Kayden reached the backyard, his gaze sweeping across the vast field. Flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, their sweet fragrance carried on the warm breeze that rustled the leaves of fruit-laden trees.
This place, the hometown of Markus, Daisy, and Violet's father, always stirred a mix of emotions within him – painful memories intertwined with cherished ones.
He had come on a trip during his junior year of college, where a chance encounter led him to Markus. Markus became the big brother, the friend Kayden never thought he'd have.
Back then, Daisy was a bubbly toddler, barely two years old, who had declared her intention to marry him. A chuckle escaped Kayden's lips at the memory. Even Irene, his sister-in-law, always cooked his favorite dishes whenever he visited.
"It felt like God's compensation," Kayden thought, a bittersweet pang in his chest.
He shook his head, determined not to get lost in nostalgia. With a stride, he headed towards the couple when a frustrated voice cut through the air.
"Wifey! That's enough!"
Kayden spotted Markus in the strawberry patch, his face haggard and his expression one of utter defeat as he wrestled with a basket of berries. Sympathy welled up within Kayden.
"What did you say?" Irene, his sister-in-law, shot back, her voice sharp.
From where he stood, Kayden could see the desperation in Markus's eyes as he searched for an escape. Suddenly, their gazes met, and a wave of relief washed over Markus's face.
Kayden walked towards them, bowing his head slightly in greeting. "Sister-in-law, Brother Markus!"
Even in her forties, Irene remained a pretty woman. A gentle smile softened her features as she saw the young man her daughters adored.
"You must have met the girls, right?"
A slight upward tug at his lips was Kayden's only response as he recalled their previous antics.
"Don't spoil them rotten. The gifts are already overflowing a room," Irene said, a hint of helplessness in her voice as she envisioned the toys scattered across the house. She knew Kayden – a sensible man with everyone else, but putty in her daughters' hands. He'd shower them with anything they desired.
"How are they spoiled? They're well-behaved," Markus interjected, his voice laced with mock offense.
Irene's eyes bulged, and she shot him a warning glare that silenced him instantly.
"Let's have lunch," Irene announced, taking the basket from Markus. With a pointed look in his direction, she disappeared into the kitchen.
Knowing he still had work to finish, Kayden suggested to Markus, "Go help your wife. She could use an extra hand."
"Is work getting stressful?" Markus asked instead, his gaze lingering on the dark circles beneath Kayden's eyes.
"Maybe," Kayden shrugged nonchalantly.
Suddenly, a sharp jab landed on his shoulder. He winced in pain. Markus was a well-built man, and his punches… well, let's just say they packed a punch.
"Can't you just say it?" Markus's lips twitched at Kayden's attempt at stoicism.
"Only if you weren't such a slacker and did your own work," Kayden retorted, rolling his eyes playfully.
Markus was notoriously laid-back, very different from Kayden's workaholic nature. However, the generous pay did make up for it… somewhat.
Despite his teasing, Kayden knew the weight on Markus's shoulders. "Did something happen while I was gone?"
A shadow crossed Markus's face. "The government allocated that land outside Solaria to our association. The problem isn't just the tight three-month deadline, but the ridiculous clauses."
He went on to explain the seemingly impossible conditions attached to the land – selling it as a whole, strict ecological standards, a hefty price tag, poor accessibility, and restrictions on factories, storage facilities, and even hotels.
"It's like they don't want anyone to buy it," Kayden concluded, frustration evident in his voice. "The whole project is a mess."
"Speaking of work," Kayden continued, "You need to be at the association meeting tomorrow. We'll head back to the capital in the evening."
Markus, as the head of the Urban and Industrial Development Organization (UIDO), now faced a daunting task in the coming months. UIDO, responsible for Solaria's development while maintaining ecological balance, was tasked with making something out of this seemingly impossible project.
A sigh escaped Markus
Markus pressed his temples, a dull throbbing in his head. He wasn't to blame for the ludicrous land deal. UIDO, under his leadership, ensured sustainable development while safeguarding Solaria's natural beauty. This project, however, defied all logic.