Extra's Ascent-Chapter 119: Paved Opportunities

What's today's date again? No, scratch that.

For men like Eric Aldaman, bound by routine and salaried commitment, the names of weekdays hardly mattered. Not when your livelihood revolved around serving the needs of a particular client.

For Eric, today was just another cycle, another task, another ride. He had long stopped checking calendars unless deadlines demanded it.

As usual, he was behind the wheel of the black sedan, manoeuvring through the meticulously clean streets of Upstate. In the backseat sat his employer the ever-busy Dravin Ramprandt.

They came to a gradual halt in front of an imposing hotel, its sleek, glowing signage etched boldly across the top floor like a royal crest. Its sheer size reminded Eric, not for the first time, how massive and overindulgent buildings in Upstate tended to be. Towering glass columns and grand entrances were the norm here, but this one still managed to catch the eye.

Eric stepped out swiftly, adjusting his jacket before walking around to open the passenger door.

"I've told you several times, Eric," Ramprandt said, amusement laced in his voice. "I'm not so old I can't manage a door."

"I'm sure you're not, sir," Eric replied, his expression calm but respectful. "Still, professional courtesy calls for a gesture like this."

Ramprandt chuckled faintly, shaking his head. "Your call."

There was a glint in his eyes as he observed Eric, a kind of subtle fondness, the kind a mentor might reserve for someone they quietly admired.

"You've no need to shadow me today," Ramprandt added, stepping out. "I'm just meeting a long-standing associate, someone trustworthy. Feel free to use the downtime as you see fit."

That kind of offer wasn't common. For Eric, free time no matter how brief was a luxury in short supply. But despite the opportunity, he didn't waver.

"I appreciate the gesture, sir. But I'm still on duty."

Stubborn professionalism. It was both his strength and his limitation. The sort of reliability few employers could complain about, even if it sometimes bordered on rigid.

Ramprandt offered no further resistance. He simply turned and walked forward, Eric falling into step beside him.

The interior of the hotel opened like a grand cathedral, polished marble floors reflecting crystal lights from the chandeliers, pristine walls lined with gilded accents. Everything about the place screamed wealth.

"A breathtaking view, isn't it?" Ramprandt asked casually, his gaze sweeping across the wide lobby.

"Quite," Eric answered. "Is this one of your establishments?"

It wouldn't have surprised him. The man owned his fair share of skyscrapers scattered throughout Upstate. It was more surprising when a building didn't belong to him.

"Not this time," Ramprandt said. "As I mentioned, this belongs to the acquaintance I'm here to meet."

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There was a tone of reverence in his voice when he mentioned them, a subtle respect Eric caught immediately.

To Eric, this wasn't just another meeting; it was a potential door. A name to remember. A face to catalogue. He was always watching, always noting who Ramprandt associated with. Every introduction, every nod of approval, Eric saw them as seeds for his children's future.

The two boarded a private elevator, distinct from the ones lining the far end of the lobby. This one was silent, smooth, and swift, taking them directly to the uppermost level.

The penthouse.

---

Sunlight poured into the room like melted gold, filtering through expansive glass panels that stretched from floor to ceiling. Against that light, a woman stood, her silhouette framed in elegance.

Her darkened hair spilt in graceful strands over a sheer, embroidered gown, cascading like a moonlit waterfall. The morning rays illuminated the subtle shimmer of her jewellery, accenting her statuesque posture. Her long lashes flickered with languid motion as her eyes traced the endless horizon beyond the glass.

The creak of the opening door broke the stillness, drawing a faint tilt of her head, not enough to fully divert her gaze from the mesmerizing canvas of sky and cloud outside.

"A glorious morning, wouldn't you say?" came the gravelly voice, calm and confident.

Only then did she fully turn, elegance meeting command. Her eyes sharp and discerning fell upon Dravin Ramprandt with poise.

"I agree. Particularly when viewed from this altitude."

And indeed, it was a vantage point of gods, hundreds of feet above the world, looking down upon it all with a quiet omniscience.

"To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Director Ramprandt?"

"Please," he gestured, amusement curling at the corners of his lips. "Surely, by now, we've moved beyond titles."

Her lips curved faintly, her expression composed. "Of course. Apologies. I've been attending so many formal engagements lately that the line between professional decorum and casual exchange has started to blur."

Ramprandt paused, the smile still resting comfortably on his face. But he was analyzing, reading between each syllable.

There was meaning behind her words, and it wasn't hard to decipher.

(You and I are aligned in purpose, nothing more. Don't mistake the coincidence of goals for something personal.)

That was the message she'd delivered, wrapped neatly in polite civility and delicate phrasing.

Clever. Subtle. Controlled.

Ramprandt admired that kind of precision.

'She's sharp, shrewd even,' he thought. Not the sort of woman to let charm blur the boundaries of business. She knew when to draw the line, and how to reinforce it with the right words, and the right smile.

Many men might have been drawn to her for her beauty, her presence, her command over a room. But Ramprandt understood: to thrive in their world, she needed to wield her allure like armour. Not as an invitation, but as a deterrent.

He could respect that. There was power in her restraint.

Most would have taken offence, thinking themselves slighted. Ramprandt? He was intrigued. Amused, even.

She was a businesswoman of remarkable poise, radiant, magnetic, and unyielding. And in this game of appearances and negotiations, that made her a formidable player.

He offered no rebuttal, no unnecessary defence. Instead, he stood with a quiet nod, granting her the respect she subtly demanded.

They would speak of business soon enough, but for now, the air between them was filled with mutual understanding and perhaps, an unspoken acknowledgement of the silent battle always waged beneath formal smiles.