...
When the time came, Zastan arrived to pick up Elara and her friends with a three-car convoy. As they pulled up to the address, he noticed something immediately.
This isn't your every day neighborhood. It was a high-end one, more luxurious than he had anticipated.
The massive gates of the compound loomed ahead, framed by pristine walls and towering trees. As the convoy slowed to a stop in front of the gate, the security guards took one glance at the license plates and waved them through without question. They had already been informed about the visit.
Zastan couldn't help but marvel at the surroundings as the convoy cruised deeper into the neighborhood. "This place is incredible..." he muttered to himself, eyes wide as he took in the extravagant homes around him. These weren't just houses. Rather, they were mansions, each more grand than the last.
He remembered the car Elara and Amara had been in the first time they met. Back then, he had looked it up and found that the sleek SUV had cost 2.5 million dollars. It wasn't just the price that impressed him, but the history of the brand with nearly 100 years in the automotive industry, crafting exclusive, limited-edition SUVs for the ultra-wealthy.
As they continued down the wide, tree-lined streets, the houses became even more grand. The space between them grew larger, with vast front yards boasting perfectly maintained gardens, tall hedges, and luxury vehicles parked in circular driveways. The farther they went, the more extravagant the estates became.
Finally, they arrived at the address Elara had given him. Zastan stepped out of the car, stunned by the sight before him.
The villa was a masterpiece of architectural grandeur. It stood like a regal palace, towering over the vast property. The entrance was framed by a tall, elegant fountain, with it's crystal-clear waters flowing gracefully into a marble basin below. The fountain was surrounded by lush perfectly trimmed bushes and vibrant flowers arranged with precision, giving the entire scene an air of sophistry and novelty.
The villa itself was breathtaking. It was a sprawling estate, the facade made of white stone that gleamed under the soft glow of the evening lights. Tall pillars lined the entrance, supporting a wide balcony above that overlooked the grand courtyard. Massive windows, framed with very intricate ironwork, stretched up directly to the second floor, allowing glimpses of the luxurious interior.
The front yard stretched out like a manicured park, with neatly trimmed lawns, statues of some sort carved from marble, and a variety of exotic plants. The driveway, paved with smooth cobblestones, led up to a grand, double-door entrance made of rich mahogany wood, polished greatly that it lets out a shine. Lanterns hung from ornate, iron posts, casting a soft, welcoming light over the entire area.
Zastan stood there for a moment, taking it all in. "Wow... this is something else," he muttered, feeling slightly out of place for the first time. The villa exuded a level of luxury that even his well-funded ventures had yet to reach.
"Well, I guess this explains the car," he thought with a smile, remembering the price tag on the SUV.
As he approached the entrance, the doors opened, revealing Elara and her friends, all dressed and ready for the evening. Elara gave him a bright smile as she stepped out onto the grand porch. "Welcome, Zastan!"
He grinned back, offering her his hand. "Thanks, but I think I should be the one saying 'welcome.' This place is amazing!"
Elara chuckled, gesturing towards the fountain and the lush surroundings. "My parents have always had a thing for grand designs. We like to keep it a bit... extravagant."
Zastan nodded in agreement, still in awe of the estate. "Extravagant is one way to put it," he said with a laugh. "This villa is on another level."
'Well... a villa of this level would be a good one.'
...
In the car, Zastan sat in the co-pilot seat while the girls sat comfortably in the spacious back seats, large enough to fit six people. As they rode toward the park, a sense of awkwardness filled the air. The silence was almost deafening, making the atmosphere feel a bit stiff.
Zastan glanced over his shoulder, noticing the girls sitting quietly. "So," he began, trying to break the ice, "how've you all been lately? Any interesting stories?"
Elara, sitting closest to the window, smiled politely. "Just the usual, really.."
Amara, sitting beside her, nodded. "Yeah, things have been pretty much the same over, and over again."
The other two girls exchanged brief glances but remained quiet. Zastan chuckled softly, sensing their shyness. "Well, nothing wrong with the usual, every day life. It's better keeping things steady, right?" he added, hoping to ease the tension.
Elara chimed in, "What about you, Zastan? Anything new on your end?"
Zastan shrugged casually. "You know, the usual, business stuff. Expanding a bit here and there." He shot them a playful grin. "Though I do try to sneak in some fun every now and then."
The conversation lightened up after that, with the girls slowly relaxing. The awkwardness began to melt away as they continued chatting, the mood much more comfortable as they approached their destination.
...
...
Some time later, they arrived at the park, and it was a breathtaking sight. The park was illuminated by soft, warm lighting. Lamps lined the walkways, casting gentle pools of light onto the paths. In the distance, the centerpiece of the park is a grand, sparkling fountain, its water dancing gracefully in the air, illuminated by colorful lights that changed in rhythm. The trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, their leaves rustling under the night sky.
As their convoy pulled up, it naturally attracted the attention of some passersby. The sleek cars and their polished appearance made people pause and look, but what really caught their attention was when the doors opened, and the four girls stepped out. Their beauty was undeniable, and as they gracefully exited the car, heads turned in their direction.
A few people quickly pulled out their phones, snapping pictures of the scene as the girls adjusted their dresses and smiled politely at the attention.
Then Zastan stepped out of the car and joined them, standing confidently beside the group. Whispers floated through the crowd, and a few bold comments followed.
"Man, this guy's got four girls with him? How does he do it?" one onlooker muttered with a mix of admiration and jealousy.
Another person, clearly feeling the bitterness of his single life, complained to his friend. "Look at this! Some of us are struggling to get one date, and this guy shows up with four at once."
Zastan smirked slightly at the comments but kept his focus on the girls as they began walking toward the fountain.
...
As they walked through the park, Zastan couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. Ever since he had stepped out of the car, that familiar sensation of being followed linegerd inside his mind. He subtly glanced around, scanning the crowd, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Unbeknownst to him, his MK3s were already on the move. Hidden in the shadows, they had been tailing the suspicious figures that had been lingering around Zastan and the group since they arrived. The figures, dressed in civilian clothes, blended in with the park-goers, but the MK3s had already noticed their odd behavior.
One by one, when the opportunity presented itself, the MK3s approached the suspicious individuals. With surprising swiftness, they "shoulder-hugged" them, acting as if they were old friends meeting after a long time.
"Hey, buddy! Long time no see!" one of the MK3s said, his voice low but casual as he wrapped his left arm around one of the men's shoulders.
The man stiffened immediately, trying to push the MK3 off. "Let go," he muttered, his voice tense.
But the MK3 tightened his grip, his smile still plastered on his face. "Why are you following those people?" the MK3 asked quietly, his tone calm yet filled with authority.
The man tried to brush it off, feigning his innocence. "What? I'm not following anyone. Just admiring the girls, you know?"
The MK3's grip tightened even more, making the man struggle to breathe. "Tell me the truth," the MK3 said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Or I'll break your neck right here."
The man hesitated, glancing around nervously. His silence dragged on, but then, through his tiny, hidden earpiece, he received an order. The voice on the other end instructed him to tell the truth.
"It's… just a test," the man finally admitted, his voice barely audible.
The MK3s exchanged glances, each of them receiving the same answer from the others they had cornered. Then, as if receiving an unspoken order, they released the men all at once and one by one, slowly blended and disappeared back into the crowd.
The men let out deep breaths, relief washing over them. They had narrowly escaped a situation they weren't prepared for. One by one, they received new orders to retreat and simply watch from the shadows, making no further moves.
As Zastan and the girls continued their stroll through the park, unaware of the tense exchange that had just occurred, the MK3s kept a close eye from the dark, ensuring nothing else would disturb their evening.
...