The conversation at Lakeside Grill flowed easily among Martin's friends, laughter and anecdotes bouncing back and forth as they caught up on the years spent apart. It seemed like everyone knew the major updates in each other's lives, leaving Martin feeling like the odd one out.
After all, he had distanced himself from everyone following his parents' divorce, withdrawing into his own world as his life spiraled downwards.
Back then, no one had been able to break through his walls, and even now, after all this time, Martin realized how isolated he had become.
Reggie was the only new friend he had made since those high school days, a further reminder of how out of touch with society he had been for so long.
Most of his friends had moved on to bigger things. They had the support, the grades, and the money to go to good universities in the provincial capital. But Martin? His high school scores hadn't been good enough to get into those universities, and he didn't have the money or the motivation to attend second-rate colleges.
Instead, he drifted from one unremarkable job to the next, stuck in a cycle he didn't know how to escape.
As the conversation swirled around him, it wasn't long before the focus turned to Martin. They hadn't seen him in so long, and they were curious.
"So, what have you been up to, man?" Jason asked, leaning forward with genuine interest.
Not wanting to disappoint them, Martin smiled and leaned into the conversation, starting slow.
"Well… it's been rough. After high school, I worked for a while as part of the sales team at a real estate housing agency. It wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills."
Some of them nodded, understanding the grind of those early career years. Martin continued, keeping his tone light, though the memories were far from easy.
"But then things took a turn. I ended up getting fired, and after that… I had a panic attack. It was a low point."
There was a brief silence at the table as his friends processed his words. He wasn't expecting much sympathy, but the looks they gave him were full of understanding.
"That must've been tough," Sarah said softly, her lawyerly tone full of empathy.
Martin shrugged, keeping his smile in place.
"Yeah, but it knocked some sense into me. I started working out, clearing my head, and focusing on getting back on my feet. You know what they say—when there's a will, there's a way."
The others smiled at that, clearly relieved that Martin had found a way to move forward. He wasn't about to delve into the supernatural system or the villa across the lake.
Instead, he casually mentioned, "I've actually teamed up with someone recently. We're thinking of starting a private business, but it's still in the early stages. Nothing concrete yet."
A few of them perked up at that, intrigued by the prospect. "A private business?" Sarah asked, leaning forward with a curious glint in her eye. "What kind of business?"
Martin waved it off with a light laugh. "We're still figuring it out. Honestly, it's just two amateurs trying to make something happen. But we'll see how it goes."
Some of his friends seemed genuinely interested. Jason was the first to speak up, "If you need help, let me know. I know a few people in the area who might be able to give you a leg up."
Before Martin could respond, others chimed in. A couple of his friends, without saying much, reached into their wallets and handed over business cards. "These are some people I've met at parties," Nathan said, sliding a sleek card across the table. "They're big in business and politics—good connections to have."
Martin accepted the cards with a nod of thanks, though he was careful not to reveal too much. He kept the details about Lucia and their potential partnership vague. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," he said, stashing the cards in his pocket.
The conversation continued, with some friends offering more verbal support. Sarah and Jason were the most vocal, reassuring him that they'd help in any way they could.
"Don't hesitate to reach out," Sarah said. "Even if it's just for advice."
Lily and Leo, in their own way, expressed their support too, though less enthusiastically.
It wasn't that they weren't supportive—Martin knew their personalities were just a bit more reserved. Lily nodded thoughtfully, and Leo gave a quiet thumbs-up, still fiddling with his phone but clearly paying attention.
As the conversation shifted away from him and back to the group's shared memories, Martin couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth. They hadn't pried too deeply into his struggles, but they had offered their support without hesitation. Despite the years of distance and the secrets he was keeping, his friends were still there for him.
For now, that was enough.
While the others were wrapped up in their conversations, Martin let his thoughts drift, reflecting on the bits of information he had gleaned from his friends throughout the evening.
It had become clear to him that if he was going to start something big, he would need a core team of people he could trust. His friends were no longer the high school kids he remembered—they had each carved out their own paths in the world, and some of them had skills that could prove invaluable to his future plans.
Nathan Park, with his career in finance, was the most obvious choice. Martin could use someone with Nathan's expertise to help him navigate the often confusing world of investments and capital. Then there was Sarah Patel—sharp, ambitious, and on the verge of becoming a lawyer.
He had been studying the legal aspects of setting up a business, but having someone with real knowledge would make the process much easier.
The more Martin thought about it, the more he realized that involving them in his plans wasn't just smart—it was necessary.
After weighing his thoughts for a moment, he subtly shifted his attention to Sarah, who was engaged in a light conversation with Emily.
He hesitated, unsure if now was the right time to bring up business matters in the middle of a casual reunion. But he needed to get her input, especially after the intense study session he had earlier. If she could offer any insight into the legalities he might have overlooked, it could be the edge he needed.
When the moment seemed right, Martin leaned closer and quietly briefed Sarah on what he had been researching just before arriving at Lakeside Grill.
He kept it brief but focused on the key points—starting a business, the legal steps, and what gaps he might need to fill in his understanding.
Sarah listened intently, her brow furrowing slightly in thought. When Martin finished, she gave him a small smile and nodded.
"You've done a good job so far, but there are a few more nuances you might want to look into. It's hard to go over everything in detail here, though." She glanced around at the lively restaurant, the noise making it difficult to focus.
After a brief pause, she offered, "How about this? Let's shelve the talk for now, and after we're done here, I'll come with you to your apartment. We can go over everything in a more casual setting where we won't be interrupted."
Martin was pleasantly surprised by her offer. Sarah had always been dependable, and the idea of having a more in-depth discussion about his plans sounded like exactly what he needed. "That sounds great," he said, smiling with genuine appreciation. "I'll be glad to get your input."
With the promise of a more focused conversation later, Martin felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
He had taken the first step toward building his core team, and if things went well, Sarah could become an essential ally in his journey to create something new. For now, though, he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening, knowing that important discussions lay ahead.
As the evening wore on, the energy at Lakeside Grill gradually began to mellow.
Conversations slowed, and the laughter that had filled the air all night became softer, more subdued.
One by one, Martin's friends began saying their goodbyes, exchanging hugs and promises to meet again soon.
Martin felt a sense of contentment as he bid them farewell, knowing he had rekindled bonds that had long been neglected.
With Sarah at his side, the two made their way to the train station. The speed railway was quiet at this hour, the gentle hum of the train offering a peaceful contrast to the lively night they'd just shared.
They didn't speak much during the ride, allowing the comfortable silence to settle between them as the city lights blurred past the windows. Martin was grateful for the calm, using the time to gather his thoughts.
Before long, they arrived downtown, the soft thrum of the train coming to a halt as they alighted and caught a cab to his studio apartment.
The city streets were quieter now, bathed in the glow of streetlights. As the cab pulled up to his building, Martin exhaled slowly, feeling a flutter of nerves.
He composed himself before turning to Sarah, offering a calm smile. "Would you like to come upstairs?" he asked.