The low-rise office park where Nick's headquarters sat was divided into blocks, separated by manicured roads and mature oaks. Each block contained four to six large, modern villas, creating a naturally secluded environment.
Previously, due to the tightening grip of security protocols and the sheer explosion of their payroll, Nick and Tyler had decided to pull the trigger on renting the two four-story office buildings flanking their current site. The goal was to create a fortified, private campus that was easier to lock down.
Originally, two other firms occupied the park. However, Nick's team—backed by the local business council—had negotiated their relocation. Nick cut them a generous check for the move, and the council threw in some tax incentives to sweeten the pot.
As a high-growth tech darling involved in defense contracts, Militech had the wind at its back. Tyler had handled the heavy lifting with the city, explaining the "sensitive nature" of their work, which made the local authorities more than happy to help clear the space.
"Mr. Harryson, the two neighboring buildings are officially vacant. We can start the build-out whenever you're ready." A tall, polished woman in her late twenties walked in, wearing a sharp professional suit.
"Oh, Sarah, give me one second. I'm almost through this," Nick said, not looking up from a stack of blueprints. "There are drinks in the fridge, help yourself!"
"Thank you, Nick. Take your time, no rush." Sarah Jenkins was twenty-eight and a veteran of the administrative world. After passing Nick's rigorous vetting process, she'd been named Director of Administration.
She was a force of nature. In a few short weeks, she'd transformed the company from a chaotic startup into a well-oiled machine. Her straightforward attitude and "get it done" personality made her Nick's most trusted lieutenant on the business side. Since she arrived, the office finally felt like a professional enterprise instead of a glorified frat house.
Nick finished the document, stood up to grab a bottle of water, and joined her in the lounge area.
"So, they're finally gone," Nick said, taking a seat.
"Yes. The last of their furniture was moved out early this morning," Sarah replied with a smile.
"And the keys?"
"In my office. We can send the contractors in tomorrow."
"Good. Let's move fast. Stick to the layout we approved. I want those buildings functional ASAP. Right now, we don't even have a proper cafeteria—everyone's out foraging for lunch like it's the Hunger Games," Nick said, waving a hand toward the window.
"Understood. I'll get the renovation crew on-site immediately. If we stay on schedule, we should be fully moved in within two months."
Sarah paused, her expression turning serious. "Nick, given how fast we're hiring, I'm worried these two buildings are just a band-aid. We're going to outgrow them by the end of the year. We need to look ahead."
Nick pondered this for a moment before nodding. "You're right. Okay, once the renovations start, I want you to head up the search for our next move."
"Are we looking for more villas in this park?" she asked.
Nick stood up and looked toward the skyline. "No, we're leveling up. See those high-rises over there? I want us to rent from the top down. Once we've taken over the tallest tower in the center, we'll start talking about breaking ground on our own corporate headquarters."
Sarah grinned. "I'm looking forward to that day. A custom-built HQ would be incredible."
"It'll be here sooner than you think," Nick laughed. "Oh, and make sure you loop in the Security and Compliance departments. The new build-out has to be built around their tech. Safety and confidentiality are our top priorities."
"I'll keep them in the loop," Sarah agreed, though her stomach did a small flip. Compliance and Security were constantly at odds with her team over daily operations. Coordinating with them was going to be a headache she wasn't looking forward to.
"Everyone's working overtime right now," Nick continued. "Especially the ops team and the guys in the lab. Make sure they're fed well. Don't worry about the budget. Compared to the hours they're putting in, catering is cheap. Find a variety of good local spots—Steak, Thai, Italian—whatever it takes to keep them healthy. I don't want them going home to their wives looking like they haven't eaten in a month, or I'm going to have some very angry phone calls to answer."
Sarah giggled. "Don't worry, feeding them is my specialty. We've been rotating through the best spots in town—gourmet burgers from The Nook, sushi from Sakura, even that local BBQ place everyone loves."
"Wait, really? How come I haven't seen any of that?" Nick asked, mock-offended.
"That's because you're too busy to come up for air," she teased.
"Hah! Well, save some for me next time," Nick said, standing up. "Alright, get to it."
"Will do." Sarah stood up and walked out, the click of her heels echoing in the hallway. Nick watched her go, a sudden, restless energy hitting him.
He was young, successful, and he had a lot of pent-up adrenaline.
Maybe I should find a girlfriend? Nick thought, then immediately shook his head. Between the lab and the office, he barely had time to sleep, let alone go on a date. He couldn't force it.
But the immediate biological reality remained. It reminded him of a pitch Tyler had mentioned earlier: a representative from a high-end robotics firm in Japan wanted to collaborate on "lifelike" companion tech. He wondered, with a wry smile, what kind of experience an Intelligent Voice Assistant would bring to that particular industry.