Act - 63: "The Flight of Ambition"

The morning sun bathed the streets in a soft, golden light as we stood outside our apartment. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of fresh rain from the night before. I could feel the anticipation building as I adjusted my watch and glanced down the street.

Mom stood beside me, a small suitcase by her feet. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, though she tried to hide it with a casual demeanor. I hadn't told her yet about the first-class tickets—those luxurious seats on SkyLux Air, a treat I had been planning for weeks. The cost was steep, nearly 50,000 kroners each, but for once, I wanted us to travel in comfort, to truly enjoy the fruits of our labor.

As we waited, the familiar rumble of Mr. Erik's car drew closer. The sleek black sedan came into view, gliding smoothly to a stop in front of us. Mr. Erik, our trusted driver, stepped out with a warm smile.

"Good morning," he greeted us, opening the door for Mom. "Where to first?"

I returned his smile, feeling the weight of the surprise I was about to unveil. "Let's go pick up Evelyn first," I said, the anticipation in my voice betraying my calm exterior.

Mr. Erik nodded, understanding without needing further explanation. "Got it," he replied, closing the door gently behind Mom as she settled into the plush leather seat.

As I slid in beside her, I couldn't help but steal a glance at her. She was already busy admiring the car's interior, a subtle grin playing on her lips. I knew she was savoring this, the small luxury of being driven around. Little did she know, this was just the beginning.

The car eased back into traffic, and as we moved toward Evelyn's place, I could feel the excitement bubbling up inside me. Today wasn't just another day—it was the start of a journey I had dreamed of for years.

Mr. Erik caught my eye in the rearview mirror, his expression curious but professional. "First-class, huh?" he asked, a hint of admiration in his tone.

I chuckled softly. "Yeah," I admitted, glancing at Mom, who was now looking at me with curiosity. "It's time we spent a little and enjoyed a lot."

Mom's eyes widened slightly as the realization hit her, a soft gasp escaping her lips. "First class?" she whispered, almost in disbelief.

I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. "We've earned it, Mom. Let's make this trip one to remember."

She didn't say anything more, but the smile that spread across her face was all the confirmation I needed. This was going to be special.

The car rolled to a stop in front of Evelyn's apartment building, nestled on the quiet street of Solbakkenvei. The neighborhood was a picturesque slice of Norwegian charm—cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored houses, each with neat little gardens out front. A few children played nearby, their laughter carrying through the crisp morning air. The leaves on the trees rustled softly, casting dappled shadows across the pavement, creating a serene atmosphere that made you want to linger.

Evelyn's building was one of those cozy, old-world structures, with flower boxes on every windowsill and a little balcony that overlooked the street. The kind of place where life moved at a slower pace, where the hustle and bustle of the city felt a world away.

I stepped out of the car and took a deep breath, savoring the calmness of the morning. This part of town always had a way of making everything feel a bit more grounded, more real.

Evelyn was already waiting by the door, a small suitcase at her side. She was dressed in casual clothes, her hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, her expression a mix of excitement and mild anxiety.

"Morning, Evelyn," I greeted her with a warm smile, walking up to her and taking the suitcase from her hand. "You all set?"

She smiled back, a little sheepishly. "Morning. Yeah, I think I've got everything." She glanced at her suitcase, then back at me. "You sure I didn't overpack?"

I chuckled, shaking my head as I lifted the bag into the trunk of the car. "Nope, but remember, we're going to be shopping a lot. So, next time, pack light. You don't want to miss out on bringing back all the good stuff."

Evelyn laughed softly, the tension easing from her shoulders. "You're right, I'll keep that in mind."

As she climbed into the back seat beside Mom, I could see the excitement in her eyes. This trip was a big deal for all of us, a chance to break away from the routine and experience something new.

I slid back into the car and caught Mr. Erik's eye in the rearview mirror. He gave a small nod, ready to go.

"Alright," I said, settling in as the car started moving again. "Next stop, the airport."

Evelyn looked over at me, a grateful smile on her face. "Thanks for this," she said quietly. "For everything."

