A few days more, and Kieran would make his first public appearance. Gregory was trying to lecture Kieran on how to do things right, just like one does to a little clueless kid. But Kieran was man enough—no one teaches a street rat how to act rich.
It was a restless Friday night. Black Mercedes Benzes cruised through the street in a linear formation, slow and steady as though all were on autopilot. And shrouded amidst these black land yachts was a creamy Rolls Royce Boat Tail. Anyone would know who would probably ride in the most expensive car. Even when the car plates told one thing - Holland escort.
The cars drove through the restless city, where every person passing by took pictures, to the front of a tall building. Walls built of glass that reflected the Skybridge City's lustrous face. People say you could see the city's beautiful night landscape on the walls of the Holland Penthouse... And so, they told no lie.
Of course, as the cars parked, reporters rushed towards the Boat Tail like a water current, flashes of light dancing off the aluminium door before the chauffeur opened it. Bodyguards flanked Kieran immediately as he stepped out, clearing the way for him across the red carpet. Clad in black silk and jewellery. Who said street rats aren't the best spenders when they just lay their hands on a fortune?
Everyone were just like Jaxon, trying all their best to get clear pictures, ask questions... and sorts. Their bosses would have pestered them to do all that so their broadcasting company gets huge followings. But Kieran only smiled at them - not for the sake of looking friendly, but to get hot pictures of himself posted online. He wasn't allowing any reporter to interview him before Jaxon.
Posts like "OMG, CEO Holland is so hot", "his gf is lucky", "he must have been living in a special paradise till now", and so on, being the main ones on social media, were enough by Kieran.
There were three ways to show people you're super rich. The first was... to make your presence feel important and costly.
That was what Kieran was doing, not sparing any reporter a minute of his time, even until he set foot inside the penthouse. There were two rows of suited employees who bowed to welcome him inside, and one thing dawned on Kieran more. This thousand-feet building belonged to him and him alone. And everyone here lives off the salary he pays them.
Ending the bustling, worrisome night, Kieran settled in a room on the highest floor. Floor 130.
A paradise there is. Everything is done so well to his liking. Lounge wider than his entire flat combined, walls with intricate carvings of female angels. The floor was Italian black marble inlaid with veins of gold that shimmer under the thousand radiant petals of a Snowflake chandelier.
Kieran had known about the chandelier before - worth ten million dollars, and when he whispered alone, the ceilings turned into a galaxy of stars. Bedroom... Everywhere and everything were just what you'd expect from a place where you lack nothing.
The internet screamed with headlines... Lost heir returning after 25 years.
And Jaxon and Zyn weren't finding out his identity through the internet. Kieran wasn't someone like that. The automatic door, flanked by professional bodybuilders, opened swiftly in a moment, the two friends entering with widening mouths. Kieran had sent two Bugattis to bring them to the penthouse before he himself reached.
Jaxon said nothing—just stared around in utter surprise. Six feet tall. Curly brown hair and a suit, giving him the workaholic vibe. And as much as Kieran remembered, Zyn was still the baddie she always was.
A nose piercing. Long Brazilian bone-straight hair. She had gold hoop earrings on. Wearing flared cargo pants with a crop top. Stiletto fingernails. And she still used that bold red lipstick.
Kieran placed his arm on the plush white velvet couch, rested his chin, and stared at Zyn with admiration. He always had eyes for her alone, even after their break-up.
'Still as pretty,' Kieran giggled.
Jaxon went ahead to touch the fireplace and was even more surprised when the walls turned opaque as he reached out to it.
Wealth. That's what this main lounge screamed.
Jaxon glanced at Kieran, who watched him with a gentle smile. "Dude! This is.... just insane! You're literally living in a 2060 room!"
Kieran chuckled. "It's not yet peak time, Jaxon!"
Yes, Kieran said it right. Because the next day, he took the two of them to a Louis Vuitton store. Cameras wouldn't stop clicking at them. And that was exactly what Kieran wanted... he lifted his shoulders a bit in superiority while under a black shade, an overcoat hanging by his arm.
His arms were up a little under sunglasses, a creamy overcoat hanging by his shoulders. He had a slicked-back hairstyle on - the "I own the company" look. He wore a diamond stud too.
The employees around led them into a VIP mall, in the same building, where they could only find unreleased clothes first. The manager told them no one in the entire Skybridge City had a piece of these products yet.
The two friends were just surprised how influential and popular Kieran had turned into in a few days. They hadn't heard the few details, but for one, he was back as Mr. Holland. The rightful CEO of the corporation.
What was crazy was the employees at the store were competing to serve him, even almost falling off their shoes. Kieran as well knew the game, and he would ask to get all kinds of a particular cloth either he or the BFFs liked in different colours.
When they were leaving, everyone was asking for a selfie and an autograph. Kieran had known this happen... Because the second way to appear wealthy was using money as a tool to manipulate people's actions and emotions, not one of luxury. They will easily flock your way.
The black-suited sets of chauffeurs and escorts pulled into SUVs after Kieran and his friends had settled inside a white Limo.
But this? It still wasn't peak yet - Kieran told them that.