Victor wasted no time after sealing the contract with Milo. He pressed a button on his intercom and spoke briskly, "Send James up."
Turning to Milo, he said, "You'll meet James shortly—he's in charge of coordinating our facilities for special projects. He'll ensure you have everything you need."
A few moments later, James entered with a polite nod to Victor and a warm smile toward Milo. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Winters," he said. "Shall we head over to your new studio?"
Milo nodded eagerly, trying to mask his excitement, though his heart was pounding with anticipation. The three of them made their way down a quiet hallway and into a private elevator that descended to the lower floors, dedicated exclusively to Kingsley's creative and design departments.
As the elevator doors slid open, Milo stepped out and found himself staring into a stunning space beyond anything he'd imagined. The studio was enormous, with tall glass windows that bathed the room in natural light, casting a soft glow over the spacious interior. The floors were polished hardwood, and the walls were lined with racks for canvases, shelves stocked with supplies, and display cases for finished pieces.
For a moment, Milo could only stand there, absorbing the grandeur of it all. This… this is mine? he thought, his heart swelling with disbelief. He walked slowly around the studio, running his hand over the surface of a wide workbench.
"Is everything to your liking?" Victor's voice broke the silence, and Milo looked up, still dazed.
"It's…" He struggled for words, finally allowing himself a smile. "It's perfect. More than I could have ever dreamed."
Victor only gave a curt nod, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good. I'll leave you to get settled," he said before turning to James. "Ensure he has access to all the supplies he needs."
As Victor left, Milo was alone in the studio, letting the excitement bubble over without restraint. He spun in a small circle, laughing to himself, still unable to fully believe this space was his.
"This is unreal," he murmured, his voice echoing softly in the vast room. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling a sense of pride and anticipation he hadn't felt in years. I'm actually going to work here. This place is mine.
Eager to share the news, Milo pulled out his phone and quickly video-called his best friend, Felix. The screen flickered to life, and Felix's grinning face appeared.
"Hey, Milo! What's up?"
Milo could barely contain his enthusiasm. "Felix, you won't believe where I am right now."
Felix raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on, show me!"
Milo flipped the camera around, panning across the studio. "This is it—my own studio. Kingsley Industries set this up for me. I have… I have everything I could need here, Felix. I can finally focus on creating, without limits!"
Felix whistled, impressed. "Whoa, that's incredible! Look at that space! Man, you could fit a whole exhibition in there! And those windows! I can't believe they're giving you something this… luxurious."
Milo chuckled, feeling the warmth of his friend's excitement. "Right? I didn't know places like this even existed. They've got every type of supply imaginable here. I don't think I'll ever run out of anything."
Felix leaned in, his expression serious yet playful. "I told you, Milo—good things come to those who stick it out. You worked your butt off, and now look. You're where you belong."
Milo felt a rush of gratitude, not just for the studio but for the unwavering support his friend had shown him all these years. "Thanks, Felix. I couldn't have done this without you pushing me, reminding me to keep going."
Felix laughed. "Hey, don't get all mushy on me now! You earned this yourself. So… are you actually gonna tell me what it's like working there? How's Kingsley himself? Is he as terrifying as they say?"
Milo hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Well… let's just say he's intense," he admitted, a small grin forming. "But his dad, Mr. Henry Kingsley, is really the one who pushed for this whole setup. He's… he's something else—genuinely kind. Made me feel like he believed in my work, you know?"
Felix nodded, absorbing it all. "Well, it sounds like you've got a mix of both worlds—support and challenge. But hey, you thrive on that, so this is basically your perfect setup."
Milo laughed, feeling the truth of those words. "You know me too well. This feels like the beginning of something big."
Felix grinned. "That's because it is. You've got this, Milo. And remember, I'm only a video call away if you need a pep talk… or someone to marvel at that ridiculously cool studio."
Milo panned the camera once more, the two friends sharing a moment of pure, unfiltered excitement.
***