The water slid off Ethan's skin as he climbed out of the pool, shaking his head to get rid of the excess droplets.
The sun had moved lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the unfinished resort.
His muscles tensed slightly from the cool air eting his wet skin, but the feeling was refreshing after the heat of the day.
Zack stepped out right after him, grabbing a towel from the lounge chair and running it over his stomach.
He let out a small huff, glancing around at the workers still moving about the property. "Man, even with all this progress, there's still so much left to do," he muttered, throwing the towel over his shoulder.
Ethan followed his gaze. The resort was shaping up nicely, but it was far from finished.
The basic structures were in place — the main building, the smaller private villas, the pool areas, the entranceway — but the finer details, the ones that would truly bring luxury to life, were still missing.
Elegant walkways still needed paving.
The beachside lounge was only a skeleton of its future self. So areas were covered in scaffolding, and wires stuck out from incomplete lighting fixtures.
It was easy to see the potential, but they needed money to push it over the finish line.
Zack shook his head, running a hand through his damp blond hair. "I already sank everything I had into this, and while the club is bringing in money, it's not enough to cover what we need in ti."
Ethan thought for a mont.
Five million wasn't small change, but it wasn't impossible for him either.
His second apartnt complex was still in his possession. He hadn't planned on selling it just yet, but if he did, he could easily get what they needed.
With the way the real estate market was moving, he could probably push it for five million if he found the right buyer. That would cover everything and then so.
But for now, he set that thought aside. There were more imdiate things to handle.
"Let's talk to the main contractor," Ethan said, rolling his shoulders. "See where things stand."
Zack nodded, wrapping his towel around his waist as they headed toward the largest construction area. He put on so clothes before they got there though.
The main contractor, a burly man with graying hair and a sharp gaze, was standing near the entrance of the resort, going over blueprints with a few of his workers.
He glanced up as they approached, squinting slightly before nodding in recognition.
"Zack," the contractor greeted first, his voice rough but respectful. Then his eyes flicked to Ethan, taking him in with an evaluating look. "And you must be the new partner."
"Ethan," he introduced himself, extending a hand.
The contractor shook it firmly, his grip solid. "Na's Harris. Been in this business a long ti. Hope you're ready to pour so real money into this, 'cause we're at the part where things get expensive."
Ethan smirked. "Good thing I've got money to pour, then."
Harris gave a low chuckle before turning back to the blueprints laid out on a makeshift table. He gestured for them to co closer.
"We're in a good spot," Harris started, tapping the plans. "Foundation's solid, main structures are up, and the pool areas are nearly complete. But the real work is in the details — luxury finishes, high-end materials, proper lighting, all the things that take a place from 'decent' to 'five-star experience.'"
Zack crossed his arms. "How long are we looking at if we secure the rest of the funds?"
Harris sighed, rubbing his chin. "Six months for full completion, but you can start running soft openings in about four."
Ethan nodded. "That's not bad."
Harris tapped the blueprints again. "But there's one problem."
Ethan and Zack exchanged a look before Zack raised a brow. "What is it?"
Harris exhaled sharply. "Supplies. We've got a shipnt of high-end materials coming in next month —stuff we need for the main lounge, the private suites, and the spa area. But if we don't pay the suppliers upfront, they'll move to their next client."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "How much?"
Harris hesitated before answering, "One million. Non-negotiable."
Zack let out a long whistle. "Shit."
Ethan, however, barely reacted. He had more than that sitting in his account.
Zack turned to him. "We might need to — "
"I'll handle it." Ethan cut in.
Zack blinked. "You sure?"
Ethan nodded, already pulling out his phone. "Yeah. No point in waiting."
Harris raised a brow, impressed. "Didn't think you'd decide that fast."
"I don't waste ti."
With that, Ethan made the necessary arrangents, transferring the funds and ensuring the shipnt would be secured.
Once the transaction was confird, he pocketed his phone and looked back at Harris.
"Done."
Harris gave him a long, considering look before nodding in approval. "Alright. You're serious about this."
Ethan smirked. "Always."
Zack clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're a lifesaver, man."
Ethan simply shrugged. "We're partners. If this place is gonna be sothing great, we can't afford delays."
Zack grinned. "Hell yeah."
Harris chuckled. "Well, you just made my job a whole lot easier. I'll make sure everything moves smoothly from here on out."
Ethan nodded. "Good. Keep us updated."
With business settled for the mont, Ethan and Zack stepped away from the construction area, walking side by side.
Zack exhaled, shaking his head. "Man, you really don't hesitate, huh?"
Ethan smirked. "No point in it."
Zack laughed. "I like that."
Ethan and Zack walked out of the resort, the warm midday sun beating down on them.
The sky was clear, a perfect shade of blue stretching across the horizon. The resort was still buzzing with activity behind them — construction workers hamring away, engineers making calculations, and designers discussing final touches.
It was coming along well, but they still needed more funding to push through the final stages.
Zack wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, letting out a low whistle. "Man, I need a break."
Ethan checked his watch. 11:57 AM.
Zack noticed and grinned. "Don't even say it's too early for a drink. One drink. That's all."
Ethan smirked slightly, shaking his head. "You and your drinks."
"What can I say? Business talks better over a glass of sothing smooth." Zack stretched his arms. "Co on, I know a good place. Classy, but not too uptight."
Ethan debated for a second. He wasn't really in the mood for alcohol, but a nice al didn't sound bad. After a mont, he sighed. "Alright, one drink."
Zack grinned like he'd won a battle. "That's my guy."
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