PROJECT SHADOW

SOPHIA

I was seated on one of the plush designer rich velvet furniture which had been strategically placed throughout the area, inviting guests to sit and linger in comfort at the reception. I was wearing a royal blue dress which clung to my body like a second skin but not in a revealing way. It was a formal dress which stopped short just above my knees. I had borrowed it from Cassy. She had stated that it was a dress from her youthful days and didn't stop yapping about how expensive it had been back then.Anyways, it was the perfect fit. Sitting down there at the reception, it felt like I had been catapulted to another universe, one where wealth and opulence were on a whole different level. The towering ceiling that creates a sense of grandeur, the luxurious marble floors that add a rather refined touch of sophistication, the crystal portable chandeliers suspended from above casting golden lights over the entire space.Not to mention the bespoke reception desk, crafted from rich, dark, wood, and polished to taste. The receptionist, about three of them, stood in their beautiful uniform in strategic points behind the bespoke table that stretched from one end of the large reception hall to the other."Ma'am," one of the receptionists called out to me.It was finally time for them to attend to me after waiting for some hours now. Thankfully, the cushion was very comfortable and my buttocks appreciated that.I walked over to the receptionist who stood at the other end of the bespoke table counter top. A practiced professional smile was plastered on her face accentuated by her natural beauty which made her irresistible. "Do you have a reservation?" She asked, her face still adorned with a smile."Yes I do. I made one here last week." It had taken a whole week for them to finally approve of my reservation. It was just a week but to me those were excruciatingly long days to wait.She turned her attention to the large computer screen in front of the, tapping on the keyboard before finally stopping and turning to me."Cassandra Bridge?" She asked me.I thought it would be better if I used a fake name. Precisely Cassandra's name. It would be better that way so I wouldn't have to draw too much attention to myself. I flashed her my most honest smile, "yes." She looked at me, skepticism flickering in her eyes for a few moments as her eyes scanned my face particularly. It was expected because I had used Cassy's information and there it said she was thirty-eight years old but I looked nothing close to that age."Um... Just take the elevator to the very top floor and make your way to the penthouse. There will be an assistant on the floor who will be your guide."I offered her my best smile in response before making my way to the elevator at the far end of the reception. As soon as I stepped in and I felt it start to move, my mind began going over the questions I had planned to ask him.Before I had put in for a reservation, I had done some research on him. Victor Harrington, one of New York's finest billionaires with over a hundred billionaire dollars in assets. He was born into wealth and had inherited his father's company and wealth. But he did his own fair share in getting it to where it is now. He was a worthy competitor in the business tech world and he was a rather interesting man.The elevator chimed softly before opening onto a space that didn’t belong in the real world. It felt more like a dream—one characterized by wealth, and opulence. I stepped into the penthouse conference room slowly, heels muffled against the plush carpet, breath catching as the city unfolded before my eyes through walls of glass. Manhattan stretched endlessly beneath me. glittering under the afternoon sun, with the Empire State Building rising in the distance like a sentinel.This was power. Cold. Quiet. Absolute.The polished wood table gleamed under the soft halo of recessed lighting, surrounded by black leather chairs that looked far too expensive to sit in. Every element in the room—down to the tastefully restrained artwork and the impossibly pristine bonsai on the cabinet—was designed to impress without speaking. Or maybe to intimidate.This wasn't what I expected. I felt like I didn't belong here and that alone crushed what little confidence I had stacked up somewhere in me.I tightened her grip on my leather-bound notepad, rehearsing my questions once again in my head. He was supposed to give me a lead. Just a tip. A story, another name, maybe—something to keep my father’s newspaper from being swallowed whole by the government and debt that threatened to drown it."You may take your seat and wait. He'll be with you shortly." With that, she turned on her heels and left me there.I sat down there, my eyes glancing at what the time was on my wristwatch. It was already a half-past three.He was either late. Or making me wait on purpose. Gosh! It was starting to get rather annoying and my stomach grumbled in agreement.I sighed and glanced once more at the skyline, its beauty edged with stillness. Whoever he was—this mysterious source willing to meet in a tower above the city—he held something I certainly needed. Finally, I heard the ding sound of the elevator in the distance suggesting that someone had just arrived. The double glass doors I had stepped through, made with smart glass like the rest of the room opened up and some men walked in.I stood up at once. They were all clad in matching black suits with their white shirts peaking at me from the top opening of their suits. They all didn't pay attention to me but instead stood in strategic positions, one at the entrance and two others behind a tall plush leather seat nestled at the end of the neatly polished mahogany table at the middle of the room. Their faces were steely and as hard as rock.Then someone else walked in, brown hair with specks of red in it fashionably tousled to perfection. A nearly tailored customer made suit, it was obvious because I hadn't seen the design anywhere. His shoes were so black and shiny, if I wasn't about to exaggerate it I'd say I could see my reflection in them. His face, strong chiseled jaws, a cold stare with a mischievous glint in them, a barely noticeable stubble and when he raised his head briefly to look at me, blue eyes, deep and magnetic.I quickly looked away so I wouldn't be caught gawking and my eyes settled on his wrist, adorned with a Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon. I'd know that watch anywhere because my father had a brother who was into selling watches and making custom designs as well. "Do you like it?" I blinked severally and raised my eyes to meet him. Shit! He caught me staring at his wrist watch.My lips stretched into an awkward smile."Please, pardon me. I'm just very intrigued by it." I replied.He hummed and took his seat at the edge of the table. He waved his hands into the air. The three suited men all turned around like robots and left."Do you want anything to drink?" He asked me.Being in his presence was significantly different than just reading about him online. His aura exuded sheer raw power and opulence. People like him made me wish I was born wealthy.I shook my head, "that is very kind of you but I'm here for something else." He looked at me briefly, his eyes scanning me like I'm a precious parcel.Then he relaxed into his seat and crossed his fingers. His eyes were calculating as he stared at me."Yes I know. I was told that you needed my help on a story." "I need a story actually, I'm not currently working on anyone at the moment but I need one that will shake the crowd." I said to him,He arched one of his brows, "and you think I'm the right source?" "I know that you are." I retorted.Silence hung over us for a brief moment before he sighed and leaned into his table,"There is one—very intriguing story. Bound to fetch you the money and fame that you seek." His tone was low and purposeful.This was it. What I have been waiting for."This gist is called Project Shadow. Some say it's a scam just like the one done a few years ago that wrecked many and took the life of others. The key to it is one person, Damian Blackwood." He paused, "get to him and you'll get everything you need to know." I sighed exasperatedly. It sounded to be another billionaire tycoon. It was hard enough to get to him much more, another billionaire like himself."Cassy," he called out to me, "you don't have to worry, I'll help you get to him." It was as though he read my mind. Finally, the story I needed to save my father and our legacy.