The rotor blades gradually slowed to a halt as the helicopter settled onto the helipad, the hot desert wind gently rustling the clothing of those inside. The cabin doors opened, and Hye-su, Jin-ho, and Hae-won carefully stepped out, blinking against the midday sun. Riyadh greeted them with an almost overwhelming heat, a stark contrast to the cool, air-conditioned interior of their helicopter.
Waiting for them was Prince Tarif, his sharp, charismatic smile ready as he approached. Clad in an elegant thobe, his presence was as commanding as always. Prince Tarif extended his hand towards each of them in turn, greeting them warmly.
"Welcome back to Riyadh," he said, his voice ringing out confidently. "It's truly a delight to see my friends again, those who have made NexaCorp what it is today."
He turned to lead them down from the helipad, his tone casual but still formal enough to fit his title.
"You are the ones at the heart of our success, and I wanted to make sure that this anniversary celebration will be fitting for what we've achieved together."
"It's good to be back, Prince Tarif. Thank you for arranging all this," Hye-su nodded politely, a smile touching her lips.
They were soon led through the massive NexaCorp Saudi Arabia building. Every step echoed slightly in the grand halls, the luxurious architecture showing off the wealth and prominence that NexaCorp had come to symbolize. Prince Tarif led them into a spacious lounge area, where a few aides stood ready to take any requests.
Prince Tarif gestured for them to take a seat.
"I have made preparations to ensure everyone is comfortable here for the celebration," he explained, as he sat down himself. "We'll have our guests arriving over the next few hours. For tonight, I've arranged a party to properly commemorate the first anniversary of NexaRealm. It will be grand—fit for what we have built together."
Hae-won raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.
"And the meeting?" she asked.
"Ah, yes," Prince Tarif nodded, his expression becoming more focused. "Before we get lost in the festivities, we will be holding a meeting with all the CEOs. We need to finalize our decisions for what this anniversary celebration will bring to NexaRealm. The discussions so far have been promising, but I want everyone on board for the final plan."
Hye-su leaned forward slightly.
"And Matthieu's proposal?" she ventured.
Prince Tarif chuckled, nodding.
"Indeed. The proposed championship is on the table. I've heard the arguments, both for and against. I believe a discussion with everyone present will bring us to a consensus."
Jin-ho, who had remained silent until now, tilted his head slightly as he listened. His eyes wandered to the windows, where the sprawling view of Riyadh captured his attention momentarily. He knew that this meeting could be pivotal—not just for the future of NexaRealm, but for the direction NexaCorp would take in the coming years.
Prince Tarif continued, his voice filled with optimism.
"The meeting will be this evening, just before the festivities begin. Until then, please feel free to settle into your rooms or explore the city. The arrangements are all taken care of—make yourselves comfortable."
Jin-ho nodded, looking somewhat reluctant but polite. He respected Prince Tarif's leadership, and he couldn't deny the pride in what they'd all managed to accomplish. Even if there were disagreements along the way, there was no denying the enormous impact they'd made together.
Hye-su smiled as she looked at Prince Tarif.
"Thank you, Prince Tarif. Your hospitality, as always, is beyond expectation."
"It's nothing less than what you all deserve. Tonight is about celebration, but I trust the discussion beforehand will bring us to a clear and united vision," the Prince gave a gracious smile.
Hye-su glanced at Jin-ho and Hae-won, exchanging a brief, knowing look. Whatever lay ahead, it was going to be an eventful evening—one that would shape the future of NexaCorp and NexaRealm alike. They were ready to face whatever decisions had to be made, but for now, they had a moment to rest and prepare for the important night ahead.
As Prince Tarif led them to a side hallway, an attendant quickly stepped forward to show Hye-su, Hae-won, and Jin-ho to their rooms. The three were escorted along a wide corridor, passing by intricately designed doors and marble floors that shone under the grand lighting of the building. They each carried a sense of formality and curiosity, still getting used to the grandeur that surrounded them.
