Chapter 909 Special Edition: Wesley’s Day Off
At 5:30 am in Mercianna, with the sky still dark, Wesley was already in his athletic gear and jogging through the streets. He had always been consistent in his exercise routine.
Aside from a year following the car accident, when he had to pause his vigorous activities due to health issues, he kept up with his winter sports and summer morning runs.
After he gifted the Denning Residence, where he had lived for over a decade, to Emelie as part of her dowry, he moved into a spacious apartment near Golden Square.
The area was known for its affluence where it boasted excellent facilities, abundant greenery, and a great view. It was perfect for running.
After he completed several laps, he veered into a narrow alley and headed to a nearby restaurant for breakfast. Although it was only 7 am, the few tables that the restaurant had were already occupied.
Wesley had his usual spot and walked straight to it. He signaled the waiter, who nodded politely but did not come over and take his order. This was because he knew Wesley would request his usual dishes.
The restaurant was small with only six tables. It was run by a Cedonian man in his sixties who was both the owner and chef.
He had earned a reputation for his Cedonian cuisine in Faldoria. He had previously worked in Michelin- starred restaurants before opening this modest place. His restaurant only served breakfast, and only to a select group of regulars.
Wesley savored a cup of tea
Though the restaurant was small, it exuded elegance. The mahogany tables and chairs were crafted using traditional joinery. There was a three-dimensional window grill depicting mountains and water, and a courtyard filled with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums.
On a small stage, an opera piece titled “A Day Out’ was being played. “…In the early morning, which mirror should I use? To style my hair, which scent do I use? To put makeup on my face, which powder should I use? To put on lipstick, which color should I use?…
The regular patrons joined in, each speaking a line, creating a harmonious atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Eprand alley, even though they were in Mercianna.
The singer continued. “In the early morning, with a lotus-shaped mirror, I put the scent of osmanthus in my hair, fair powder on my face, and red lipstick on my lips…”
Wesley quietly hummed the lyrics and smiled, amused.
The singing was performed by the owner’s wife, an elegant elderly lady in her fifties or sixties, dressed in traditional Cedonian attire. She sat on the stage, playing the guitar and singing. She had been an opera singer when she was young.
After his meal, Wesley returned home, took a shower and changed into a suit.
At 8:40 am, he boarded a car that would take him to the group’s headquarters. By 9 am, he was in the top-floor conference room, leading a major project worth billions.
Wesley’s days seemed to stretch endlessly, filled with activities. His busy schedule left little room for trivial thoughts, and even if such thoughts crossed his mind, they were quickly overshadowed by his packed agenda.
He left the conference room at 10.30 aam. His secretary followed, noting that he had a lunch meeting with the mayor in an hour to discuss investments for the second half of the year.
“Running out of money again?’ Wesley remarked casually.
The secretary smiled wryly. It was indeed the case. Whenever the government needed funds, they tended to extract it from large conglomerates.
Wesley walked to his office, where the door opened automatically.
The door was equipped with a scanning system that recognized registered individuals from three feet away and opened if they were on the list. Otherwise, it remained closed.
Wesley settled at his desk and began going through some documents. 50 minutes later, the secretary reminded him of his lunch appointment. It was only then that he adjusted his suit and headed out.
He asked the secretary, “What’s on the agenda for the afternoon?”
“The head of the Baliz subsidiary will be coming to report work to you around 3:30 pm. I’ve scheduled a meeting for that,” the secretary replied.
“Okay,” Wesley said absent-mindedly.
The lunch concluded at 2 pm. During the meal, Wesley secured the development and construction of three Mercianna ports, adding a notable achievement to the mayor’s tenure. In return, these ports would be owned by the Filo Group.
“Do you want to return to the company or head to the hotel?” the driver asked.
Wesley, who had a habit of taking a nap, had a suite in the office building and a dedicated suite at a nearby hotel.
“Back to the company,” he said. He would take a one-hour nap before meeting with the head of the Baliz subsidiary
Wesley entered the suite, hung his suit jacket on a hanger, and then lay down on the chaise longue. Then he removed his watch.
He preferred napping on the chair rather than in bed, and the hotel suite was equipped with a similar chaise longue. It wasn’t particularly comfortable. In fact, it wasn’t big enough and he couldn’t stretch fully, but he oddly enjoyed this discomfort.
The room quickly fell into complete silence.
Wesley closed his eyes for a brief rest. In his sleep, he dreamed about his life in high school. When he woke up, the watch on the table beside him showed 3:15 pm.
He sat up, massaging his sore temples, realizing that he had overslept for the first time. He poured a glass of warm water, drank it slowly, and went to the bathroom to wash his face. Then, he changed into a fresh shirt and adjusted his tie before opening the door.
He intended to call his secretary to have the head of the Baliz subsidiary come in. However, as he opened the door, he was surprised to find Emelie sitting on a couch in the waiting area.
He froze for a moment as he saw someone from his dream unexpectedly appear in front of him.