The party was officially underway, and the grand venue of NexaCorp Saudi Arabia had transformed into a vibrant space of celebration. More and more people streamed in, the room slowly filling with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and clinking glasses. The energy was palpable—excitement hung in the air like a cloud, fueled by the collective sense of achievement that everyone shared.
Prince Tarif, dressed in his best for the occasion, soon took the stage. A bright smile was plastered on his face as he took the microphone, his voice booming through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!" he began, his words drawing everyone's attention. He paused for effect, his eyes sweeping across the crowd. "Tonight is not about anyone else. It's our night. It's the night to mark our success, our journey, and our vision for the future. So please, do not hesitate—enjoy yourselves, and indulge in the night. This celebration belongs to all of us."
Cheers broke out across the room, the guests responding to his warmth with enthusiasm. Prince Tarif's presence had a way of lifting spirits—his charisma was undeniable. He offered a nod, signalling the beginning of the night's festivities. The music swelled slightly, and with that, the party truly began.
The venue was beautifully adorned, every detail carefully curated to showcase the company's wealth and status. A lavish buffet had been set up, with tables groaning under the weight of delicacies—succulent roasts, a variety of fresh seafood, artisanal bread, exotic fruits, and decadent desserts arranged like artwork. Waiters dressed in crisp uniforms floated through the room, offering sparkling champagne and cocktails that glistened in the soft, golden lights.
Aside from the food, several corners of the room offered other activities—interactive entertainment zones where guests could partake in virtual games, and small booths for photo opportunities, capturing moments of this grand celebration. It was clear that everything had been planned to create an atmosphere of both elegance and enjoyment.
As the night continued, the five core CEOs—Matthieu, Prince Tarif, Evie, Daniel, and Hye-su—were surrounded by a steady flow of people. They were the stars of the evening, and guests naturally gravitated toward them. Most attendees had been working under NexaCorp for a year or more, but tonight was the first chance many of them had to meet the leadership face-to-face rather than through the sterile lens of a web meeting.
Matthieu was busy shaking hands, his polished charm fully on display as he welcomed various department heads and partners. His presence radiated authority, and there was a confidence about him that made people listen when he spoke, his vision of NexaCorp's future holding their attention.
Prince Tarif, meanwhile, was relaxed, chatting warmly with anyone who approached him. His easygoing demeanour allowed people to feel comfortable, and it wasn't long before he had several individuals laughing at one of his anecdotes.
On the other side, Evie and Daniel were also playing their part—Evie in her usual graceful way, offering polite smiles, while Daniel leaned into his friendly nature, going out of his way to make small talk with everyone. Together, they exuded the very essence of what NexaCorp aimed to be—both approachable and powerful.
Hye-su, accompanied by Hae-won, found herself in a similar situation, constantly approached by members of the company who wanted a moment of her time. Hye-su tried to keep her polite smile steady, nodding as introductions were made, and exchanging a few pleasantries. It was overwhelming at times—so many faces, so many names. Some were familiar with virtual meetings, others not so much, but all were equally eager to interact.
Hae-won stayed close, sometimes jumping in to help answer questions, acting as a buffer to keep the conversation light and flowing. It was clear that many of these attendees looked up to Hye-su, their eyes wide with a mixture of admiration and respect. And though Hye-su wasn't entirely comfortable with all this attention, she handled it with grace, listening intently to each person who approached her.
For some, this was their first glimpse of the real people behind the company they had poured their dedication into. The CEOs were no longer just figures on a screen or voices in a call—they were here, in the flesh, sharing the same room, participating in the same celebration. And there was a sense of unity in that, a closeness that couldn't be replicated through technology.
But as the party continued, amid the lights, music, and clinking glasses, Hye-su couldn't help but cast a glance toward the entrance now and then. She was searching for a familiar face, one that had yet to appear. Jin-ho. It was strange how conspicuous his absence felt. She knew he was not one to revel in such events, but given the importance of the occasion, she'd thought, perhaps hoped, that he would come. Even if just for a short while.
For now, though, all she could do was focus on the present, on the people around her, and the role she had to play in this celebration.
