"Brother!" calling out, Luna ran down the stairs in haste, as if she was missing her important train.
Watching her careless steps, Mac ordered, "Watch your steps, little monster."
"Are you leaving already?" she asked in an enthusiastic voice.
When she was finally on the landing, safe and sound, he replied, "Yeah, is there anything you like to trouble me with?"
Pouting, she reached out to grasp his arm and said, "You just moved from Old Punneelp Street. So, can you give me your day and go out? My school is starting soon."
"Out?" He raised his brows. "Where?"
She gave a wide smile, before replying, "I don't know. Maybe grocery shopping."
Peeling her hand off his shoulder, he replied, "Not my thing. Find someone else for that."
Following him to the door, she whined, "Please, I want to go with you."
"Luna, don't trouble me. I have a very important meeting with a media company today. I cannot miss it. You can take mom," he suggested.
"But she denied as well." She stamped her feet out of frustration.
Stepping out of the house, he said, "Then go some other day."
"No, I want to go today!" She didn't stop following him.
"Bye! I am getting late."
"Fine, I will be going on my own." She stood on the porch folding her arms and watching her brother nearing his car.
"You are old enough for that," he said and once he slipped in the passenger seat, he winked at her before Nicolas, his assistant, shut the door.
A sleek, midnight-blue Land Rover came to a smooth stop in front of a towering urban building. Mac lowered the window from the passenger seat to take in the bustling scene.
The spacious parking lot was filled with a multitude of vehicles, but it was the revolving door that stood out, with a constant flow of people entering and exiting the building.
Nicolas, his trusty companion, extended a hand to open the door. Stepping out, Mac's polished black shoes met the pavement, revealing his commanding presence.
His impeccably tailored grey suit clung to his form, crisply pressed to perfection. Every strand of hair was in place, and his strikingly handsome face only enhanced his already extravagant appearance.
As they made their way towards the entrance, Mac's magnetic allure couldn't be denied. Passersby couldn't help but steal another glimpse of the breathtaking creation that he was.
Nicholas pressed the elevator button while standing shoulder to shoulder with Mac. But as the elevator failed to respond and Nicholas reached to press it again, a security guard hurried towards them.
Bowing respectfully, the guard apologetically addressed them, "I regret to inform you that the elevator is currently undergoing maintenance, and you'll have to take the stairs."
Nicolas' brows furrowed in disbelief, his voice resonating with frustration, "You can't be serious. You want us to climb the stairs?"
The guard's voice remained subdued as he repeated, "I'm sincerely sorry for the inconvenience," avoiding direct eye contact.
Nicolas turned to Mac, determination in his eyes, "I'll call the CEO about this."
Mac, however, extended a reassuring hand, "No need," and proceeded to stride towards the stairs.
His concerned assistant inquired, "Are you certain about this, boss?" But Mac, who was already making his way to the staircase, remained silent.
Nicolas shot a disdainful look at the guard, muttering, "You'd better inform someone about our arrival."
As the guard began to ask for their identification, Nicolas had already disappeared, leaving the sentence unfinished.
After enduring three emotional breakdowns, taking five short breaks, and expending litres of sweat, by Nicolas they were finally at the fifteenth floor.
Soon after Nicolas hunched over, palms pressed against his knees, struggling to catch his breath. Mac, on the other hand, remained remarkably composed, showing no signs of exhaustion as he gracefully stood there.
Nicolas couldn't help but voice his disbelief, "Boss, seriously? How are you not tired?"
Mac chuckled, his demeanour unruffled, "Because a two-kilometre run is child's play compared to these stairs."
Nicolas nodded with a wry smile, "Fair point. I won't forget that you're the boss who jogs every morning."
Mac offered a suggestion, "I recommend you start doing the same from tomorrow onwards."
Just as they were about to take their next steps, Helena, wearing a beaming smile, gracefully appeared before them, clearly intent on leaving a favourable impression on Mac.
"We are delighted to have you at our company, Mr. Noble," she declared, her smile growing wider.
