Rebirth: Love me Again

"Did you guys receive the sushi I ordered for you?" I asked, dialing the number for QuantumLyfe's HQ.

Michael's familiar laugh echoed through the line. "Yeah! Everyone here was thrilled when they finally got to eat that gourmet sushi. Why are you suddenly feeling so generous? That must have cost a fortune!"

I smirked, though he couldn't see it. "I hope it did." I hope Zachary wiled from the price.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it. A little luxury food now and then is necessary to keep everyone motivated. You know how demanding it is to push forward with NanoTech development."

"By the way, when will we see our first action with the nanobots?" I asked, leaning back in my chair, my fingers tapping the edge of the desk.

"Give it a few more months," Michael replied, his tone steady. "We're just finishing some final touches."

A few months . . . I thought. Sinclair's beloved Sebastian would still be around by then, or so I hoped. Maybe we still had time.

"Alright. Keep me updated the moment something moves."

"Of course. Talk soon."

When the call ended, I turned to see Claire eyeing the stack of papers on the table. Her gaze was curious, tinged with something unspoken. "Was that Michael Blair?"

"Yes, it was." I shifted gears, walking over to the pile of documents she held in her hands. These weren't just papers—they were the blueprints for transformation.

They were land titles. Properties I had meticulously sought out, every inch of dirt ready to be turned into something greater.

I was going to build condominiums in these locations. At first glance, it looked like nothing more than a barren wasteland, but I saw the future hidden beneath the dirt.

Soon, mega-construction projects would rise, and Developers would bring malls, BPOs, and office buildings to the place, turning the forgotten land into a thriving hub of activity.

After my meeting with Claire, she left the café, I pulled out my tablet and checked the stock market. The volatile market was practically begging for action, so I played a little, making quick moves.

In just a few hours, I earned a few million. Pocket change for some, but for me? It was the perfect fuel for my condominium venture.

This wasn't just any project—it was personal. My little pet project after cutting ties with the Rosette family.

Of course, I needed something to keep me living comfortably, and those millions I made on the side were perfect for funding this dream. But it was more than just business—it was freedom.

Like they say, "If you bet big, you win big," but only if you know exactly how the game will unfold. If not, you'll lose it all. I wasn't the type to lose.

I spent the next few hours running through everything—assets, accounts, investments. Every piece of the puzzle was falling into place. Everything was on track.

At this rate, I could pay off old man Sinclair ahead of schedule. Not that he expected it, but I wanted to make sure he knew I wasn't playing around.

"Oh shit, I forgot my wallet."

The words caught my attention, pulling my gaze to the table just beside mine. Sitting there was a man with long, pink hair brushing his shoulders. His clothes were shabby, the kind that barely fit the trendy image one might expect.

Yet, there was something about him—something intriguing. If it had been any other man with hair that long, I would've been repulsed.

I like men, neat and tidy, but that's just my personal reference.

But this guy? He wasn't handsome in the traditional sense like Cole or Zachary, but he had a striking look, an almost androgynous appeal that was hard to ignore.

"I'm sorry, miss, but can I come back later to pay for this?" he asked, his tone polite yet urgent.

The waitress gave him a skeptical look, crossing her arms over her chest. "Egh? Don't think that just 'cause you're cute, you can walk out of here without paying," she snapped. "I'll get in trouble if you don't settle the bill."

The man winced, clearly flustered. "It's not like I don't plan to pay," he insisted, scratching his head in frustration. "I just lost my wallet, that's all. I'll head home, grab some money, and come right back. I swear."

The waitress shook her head, her patience wearing thin. "That's what they all say. You have a phone, right? Everyone pays online these days." Her tone was biting, her eyes flickering with suspicion.

I leaned back in my chair, observing the exchange with interest. It was only a cup of coffee, and from the look on the guy's face, he wasn't trying to pull a fast one.

But something about him nagged at me. I glanced at him again, and that's when it hit me—Wait a minute . . . isn't that Hyun?!

It couldn't be. Hyun wasn't a household name yet, but I knew him well enough from social media.

In a few months, he'd skyrocket to fame with his groundbreaking fashion designs, plastered all over the internet.

But here he was, a guy who would soon be a sensation, struggling to scrape together enough for a simple cup of coffee.

The waitress was right, though—everything could be paid online nowadays with a quick tap on the phone. So, what was Hyun doing here, penniless? It didn't make sense.

But I wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. Hyun wasn't famous yet, but in a few months, people would be fighting just to get his attention.

I'd be damned if I let this moment pass without making an impression.

I stood up, casually walking over to their table. "Excuse me," I interrupted, pulling out my phone. Both Hyun and the waitress turned to look at me, surprised. "I'll cover his bill." I flashed a quick smile at the waitress, who looked relieved more than anything.

The man blinked, clearly taken aback. "You don't have to—"

"I insist," I cut him off, typing in my details to pay for the coffee. "Consider it a little act of kindness. We all have days like this, right?"