Zero To Billionaire

code Sarah had emailed him, the gleaming marble flooring of the lobby mirrored his tense gait: "We must speak. This e

king ambition. He had staggered home in desperation and disgrace back then. He now questioned if she had g

more certain, with his shoulders set and his eyes full of purpose. He looked at his phone: Populati

el. He located her apartment number and knocked with

irt and a flawlessly fitted jacket. Just as he recalled, a single strand of hair fell li

teous, yet aloof tone. She moved to make

which included a marble-topped console, an imported-looking sculptured lamp, and a vase

to say, "N

eased. corporate benefit. S

, hands folded neatly on her lap, legs cros

avily on the stillness. A

ing for BlackSt

was officially dismissed.

ma was always drawn to you." She glanced at hi

"Mission: Rekindle an old connection." Gain 2% more popula

s lips. "Best wishes on your new

a deep breath. Indeed. We have offices, a small

rcing. "How is your

d. "What d

g up with you on social media. When you left BlackStar and exp

chuckle. "I do no

acerbic tone. "I saw the increase mo

"I would rather create something

lmost disheartened. "Do

e agitate

, John. I wanted to know whether you we

"You wanted to kno

or three years, you were my boyfriend. Since th

ed aside. He had interrupted Sarah and Mark that evenin

" he muttered.

You allowed Mark to take advantage of you. I... She s

softer. "

ide. "All right. You are deceived, bankrupt, and dismis

e effective than the sticky web

well for myself. At Sterling & Pines, seni

a nod. "W

n available to you. After you left BlackStar, you received offers for

ade a decision ba

losed her eyes. "Bel

o, why did you

. "In part." She let out a breath. "

e had not anticipated a mixture of reli

e shrugged off the admission after that. "H

nodded. "I

as filled with the quiet hum of t

w. Below, the city lights glistened. She cro

tens

k to steal from you if

edges. John's chest constric

said calmly. "I thought I would be

dshake. "Naïvet

r. "Perhaps. However, it

ewhat softened. "You are

tle, sadly. "No.

g him. At last, she let out a br

caught him off guard as he g

ng the place of vulnerability. "

tly touched her arm. Her eyes never t

ll," h

-

ul now. She was a reminder of a history he had outgrown, a chapter of failure and reliance. By closing those doors, he

's Club app in his flat. The

the present. Express thankfulness

at the prompt. He hit th

c reassurance for once. On

arah she knew, grinned to himself as the