Home / Urban / PEREZ: WHEN AURA MEETS POWER / CHAPTER SEVEN: CLIMBING TO SUCCESS
CHAPTER SEVEN: CLIMBING TO SUCCESS
last update2026-10-20 05:56:10

The journey to success wasn't quite easy..... But it came in ways unexpected to Perez.

FLASHBACK CONT'D

LOCKWOOD

Suddenly the lights dimmed, everywhere went quiet.... Lockwood calmly stepped forward “This... is where precision meets vision" he announced

The prototype was revealed. It was clean, refined, powerful, accurate.... At some point the room had to process what they were looking at. And then, the reactions came..... Impressed, focused gazes from people who didn't praise easily “This system was developed under a tight window… and executed beyond expectation" Lockwood continued

“The credit goes to Alejandro Perez" he pointed at Perez

The name landed and Perez felt it.... Not pride, just awareness.... Eyes shifted towards him....… And the press approached for questions, observations, interest.

His colleagues approached him.... one of them spoke first “I’ll be honest” he said “Didn’t think you’d pull it off, but that was clean"

Perez nodded.

Zachary Burchard approached with Lockwood “Interesting work... Uh"

"Perez" Lockwood echoed

Zachary nodded “That level of efficiency, isn’t common"

“I’d like to offer you three contracts" “They’ll be sent.... You’ll decide if they’re worth your time"

Just like that. Not if he qualified, if they were worth his time. Perez respected that “Alright"

Just as Zachary and Lockwood walked away discussing something with each other, Perez caught Amara's gaze across the room... Of course she walked over to him, which made it harder to look away....

"Congratulations Perez"

Perez glanced at her "Hmm thank you...."

Amara smiled at him.... Her fingers fiddling each other.... Lockwood, who stood not far from them glanced and caught them staring at each other, he turned his head slowly.... Returning to his discussion.

"*********

After the day had faded into quiet dusk.... Victoria and Ruby were fixed on the highlights.....“Wait.... isn't that the guy? That I bumped into that day” Victoria exclaimed

Ruby leaned forward suddenly, Victoria’s eyes followed “…It is"

Ruby let out a low whistle “They just said his name... the heck he built that?"

Victoria nodded slowly “That’s… not small"

“No, it’s not, that’s a story" Ruby turned to her "Okay you definitely need to write about him"

Victoria blinked nervously "Ruby what?"

“Dig into it” Ruby continued “From nowhere to that stage? People will read it gurlll.... That's literally the story out there"

Victoria’s fingers tightened "Ah jeez....."

************

The talk lasted till the next day... The press still strolled into Lockwood sharp 7 o'clock in the morning to ask questions, share reviews and recommendations about Perez' miracle work.... In just one night there were already contracts, handshakes.... Perez had counted nearly twenty offers. Two weeks ago, he has nothing.... now everything seemed to run faster.....

But everytime he stood to answer a question.... His mind had a way of drifting off.... Especially when he caught a glance at Ms. Vale....  It drifted back to the dream, that same confusion that he tried to push aside when Amara kept appearing.... In his thoughts.

Suddenly Lockwood’s voice came beside him.... “Thank you"

“No I should thank you" Perez insisted, now noticing Amara approaching too.... Lockwood glanced towards Amara “Thank you for walking into this city… and bumping into my wife"

There was something layered in that sentence, not really appreciative.... Something else. Lockwood’s hand moved to Amara’s waist, pulling her closer. There was a reaction from her that came unnoticed.... But Perez' eyes caught it. He didn't fail to be observant.... He saw the way Amara's expression changed a little, a flicker of something like irritation.... There was brief tension in her posture, like she didn't belong there.... Lockwood looked down at her “You alright?” he asked

Amara nodded “I’m fine" but her voice was lower than usual....

Perez didn't utter a word.... Then, voices called him.... The media, they wanted more answers.... So he took his bow and turned away.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Latest Chapter

  • CHAPTER SIXTEEN: DISTANCE IS THE BARRIER

    The change was subtle, it wasn't obvious to the people inside Aurex.... But it was to Victoria, Perez no longer stopped by her desk, their conversations after meetings had become shorter, their casual exchange that had somehow become part of her routine vanished... He made it seem completely natural."Miss Carter, Mr. Perez would like you to review these documents"A messenger. Again. Victoria accepted the folder and thanked the assistant.Two weeks ago, he would've brought it himself.Two weeks ago, he would've asked for her opinion.Two weeks ago, he might have stayed for a conversation.She glanced towards the executive floor. His office door was closed, she lowered her eyes and returned to her work.... If that was how he wanted things to be, she could play that game, too.************The following day wasn't much different. One- word answers: "Good morning""Morning""The article has been approved""Okay""Did you receive the updated report?""Yes"And by the end of the week, sh

