"Attention, passengers of Flight 231… all passengers have disembarked. Thank you for flying with us."
The airport loudspeakers crackled overhead, their muffled announcements blending into the constant hum of chatter, rolling luggage, and the clack of heels against polished tile. Amid the crowd, one man stood out — effortlessly, unavoidably.
He wasn't dressed for attention, yet he drew it all the same.
A dark hoodie, fitted sweatpants, a cap pulled low, and sneakers — simple, but on him, the look screamed understated luxury. The kind of man who didn't need to flaunt wealth; he wore it.
Nathan Park.
The co-founder of Cubix, a cutting-edge project design firm that had quickly gained international acclaim for its innovative architecture and sleek, sustainable developments. A name that had appeared in business magazines across continents — and now, after more than a decade abroad, its elusive co-owner was finally back on home soil.
But he wasn't happy about it.
Balancing his phone between his shoulder and ear as he wrestled with his luggage cart, Nathan sighed in frustration, his deep voice low but firm.
"Marv, I told you, I still don't like this idea. You could offer me ten percent of your shares and I'd still say no."
"Come on, Nate," Marv's cheerful voice came through the line, too chipper for the hour. "You're the best person for this. You know the culture, the market, the language—"
"Don't," Nathan cut in sharply. "I didn't come back for nostalgia."
Marv hesitated, then chuckled nervously. "Alright, alright. Think of it as a business trip with perks. You'll be fine. The meeting's not for another two days. Relax. Take it as a time off."
Nathan pressed his lips together, exhaling slowly. "I'm not here to play, Marv. I'll finish the deal and leave. The sooner, the better."
He finally reached the car rental desk, his irritation simmering under the surface. After signing the paperwork, he grabbed a set of keys.
"What did they give you?" Marv asked curiously.
"Porsche," Nathan replied flatly. "Apparently that's all they had left."
"Of course they did," Marv laughed. "Listen, I found something that might help — a private members' club where all the city's big names hang out. It's called The Black Tie Society. I already signed you up. Crazy expensive, but worth it. You might meet someone from HUB there."
"We don't need cocktail parties to get clients," Nathan muttered, heading toward the parking lot.
"Just… humor me," Marv said. "Networking never hurts. I'll text you the details."
Nathan ended the call with a sigh. The moment he stepped outside, the city's familiar air hit him — humid, heavy, tinged with exhaust and the faint scent of street food. The skyline glimmered in the distance, towering glass and steel — unfamiliar yet hauntingly recognizable.
He hadn't been back since he was twelve.
And he had no intention of remembering why.
⸻
The drive from the airport to his hotel was long, lined with flashing billboards and the kind of urban chaos he used to dream of escaping. He kept his gaze forward, hands steady on the wheel, jaw tense.
Marv thought sending him here was smart — that being local would help. But this place held memories Nathan wanted buried. Still, if closing this deal meant expanding Cubix into new territory, he'd grit his teeth and get it done.
When he finally arrived at the hotel, he didn't bother to unpack. The suite was sleek and modern — floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, muted gray tones, and a faint hum from the air-conditioning. Without wasting a moment, Nathan set up his laptop, tossing his hoodie aside and rolling up his sleeves.
He dove straight into research.
The target client: HUB, Inc. — Hearth Urban Builders, Inc.
The company was a mystery wrapped in prestige. The largest property owner in the region, with holdings that stretched across the most affluent, historic, and industrial districts. Every high-end building in the city seemed to stand on HUB land.
But what intrigued him most wasn't what he found — it was what he didn't.
The owners were ghosts. No interviews, no public photos, no personal statements. Even press releases came under the company's name, signed collectively by "the HUB board."
"Any success," their official statement read, "belongs to the company, not the individual."
Nathan leaned back in his chair, studying the portfolio spread across the screen.
"Modest," he murmured, though his tone was half impressed. "Which means harder to convince."
He knew this deal wouldn't be easy. HUB likely already had established partnerships. But that only made him more determined. He wasn't leaving empty-handed.
Cubix had built a reputation for innovation, winning awards across Europe and Asia. Now, this partnership could be their gateway to global recognition.
And Nathan Park didn't lose.
⸻
Hours later, after reviewing every line of the proposal, he finally collapsed onto the bed. He had barely closed his eyes when his phone buzzed.
Marv: The Black Tie Society. Check it out tonight. Make it count.
Nathan stared at the message, debating. He wasn't the type for social events — much less mingling with suits and champagne flutes. But he had nothing else to do.
"Fine," he muttered to himself, swinging his legs off the bed.
He stripped off his shirt and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The city glowed beneath him, a sprawl of neon and steel. His reflection stared back — damp black hair falling messily over his forehead, broad shoulders outlined under the low lights.
For a moment, he stood still, looking at the skyline — the same one he once hated, now a battlefield he had to conquer.
Nathan Park was many things — stubborn, brilliant, relentless — but sentimental wasn't one of them.
He turned away, stepped into the shower, and let the water run over him until the last trace of exhaustion slipped away.
When he emerged, he buttoned a crisp black shirt, fixed his cufflinks, and slipped into a tailored jacket. The transformation was effortless — from weary traveler to striking executive.
He gave himself one last glance in the mirror.
"New territory," he murmured under his breath. "Conquer it, then disappear."
And with that, Nathan Park walked out into the night —
a stranger in the city that once felt like home.