The sun rose over the city skyline, casting golden light through the windows of Travis's penthouse. He woke in a bed draped in silk sheets and surrounded by designer pillows. After stretching and a quick shower, he slipped into tailored trousers and headed to the kitchen.
His private chef had laid out eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, and champagne. Travis sat at the marble island, sipping coffee while scrolling headlines on his iPad. As usual, his name filled the news—business moves, charity events, buzz.
Later, he walked down to his private dock where his sleek, 100-foot yacht was waiting. Rachel joined him on deck for a business meeting, champagne glasses in hand, the ocean breeze brushing their faces. They discussed company expansions as the sun danced on the waves.
In the afternoon, Travis met with potential investors at a trendy co-working space. He pitched his latest startup with charm and precision, already knowing they were hooked.
By 7 PM, he was at an exclusive restaurant in Beverly Hills with Austin and Jamie—his childhood friends and now business partners. They dined on caviar and champagne, laughter filling the air while paparazzi snapped shots through the window.
Jamie smirked as Travis sat down. "We barely got a word at the Gala. You were busy entertaining half the room with that Travis charm."
Travis chuckled, loosening his collar. "Guilty as charged."
Then he leaned back in his chair. "Gentlemen… and lady, I'm thrilled to announce my company is expanding to my hometown—Georgia."
Austin raised a brow. "Seriously? You've always been West Coast."
Travis grinned. "True, but I've got a soft spot for the South. Time to give back to the place that raised me."
Jamie tilted her head. "What's the plan? New office?"
"Nope. Bigger. I'm building a state-of-the-art R&D facility. It'll be our Southeast hub for innovation."
Austin looked impressed. "Whoa. What kind of tech?"
Travis smirked. "Let's just say it'll shake up the industry and make our competitors sweat."
Austin laughed. "You're a genius. When do we get a peek?"
"All in good time," Travis said. "But trust me—it's going to be big."
Jamie raised her glass. "To Travis's new venture. May it bring success and pride to Georgia."
"Cheers to that," Austin added as their glasses clinked.
Flashbulbs sparked outside. The view through the window gleamed.
"Oh," Travis added with a smile, "I'll be throwing a launch party at the renovated old House in Georgia once the expansion is completed."
Austin perked up. "No way! That place is legendary. I'm in."
"Same here," Jamie followed
"I'll send invites to the who's who of Atlanta," Travis said.
Austin whistled. "This is gonna be epic."
Jamie chuckled. "I can already see the Instagram captions… Party with Georgia's heartthrob. #BillionaireLife."
They laughed, drinks flowing, memories forming. Travis enjoyed the nightlife almost as much as being around the people who knew him before the fortune.
Jamie, with her long brown hair and quick wit, had always had a special place in his heart—and Austin? Like a brother. He'd practically grown up in Travis's old house, playing hide and seek in the yard.
Later that night, back in his penthouse, Travis loosened his tie and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the glowing skyline. The city shimmered, busy as ever, but inside, everything was still. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and sank into the leather armchair beside his fireplace.
He picked up his phone and dialed. A few rings in, Virginia Lorrington-Scott appeared on the screen…
"Mom."
Virginia Lorrington-Scott was Elegant, composed, radiant even in her sixties. Her silver hair was swept into a neat bun, and she wore her favorite silk robe—the one with embroidered magnolias.
"Travis, darling," she said warmly, adjusting her glasses. "You're glowing on every social feed tonight. Another gala? Or did you finally crown yourself prince of California?"
He laughed. "Neither. Just dinner with Austin and Jamie."
"You're lucky to have them," she said, with that regal tone that always reminded him of Sunday dinners and old family lectures.
"I know. We've been through it all," he said, then sipped his drink. "Actually, I told them tonight. About Georgia."
Virginia's expression softened. "You're really doing it?"
"Yeah," he said, nodding slowly. "The R&D hub. Right in the heart of the South."
Her silence spoke volumes. She looked down, then back up. "Your father would have—" she paused, then gave a graceful smile. "He would've argued about the numbers, but he'd be proud."
"I'm not doing it for him," Travis said quietly. "Not for legacy. I just… I want to build something that matters. And maybe—maybe I want to go home in my own way."
Virginia nodded. "I understand."
They sat in silence for a moment. The unspoken memories between them floated in the space.
Then she chuckled. "You were always the kid building rockets in the garage and pretending your scooter was a private jet."
He smirked. "And you were always the mom who brought lemonade and said, Don't forget to land before dinner."
"You had ambition in your blood," she said. "Just don't lose your heart in the process, Travis."
His smile faded slightly. "Too late for that?"
"No," she said softly. "Not if you still call your mother at night."
They both laughed.
He ran a hand through his hair. "I miss you."
"I miss you too. But I'm always watching. Even from afar. And when you throw that Georgia launch party, you better believe I'll be there—hat, heels, and all."
"Deal," Travis said. "I'll have a seat reserved next to the Governor."
Virginia winked. "Make sure it's my good side."
They said their goodnights. The call ended.
Travis set down his whiskey and looked at the night sky one more time. Something in his chest pulled—not quite nostalgia, not quite longing. Maybe just the awareness that no matter how high you rise, the roots still call you home.
