Chapter 28: Shadows of Marrakech
The flight to Marrakech was quiet, but Younes couldn't shake the restlessness that had taken root in him. He watched as the city's familiar streets and the coastline of Casablanca grew smaller beneath the plane, replaced by the rugged beauty of the Moroccan landscape. The mountains loomed in the distance, a reminder of the challenges he had already conquered and those still ahead. But today wasn't about success or wealth. It was about answers.
He wasn't traveling for business this time. The meeting he was heading for was personal, one that had the potential to realign the course of his life. For weeks, he had been debating the risks of his latest project, and now, as he flew toward Marrakech, he was beginning to question if he was making the right decisions, not just for his business but for himself.
The wheels touched down, and Younes felt a strange sense of calm wash over him as the plane taxied to the terminal. Marrakech was always different from Casablanca. It was more grounded, steeped in tradition and history. Here, he felt closer to his roots.
His driver was waiting outside the airport, ready to take him to the medina where his meeting would take place. The car ride was smooth, the streets of Marrakech bustling with life as they wove through the narrow, winding roads toward the heart of the city. The familiar scents of spices, mint tea, and grilled meats filled the air, reminding Younes of the time he spent in this city as a child, visiting family who had long since passed. But today, it was not nostalgia that brought him here—it was the future.
The car stopped in front of a modest riad, hidden behind tall, unassuming walls. Younes stepped out and glanced up at the building. It wasn't the grandeur of the luxury hotels he was accustomed to, but that was the point. Inside this unassuming place lived the man who had shaped many of Younes' decisions in his early life—Omar, an old mentor who had once guided Younes through the murky waters of business and ethics.
Younes knocked on the large wooden door, and it creaked open moments later. A young woman greeted him with a warm smile, ushering him inside to the cool, shaded courtyard where Omar sat, as usual, surrounded by the greenery of his small garden. His white hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp eyes lit up when he saw Younes.
"Ah, Younes," Omar said with a grin, motioning for him to sit. "I knew you would return one day. You always do when you need clarity."
Younes smiled, but it was thin. "I think this time is different, Omar. Things are... complicated."
"They always are, my boy," Omar replied with a chuckle, pouring tea into a pair of small glasses. "But you have never backed away from a challenge. Why would this time be any different?"
Younes took a deep breath, accepting the tea and sitting back in the low, cushioned chair. "I've built something incredible, Omar. Something bigger than I ever thought possible. But now, it feels like it's starting to slip. There's a new project, a risky one, and I'm not sure if I should go through with it. Everyone's watching—waiting to see if I'll fail."
Omar nodded thoughtfully, sipping his tea. "The higher you climb, the more people want to see you fall. That's the way of the world. But tell me, Younes, are you doing this for them, or for yourself?"
The question lingered in the air, and Younes found himself unsure of the answer. For so long, his motivations had been clear—climbing out of poverty, proving himself to the world, building a legacy. But now, with everything he had accomplished, the lines had blurred.
"I don't know anymore," Younes admitted. "I used to know. But lately, I've felt like I'm running just to stay ahead. Like if I stop for even a second, everything will come crashing down."
Omar leaned forward, placing his hand on Younes' arm. "You've already won the race, Younes. But if you keep running without knowing why, you'll burn out. The question you need to answer is, what do you really want?"
Younes stared at the ripples in his tea, Omar's words echoing in his mind. What did he want? It was a question he had been avoiding for months, maybe even years. He had been so focused on the next deal, the next milestone, that he had forgotten why he started in the first place.
Omar watched him in silence, letting the young man wrestle with his thoughts. Finally, Younes looked up, his expression more determined than before.
"I think I've been chasing success for the wrong reasons," he said slowly, as if the realization was dawning on him for the first time. "I've been afraid of losing everything I've built. But I'm starting to see that maybe success isn't just about what I have. It's about what I do with it."
Omar smiled, his eyes twinkling with approval. "Now you're starting to understand. Wealth and power mean nothing if you don't use them for something greater than yourself. You've been given a gift, Younes, but it's up to you to decide how you use it."
Younes nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. For so long, he had been driven by fear—fear of failure, fear of going back to the life he once knew. But maybe it was time to let go of that fear, to focus on something more meaningful.
"Thank you, Omar," Younes said, standing up and extending his hand. "I needed this."
Omar clasped his hand with a firm grip, his smile never fading. "You always know where to find me when you need a reminder of who you are."
As Younes left the riad, the sun was beginning to set over Marrakech, casting a golden glow over the city. The call to prayer echoed in the distance, and Younes felt a sense of peace that he hadn't experienced in a long time.
He knew now what he had to do. The project would go forward, but it wouldn't be just another step in his pursuit of wealth. It would be a turning point, a chance to use his success to create something lasting, something that would benefit more than just himself.
And for the first time in months, Younes felt like he was on the right path again.
As he drove back toward the airport, ready to return to Casablanca, he thought about the future with a new sense of purpose. The challenges ahead were still daunting, but now, he faced them with a clearer vision of who he was and what he wanted to achieve.
The next chapter of his life was just beginning, and this time, Younes was ready to face it head-on—no longer driven by fear, but by the desire to leave a legacy that would outlive him.