  • CHAPTER FIFTEEN: UNSCRIPTED

    The days that followed became strangely familiar. Victoria would walk into Aurex and Perez would already be there. Well of course, but then she would turn a cand he'd be walking out of an elevator or she would be reviewing notes in the lounge, and he'd appear beside the coffee machine. It was almost ridiculous and yet neither of them ever mentioned it.They simply exchanged glances, a nod, a greeting, then continued with their day.... Professional and controlled, atleast that's what Perez was telling himself.... Because Victoria was becoming a distraction, a dangerous one. Because unlike Natasha and Amara, she wasn't demanding anything from him, neither was she chasing nor trying to pull him into a complicated situation. She was simply there.*******That evening, Perez walked out of his office with a file tucked beneath his arms, most of the building was empty as the cleaning staff started moving through the hallways..... The lights were switched off in most of the offices then he no

  • CHAPTER FOURTEEN: BETWEEN THE LINES

    The article was finally finished or at least, Victoria had finally convinced herself to stop rewriting it, thanks to Ruby. It took three days, seven drafts and countless edits.... Plus an unhealthy amount of coffee. She finally sat at her desk staring at the final version of the article, her finger hovered over the mouseSubmit.Her eyes scanned the first few lines one last time, finally she inhaled deeply and then clicked the button. The article was officially published and there was no taking it back*********Response was immediate, employees started discussing about it, most praised it and the media team circulated it..... People started sharing it, this should've made Victoria happy but it left her nervous instead because one person hadn't read it. Few hours later, her phone vibrated.... 'Mr. Perez would like to see you in his office'Victoria's heart skipped..... She quickly stood up and headed right away. Before she reached she had already imagined at least twenty different wa

  • CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE QUIET EXPLORER

    One afternoon, Victoria sat alone in a small café a few blocks away from Aurex' headquarters. Her laptop was open and her notebook laid beside it, several pages were scattered across the table; each filled with crossed-out words, written ideas, unfinished sentences. The article was slowly taking shape, she tapped her pen against the table then began typing again...."Success changes people or perhaps it simply reveals who they were all along"She stopped, no, deleted it.... "Behind every growing empire is a person learning how to carry the weight of becoming visible"She paused, better but still not on point.... She leaned back in her chair and sighed.Why was this so difficult? She had written dozens of articles before yet this one felt strangely personal.The TV screen lit up and caught her attention, it displayed the past clips on Perez' wonder works at Lockwood.... There was always someone standing beside him in most pictures, her name was boldly casted on the screen, Amara Vale.

  • CHAPTER TWELVE: LIES OF THE HEART

    PRESENT DAYVictoria’s article had spread faster than she expected. Virally, within days, Aurex Systems was no longer just another rising tech name in San Cordova, it had become the name people associated with the City’s newest wave of powera and attached to it Alejandro Perez. By this time Natasha and Amara had become history enough to make him put on layers by layers.The invitation came directly from Aurex Media Division, it was access to Aurex itself.... Victoria stepped inside following the staff towards the interview room.... Where Perez himself sat with fellow broadcasters. When she stepped in their eyes met briefly.... Briefly not noticeable, not even enough to recognize.... “Miss Carter” someone from the media team said, gesturing for her to sit.She did, across from Perez..... And the interview began.... Victoria spoke clearly about her writing, her perspective, how she found stories in patterns people ignored and how she found a voice in Aurex systems itself....Perez lean

  • CHAPTER ELEVEN: ECHOES OF ATTRACTION

    There's always a time when everything should be put to a stop.... Every desire, temptation, history, and conflict. Perez couldn't let his guard down by falling for any of it, despite the dreams he had. He had to put a stop to its matters.FLASHBACK CONT'DIt just took a notification to make him realize what would have thrown him off guard if it were months ago.... A message from his unfinished past, the heiress.... He stared at his phone screen which glowed with a message from Alex.... Natasha's driver "She wants to speak with you? Mr Perez""Time to put an end to this for good" Perez whispered to himself *********An hour later, he was sitting across from her in a quiet lounge. Natasha hadn't changed... She still remained the smug, seductive and irresistible young lady who could pull the strings of any young man she wanted."You've done well for yourself...." she saidPerez almost smiled, he leaned back in his chair "what made you reach out? Is it because you've probably seen me on

More Chapter
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App