daughter a place to stay in."

"I know, but we won't be partners until weeks later, yet you insisted that I need not pay for the house."

"It's fine sir, it really is. See it as a token of my gratitude for your sons agreeing to be partners with me even with the business still being a small establishment."

"Yes it is small for now since it's only in New York but my sons saw a bright future ahead of this business and were able to convince me too. As soon as I saw your projects, I knew instantly that they made the right choice."

"Thank you very much, sir. I promise you all that you won't regret working with me."

"I know we won't. I'll leave you to work now. Goodbye Mr King."

"Good bye Mr Arthur," I said and waited for him to hang up.

Last week Tuesday, Mr Arthur had called to tell me that his daughter was looking for a place to stay and he sent me the pictures of the house she chose, which happened to be the vacant house next to mine.

I gave her the house but refused to receive payment since the Arthurs and I will soon be partners in the real estate business. They own their oil and gas business worldwide and are very wealthy, successful billionaires.

The business is run by his three sons overseeing different branches each. I saw that they'd be able to help in expanding my real estate business, so I met with them. It wasn't easy but I was finally able to convince them.

While doing my work, Tyson's voice came through the intercom again.

"Sir, sorry to disturb you but you have a visitor."

"Ok who is it?"

"It's—" But before he could finish his sentence, the one, whose name we shall not mention, stormed through the door. I groaned and shut my eyes.

"Thanks Tyson." I grumbled and looked up to meet the death glare sent to me by none other than my best friend, Ryan. He was standing with arms crossed over his chest.

I loosened my neck tie and rested back on my seat. Looking at my wristwatch to check the time, I greeted,

"Good afternoon, Ryan."

He didn't say anything and his glare hardened even more.

"It's too early for this, Ryan."

He scoffed and finally spoke.

"Too early? TOO EARLY?! I've been calling and texting you this past week and you've neither been answering nor returning my calls. The last time I spoke to you, you hung up on me, ON ME!"

If you guys didn't know, well now you do, Ryan Steele was dramatic. I sighed and gestured to the seat opposite my desk.

"Well, won't you have a seat?" 

Again he didn't answer and continued glaring.

"Ryan, I'm sorry. I've been busy a lot. You know I need to work very hard in order to keep this business from crumbling."

I tried to convince him but he still didn't change his stance.

"Dude, I don't know what to say to convince you, but I'm really sorry."

I saw his eyes start to glisten with tears. I tried to hold back my laughter because Ryan couldn't stare at something for too long. Back in school, he'd always be the first to lose in a staring or focus contest.

He looked away and started to blink back the tears. He looked back at me and seeing my expression, he pointed a finger at me.

"Don't you dare laugh at me."

He said and finally sat down.

"I'm only sitting because my legs hurt, I'm still mad at you."

"Ryan, you know how much this business means to me. If anything goes wrong, I won't be able to forgive myself."

He sighed and leaned back in his seat.

"Man, I know how hard you're trying to impress your dad, but if you continue like this, you'll die of excessive stress."

I sighed and ran my hand down my face. He continued,

"Try to understand me, I'm not saying you shouldn't work hard, I'm just saying you should alternate between leisure time and work hours. Try to relax and chill, that's what weekends are for, you know. But you are letting your work life clash with your personal life and that's not good. Trust me, it will be the death of you."

I thought about it for a bit before replying.

"Ok, but it will be quite difficult. I don't know any relaxation centre or stuff like that and don't expect me to give up work so easily for that."

"Man, you own hotels and resorts, yet you don't know any leisure venues. Well, don't worry, the King of leisure time will help you," he said proudly.

"Really? Where is he?" I said teasingly.

"Me! Dummy" he exclaimed with a moue on his face.

"Ok your highness. Now I have to get back to work."

"Nuh- uh, no way. It's the weekend. We're commencing project 'Fun' from today. Now get your ass up and follow me," he said, already standing up.

"But I still have work to do. How about tomorrow?"

His face formed back into a glare and he crossed his arms over his chest again.

"Don't make me drag your idiot self out of this company, because I promise you it's going to be so embarrassing you won't want to step a foot into this company ever again and you're going to wish you'd followed me like a lost puppy," he said all this in one breath.

"But—" I started but I was cut off by his growl and 'Dare me' look. He actually growled at me.

I stood up and grabbed my suit jacket as quick as I could. There was no denying what Ryan could do. He was a man of his words. If he said he was going to embarrass me, then I was damn sure he wouldn't miss a chance to.

