Everyone was immersed in the meal, savoring each bite with relish. The delicate presentation of each dish left them in awe, while the dessert had an irresistible, almost addictive quality. One course followed another, each outdoing the last, as plates were emptied, and smiles grew wider.
But beneath the laughter and conversation, I felt the weight of the moment looming. I knew what I had to say next, and my chest tightened with the thought of it. Mom's going to be pissed, I thought, pushing my chair back. I stood up, my glass in hand, tapping it lightly to gather everyone's attention.
As the chatter quieted, all eyes turned toward me. The room fell silent, anticipation hanging in the air. I cleared my throat, my voice steady, yet laced with the nervousness of what was coming.
"I just want to thank all of you for being here tonight," I began, my gaze sweeping over the table. "It means the world to me to have you all by my side, celebrating this milestone. But—" I hesitated for a brief moment, stealing a glance at my mom, who looked on with a proud, unassuming smile. "There's something important I need to announce."
I could feel the tension rise in the room, everyone leaning in slightly, waiting for my words.
"Starting next week," I continued, "I've decided to pause my education... and drop out." Gasps rippled through the room, and I saw the look of shock and confusion flash across Mom's face. I quickly pushed forward. "I know this is unexpected, but I've decided to venture into a new business opportunity—in the USA."
Mom's smile faltered, replaced by a look of disbelief. She opened her mouth, but I kept speaking, knowing I had to get it all out.
"You might wonder what this means for Nova Enterprise. Well, the sales sector is in good hands with my incredible team. I trust them more than anyone, and they're fully capable of steering the ship while I'm gone. Onio, Johan, Ray, Evelyn, Lars, Nora, Mia—they'll all be stepping up in my absence.
I saw their proud, determined faces nodding slightly, and that gave me the strength to continue.
"I'll be away for several months," I said, my voice firm. "While they'll be expanding Nova Enterprise's operations here in Oslo, I'll be establishing an investment center in the USA."
The room was frozen in stunned silence. Mom stared at me, wide-eyed, her face pale with shock. She couldn't believe what I had just said, and I could see a thousand questions swirling behind her eyes. Aunt Pranee's brows furrowed, while Aria looked almost satisfied, as if waiting for me to trip on my own ambition. But I stood there, resolute.
It wasn't a decision I took lightly, but I had to make this move.
I turned to my mom, my voice softening as I met her eyes. "Mom, you don't have to worry about anything anymore. Call your boss—the one I know you hate—and quit your job. You're free now," I said, a nervous smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "And... if you don't mind, I'm still just 16, so I hope you can come with me to the States."
For a moment, she didn't say anything. The room felt still, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Then, her lips quivered, and before she could stop them, tears began to spill down her cheeks. She tried to blink them away, but they kept coming tears from all those years of hard work, all those long, thankless days spent raising me on her own.
She wiped her eyes quickly, then let out a soft laugh, trying to break the tension. "Of course, Dio," she said with a shaky smile. "Who else is going to scold you or wash your dirty clothes?" Her voice cracked, and she gave me the brightest, most genuine smile I'd ever seen. "I'm so proud of you."
Hearing that made my heart swell, and I could barely keep it together as everyone stood up from their seats, clapping and cheering. They gathered around, offering congratulations, patting me on the back, shaking my hand.
"You're the first millionaire in the family!" someone shouted, and more applause broke out.
But amidst the celebration, I noticed Aunt Pranee's sharp eyes turning toward Aria. With a slight frown, she scolded, "Aria, look at Dio. Look how far he's come. You could learn a thing or two." Her tone was firm, but the shift was almost surreal. She then turned to me, her voice suddenly sweet and flattering. "Oh, Dio, you've always been so determined, so brilliant. We always knew you'd make something of yourself."
Her sudden change in demeanor took me by surprise. It was the first time I'd ever seen Aunt Pranee speak about me with anything other than judgment. The way she was buttering me up now almost scared me a bit. But I smiled, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.
As the applause and congratulations continued, Mr. Onio and Mr. Johan leaned toward each other, their voices low but filled with awe.
"This freaking kid," Mr. Onio murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "Can you believe he's just 16?"
Mr. Johan chuckled, his eyes wide with admiration. "I know, right? It's insane. I've been in this business for years, and I've never seen anyone pull off something like this at his age."
Their conversation, though quiet, carried an undertone of genuine respect and amazement, adding to the buzz of excitement that filled the room.
The night pulsed with energy, each laughter-filled moment blending into a tapestry of celebration. I glanced around the grand hall, where every guest seemed wrapped in the luxury of the evening, savoring every detail. The exquisite dishes and the opulent surroundings did their part to create an atmosphere of sheer indulgence.
My eyes fell on my mother, her face a canvas of mixed emotions. Tears, held back by sheer will, were now freely rolling down her cheeks. I watched her, feeling the weight of the moment and the significance of what was to come.
I stood up, the room quieting as I raised my glass. "Here's to new beginnings," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "And to the future we're about to create."
As the clinking of glasses filled the room, I could feel the excitement building. But beneath the surface of this celebration, my mind was already drifting toward the unknown. The joy around me felt like a vivid backdrop to the uncertainty that lay ahead.
The room was buzzing with chatter and peals of laughter, the air thick with the scent of rich food and clinking glasses. I closed my eyes and inhaled, trying to cement this moment in my memory for the daunting project ahead. My head swirled with potential plans and strategies, knowing that this was only the beginning of a challenging yet exciting journey.
Before leaving, I took a moment to soak in the bustling night scene, a bittersweet reminder of my past and what was to come. The horizon seemed to beckon me, with an irresistible pull towards the new chapter awaiting me.
A fierce determination ignites within me as I prepare to step into the unknown. The night of celebration is merely a precursor to what lies ahead. The true adventure, filled with daunting challenges and endless opportunities, awaits me on the horizon in the USA.
My heart races with anticipation and nerves, ready to conquer whatever comes my way.
Dio Stat's Info:
Lvl: 15
Skill Count: 3 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze) (Global Monitoring System)
Strength:35
Agility:24
Intelligence:28
Endurance:21
Charm:23
Dio influence, power & riches:
Money - 5million kroner.
Associate - 7