DARK PETALS

Chapter~1

Victor's POV

The glow of the city lights barely seeped through the tinted windows of my office. The faint click of my keyboard echoed in the otherwise silent room, the only sound breaking through the stillness. My focus remained on the reports scattered before me, numbers and figures demanding my undivided attention.

The day had been long, meetings dragging on with predictable monotony. Most of the people I dealt with were incompetent, slow, unable to keep up with the pace I demanded. I didn't feel much of anything these days-except the relentless need to push forward. My company, my empire-none of it was ever enough. Growth wasn't an option; it was a necessity. Everything had to be under my control.

A sharp knock at my door disrupted my thoughts. I didn't bother looking up as my assistant, Collins, entered. His shoes barely made a sound against the marble floor as he approached my desk, a tablet in hand.

"Sir, there's an update on the Aeris Dynamics deal."

I took the tablet from him, skimming through the report. The numbers were precisely what I expected-Aeris was stalling, but they wouldn't hold out for long. A company on the edge of collapse always thought they had more leverage than they actually did.

"They'll fold," I said, handing the tablet back. "Increase the pressure and remind them that delays cost money."

"Yes, sir." Collins hesitated briefly before continuing, "Also, I believe Rosanera Technologies would be a better fit for the upcoming project."

At that, I finally looked up. "Rosanera Technologies," I muttered, the name rolling off my tongue with intrigue. A relatively new player in the tech industry, but one whose rapid rise had drawn attention. They weren't just keeping up; they were outpacing competitors with unsettling efficiency..

Pluviana Rossi.

Her name had surfaced more than once in industry conversations. Enigmatic, cold, brilliant. The woman had built Rosanera from nothing, turning it into a powerhouse in AI development within five years. People called her ruthless, but I didn't believe in reputations. I believed in results.

"Schedule a meeting with her," I ordered, my voice sharp and decisive. "Make it personal."

Collins shifted slightly. "Personal, sir?"

I gave him a pointed look. "You heard me."

He nodded quickly before exiting the room.

I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers. Pluviana Rossi wasn't going to be an easy opponent, but that didn't concern me. If Rosanera Technologies was useful to my goals, I would acquire it. And if she stood in my way, I would dismantle it.

Time Skip

At Night

Pluviana's POV

The moonlight filtered through the car windows, streaking across the leather interior as I gazed out at the passing cityscape. The rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound accompanying my thoughts. Below, the city pulsed with energy-a chaotic rhythm of neon lights, blurred figures, and distant voices.

Everything I had, I had earned. Nothing was given to me. Every success had been carved from the bones of long nights, strategic plays, and unwavering focus. Rosanera Technologies wasn't just my company-it was a testament to my will. In five years, I had turned it from an idea into a dominant force in AI development. People whispered my name in industry circles, either with awe or resentment.

I didn't care for their opinions. Only results mattered.

The faint vibration of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. A message lit up the screen.

Aura:

"I'm serious this time-let's meet. Tomorrow night. No excuses. You're not getting out of this."

I exhaled slowly, a small smile ghosting my lips. Aurora Steele my best friend since college. She had a habit of knowing exactly when to push me, never letting me retreat too far into myself. She and Elena were the only ones who never let me shut them out completely, even when I tried.

I typed back a quick response.

Me:

"Aura, can't we do this another day? I have a lot on my plate."

Her reply was almost instant.

Aura:

"Ana, you can't work 24/7. I'm not asking. I'm telling. We're meeting. Elena's coming too, and we're not taking no for an answer."

I sighed, leaning back against the headrest. If anyone else had demanded my time like this, I would have ignored them without hesitation. But Aurora and Elena weren't just anyone. They were my only constants.

Me:

"Fine."

Aura:

"Perfect."

I locked my phone, exhaling slowly.

The car pulled up in front of my building, a towering glass structure that reflected the city's lights like a fragmented mirror. It stood as a reminder of everything I had built-but tonight, those lights felt distant.

The driver stepped out to open the door for me, but I was already moving, pushing the door open myself. The cold night air bit at my skin as I stepped onto the pavement, adjusting the sharp lapels of my jacket. The city's hum lingered in the background-car horns, distant chatter, the low rumble of the subway beneath the pavement.

I strode toward the entrance, heels clicking against the polished stone. The lobby was quiet, a stark contrast to the world outside. The security guards straightened as I passed, nodding their acknowledgment.

Inside the elevator, I exhaled slowly, watching the floors tick upward. Then, the doors open. The quiet hum of the city seemed to fade the moment I stepped out of the elevator, replaced by the stillness of my private world.

I walked through the lobby, my heels clicking against the marble floor. The security guards, always so attentive, nodded as I passed, their gazes fixed on the floor as they knew better than to meet mine.

Aurora and Elena were persistent, but their insistence often had a way of pushing me into situations I didn't plan for. Still, I couldn't deny their importance. They were the few people who know me, understand me, love me.

The elevator doors closed behind me with a soft chime as I entered my apartment, the space dark except for the city lights creeping in through the windows.

The stillness of the apartment was comforting. No distractions. No outside forces...

𝑨 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒂 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒏.

𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒕,

𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏, 𝒉𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒔.

𝑨 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕.

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it !!!

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