Chapter 49 9th Heaven

The imminent arrival of Bluetooth and Wifi technologies was poised to revolutionize the lives of people all around the world.

Previously only available to the military, these technologies were now set to be introduced to the public within the next two years, with unlimited range and extraordinary capabilities.

This development had set off a wave of excitement in the business world, as companies scrambled to harness the potential of these game-changing technologies and manufacture as many devices as possible for profit.

However, the challenge they faced was a lack of resources, particularly in the production of crucial components.

The Caraxes group had managed to secure a significant portion of the available resources, leaving other firms in dire straits.

To further increase our dominance, the group planned to inaugurate the 9th Heaven bar - a magnificent, glass structure in the shape of a beer bottle - which would serve as a site for the negotiation of raw material supplies between board members.

Success in these negotiations would result in an enormous surge of profits for the winning bidder. To mark the occasion of the bar's grand opening, an exclusive guest list of rich and powerful individuals was invited to the party.

As the countdown to the inauguration began, the excitement in the air was palpable. All eyes were on the 9th Heaven bar and the opportunities it represented, as the business world eagerly awaited the dawn of a new era.

In 1992, the construction of a magnificent and opulent building took place, which was a remarkable achievement, boasting an impressive height of one hundred and eighty-three floors, rendering it among the most sophisticated and lavish structures across the globe.

I wasn't one to dress up in fancy clothes. I opted for a sleek black coat with subtle golden accents paired with black trousers, a charcoal grey shirt, and dress shoes.

Remi was lounging on the couch as we prepared to leave. "When will you guys be back?" she asked, looking up at me.

"In about three hours," I replied, holding up three fingers to emphasize my point.

"Will you take long?" I asked Ruby, who was getting ready for the party.

"Nope," she replied, emerging from the room.

Ruby looked stunning in a black, backless dress adorned with the same gold accents as my coat. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as I looked at her.

As she held onto my collar, I couldn't help but notice the glint in her eye. It was a look I had come to know too well - mischievous, playful, and always up to something. But I couldn't deny that her touch sent shivers down my spine.

I tried to focus on her question, but her fingers tracing along my collarbone were making it difficult.

"I don't like wearing ties," I repeated, hoping to divert her attention away from my neck.

She seemed to take the hint and stepped back, giving me some space to breathe. I walked towards the exit and held the door open, silently urging her to hurry up.

"Wow, you're opening the door for me?" she asked, a teasing smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"…",

With a smirk, she made her way outside, and the crisp night air embraced us as we walked onto the pavement. I followed her lead, and as we approached the end of the corridor, a group of our friends awaited us.

"Wow, Ruby, you look like a billion bucks!", Stella praised Ruby's stunning dress, and the others joined in with their own compliments.

I raised an eyebrow as I noticed two unfamiliar faces in the group.

"What are they doing here?" I asked, pointing at Adam and Alina.

"These guys were also looking forward to the party, and Adam here said he knew you very well, so you won't refuse.", Stella stepped forward.

"Oh really, Adam? Do I know you? Did we go to preschool together or something?", I asked looking at Rerek.

"Why don't you use your VIP pass for -" before he could speak more I sealed his mouth with my aura. "Mmm-mmm"

"VIP pass?", at that word all of them looked at me.

"He is confusing me with someone else", I said.

As the group exchanged uncertain glances, the sound of a helicopter landing on the terrace interrupted our conversation.

"Looks like our ride's here. Let's go!" And with that, I pressed the button for the lift, ready for whatever adventure lay ahead.

All seven of us steppped into the spacious elevator and rode up to the top floor which was the terrace. As we approached the landing, the sound of a chopper could be heard, its rotor blades slicing through the air.

I held onto Ruby's hand, motioning for her to stay put. "Wait here, your hair will be a mess otherwise," I advised her.

As soon as the lift doors opened, we were hit by a gust of wind. The chopper was hovering just a few feet away, its rotors still spinning.

I made my way towards the person who had just disembarked from the aircraft, wearing a pilot's uniform.

"We're ready to move," he shouted over the noise.

"Shut the rotors first", I replied.

"What?-",

"Rotors…rotors, turn them off first", I said pointing at the wings.

"Okay", he replied as he communicated with the second pilot and the wings slowed down and came to still in a moment.

As the helicopter pilot turned off the rotors, Rerek ambled around the terrace while the rest of us waited inside the spacious lift. Once the noise ceased, we all boarded the chopper with Rerek and I bringing up the rear.

The journey to our destination took an hour with the view of the city being the only highlight.

As we approached, the tall beer bottle-shaped building, with the words "9th Heaven" on the cap, came into view. The cap also served as the helipad.

The helicopter landed on the rooftop helipad with a deafening roar, we all stepped out onto the chilly, windswept platform. The night air was crisp and biting, and the cold seeped through our jackets, making us shiver involuntarily.

We were greeted by five people, all dressed in black suits over white shirts, who were standing off to the side and waiting for us.

Their faces were expressionless, and they looked like they had been waiting there for hours, unaffected by the cold wind and the noise of the helicopter.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," one of them said, his voice cold and emotionless. "Welcome to 9th Heaven. Please follow us."

The atmosphere was eerily silent, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing across the helipad as we followed the suited figures towards the entrance of the building.

As we made our way inside, the grandeur of the place struck us. The interior was opulent, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, and plush red carpets covering the floor.

We were led to a private elevator, which took us down to the main floor, where the real party was happening.

The music was loud and upbeat, the dance floor packed with people gyrating to the beat. Waiters in black tuxedos carried trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres, weaving through the crowd with practised ease.

The party was in full swing, but there was an underlying feeling of tension and unease. Everyone seemed to be on edge, and the guests were all watching each other, sizing each other up.

It was as if we had all been brought there for a specific purpose, and we were all waiting for something to happen.