Michael Reyes arrived at SM Aura early in the morning, the sun just beginning to cast its light over the sleek, modern facade of the mall. As he entered through the main doors, he was greeted by the familiar hum of shoppers and the bustling atmosphere of one of Manila's premier shopping destinations. He made his way through the corridors, passing by various high-end stores and eateries, towards the area where his new ventures, EcoThreads and FreshBites, were under construction.
As Michael approached the construction site, he was met by the site manager, Mr. Cruz, who had been overseeing the progress of the stalls. "Good morning, Mr. Reyes," Mr. Cruz greeted him warmly. "We're making good progress. Let me show you around."