Page 12 of No Mane, No Gain
Baxter’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? That’s interesting. Maybe she’s psychic or something.”
“Or maybe this is all some elaborate setup,” Chaos growled, his natural suspicion reasserting itself. “For all we know, she could be working with my parents or the pride elders.”
“Come on, boss,” Baxter said, rolling his eyes. “Not everything is a conspiracy. Give it a chance, will you? What’s the worst that could happen?”
Chaos didn’t answer, his mind already racing with possibilities. He’d built his success on always being two steps ahead and anticipating every possible outcome. But this... this was uncharted territory.
As the car wove through the busy streets of Manhattan, Chaos gazed out at the towering skyscrapers and bustling sidewalks. Somewhere out there, he mused, his perfect match might be waiting. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.
They arrived at AmTech’s New York office, a gleaming tower of glass and steel in the heart of Midtown. As soon as Chaos stepped out of the car, he could feel the shift in the air. Employees hurried to open doors and clear his path, their respect and fear palpable.
Chaos straightened his shoulders, slipping easily into the role of the powerful CEO. Whatever doubts and uncertainties hemight have about his personal life, here in the realm of business, he was completely in control.
The elevator whisked them up to the top floor where Chaos’s New York office awaited. As they stepped out, his assistant, an efficient-looking woman named Sarah, hurried over with a tablet in hand.
“Mr. Amato, welcome back to New York,” she said, falling into step beside him. “The development team is ready for you in Conference Room A. They’re very excited to show you the latest prototype.”
Chaos nodded, his mind again shifting into work mode. “Thank you, Sarah. We’ll head there now. Can you make sure we’re not disturbed unless it’s an absolute emergency?”
“Of course, sir,” Sarah replied, tapping something on her tablet. “Oh, and your sister called again. She said it’s urgent that you call her back.”
Chaos suppressed a groan. “I’m sure she did. Tell her I’m in meetings all day and I’ll call her back when I can.”
As Sarah hurried off to do his bidding, Chaos turned to Baxter. “Ready to see what the team’s cooked up this time?”
Baxter grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “Always. Let’s go see the future, boss.”
They strode into the conference room where a team of eager young engineers and designers waited. The air buzzed with nervous energy as Chaos took his seat at the head of the table.
“All right,” he said, leaning forward with an intensity that immediately commanded everyone’s attention. “Show me what you’ve got.”
For the next several hours, Chaos immersed himself in the world of cutting-edge technology. He listened to presentations, asked probing questions, and offered suggestions for improvements. This was where he truly shined - in the realmof innovation and progress, pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
As the day wore on, however, Chaos found his thoughts occasionally drifting back to his upcoming meeting with Gerri Wilder. Despite his best efforts to focus solely on work, he couldn’t shake the feeling that tomorrow might mark a turning point in his life.
By the time the last meeting wrapped up, the sun had long since set over the New York skyline. Chaos stood at the window of his office, gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Baxter’s voice broke through his reverie.
Chaos turned to find his friend leaning against the doorframe, looking as tired as Chaos felt after the long day of meetings.
“Just thinking about tomorrow,” Chaos admitted. “I can’t shake the feeling that I’m walking into something I’m not prepared for.”
Baxter crossed the room to stand beside him, clapping a hand on Chaos’s shoulder. “You’re Chaos Amato. You eat ‘unprepared’ for breakfast. Whatever this Gerri Wilder throws at you, I’m sure you can handle it.”
Chaos nodded, grateful for his friend’s unwavering support. “You’re right. I’m probably overthinking this whole thing.”
“Probably,” Baxter agreed with a grin. “Now come on, let’s grab some dinner. I’m starving, and I know this great Italian place nearby that makes a risotto that’ll knock your socks off.”
As they left the office, Chaos cast one last glance back at the city spread out below. Somewhere out there, his future was waiting. And for better or worse, he was about to take the first step toward it.
FIVE
The next day dawned bright and clear, the September sun casting a golden glow over the city. He attacked his morning routine with characteristic intensity - a punishing workout in the hotel gym that left lesser men gasping, followed by a protein-packed breakfast and a razor-sharp analysis of the morning’s business news.
As the afternoon approached, Chaos felt an unfamiliar tension coiling in his gut. He dismissed it with a growl, reminding himself that he was Chaos Amato - tech tycoon, pride leader, and alpha. He didn’t get nervous. Still, he found himself changing his tie three times before settling on a deep burgundy that accentuated his commanding presence.
At precisely 1:45 p.m., Chaos strode through the opulent lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, his powerful frame and confident demeanor drawing admiring glances. He spotted the sign for the private meeting room and followed it, his polished leather shoes striking the marble floor with purposeful steps.