"Ok. So, where are we going?" I asked.

He brushed off the imaginary specks of dust on his shoulders and said with a proud look while sporting a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Leave that to me."

Galaxia's POV 

"Laxy, have you chosen a dress for the get-together?"

"Yes mom, I have."

"What about shoes?"

"That too."

"Have you—"

"Mom, everything I need is ready," I interrupted her in annoyance.

"Gee, calm down. I just wanted to make sure you don't forget anything."

"I won't, mom. What are you guys doing?" I could hear some rustling and I could also make out a lot of murmured, incoherent voices in the background.

"Oh Kate and I are at the store. We decided to go grocery shopping," she sang excitedly.

My mom is so ecstatic about this get-together. She arrived in New York yesterday, saying she wanted to help in preparations for the dinner. 

Apparently, Mr Crowne had a meeting to attend in London, so my dad decided to stay behind to have their own get-together there.

"Laxy honey, Kate would like to speak with you."

"Mom, I really need to go. I have this important contract to sign. I'll see her at the dinner, ok mom?"

"But Laxy—"

"Love you very much. See ya,” I said hurriedly and hung up.

I was currently at home but I lied to avoid speaking with her. My dad had taken care of the house issue and I must say I was very impressed by the modern furnishes and the regal yet simple and comfortable look. It was quiet and had a nice view, but I was hoping to never run into neighbours. 

What truly impressed me though and made me truly agree with this choice were the beautiful sceneries of the highlands, the beach, the skyscrapers in the city that seemed to reach out their peaks to the skies and the horizon that seemed to impress me everytime as the sun kisses the ocean at sunsets, painting the sky in a splash of beautiful colours and the moon shines brightly at night with thousands of stars visible in the sky, perfect for stargazing.

It didn't have a gym room though, so I had to exercise in the private gym built for the residents of the estate. I always went very early to avoid meeting anyone. That was the only downside to the house but everything else was a pass.

So far, it had been good and since I fired those two fools and made a very good example of them, it seemed like the level of fear my employees had for me had increased greatly. No one had dared to look me in the eyes and they had all been working diligently.

It was past 1p.m. and I was currently watching a movie and eating my usual snacks. 

Ring Ring Ring 

I checked my phone and saw Adrien's name as the caller ID. Why was he calling me now? I paused the movie and answered it.

"Laxy?"

"Hmm?"

"Turn on your laptop and go on Skype."

"But—" he hung up before I could finish.

I groaned in annoyance and grabbed my laptop. I did what he said and appearing on my screen were Noah, Kyle and Adrien's annoying faces.

"Hi Gala!" they chorused simultaneously.

"Keep it down. What is it? Why'd you call?"

"We miss you," they chorused again and I rolled my eyes at them.

"We're going to see each other in a few hours and we had dinner together three weeks ago, remember?"

"Yeah, but we can't wait to see you again," Adrien said and the other two nodded their heads as they pouted. I rolled my eyes again.

"Have you guys arrived in New York?"

"Yeah. We're just heading to a hotel from the airport. We're hoping to take a nap before prepping for the dinner," Kyle answered.

"Ok, sounds good."

"Gala?" Adrien says softly, fluttering his eyelashes.

"Yeah? What do you want?" I answered as I shoved a spoon of ice cream into my mouth and stuffed my face with chips.

"Can't we just come to your place and we'll all head to the dinner together. We heard you got a house."

"Nuh- uh. No way. Never. Nope. You can't. It's better you just head to the hotel, there's not enough room for all of us. Sorry," I retorted quickly and my words came out incoherently but my intentions were as clear as day.

"Come on, Gala. Please..."

"Nope. No way. Not happening. I'll see you guys at the dinner, Ok? Have a wonderful siesta. Kip well. Love y'all. Byeee."

"But Gala—" I hung up on them and continued my movie, still stuffing my face.

After a few hours, I checked the time to see it was past 4p.m. I cleaned up and head to the bathroom to take a shower. 

I brushed my teeth again and went to the closet to dress up.

While dressing up, my phone beeped, indicating a text. I opened and saw it was from my mom. She had sent me the address and a "Don't be late. Dinner starts by 6p.m."

I dressed up, tied my hair into a bun and applied light makeover. I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs towards my car.

I locked my doors and entered the car. Inputting the address into the GPS system, I started the car and started making my way to this get- together.

I wonder what'll happen there. . .