LOVE! WHY NOW!

The Final Call

The rooftop bar at The Standard High Line was alive with vibrant energy that warm spring evening in New York City. Music pulsed steadily through the floor, blending with bursts of laughter, the cheerful clink of glasses, and the low hum of conversations all around. Colorful string lights hung overhead, casting a soft golden and pink glow over the crowd, making everything feel magical and alive. The air was rich with the tempting smells of grilled appetizers, expensive cocktails, various perfumes, and the fresh, cool night breeze blowing in from the Hudson River. Down below, the High Line park stretched like a long green ribbon through the buildings. Couples walked hand in hand, some taking photos of the stunning view, others sitting on benches talking quietly and enjoying the night. The entire Manhattan skyline sparkled with thousands of bright lights from tall office towers and apartment buildings. Yellow taxis moved like slow rivers of light on the streets far below.

Bethany Buch, twenty-two years old, stood near the glass railing, holding a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc in her manicured hand. Her long chestnut-brown hair fell in soft, natural waves over her shoulders and back, moving gently every time the wind touched it. She wore a beautiful backless emerald-green cocktail dress. The silky fabric hugged her athletic yet curvaceous body perfectly — it accentuated her full, round breasts, narrow waist, and the smooth curve of her hips. The dress ended just above her knees, showing off her toned legs. On her wrist, her mother’s vintage Cartier watch caught the light with every small movement. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she laughed with her group of college friends.

“Beth, seriously, you have to come with us to Mykonos next month,” her friend Sarah said excitedly, clinking her glass against Bethany’s. “Leave all that family business stuff behind. You’re way too young to be stuck carrying heavy responsibilities.”

Bethany gave a warm smile. “Maybe. Right now the world feels big and open.” She took a slow sip of the cold wine. But deep inside her chest, a small restless feeling sat quietly. She had spent years running from her father’s world of big tech companies and family expectations. Her older sister Cassandra had escaped to Paris to paint. Bethany had chosen her own path, accelerated college, secret nights writing poetry, and evenings like this where she could just be herself.

The group talked and laughed more. Bethany listened, but part of her mind kept drifting to her secret dream of starting a small creative agency or publishing her poems. She had always felt like the second daughter, the reliable one who stayed close, while Cassandra ran free.

Her phone vibrated. It was her father. Unusual for this hour.

She stepped to a quieter corner. “Daddy?”

“Bethany...” His voice was weak. “You need to come to BuchForge now. Something is happening.”

Her heart tightened. “Dad? Are you okay?”

He coughed painfully. “The company… big debts… IllusionForge… protect it, but trust no one…” The line went dead.

Panic hit her. She rushed out. The Uber ride to Wall Street felt endless. Tall buildings blurred past. When she reached the office, chaos greeted her. Paramedics surrounded her father. Her mother Elena stood distant. Theo paced anxiously.

“Dad!” She knelt beside him and held his cold hand. Tears filled her eyes.

He looked at her weakly. “Beth… my strong girl. Cassandra won’t take this. The weight is on your head now. Debts… over one hundred and eighty million hidden. Old feuds. IllusionForge knows too much. The simulations blur everything.”

The ambulance ride was a blur of sirens and flashing lights. Memories flooded her — sunny Hamptons days, Singapore trips, her father’s proud laugh. At the hospital, the doctor gave the news: Richard Buch did not survive.

The pain hit deep. Theo caught her. Elena remained quiet. In that moment, Bethany felt her free life slipping away. At twenty-two, she was now responsible for BuchForge Dynamics.

Morning came heavy. Back at the Tribeca penthouse, with its stunning Hudson River view, Bethany stood at the window. Regret filled her. Last month she was in Aspen, dreaming of her own creative future. Now everything had changed.

Her phone rang. Damien Voss, a major shareholder. His smooth British voice carried concern. “Miss Buch, my condolences. We need to meet. The company is in trouble.”

That evening, at Marco’s Italian restaurant in Tribeca, warm lights and the smell of garlic and wine surrounded her. Damien arrived, tall and confident. Their conversation started with business but slowly turned more personal. He listened when she spoke about her father. For a brief moment, she felt seen. When his hand brushed hers, a spark of warmth passed through her.

Later that night, alone in the penthouse, Bethany tried a short IllusionForge session. Her father appeared, alive and smiling. The hug felt so real it broke her heart. But shadows lingered at the edges.

She cried quietly afterward. The weight of the legacy felt crushing. But deep down, a mix of fear, determination, and unexpected feelings was beginning to stir.

The fight to save her father’s company, and herself, had only just begun.