I shrugged, playing it off casually, but the truth was, I couldn't have done it without her. "We're a team, Evelyn. This trip, this whole journey—it's all of us."

The car glided through the peaceful streets of Solbakkenvei, and as we left the cozy neighborhood behind, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. The world was moving at its own pace, but for once, I wasn't in a rush. We were on our way, together, and that was all that mattered.

As the car rolled smoothly toward the airport, the atmosphere inside was a mix of excitement and anticipation. The hum of the engine and the gentle sway of the ride created a soothing rhythm, almost lulling us into a comfortable silence.

Mom was looking out the window, her eyes tracing the passing scenery with a quiet smile. "It's been so long since I've been on a plane," she mused, turning to me with a soft chuckle. "Remember when you were little, and we took that trip to Spain? You wouldn't stop asking questions about how planes stayed in the air."

I laughed, nodding. "Yeah, I remember. I was convinced that the wings were magic or something."

Evelyn, sitting beside Mom, grinned. "Magic wings, huh? I guess that's one way to explain it to a kid."

"I mean, it made sense back then," I replied, leaning back in my seat. "Though now I know better. It's all about aerodynamics, lift, thrust… boring adult stuff."

Mom shook her head, a fond look in her eyes. "You were always so curious, so full of energy. It's nice to see you've still got that spark."

Evelyn turned to me, a hint of teasing in her voice. "I'm surprised you even have time to relax with how much you've been working. I don't think I've seen you take a proper day off in… well, ever."

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Today's a start. Besides, I've got you to keep things running smoothly, right?"

She smirked. "You know it. But you really should take more breaks. Even machines need maintenance."

Mr. Erik, listening to our banter, glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "You know, boss, she's right. You've been burning the candle at both ends. Maybe this trip is just what you need to recharge."

I smiled, appreciating their concern. "I know, I know. I'll try to relax, I promise. But, honestly, it feels good to be busy, to be building something."

Ray, who had been quiet until now, chimed in with a grin. "Yeah, you're like a mad scientist with a business plan. But seriously, enjoy this trip. You deserve it."

Lars added with a smirk, "And don't worry, we'll hold down the fort. Nova Enterprise will be in good hands. We'll even try not to burn the place down."

Everyone chuckled, the mood lightening even more.

As we approached the airport, the towering terminal came into view, a hive of activity with planes landing and taking off. My heart rate picked up slightly, not from nerves, but from the thrill of what was to come.

I turned my gaze out the window, the familiar flutter of anticipation in my chest. This trip wasn't just a vacation—it was the beginning of something bigger. As the car came to a stop at the drop-off zone, I knew that once I stepped onto that plane, there would be no turning back.

Turning to the others, I gave a final nod. "Alright, time to get going. But remember—this is just the beginning."

As we exited the car and grabbed our bags, I felt a surge of determination. The memories of my past life, the mistakes I had made, the money lost in the bear markets, the missed opportunities in crypto and stocks—they all flooded back. But this time, I wasn't the same person. This time, I was prepared. I had the knowledge, the dates, the trends etched into my mind like a roadmap to success.

Evelyn looked at me curiously as we walked toward the entrance. "What's on your mind?"

I gave her a sly smile, the wheels already turning in my head. "Just thinking about the future. Let's just say… I have some plans. And this time, no hedge fund, no retail investor will see it coming. They're all going to be eaten alive."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds like you've got something big up your sleeve."

I nodded, feeling the weight of my resolve. "Bigger than they can imagine. This time, I'm going to play the market like a symphony. And by the time they realize what's happening, it'll be too late."

We walked into the bustling terminal, the buzz of travelers and announcements filling the air. But all I could hear was the steady beat of my own heart, drumming with the thrill of what lay ahead.

The game was on, and this time, I wasn't playing to win—I was playing to conquer.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 15

Skill Count: 3 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze) (Global Monitoring System)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:28

Endurance:21

Charm:23

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 5.7 Million Kroner

Associate - 8

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers -25

Company - 1