<h4>Chapter 34: Small World, Huh?</h4>


    I strolled down the street, whistling as I walked towards Cafe De La Paix.


    The sun was shining overhead, making sure that anybody who didn''t have a watch knew that it was noon.


    I grinned, taking in the sights. Ever since I''d gotten the Senna, I hadn''t actually walked anywhere and that was a bad habit to get into.


    When else would I have the time to enjoy the sights in the city if I was constantly zooming past them?


    I couldn''t help but grin at myself. This was also one of the privileges of being so rich, you didn''t actually have to do any work. I had too much free time on my hands.


    Hopefully, I''ll be able to use the cashback system to build something big. And when that timees, I''ll be constantly at war.


    I had seven opponents to get past before I could even get close to my father.


    I had a long way to go but I didn''t let that fact bring me down. I was in such a good mood that I was almost breaking out into song in the middle of the street.


    There was just something about the day that felt like things would all be going my way.


    My n right now was a win-win situation. Whatever happened, I know I''d be able to establish contact outside Pine Press. And that was the main thing.


    Best case scenario, I''m able to spin things into a spontaneous date.


    As I got closer to the cafe, I dipped my hand into my pocket, brought out my phone and dialed Matt''s number. It was time to start the countdown.


    I stood there in the middle of the street, humming to myself. The phone rang for a few seconds before Matt picked it.


    "Hey, you all set?" I asked, ncing around to make sure no one was listening in.


    "Yep, I''m nearby." Matt said. I could hear music in the background. "Just waiting for your call."


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Perfect." I grinned. "If you don''t hear from me in ten, give me that cancetion call we talked about. If things don''t actually get to that stage, I''ll text you. You know what to do if ites to that."


    "Of course." Matt chuckled. "But it won''te to that. Just sh those pearly whites of yours and she''s bound to melt. Ladies can''t resist that ugly mug you call a face. Only God knows why."


    Iughed along with him and he ended the call with "good luck bro", the line going dead before I could reply that I didn''t need it."


    I ced my phone back into my pocket with a grin. ssic Matt.


    I resumed my walk, my confidence showing in my stride. My n was a simple one. All I needed was the right timing and maybe a tiny lick ofdy luck.


    If everything goes ording to n, Quinn and I will be in the midst of conversation when Matt''s cancetion calles in.


    The call would be the perfect excuse to free up my afternoon and who knows where we would go from there?


    On the other hand, if Quinn had business at the cafe that wouldn''t allow us to get into any long conversations, I''d fire Matt a text.


    Matt woulde as the friend I''m waiting for, making sure that Quinn could see that I actually had business in the cafe and our meeting was indeed a coincidence.


    I did have a talent for creating coincidences.


    I finally got to the cafe, walking in and selecting a seat near the entrance. A seat that would make sure that anyone entering the cafe would be able to see me clearly.


    There''s no way Quinn and Charlotte would be able to miss my presence. Even if they joined me, my biggest obstacle was Charlotte.


    I can only hope she was one of those friends who loved it when their friend went off with a guy just so they could tease them about itter.


    The waiter came and took my order, bringing me my coffee. I sipped and checked my watch. It was just a few minutes past noon.


    As if on cue, the door opened and Charlotte entered with Quinn right behind her. Both women were dressed stylishly as the heirs that they were.


    It was Charlotte who noticed me first. I saw her nudge Quinn in the corner of my eyes before pointing towards me.


    Then, both women walked over. I nced up to look at them, acting like I was surprised to see them.


    "Hey, Nico!" Charlotte greeted me with a smile.


    "Nico." Quinn said, also smiling. "Didn''t expect to see you here. What brings you?"


    "I''m just meeting up with a friend." I said, standing up to give them the sideways hug with a smile. "How about you two?"


    "We too." Quinn grinned. "We''re also meeting a friend as well. Small world, huh?"


    I smiled before suggesting yfully, looking between both women. "Well, if we''re all waiting on friends, how about waiting together?"


    "Why not?" Charlotte said, taking a seat. We all satfortably around the table and before long, the conversation was flowing.


    "So, how''s that boutique hotel projecting along?" Quinn asked curiously.


    Charlotte''s eyebrows rose, looking between the both of us. "Boutique hotel? I haven''t heard about this. What''s the story?"


    Quinn turned to her friend, exining to her. You''ll think she was the one in charge of the project.


    "Nico''s nning a luxury boutique hotel right here in Crownsborough. It''s going to be the kind of ce everyone''s talking about, from what I hear."


    I leaned forward slightly, drawing the attention of both women. I mentally put on my pitching coat, using the enthusiasm I had disyed to Quinn once before.


    "The project is still in the nning stages but we know exactly where we''re going with it. We''d build a brand, a ce, that is exclusive without being pretentious. Think of it as a retreat but right inside the city."


    "Oh." Charlotte nodded along, interested. "What makes your hotel different from, say, the other luxury hotels here? Why should I choose your establishment?"


    I mentally thanked her for asking that question. I get to pitch my idea to Quinn without actually pitching my idea to her.


    "Simple. The idea is to blend intimacy with luxury." I nced between the two women to see that they were listening attentively.


    "So instead of a massive high rise, it''ll be a smaller, more personal setting. It''s like finding an oasis that only a select few know about."


    "We''re not looking to attract the general public. Instead, we''ll cater to those looking for something a bit more tailored to their tastes and have the money to make their wishese true."


    "Wow." Charlotte nodded, impressed. "I think that could really take off. There''s definitely a demand for that kind of experience. I personally will pay for that."


    I grinned. "Thank-"


    Before I could finish my sentence, we were interrupted by a loud voice.


    "Quinn! Charlotte!"


    My head snapped up to see the person I least expected would be in the city.


    My fifth step sister, Jenna Voss.


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