Chapter 2: Eyes on the Prize"A word, Mr. Billionaire?"Mrs. Hart leaned in, the fluorescent lobby light casting harsh, predatory shadows across her face. The two men behind her stood like granite statues, their eyes fixed on Fajar’s stained hoodie."I can explain," Fajar stammered, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. "There’s a—a simple misunderstanding regarding the corporate structure."“System! Alert! Status! I need the suit! Now!”“Energy levels insufficient,” the cold, synthetic voice pulsed in his mind. “The environment lacks the necessary social pressure to sustain the manifestation. Initiate interaction immediately.”"Corporate structure?" one of the suits scoffed, his voice smooth and dangerous. "In that dumpster fire of a building? You’ve got nerve, kid. We’re the developers. Why don't you tell us what exactly your 'vision' for this property is?"Fajar felt his palms sweating. He looked at the elevator doors, then back at the looming men. "Look, I’m in

Chapter 4: Public DeceptionThe Gilded Glass was silent, a tomb of white tablecloths and forgotten vintage wine. Fajar stood paralyzed, his fingers trembling as he felt the coarse, cheap cotton of his hoodie reclaim his skin. Nadia stared at him, her eyes wide, moving from his disheveled clothes to the empty, cordoned-off dining room."Where is everyone, Fajar? Why is the staff gone?" Nadia asked, her voice hitching."They... they stepped out," Fajar lied, his voice thin."They didn't just step out. The doors are locked, and the place is deserted. Who are you?""I'm just a guy who likes a good meal, Nadia. Don't overthink it.""A guy in a hoodie doesn't pull a bottle of '82 Bordeaux out of thin air." She stood up, her chair scraping harshly against the floor. "You’re dangerous, aren't you?""I’m just complicated.""Complicated? You're a ghost in a suit that doesn't exist."“System, status! Get me out of here. Now!”“Energy depletion at 5%. Initiate emergency exit,” the System pulsed.

Chapter 6: Falling HardThe storage closet door rattled as the footsteps outside grew louder, a frantic swarm of paparazzi and gala staff converging on his location. Fajar slammed his back against the door, his heart drumming a frantic rhythm against his ribcage."Nadia, wait! Just give me a second, please!"Nadia froze, her hand still hovering over the brass handle. She didn't turn around. Her shoulders were rigid, the elegant silk of her gown starkly contrasting with the dust-caked shelves surrounding them."A second, Fajar? I’ve given you a whole night of my life," she said, her voice brittle. "I watched you turn a car into a bicycle. I watched you turn a tuxedo into a dirty hoodie. What’s next? You going to tell me you’re a wizard?""I’m not a wizard. I’m just… I’m a guy who’s scared, okay?"She turned then, her eyes searching his face, looking for the lie. "Scared of what? Being ordinary?""Scared of being invisible. There’s a difference."She took a slow step toward him, her per

Chapter 8: Shared RealityThe man in the cheap leather jacket didn't look like he belonged in the marble-floored expanse of the hotel lobby. He looked like an anchor dragging the glittering, high-fashion world down into the gutter. Fajar felt the air turn thin."Keep walking," Nadia murmured, her grip on his arm iron-tight. "Don’t acknowledge him. If you look at him, you’re acknowledging the past. We’re building a future, remember?""Nadia, that’s Leo. He’s my brother. He’s going to ruin everything," Fajar whispered, his pulse spiking."Then he’s a variable. And I handle variables," she replied, her voice cool and steady. "Look at me. Ignore the gallery. Focus on the man holding your hand.""He knows I’m broke, Nadia. He knows about the apartment. He knows about the instant noodles.""He knows a version of you that doesn't exist anymore. Are you going to let a ghost kill the best thing that’s ever happened to you?""He's not a ghost. He's five feet away and he looks angry.""Smile, Fa