97. Business Talk With Jack

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As the night wore on, they found themselves back on the couch, comfortably sprawled across cushions and pillows, watching another movie—this time one that all three of them picked out. Laughter and banter filled the room, and Sandro found himself thinking about how far they'd come in building this life together, one filled with warmth, support, and, above all, love.

The next day, sunlight streamed through the curtains as Sandro blinked awake, feeling a familiar warmth and a gentle pressure on either side. April and Nicole lay peacefully next to him, one curled up on his left, the other on his right, their breaths deep and steady in sleep. They had fallen asleep together after last night's movie marathon, their laughter lingering in the air even after they drifted off.

He lay there for a few quiet moments, appreciating the peacefulness of the morning before carefully, almost reluctantly, detangling himself from the tangle of arms and legs.

He headed to the kitchen and began to prepare a healthy breakfast—a blend of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, some bacon, and blueberry toast. As the coffee brewed, the rich aroma filled the apartment, mixing with the early morning warmth and lending an extra coziness to the scene.

With breakfast ready, Sandro took a quick shower, dressed, and returned to his bedroom to wake April and Nicole. He leaned over each of them, placing a gentle kiss on their foreheads. April blinked her eyes open first, a soft smile spreading across her face as she looked up at him. Nicole stirred next, stretching before her eyes met his with a sleepy but radiant smile.

"Good morning, you two," Sandro said, his voice soft and warm.

They shared an easy breakfast together, the meal punctuated by light chatter and laughter. Afterward, Nicole and April took turns showering, and they all prepared for a day of training at the FCW Headquarters. Once they were ready, they piled into Sandro's car, excited for a productive day.

When they pulled up to the FCW building, April and Nicole each leaned over to plant a kiss on Sandro's cheeks, thanking him for the past couple of days filled with laughter and closeness. Sandro felt a sense of contentment, watching them as they got out of the car hand in hand, their figures framed against the sleek modern building.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he watched them walk away, their laughter floating back to him. They had become more than just a part of his life—they had become his life, and it felt both surreal and perfectly right.

Just as he was about to enter the building, Sandro felt his phone buzz in his pocket. It was a message from his father, Jack. The text read: "Hey, Son. I just received insider news. As one of Apple's major shareholders, I can tell you that in a week, Steve Jobs will be announcing the iPhone at Macworld."

Sandro blinked, surprised by the information but soon calmed himself down, marking the announcement of the iPhone on his alternate earth, which was a year later than what happened in his past life.

The iPhone, is a game-changer in the tech world, which will revolutionize modern phone production and development. Though he wasn't directly involved in tech, he understood the significance of what this announcement could mean from his experience and knowledge from his past life, not only for Apple but for the entire world of communication and media.

After taking a moment to let the news sink in, he felt a spark of excitement, a feeling he couldn't quite place. He'd have to catch up with his dad soon and hear more details, to discuss what this launch could mean in the broader scheme of things. For now, though, he slipped his phone back into his pocket, entered the building, and headed to the training area.

Inside the training facility, Sandro found April and Nicole already warming up. Seeing them laughing together, their energy contagious, reminded him just how much he cherished their bond.

He joined them, and soon, they were all focused on their routines. Training was intense but fulfilling, with each of them pushing one another to do better, and to go harder.

As they finished their workouts and stretched out, a few other wrestlers stopped by to chat, catching up on the latest FCW events and exchanging tips on their training regimens.

Around noon, they broke for lunch. Sandro couldn't resist sharing his dad's news with April and Nicole as they ate. "So, my dad told me this morning that Apple's going to announce a new product called the iPhone next week. Apparently, it's supposed to be revolutionary," he said, excitement coloring his tone.

Nicole raised her brows, intrigued. "Really? What's an iPhone supposed to do that's so different and could make you so excited?"

"Well, from what I gathered, it's not just like the normal phone we use now. It's like a phone, an iPod, and an internet browser, all in one device, and we could touch the screen to do what we want, with only a single button as the main button," Sandro explained, and both April and Nicole's eyes widened.

"Wow," April murmured. "That sounds… groundbreaking. Imagine being able to do all that on one device. I wonder what it'll mean for, well, everything."

Sandro nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking. It could change how we all communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. It could be… huge and maybe I will be busy next year, discussing business with my dad and also focusing on the faction storyline."

Knowing about Sandro's family background and the kind of wealth his family has, April and Nicole could understand that Sandro was expected to help his family and was surprised at first that he could even become a wrestler.

Their conversation soon drifted into curious speculation, envisioning a world where everything could be managed through a single device. It was thrilling and almost unreal for April and Nicole, while for Sandro he was going to experience something that he had experienced so he the thrill wasn't that big.

But soon, they turned their focus back to training, preparing for their upcoming matches and events. The thought of the iPhone lingered in the back of Sandro's mind, but for now, he was entirely in the moment with April and Nicole.

As the day wound down and they wrapped up their training, Sandro offered to take Nicole and April out for dinner. They refused, saying that they had plans with Brianna tonight, and hearing that Sandro nodded his head in understanding.

