Luis Ray's POV
"Pablo."
"Yes, sir?"
"Prepare a complete portfolio of all remote lands we currently own. Domestic and international. Prioritize those far from major cities. Low population density. Stable terrain."
Pablo didn't question him.
"I'll have everything ready before noon."
Good.
I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping lightly against the mahogany desk.
Mia wanted remote land.
Safe land.
And if what she said about the future was true.
Then I needed to move faster than everyone else.
Still, there were documents waiting for my signature. Government contracts. Investor approvals. The revised bid for the Hawaii island.
Felix Hill won't like this, I thought.
But I don't care.
If buying that island means protecting the native families living there, I'll do it. Profit isn't everything.
I glanced at the clock.
10:12 a.m.
Too slow.
Focus.
I returned to reading the contracts, but my mind wandered.
Mia.
When we were children, she was the noisy one.
Always running through their garden during family gatherings. Always dragging me into games I pretended not to enjoy.
I was quiet. Reserved. Watching.
But I always followed her.
She'd talk endlessly about building treehouses and secret bases. I'd listen and nod.
She never noticed how much I liked her company.
I was too shy to say it.
Too careful.
And then we grew up.
And Kevin appeared beside her.
My jaw tightened.
No.
This time, I won't stand back.
If the world is truly ending.
Then I won't let another man take her.
I glanced at the clock again.
10:47 a.m.
Why is time slower today?
Mia's POV
The clock on my office wall ticked louder than usual.
Every second felt expensive.
Dad had told me last night, "Ask for anything. We'll prepare."
Mom was already researching hydroponic systems. She even sent me three suppliers this morning for indoor vegetable production. If we build a bunker, we can grow fresh produce inside.
One month underground wouldn't be impossible.
But I needed land first.
Safe land.
Isolated.
And stable.
My office overlooked the construction district blueprints, scale models, design drafts surrounding me. As Head of Research and Development for Sustainable Infrastructure in my father's company, I handled long-term housing innovations, disaster-resistant structures, modular evacuation shelters, eco-integrated hotel projects.
Before that?
I was just a junior assistant under the Marketing Division.
Under Kevin.
I smiled faintly.
Back then, he was charismatic. Polished. Gentle. The perfect senior executive. Head of Strategic Marketing and International Expansion responsible for brand positioning, investor relations, and global partnerships.
He didn't know who I was at first.
And that's how I fell for him.
One evening, I stayed late to finish campaign analytics. The board had scheduled an emergency review. Dad came personally to check on the team.
Kevin saw us talking.
He saw the way Dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
He heard Dad say, "Don't overwork yourself, Mia."
The next day, Kevin's attitude shifted.
He became attentive.
Protective.
Interested.
And I was young enough to believe it was love.
Later, I learned the truth.
The Chairman's daughter was the ultimate promotion.
At first, he only wanted me in his bed.
Now..
He wants my last name.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in."
Kevin stepped inside, wearing his usual charming smile.
"Mia."
He walked closer, hands in his pockets.
"Can we have lunch together today? It's been a while. I miss eating with my girlfriend."
Girlfriend.
The word almost amused me.
"I have a lunch meeting," I replied smoothly.
"With who?"
"Luis Ray. We're discussing a potential joint development project between our company and his."
His smile stiffened for half a second.
Luis Ray.
CEO of Aetherion Land & Holdings — one of the largest land acquisition and eco-development corporations in the country.
Powerful.
Influential.
Untouchable.
Kevin forced a small laugh. "Ah. Business."
"Yes. Purely business."
He studied my face, searching for something.
"Dinner later?" he asked.
"I can't. Mom and I are going out tonight."
A lie.
But a necessary one.
He nodded slowly.
"Alright. Next time."
He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
I resisted the urge to wipe it off.
"Good luck with your meeting," he said, smiling.
But there was something sharp behind it.
When he left, I exhaled slowly.
11:27 a.m.
Time.
I stood and grabbed my blazer.
"Sharon," I told my secretary, "I'll step out for lunch. I'll be back this afternoon."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The walk across the street was short.
But stepping into Aetherion Land & Holdings' headquarters felt like entering another world.
The building itself was breathtaking.
Glass walls intertwined with vertical gardens. Solar-paneled roofing. Rainwater harvesting channels built seamlessly into the structure. Indoor trees reaching toward skylights.
Eco-luxury.
Intentional.
Luis always cared about sustainability.
And people.
Pablo greeted me in the lobby.
"Miss Norton. Mr. Ray is expecting you."
He guided me to the private executive floor.
When the office doors opened, I paused.
Luis' office was… different.
Elegant, yes, but warm.
Dark wood accents. A large bookshelf lining one wall. Framed photographs, not of awards, but of landscapes. Islands. Forests. Coastal villages.
One photo caught my eye.
The Hawaii island.
He keeps memories close, I thought.
Luis stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass window, back facing me, overlooking the city skyline.
Tall. Still. Composed.
For a second, I felt like we were children again.
I stepped inside quietly.
"Hello, Luis," I said softly. "Should I congratulate you first… or thank you?"
He turned slowly.
Serious expression.
Controlled posture.
But his eyes..
His eyes were different.
Warm.
Relieved.
Almost… excited.
"Mia," he said.
Just my name.
But it felt heavier than anything else.
My heart pounded.
Did he find something?
Did he believe me?
I stepped closer.
"Well?" I asked, a small mysterious smile playing on my lips. "Can you help me?"
His gaze held mine.
And for the first time.
I saw certainty in it.
I hope this is the moment, I thought.
Because the clock is ticking.
And I need to start building.