The attendant gestured politely towards the doors, indicating the separate rooms for Hye-su, Hae-won, and Jin-ho.
"Please make yourselves comfortable. If there's anything you need, do not hesitate to ask," the attendant said, giving a small bow before leaving them.
Hye-su opened the door to her room and stepped inside, her eyes momentarily widening at the luxurious layout. The room was spacious, with a high ceiling and plush furniture. A large bed sat at the centre, with a beautiful window view of Riyadh's skyline. A sense of quiet enveloped her, and she welcomed it, knowing how important it would be to rest her thoughts before the critical meeting later.
On the other side of the hallway, Hae-won entered her room, mirroring Hye-su's expression of mild awe. Her mind, as always, seemed preoccupied, her thoughts drifting to the upcoming meeting and the expectations surrounding Matthieu's proposal. The view from her window showed a stretch of golden sands that led to the horizon, where the distant sun blazed. She set her belongings down and made her way to a small desk, figuring she could jot down her thoughts and make a few notes while waiting.
Jin-ho, meanwhile, stepped into his own assigned room, looking around with a thoughtful expression. He didn't necessarily care for luxury, but there was something comforting about having a private, quiet place to be, especially considering what lay ahead. The room was similar in layout to the others, but Jin-ho barely paid attention to the decoration. Instead, he moved towards a chair near the window and sat down heavily, exhaling.
His gaze wandered to the Realm device tucked safely in his bag, and a part of him considered spending his free time exploring NexaRealm to relax. He found a sense of peace within the virtual world that he struggled to find elsewhere. But with the impending meeting and the discussions ahead, he decided to stay grounded for now, at least until things were settled.
The three of them were now in their separate worlds, each taking the quiet of their respective rooms to process everything—reflecting on what the past year had brought them and what the future still held. Hye-su closed her eyes briefly, letting her mind run through her thoughts. Matthieu's proposal was ambitious, and as much as she wanted to support it, she still had Jin-ho's concerns in her mind. She wanted to make sure that whatever decision they made, it would work for everyone—especially her closest friends.
Hae-won, for her part, leaned over the desk, scribbling her observations, trying to think through different angles. She understood the potential benefits, and at the same time, the possible pitfalls, but she found herself wishing she could navigate these waters in a way that kept the spirit of the team intact.
Jin-ho simply closed his eyes and leaned back, a slight frown on his face. He valued freedom—freedom for players and developers alike. The championship idea sounded like something that could impose a structure and competition on a world that, to him, was meant for exploration and discovery. He wasn't opposed to competition entirely, but there was a balance that he feared could be lost in the pursuit of grandeur and financial gain.
In the silence of their rooms, they each waited, preparing themselves for the meeting and for whatever challenges or agreements would follow in the next phase of NexaCorp's journey.
After a while, the stillness of their rooms seemed to echo the anticipation that hung in the air. Hye-su finally moved to the edge of her bed and glanced at the clock on the wall—time was slowly but surely ticking towards the evening's critical gathering. She felt the weight of responsibility; everything that she, Hae-won, and Jin-ho had worked on for years was culminating in these moments. There was a certain anxiety in her chest, not just for herself but for the entire team.
Across the hall, Hae-won looked out her window, taking in the desert landscape before pulling her thoughts back to the task ahead. She reminded herself that this meeting was not just about making decisions; it was about charting a course that could balance everyone's visions—keeping the core of what made NexaRealm special while also pushing its boundaries. She hoped her input would make a difference when the time came.
And as Jin-ho took another deep breath, he opened his eyes, focusing. No matter what happened in that meeting, he knew one thing: they had come this far together, and he trusted Hye-su, Hae-won, and the rest of their circle. Whatever direction they chose, it was one they'd face as a team—united, despite differing perspectives.
The hours passed, the anticipation growing, as each of them readied themselves for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, waiting for the time when their collective voices would decide the future of NexaCorp.