Chapter 6: The Architect of Power
1044 Words
The rhythmic tap of Michael Stone’s pen against his desk was the only sound in the vast expanse of his corner office. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the skyline, the city sprawling below like a living, breathing entity. Deals were being struck, fortunes made and lost, all within the reach of a single phone call. But Michael wasn’t thinking about numbers right now.
He was thinking about Stone Legacy Holdings, the empire he had built from the ground up.
On paper, it was a real estate investment firm _ one of the most powerful in the country. But in reality, it was far more than that. He wasn’t just buying properties. He was creating an empire. A legacy. One that would outlive him.
The latest acquisition had been the Southampton estate, a sprawling, oceanfront property that had once belonged to an old-
money dynasty. It was the crown jewel of his latest project _ an exclusive real estate portfolio so prestigious that only the wealthiest elite would ever gain access.
Private islands. Mega-mansions. Hidden luxury retreats.
Michael didn’t just deal in properties. He dealt in power.
And yet, none of it satisfied him.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw.
Elliot James, his closest confidant and business partner, walked into the office without knocking _ because, of course, he never did.
"You’re thinking too hard again," Elliot said, dropping a thick contract onto Michael’s desk.
Michael barely glanced at it. "Is this about the Paris acquisition?"
Elliot smirked. "Among other things. But mostly, it’s about you not getting any sleep."
Michael shot him a dry look. "I sleep fine."
Elliot chuckled. "Right. You’re practically glowing with rest and relaxation." He dropped into the chair across from Michael’s desk, stretching out like he owned the place. "Speaking of relaxation and the summer break we talked, the Hamptons property is ready for you. If you’re still serious about using it for the summer, the staff is already being arranged. Chef included."
Michael frowned. "What chef?"
Elliot lifted a brow. "The one you approved, apparently. Your estate manager said they found someone last-minute. Highly recommended, but a little… unconventional. The kind who actually cooks instead of just arranging overpriced microgreens on a plate."
Michael’s lips twitched. "Unconventional doesn’t sound like a bad thing."
Elliot shrugged. "We will see. You will be eating her food soon enough."
Michael rubbed the right side of his head as though he just remembered something. “Speaking of Chef… You remember that kitchen staff we saw at the restaurant the other night?”
Elliot gave a confused look as he crossed his legs. “What kitchen staff? What restaurant?”
Michael grumbled, rubbing his temple. What do you mean by what restaurant? What is the last restaurant we visited together?
“Michael chill down. Stop throwing tantrums. You are transferring your frustrations on me.”
“Elliot, I am sorry about that. But you are supposed to know what restaurant I am talking about.”
Elliot stared blankly at the already frustrated Michael as though searching for the answers on Michael's forehead. Then the answer came. “The Auberge du Luxe ?”
Michael snapped his fingers. “Exactly! The Auberge du Luxe.”
Elliot lifted his both hands into the air in a carefree manner. “So what about the Auberge du Luxe? And the supposed kitchen staff I still don't know about. What about them?”
Michael stared blankly into space as though lost in thoughts. “It's not really about the restaurant. It's the kitchen staff. There's something about that lady. She just seems to have captured my heart…”
“Okay. Okay. Michael slow down. I am really lost in this conversation. First of all, I didn't see any kitchen staff at the restaurant that night. I only saw waiters and high profiled clients that were feasting on their already served orders, or probably waiting for their orders. So, what kitchen staff are you talking about? Or did you go into the kitchen of the Auberge du Luxe that night?”
“Elliot, I didn't go into the kitchen that night. The kitchen staff, whose name I didn't get to know, just breezed in and out of the restaurant that night. She didn't spend so much time in the restaurant. So, I guess that's the reason why you didn't see her. But I was fortunate enough to behold such an epitome of beauty.”
Elliot smirked. “Okay Michael. Enough of the appraisal. What about the kitchen staff? Why are you suddenly talking about her?
Michael leaned forward on his seat towards Elliot and fixed his gaze on Elliot. “Okay. I saw the kitchen staff that night, and for some reasons, she caught my attention. She captivated my heart. I was drawn to her. My mind has been filled with the thoughts of her ever since then. So, I decided to go back to the restaurant, and have a word with her. Maybe get her contact or even her name.”
Elliot nodded, paying attention to Michael's story. “Okay? Did you go back to the restaurant?”
“Oh yes! I did.”
“Then? What's her name?”
Michael's countenance fell. “ I didn't get to see her, let alone get her name or contact. I waited for several hours in the restaurant, but I didn't see anything that looked like her, let alone her shadows . I also asked some of her colleagues I saw there, but they had no information about the person I described to them.”
“Michael, maybe you would just have to visit there again.”
“Elliot, I did. On two different occasions, but it all yielded negative results.”
“I am sorry about that, Michael. Maybe you should just give up on that. The good news is that the Hamptons property is ready for you. So, your summer break is ready. Your staffs and chef are ready too.
Michael sighed. “Alright, thank you.”
Elliot chuckled. “You are welcome. The chef is also a big bonus for you, because I heard she makes the best meals.”
Michael nodded, dismissing the topic from his mind. Whoever this chef was, they didn’t matter.
Not yet.
- Writer