Before Hye-su knew it, the time had come for her to give her speech. Her eyes widened as Prince Tarif caught her attention, giving her an encouraging nod, and she knew she had to step forward. Slowly, she made her way to the stage, each step feeling heavier than the last. Her heart was thumping, but it wasn't the usual nerves before public speaking. No, it was something else—a growing, gnawing fear that was becoming harder to ignore. Something was wrong, and she could feel it in her bones.
Still, she steeled herself, telling herself that this was no time to falter. She had a responsibility to everyone present, to NexaCorp, and to the people who had worked tirelessly to bring them all here. She couldn't ruin this moment for anyone. She took a deep breath and smiled, accepting the microphone that Prince Tarif handed her.
"Good evening, everyone," she began, her voice amplified across the room. She looked at the sea of faces before her—so many people who had put their faith in this dream, in her. "I just want to start by saying thank you. Without every single one of you, we wouldn't be standing here today, celebrating this incredible journey. I know it hasn't always been easy. It's taken sleepless nights, endless effort, and a belief in something bigger than ourselves to bring NexaCorp to where it is today."
She paused, her gaze softening as she looked toward Hae-won, who stood among the crowd, giving her an encouraging smile. The sight tugged at her heart, compelling her to speak more about her journey.
"Not many people know this, but this company, this game, this success—it wasn't something I did alone. It's always been a team effort. NexaCorp is the product of many hands, many hearts," she gestured toward Hae-won, her voice carrying warmth. "Hae-won, who's stood by me through thick and thin, who has poured her heart into this dream..."
The light shifted to highlight Hae-won, and the crowd broke into applause, cheering for her. Hae-won smiled, bowing her head slightly in acknowledgement. Hye-su felt a swell of gratitude seeing her friend getting the recognition she deserved.
But then, Hye-su's breath caught in her throat as she went to mention the third person who deserved just as much recognition.
"And..."
Her tongue was tied, her voice faltering as she looked across the crowd. Her eyes darted, searching for Jin-ho among the gathered faces, the brightly lit hall seeming to blur with the applause. Where was he?
And then she saw him, standing by the door, separate from everyone else. He was not dressed for the occasion—not in a suit like the others—but in casual clothing, the kind of thing he wore when he was ready to leave a place, not attend a celebration. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, his eyes meeting hers across the distance.
Jin-ho smiled, but Hye-su could see through it. It was a forced smile, masking something much deeper. He raised his hand, giving her a small wave. But it wasn't a casual greeting—it was a farewell. Before she could fully register what was happening, he turned and dashed out of the room, his figure vanishing through the doorway.
Without thinking, Hye-su moved. Her heart felt as if it had been torn apart, her pulse quickening as a rush of panic gripped her. She shoved the microphone into Prince Tarif's hands, not even sparing a glance at his confused expression, and sprinted off the stage. She ran after Jin-ho, her focus zeroed in on him, her mind drowning out everything else—the startled murmurs of the crowd, the confused glances, and the questions whispered around her.
All she knew was that she had to catch up to him. Her feet carried her across the hall, her eyes fixed ahead as she dashed out of the door, her thoughts a chaotic mess.
"Jin-ho!" she called out, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart. "Jin-ho, wait!"
Why was he doing this? Why was he leaving without a word? And why, of all times, did it have to be now? She could feel the tightness in her chest, the hurt and confusion tangling together. She knew he wasn't the type to care about parties or recognition, but this wasn't just about that—this was about their journey, their bond, everything they had worked for.
And that tiny, nagging feeling in the back of her mind, the one that she had tried to ignore, that had kept her heart heavy all night, suddenly made sense. He was running. He was leaving.
And it hurt.
The corridor stretched ahead of her, empty except for the sound of her footsteps echoing against the walls. She could still see Jin-ho in the distance, his silhouette slipping further and further away, and she pushed herself to go faster.
But the questions wouldn't stop swirling in her mind. Why? What had driven him to this decision? And more importantly—what could she do to stop him?
The distance between them seemed to shrink and grow all at once, her desperation fueling her steps, yet feeling as though she was losing ground.