Jay's POV
The mansion hadn't even finished settling back into its usual silence when Eli 's heels echoed down the corridor. I didn't have to look up to know it was her. Eli walked with purpose—always efficient, always precise—like time itself followed her schedule.
"Ma'am," she said, stopping a respectful distance away, tablet tucked against her arm. "You have an urgent matter."
I lifted my gaze from my coffee, already bracing myself. "Go on."
"Today, you'll have to fly to our London branch," Eli continued. "The board members there are facing some trouble. Internal conflict. Legal pressure. They specifically requested you."
Of course they did.
London never slept when chaos was involved. I set my cup down slowly, my mind already calculating time zones, flights, meetings, damage control.
"Prepare the jet," I said calmly. "I'll—"
A deep, powerful roar cut through my sentence.
Engines.
Not just one.
Several.
The sound rolled through the gates like a warning—or a promise. I frowned slightly and stood, walking toward the tall windows that overlooked the front grounds. Before I could see anything clearly, hurried footsteps approached.
One of the guards bowed quickly. "Ma'am, some cars have arrived at the gate. They're saying… they're your friends. Should we let them in?"
My heart skipped—not in fear, but recognition.
I didn't need to ask who.
A small, genuine smile—rare, unguarded—curved my lips.
"Yes," I said softly. "Let them in."
The gates opened.
Four luxury cars rolled in like they owned the place—which, knowing them, they practically did. The doors opened almost in sync, and just like that, my past, my present, and my strength walked straight toward me.
My people.
My chaos.
My family.
They didn't wait for formalities. They never did. The moment they saw me, all four of them moved at once, surrounding me in a dramatic, overwhelming group hug that nearly knocked the air out of my lungs.
"Jay Jay!" Chloe—no, Clara—laughed, squeezing me tightly. "Did you forget me this soon?"
Sebastian smirked, arms folded as if he wasn't clearly relieved to see me. "She's right. I think we're no longer friends."
Mateo rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh seb, sometimes just give your own advice, Sebastian. You shouldn't follow Chloe every single time."
Aurora stepped forward last, eyes warm, voice soft but teasing. "Hello, Jay or should I say the one who follows trouble , no , sorry the one whom trouble follows. Did you miss me?"
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and laughed—a real laugh.
"Oh yes," I said, pulling them closer. "I missed you. All of you."
Eli stood a little awkwardly to the side, clearly confused but professional as ever. I turned to her.
"Eli ," I said, "let me introduce you to them."
I gestured first to the woman who stood like she ruled the world without ever needing to say it.
"This is Clara Rose Laurent," I said. "We call her Chloe. She's the owner and only heir of Laurent Global."
Chloe gave Ellie a confident smile, chin lifted slightly.
I turned next. "This is Sebastian James Cavendish—just Sebastian. The only heir and CEO of Cavendish Capital."
Sebastian nodded politely, though the sharp intelligence in his eyes missed nothing.
"And this," I continued, resting a hand briefly on Mateo or you can say Leo , "is Matthew Reynard Whitmore, owner of Whitmore Nexus."
Matthew gave a small bow. "Pleasure."
Finally, I looked at Aurora—my calm in storms, my anchor.
"And this is Rosemary Aurora Sinclair—Aurora. Heir of Sinclair Luminara Corp."
Aurora smiled gently. "Nice to finally meet you, Eli. "
Eli blinked once. Then twice.
"…Ma'am," she said slowly, "you're surrounded by global empires."
I smirked. "I always am."
The laughter that followed eased something deep in my chest. For a moment, titles didn't matter. Companies didn't matter. Money didn't matter.
Only them.
I stepped back, my gaze moving over their faces—faces that had seen me before the power, before the walls, before I learned how to survive alone.
"I owe you an apology," I said quietly.
They stilled.
"I thought I found new friends," I continued, voice steady but honest. "I thought I could build a new life. That I could leave everything behind and start again."
Chloe 's smile faded slightly.
"I left you there," I admitted. "Because I believed I'd find more companions. People who would stay."
Silence wrapped around us.
"But now," I said, meeting each of their eyes, "I realize something."
I swallowed.
"You four were there when nobody was. When I had nothing but my name and my scars. You didn't ask what I could give you. You just stayed."
Aurora reached for my hand.
"Not everyone stands with you when time turns difficult," I continued. "Some walk away. Some betray you. Some smile until you stop being useful."
My jaw tightened.
"Just look at my new friends," I said bitterly. "I lost them the moment I caught them—because they were never friends."
They were shadows. Opportunists. Liars.
Leo stepped forward. "And yet, you're still standing."
Sebastian nodded. "Stronger than ever."
Chloe smirked. "You always were too smart for fake loyalty."
I let out a breath, something heavy finally loosening inside me.
"Thank you," I said simply. "For standing with me. Always."
Eli cleared her throat gently. "Ma'am… London?"
I straightened, the CEO mask sliding back into place effortlessly.
"Yes," I said. "London."
Then I looked at my four partners in crime, my life, my constants.
"Care to come along?" I asked.
Four identical smiles answered me.
Because whatever storm waited in London—
I wouldn't be facing it alone.
....
Okay so see Chloe and Sebastian are a thing and Mateo and Aurora are a couple.