So after a quick change of clothes, the three of them head to Sandro's car where he then drove toward Nicole's apartment, dropping April and Nicole there and proceeding to return back to his apartment.

After arriving back at his apartment, Sandro set his keys on the counter, shrugged off his jacket, and made his way to the kitchen. He whipped up a simple meal, opting for a bowl of pasta with fresh vegetables, a light yet satisfying dinner after a full day of training.

As he ate, he let the events of the past few days settle in his mind, memories of time with April and Nicole, training, and the surprising news about the iPhone launch that his father had shared.

After finishing his meal, Sandro grabbed a cold beer from the fridge and made his way to the large window that overlooked the city skyline. The quiet of his apartment provided a stark contrast to the energy of the day, and he enjoyed the stillness as he took a sip, feeling the coolness of the drink ease him into relaxation. With his phone in hand, he dialed his father's number. The call didn't ring long before Jack picked up, his voice warm with a hint of excitement.

"Hey, Son! Good to hear from you," Jack greeted.

"Hey, Dad," Sandro replied, smiling. "Just wanted to catch up. You dropped some big news earlier."

Jack chuckled. "I thought you might want to hear it firsthand. The announcement of the iPhone—trust me, it's going to turn everything on its head."

Sandro's smile grew. "It's surreal. I mean, It could change the way everyone interacts with technology and these changes could build a foundation for a new future."

Jack's tone turned a bit more serious. "Exactly. And we've been preparing for it. My team is confident this could triple, even quadruple, Apple's share value over the next few years. There's talk in some circles that it might not take off, but I think they're missing the bigger picture."

Sandro nodded, fully agreeing. In his past life, he had witnessed the evolution of technology, and he knew that this invention would surpass even the most optimistic expectations. Apple's stocks would soar, and the ripple effects of this technological breakthrough would shape communication, entertainment, and the way people lived in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

"It's going to be big, Dad," Sandro said, doing his best to sound reflective but not overly enthusiastic, "and it's great to know we're positioning ourselves ahead of it."

Jack's voice took on a slightly softer tone. "I'm proud of you, Son. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and it's clear you're keeping all this in perspective. We're going to be ready for whatever comes our way."

A sense of pride swelled in Sandro's chest as he listened to his father's words. While Jack had always encouraged him to be his own person, it was clear he respected the decisions Sandro was making. The conversation shifted naturally from business to family, and after a few more moments of catching up, Jack dropped another bombshell.

"Oh, and I almost forgot—next year, UFC and Marvel will officially come under Nexum Core. The final agreements have been signed, funds transferred, and starting January 1st, they'll be part of our portfolio."

Sandro raised his eyebrows, momentarily stunned. UFC and Marvel, had finally become subsidiaries under the family company. "That's huge, Dad and finally those execs truly finalized it. Now, We're talking about complete game-changers in both sports and entertainment."

Jack's voice held a smile. "I know, right? Marvel's cinematic universe is growing, and the UFC's reach has been expanding globally. Combining their cultural influence with our resources could lead to some incredible collaborations. There's talk of cross-brand events that could appeal to fans of both."

Sandro thought of the possibilities it would bring for Nexum Core—imagine the potential benefits between Marvel's cinematic superheroes and the raw, real-world athleticism of UFC fighters would bring for Nexum Core. Both industries had thriving fan bases that were loyal to the core and would bring new fans to watch.

"Dad," Sandro said, a grin spreading across his face, "you're setting the stage for something massive here."

Jack chuckled. "That's the goal. And, well, I was hoping you'd consider helping oversee some of these projects once they're underway. I know you've got a lot going on with wrestling and all, but I think your unique perspective could add value."

Sandro's mind raced. Balancing his career with this new opportunity would be challenging, but he could feel the potential impact he might have. It was an exciting prospect, one that would allow him to expand his influence in both the family business and the entertainment industry.

"It would be an honor, Dad," he replied sincerely. "I'll make it work. Besides, I think there's a lot of synergy between what I'm doing in wrestling and the direction Nexum Core is headed."

They chatted a bit longer, discussing the logistics of the acquisitions and bouncing around ideas for potential Marvel-UFC crossovers. Eventually, Jack mentioned he had an early meeting and needed to get some rest, so they said their goodbyes, and Sandro ended the call.

Taking a deep breath, Sandro looked out over the city, feeling a profound sense of anticipation and purpose. Life was moving fast, with opportunities and challenges constantly coming his way. He felt grateful for the support of his father and the presence of April and Nicole. These connections grounded him as he prepared for what lay ahead.

The following morning, Sandro was up early, energized and ready to tackle the day. He got in an intense workout, honing his strength and stamina. Thoughts of the Marvel-UFC collaboration floated through his mind, intermingling with ideas for his own wrestling career. With the right moves, he could carve a unique niche for himself, straddling the worlds of entertainment and athletics in a way that very few had done before.

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 18 (2008)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: FCW

Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style

Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)

Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions