Amaka, tapped her nails softly on the glass desk, her eyes narrowing in thought. She was not the type to listen to all the lectures just now without making an assumption.
Rino had noticed that from dealing with her recently. So, he prepared his mind for whatever would be coming from her.
As expected, she finally spoke.
"It makes sense. But..." She leaned forward.
"But?"
"What if the governnt hasn’t seen that vision yet? What if they don’t consider your proposal relevant to their expectations?" Amaka asked.
Rino gave her a slight smile, but he didn’t answer right away.
He just leaned back, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"Now that you asked this..." he said, sending his hands to hang fold on the seat, behind his head.
"What you said has a possibility of being a reality, but..."
"..."
Rino remained leaned back in his seat, looking from Amaka to Kasper, then back to the docunt he had dropped on the desk.
He cleared his throat, folded his fingers against each other and began to speak.
"You are right," he said, causing declined confusion to play on his listeners’ faces. "It’s true that the governnt might not have fully caught up with the digital transformation yet. But that’s exactly why I was confident."
He paused and exhaled in the pristine air that surrounded the office, and continued.
"Before I make any decision, I lay out my considerations and always make my decisions with strong reason."
’I thought as much.’ Amaka nodded.
"I considered the virtual investnt posters they have already placed around dar," he said.
Kasper humd. "Virtual?"
"Yes, virtual ’cause it is still rare knowledge that only a few who had access to the information knew about it," Rino said and continued as soon to avoid getting interrupted again.
"The posters were my starting point. If you go back and think about it, what made the governnt even begin considering putting Nova Nexus on the blacklist in the first place?"
He paused, letting the silence speak.
"The building’s dead potential. That’s it. No productivity. No inco. No future vision. And no utility in the rising digital economy."
He turned back to face them.
"But they wouldn’t all of a sudden decide to make an environntal investnt of $51 million unless they had a reason. Sothing must have changed."
Amaka was watching him closely now, Kasper silently analyzing his words.
"It is already common knowledge among us that there are other agencies planning massive developnt projects in dar," Rino continued, after feeling his first words sink into his listeners.
"One thing we have failed to understand is that this incoming prospect has already made dar not to be a remote city anymore. It’s now the host to the Tech Hub Designation Project, the new Global Aluminum Company satellite plant, and even, the Solar Energy Expansion funded by three well-known national conglorates."
He picked up the pen that was dropped beside the envelope from which he pulled out the proposal docunt, opened the docunt to the page where he should sign, and passed it to Amaka and Kasper laying their signatures as representatives that showed the docunt was from Red Tann.
Then, he continued.
"If the governnt has approved these forward-facing ventures if they’ve accepted them into dar, you’re telling they wouldn’t consider my proposal? That wouldn’t make sense. The governnt may be slow in catching up, but they are not blind either."
"The Ministry of Comrce’s Economic Developnt division still has people whose number six is working. People who can see a little bit about the future, I guess."
"Okay, I hate making assumptions, but this is what I think," Rino said, completing his words.
Having signed the docunt, Kasper stood suddenly, a smile playing on his lips. He stretched out his hand to Rino.
"I believe you," he said, pulling Rino into a handshake. Then, almost like he was moved by sothing more personal, he pulled him into a brief hug.
Separating himself from the hug, Kasper looked at Amaka who has now slid the docunt back to where it will be easier for him to collect it, and muttered.
"He has the potential..."
Rino blinked.
"Potential for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as Kasper collected the docunt, and put it back into the envelope.
Kasper gave no answer. He only nodded to Amaka and exited the room on his way to submit it.
Still standing, Rino turned to Amaka.
"Potential for what exactly?"
Amaka smiled, resting her elbows on the desk. "Let’s see the answer as... a futuristic developnt."
***
The day passed.
Morning ca again, but this was not an ordinary morning.
The morning was the usher of the great day Rino had patiently waited for.
It was the D-day when the bidding will take place.
In Rino’s room, golden light flooded in through the large windows, drawing attention to his reflection in the mirror.
He stood tall, putting on his expensive blue suit, custom-fitted to contour his body with precision. The deep royal tone of the suit gave him a sharp, mature look, enhanced further by the fine silver lining that was perfectly sewn on the edges of his collar and cuffs.
Underneath, a pearl-white shirt added contrast, while a silky navy tie brought balance to his commanding presence. His shoes were polished leather, his watch was luxury steel, and his hair was styled perfectly.
He looked not just like a businessman—he looked like a man born for the mont.
"Yeah."
He smiled.
***
In her room in Green House Estate, Zaria stood in front of her mirror, fastening the last button of her white jacket over a stunning black gown. Her dress was elegant and body-fitting, paired with silver heels and a soft fragrance that lingered behind her with every step.
Her room was indeed a reflection of feminine wealth. It had tall mirrors that were frad in gold, velvet curtains that draped down the windows, plus bedding and an in-room dresser that sparkled with jewelry trays and designer perfu bottles.
She checked her earrings one last ti, adjusted her jacket, and turned with the calm deanor of soone exquisitely happy with what she was soon to be seen as part of.
***
Rose Carter stood in her own massive room, staring into the mirror as she applied a final touch of red gloss to her lips.
She wore a bold red dress—classy, off-shoulder, and adorned with intricate sequin detailing that shimred with every movent. Her hair was pinned up in a loose, curled updo, letting a few strands fall beside her cheeks.
Her walk-in closet behind her was filled with nothing but designer brands—Versace, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen. The ruby ring on her middle finger sparkled under the lights as she smirked at her reflection, fully ready for whatever drama the day might bring.
***
Along the road, Josh was seated behind the wheel of his Limo, dressed cleanly in a black suit, accented by a thin gold chain and sunglasses that reflected the skyline.
Kasper, in a sleek gray suit, drove calmly down a separate road, the envelope containing the proposal resting beside him on the passenger seat.
He wasn’t able to submit the proposal the day before, and that was why as soon as he got an extension day from the governnt agent that had reached, he hurried to the place.
Malcolm cruised the expressway with calm eyes and no distractions. No music. No calls. Just the road and the cracking sound of his voice and he humd a music.
Reynar, in typical flamboyant fashion, sped through the streets in a brightly-colored electric coupe, his Ankara suit flaring in style, his grin widening on his lips as he imagined what the future holds in this bidding.
***
And finally, the light returned to Rino’s room.
He was standing, fully dressed and looked at himself for the last ti in the mirror. Adjusting his tie, he exhaled softly.
Then, in a soft whisper, he murmured to himself—
"It is ti."
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