With his hand still tucked in his pocket, Mac regarded Helena with a measured expression, causing her earlier smile to fade, replaced by the nervousness she'd tried to conceal.
Mac inquired, "Are you the CEO?"
Helena stammered, "No, I... I am the managing director."
Nicolas, with his patience worn thin from the arduous stair climb, couldn't help but insert a note of sarcasm, "What a wonderful media company you own. My boss came to visit your company, and your CEO isn't here to welcome us? Exceptional hospitality. Thank you for giving us more to consider when thinking about a partnership."
Attempting to soothe the situation, Helena said, "I apologise for not meeting your expectations. Our boss is on his way and will join us directly in the conference hall. Let's make ourselves comfortable until then."
As she led them, Nicolas leaned closer to Mac and asked, "What do you think, boss? There's no shortage of media companies on Punneelp Street. If you'd like, I can arrange for a meeting with another company."
Unconcerned with Nicolas' offer, Mac turned his attention to Helena and inquired, "How much longer will he be?"
Helena, increasingly flustered, nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied, "I... I tried calling him, but..."
Mac, growing impatient, gave a curt command, "Let's go," and started to turn away. Just then, Kevin emerged before them, catching his breath.
"I'm here!" he declared.
Mac scrutinised Kevin from head to toe, taking in his dishevelled appearance with wet, messy hair and rumpled shirt and pants, looking far from what one would expect of a CEO.
Mac, clearly unimpressed with Kevin's dishevelled appearance, contemplated the situation. He attempted to walk away, but Mac intercepted him.
"Mr. Noble, I apologise for the delay. Please, grant us an opportunity. I promise you won't be disappointed," Kevin implored.
Mac's response was frigid, "The opportunity was already given, and you fell short," he stated coldly and proceeded to walk away.
With his frustration boiling, Kevin pinched the bridge of his nose, coming to a standstill. Helena, visibly concerned, gripped his arm. He vented his anger, "I missed the biggest opportunity of my life because of that woman. I am going to kill her."
Meanwhile, Mac settled into the car, waiting for Nicolas to drive away. It was then that his phone vibrated in his pocket. Retrieving it, he glanced at the caller ID and rolled his eyes before answering.
"What do you want?" he asked with annoyance as the phone neared his ear. "I already told you I'm not available today!"
"Brother!"
Hearing Luna's trembling voice, he was filled with alarm. "What... What happened?"
"Someone bullied me," Luna replied, her voice trembling.
Mac's anger flared, and he demanded, "Who in the world dared to mess with you? Where are you?"
"First floor of Walmart."
"Is anyone with you?"
"No! You were the one who stood me up, so I came alone," she lamented.
"Stay right there. I'm on my way!" Mac replied before ending the call. He then turned to Nicolas and ordered, "Walmart!"
Nicolas, concerned, inquired, "Walmart? Is everything okay?"
Mac's response was urgent, "Just hurry!"
Mac swiftly entered Walmart and began searching for his sister. When he finally spotted Luna, she was inspecting the labels on jars of apple and peanut jam.
"Luna!" he called out, and she looked at him in surprise.
"Wow! That was quick. Did you teleport here?" she asked in amazement.
Mac, impatient to get to the point, began, "I was close by. Now, tell me where..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Luna lifted a jar of jam and inquired, "Which one do you prefer? Apple or peanuts?"
With an eye roll, Mac responded, "Enough with the jokes. Just tell me where the person who bullied you is."
Luna hesitated, biting her lower lip.
Mac narrowed his eyes and questioned in a cold tone, "Are you messing with me?"
"No, I'm not," she assured, returning the jam to the shelf.
Before he could press her further, she grabbed his arm and led him to the cashier. As they approached, Mac recognized a familiar figure standing at the counter.
Pointing at the woman, Luna declared, "It's her. She's the one who bullied me."
Mac, his eyes widening in astonishment, mumbled, "Beth?"
Beth, equally surprised, turned to him and murmured, "Mac?"