Then, finally, he slid into bed and let the hum of the city fade away.
As the sun was setting over the city, Travis stood at the opulent study, sipping on a fine scotch as he prepared for his latest adventure. He slept well last night and he hasn't felt as strong as he was feeling that morning ever in a long while.
His sleek black helicopter, the "Midnight Eclipse", sat waiting on the helipad outside, its rotors spinning lazily in the gentle breeze. His personal pilot, a grizzled veteran named Jack, stood by the aircraft, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble.
Travis took a final sip of his drink, feeling the smooth liquid burn down his throat. He set the glass on the nearby bar and began to make his way out to the helicopter.
As he approached the aircraft, Jack nodded at him with a curt smile. "Ready when you are, sir," he said.
Travis grinned, feeling a thrill of excitement coursing through his veins. He loved this part of traveling – the sense of freedom and adventure that came with flying into his root.
He climbed aboard the helicopter and took his seat in the passenger compartment. Jack joined him moments later, settling into the pilot's seat and flipping switches to bring the engines to life.
The rotors whirred to life, growing louder as they began to spin up to speed. Travis felt a rush of adrenaline as he felt the helicopter lift off the ground, rising smoothly into the evening air.
As they cleared the city limits, Travis leaned back in his seat and gazed out at the breathtaking view. The sun was dipping below the horizon now, casting a golden glow over the landscape.
"Where are we headed sir?" Jack asked, his voice low and smooth.
Travis glanced over at him with a warm glint in his eye. "Home"
"Georgia, sir?"
"Yes Jack"
"Copy that sir"
He felt Jack was also glad he was going home seeing him smile like that.
Travis grinned, feeling a thrill of anticipation build inside him. He settled back in his seat, letting out a low whoop of excitement as the helicopter banked and turned towards their destination–south.
The wind rushed past them now, whipping through Travis hair as they soared into the morning sky. He felt alive, free, and ready for whatever adventure lay ahead.
His phone rang and he picked up.
"Hey gorgeous," he said, his deep voice dripping with seduction. "What's up?"
Flora, a blonde bombshell, giggled and replied, "Just wondering if you're available for dinner tonight, Travis?"
Travis chuckled. "Not today, beautiful, I'm out of town."
"Oh, when will you be back" Flora asked with a little disappointment in her voice.
"Soon honey, you hang in there"
"I hope you do not forget me"
Travis chuckled as he hung up. Ofcourse Flora was just another whore that warms his bed, nothing serious—nothing professional, so he was bound to forget her.
Travis couldn't help but think about all the women he'd slept with over the years. He was a master of seduction, always getting what he wanted when he wanted it.
But as he gazed out the window at the passing scenery, Travis felt a twinge of boredom. He was tired of the same old game, tired of the same old faces. Here he looked forward to what his hometown Georgia has to offer since it's been decades he last visited.
…And then there was the house.
Not just any house, but the old family estate Travis had poured millions into transforming. What once stood as a red-bricked Southern colonial now rose like something out of a dream—an architectural marvel of glass and steel. Travis had personally overseen the renovation, ensuring the structure embraced the past while reflecting the future.
The moment he stepped out of the helicopter, his eyes lifted toward it.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls gleamed beneath the soft Georgia sun, allowing a full, breathtaking view of the Atlanta city skyline far in the distance—especially stunning at night, when the stars above mirrored the shimmering lights below. The house stood proud on a gentle rise, surrounded by swaying cypress trees and trimmed hedges, yet it somehow felt open, vulnerable, as though it was built to make peace with the world rather than shut it out.
A winding stone path led from the helipad, curving through neatly landscaped gardens where lavender bushes swayed gently in the breeze and white roses bloomed like tiny ghosts. The air was filled with the scent of honeysuckle, and the distant sound of birdsong echoed between the trees. It was quiet, deceptively peaceful.
But just beyond the serenity lay the old pool.
Still and blue like glass, it had been restored as well, but Travis had kept the original stone edges. There was no avoiding the memory stitched into the soil around it—Lu. His little brother with the bright smile and the wild imagination. The one who had slipped beneath the surface while he had looked away for just one second too long. No matter how much time passed, that pool whispered the same story, and the wind always seemed to carry his name.
Travis paused there for a long moment, his gaze heavy, jaw tight. He ran a hand down his face and then continued toward the house.
Inside, the space was light, modern, and seamless—open-plan rooms flowed into one another. Polished wood floors gleamed under natural light, and soft, minimalist furniture was arranged with precision. Everything in its place. The kitchen, tucked to the side behind an artful glass divider, still held the same cast-iron pans his mother once used. The old blended with the new.
And yet, despite the elegance, despite the perfection—there was an ache here. A sense of absence. Travis knew it. Felt it. Carried it.
He set his briefcase down, walked to the glass wall facing the horizon, and placed a hand on the cool surface.
This house, this whole city beneath him—it wasn't just about business. It wasn't even about reclaiming roots. It was about finding something that might've been lost long ago. Peace, maybe. Or forgiveness.
His phone buzzed again.
More calls. More people wanting something.
But for now, he silenced it.
And just stood there.
Watching the city breathe.