The summer sun glinted off the towering glass buildings of Park Avenue, casting long shadows over the bustling streets of New York City. The hum of activity was constant—taxis honking, pedestrians rushing by, and the faint murmur of conversations echoing around us. Evelyn walked beside me, her stride measured, her gaze sharp as we approached the sleek office building.
"It's got potential," she said, her voice carrying a thoughtful tone as she glanced up at the structure. I could see the gears turning in her mind already.
Just as we reached the entrance, a man stepped out from the glass doors, his polished shoes clicking on the pavement. He was all business—dressed in a tailored suit that screamed confidence, with neatly combed hair and a smile that seemed both practiced and genuine.
"Dio, Evelyn," he greeted, extending a hand. "Tom Brooks, your realtor for the day. I'll be showing you around."
I gave a firm handshake, matching his energy. "Tom. We've heard good things."
"Likewise," Tom replied smoothly, turning to Evelyn, who gave a curt nod, her usual reserve intact. "This location is a gem. Prime spot for the type of business you're running. The neighbors here? Hedge funds, law firms—names you'd recognize. You're in good company."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, glancing at me. "Sounds like you're already convinced we are."
Tom's chuckle was light, almost playful. "Well, I'm confident you'll like what you see. But I'll let the space speak for itself."
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the building's entrance. The polished glass doors slid open, and as we walked through, the outside noise faded away, replaced by the cool hum of the air conditioning and the echo of our footsteps on the marble floors. The lobby was sleek—minimalist design, with chrome and marble everywhere. It looked like the kind of place where million-dollar deals were made every day.
Tom pressed the elevator button with a casual flick of his wrist. "So," he started as we waited, "you're planning to expand your trading firm here, right? This is a perfect fit. Plenty of space to grow and prime access to everything."
I nodded, glancing around at the lobby's polished details. "We're looking for long-term growth. We need something that can scale with us."
Tom smiled, stepping into the elevator as the doors opened. "Exactly what I wanted to hear. This place? Room for expansion, high-tech infrastructure, and unbeatable location. Fast connections, security—you won't outgrow this anytime soon."
Evelyn remained quiet, her arms crossed, eyes scanning the surroundings as if assessing every inch of the place. "What about the neighborhood?" she asked, her voice smooth, controlled. "I'm sure Wall Street has its perks, but we need something convenient for the team. Coffee shops, gyms, the essentials."
Tom's smile widened, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Evelyn, this is Park Avenue. You've got everything within walking distance. There's a gourmet coffee shop right across the street, gyms two blocks over, and some of the best lunch spots in the city all within a ten-minute walk. Trust me, your team will thank you."
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal the floor we'd come to see. The space was impressive—an open layout with high ceilings and tall windows that framed a stunning view of the Financial District. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the polished floors, casting long shadows across the empty office. It was a blank canvas, waiting for something big to happen.
Tom led us in, gesturing to the wide-open space. "As you can see, everything's been recently renovated. Top-of-the-line HVAC, fast wiring for IT infrastructure, and plenty of room to configure it however you need. Breakrooms, private offices—you can make this space your own."
Evelyn wandered over to one of the large windows, peering out at the skyline. "And the building management?" she asked without turning around. "We need someone responsive. No delays when something needs fixing."
Tom stepped up beside her, his hands sliding into his pockets. "The best in the business," he said confidently. "I've worked with them for years—never had a complaint. You'll be in good hands."
He turned back to me, his professional demeanor never wavering. "Dio, I'm telling you, this is the spot. You're going to want to lock this down before someone else does. I've got other clients interested, but I'd hate to see it go to someone who doesn't know how to make the most of it."
There was a pause, the weight of the decision hanging in the air. I scanned the room, taking in the potential. The light, the space, the view—it all felt right. I exchanged a look with Evelyn, who gave a barely perceptible nod. Her approval sealed the deal for me.
"We'll take it," I said finally, turning back to Tom, whose smile broadened like he'd just closed the deal of the year.
"Smart move, Dio," he said, pulling out his tablet to finalize the paperwork. "You won't regret it."
As I handed the tablet to Evelyn, letting her finalize the paperwork with Tom, my phone buzzed in my pocket, the familiar ringtone cutting through the quiet of the office. Glancing at the screen, I saw Jaken's name flashing.
I swiped to answer. "Jaken. You're alive."
A chuckle greeted me on the other end. "Barely. You know how long it takes for these pilots to figure out that landing isn't a puzzle they need to solve mid-air? I swear, Tabaguchi almost kissed the ground when we touched down."
I grinned, walking toward the windows, the view stretching out across the skyline. "You complaining or complimenting? Couldn't tell."
"Let's just say I've had smoother rides on a bumper car. So, where are you hiding? Park Avenue, right? You got me walking distance from a decent bar, or am I going to have to fend for myself?"
"Walking distance?" I shook my head, glancing at the bustling streets below. "I didn't think you'd make it that far after a landing like that. Should I arrange a wheelchair? Maybe a stretcher?"
"Funny guy." Jaken's voice was dry, but I could hear the smirk. "And here I was thinking you'd roll out the red carpet. What's next? Do I have to pick up my own bags too?"
"You're in New York, not some resort," I shot back, leaning against the glass. "If you can't handle a suitcase, I'm sure Tabaguchi will give you a hand."
"Don't even joke. He's already looking at me like I'm his personal valet," Jaken quipped. "Speaking of which, where's the hotel? Or are you planning to keep me wandering the streets?"
I stifled a laugh. "If I gave you the address, you'd still find a way to get lost. But fine, it's the Kensington Grand Hotel. I'll send you the location now."
"Kensington Grand? Ah, look at you, Dio. Big spender. You're really trying to make me feel bad about my landing complaints."
"I'm trying to make sure you have no more excuses to whine," I said, already typing out the hotel address and sending it over.
"Got it," he said as his phone buzzed on the other end. "All right, I'll meet you there. If we don't show up in a few hours, assume we took a wrong turn and Tabaguchi tried to hail a horse carriage."
"Good luck with that," I replied with a grin. "I'll see you when you get here."
"Try not to get too comfortable without me. Wouldn't want you forgetting how much fun I am."
"Trust me, Jaken, I'm counting the minutes." With that, I hung up, shaking my head with a smile as I slipped the phone back into my pocket.
Evelyn glanced over, raising an eyebrow. "Jaken?"
I nodded. "Yeah, him and Tabaguchi are on their way. The usual."
Evelyn smirked. "Should we expect chaos when they arrive?"
"Always," I said, turning back toward the office as Tom and Evelyn finalized the deal. "Always."
Dio Stat's Info:
Lvl: 16
Skill Count: 3 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze) (Global Monitoring System)
Strength:35
Agility:24
Intelligence:31
Endurance:21
Charm:25
Dio influence, power & riches:
Money - 3.6 Million Kroner
Associates - 11
Assets - 0
Digital Asset - 250 BTC
Goons - 10
Cars - 1
Guards - 2
Employers -53
Companies- 1