PEREZ: WHEN AURA MEETS POWER

Some men commanded attention, some were attention themselves.... Alejandro Perez belonged to the second category. They called it charisma, influence, power.... But those who actually met him knew what it was.

Aura.

The kind that couldn't be taught or inherited.... It simply just existed. The event hall buzzed with conversation as the city's wealthiest and most powerful figures gathered beneath crystal chandeliers in a luxurious atmosphere.... They were all seated waiting for one man.

Alejandro Perez. The founder and CEO of AUREX GLOBAL and the younger billionaire in the city..

The host adjusted his tie and smiled "Ladies and gentlemen" he announced "please let's welcome the founder and CEO of Aurex Global... Alejandro Perez"

An applause erupted, a spotlight illuminated the stage as Perez stepped onto it, no dramatic entrance.... No attempt to impress anyone, just the calm confidence that came from someone who knew exactly who he was. He took the mic and cleared his throat before speaking.... The crowd went quiet.

"Success" he began "isn't built in the moments everyone sees"

The room remained silent. They were listening.

"It's built in the moments nobody does"

There was an applause again....

"Thank you all for joining me tonight.... Tonight we celebrate innovation, leadership, and extraordinary achievement"

More applause came after

"From humble beginnings to global influence" he continued "From a dream to an empire"

"But, What matters most is the story that comes before it"

**********

FLASHBACK TO THE PAST,

A YEAR EARLIER,

SAN CORDOVA

Before Perez' rise to fame was; hardship, frustration, isolation, temptation and hard decisions. The streets of San Cordova were never quiet, even at night the city pulsed with one restless energy, Perez walked through it, clearly unbothered.... At twenty-three, he had already learned something most men spent their entire lives figuring out.

That the world respected only two things.

Money.

Or the kind of man who looked like he would have it someday.

At the moment he had neither, but he had something else. Presence... It was just the way people noticed him, not like it was something he tried to do.... it simply happened, fast and quick. Perez strolled down the street, when he heard the breaking sound of a car.... One sleek, black and expensive car came to a stop at the side of the street. He paused and wondered.

When the passenger door opened, an elderly man in uniform stepped out and rushed over to open the back door.... Another person stepped out.... Perez slowed down and leaned by a lamppost....

It was a woman.... An heiress.... Twice his age.... Everything about her screamed wealth. Her dress, her jewelries, her heels.... It seemed the man was her driver, he spoke urgently on the phone while the woman leaned on the car, slightly annoyed. Perez watched them.... The woman looked around, well until her eyes landed on Perez, and she paused.... For a brief moment their eyes met across the street....

Perez finally pushed himself from the lamppost and started walking past their side.... He had no reason to stop anyway.... But as he passed them, the driver politely called out to him "Excuse me Sir"

Perez paused, but he didn't turn.... "Problem?"

It was obvious that there was a problem. The driver hesitated before answering “Flat tire, I called someone but it might take him hours.... I need to get ma'am home"

Perez glanced at the flat tire... He exhaled softly, he could actually fix that in ten minutes.... Then he looked at the woman, something about him amused her that brought a slight smile to her lips.....

“Bad place to get stuck" Perez said

She tilted her head "I’m starting to realize that"

Her voice was smooth, it was clear that she was educated.... nothing like the rough accents that filled the streets. Perez smirked “I can fix it, no worries"

The driver first looked worried but Perez didn't blame him, a guy in a jacket didn’t exactly scream mechanical genius. Their eyes met again. Perez nodded, got the necessary tools and began to work.

*********

A FEW MOMENTS LATER

The woman tapped her heels against the floor.... Watching Perez maneuver her car tires.... He had his jacket off, his athletic physique was quite visible with the way his sweat trailed down his white vest. She began counting her breath.... One moment almost biting her lip.... “Who… who are you?” she asked, she was curious enough. Perez straightened up, wiping his hands off with a cloth.... His eyes met hers, with a faint smirk... A very neutral one.... The kind that would make a woman think he was head over heels for them when he simply was being polite...

“Perez" he simply said

Just Perez. No need for explanations or titles.

Damn. She blinked, caught off guard by how little he revealed... there was something about the way he said it.... possessive without owning, dominant without demanding. It was drowning.

"All done" he said and then turned to walk away

"T-thank you" the driver added

Then Perez walked away, no backward glance, no hesitation. While the heiress stood frozen for a heartbeat, completely mesmerized, her gaze following the long, confident strides of the man who had just introduced himself with a single word. She didn’t even notice her hands moving down her bare thighs

Then her driver’s voice cut through “Miss? Should we go?”

She blinked, shaking off the sudden warmth that lingered over her skin “Yes" she murmured

As the car moved normally, the woman stole one last glance at the empty street where Perez had been standing. It was magnetic.