Two days before their birthday, Darren sat in the private lounge of the most exclusive event firm in the city — Aether Events. Known for designing weddings for royal families and billionaires, they didn't do birthdays.
Unless you paid seven figures upfront.
Darren paid eight.
"Theme?" the manager asked, sipping from her crystal glass.
"Luxury, but not trashy. Elegant, powerful. Dark tones. Velvet, gold, glass, and shadow."
"Guest count?"
"Keep it under 200. But every single person must matter."
Darren had already been making calls.
Not just classmates or neighbors. That would've been too basic.
This was a statement to the world — and to himself — that they were no longer forgotten nobodies.
He invited:
The children of business moguls, CEOs, politicians.
Top university influencers with large online presence — perfect for passive brand-building.
A few rivals from his old school, just so they could see what they missed.
Journalists under the guise of private PR invites.
And most importantly — people who once looked down on them.
Each invitation was hand-stitched, delivered by a uniformed agent in a black velvet box — with gold-etched lettering:
You are invited to The Twin Flame Gala
An exclusive birthday celebration of Darren & Aria Kairos.
Dress Code: Black Royal.
Location: Skyward Pavilion, Zenith Plaza, Level 81.
Entry requires biometric access and confirmation by host.
Meanwhile, the Skyward Pavilion was being transformed:
A private rooftop dome with full panoramic city views.
Imported chandeliers.
Suspended crystal walkways.
Live orchestra and an after-party DJ flown in from Monaco.
Ice sculptures.
Diamond-themed dessert table.
And a firework display timed for midnight.
Aria had no idea.
She just knew they were going "out to dinner" on the 18th.
Darren smirked every time she asked, "Should I wear heels or flats?"
"You'll know," he always said.
That evening, his system pinged again:
[Event Project Spend: £3,200,000]
[Emotional Surge Detected – 'Legacy Flexing for Loved Ones']
[Return Multiplier: x1000]
[Rebate: £32,000,000]
[New Bank Balance: £66,840,000]
He didn't even blink anymore.
This was strategy. This was power. And this… this was just the beginning.