Chapter Two — The Billionaire’s World

By sunrise, Noah Vale was already a legend again.

The city woke up to headlines screaming his name, and making Noah’s name was making waves again.

VALE TECHNOLOGIES STOCK SOARS AFTER MIDNIGHT ACQUISITION

NOAH VALE: THE GENIUS BILLIONAIRE WHO NEVER SLEEPS

He read none of it.

By seven a.m., he was already dressed in a tailored black suit, hair perfectly styled, he barely tasted his coffee on the counter as he scanned three tablets at once.

At the penthouse,Noah was quiet. But at office,

CEO Noah vale was a machine.

By the time he walked into Vale Technologies, the entire building shifted.

People straightened themselves, assistants whispered pretending to tend to their computers.

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

Executives checked their posture.

Because when Noah Vale moved through the halls, power followed like a shadow.

He didn’t raise his voice,or threaten them ,he isn’t need to

One look from those dark eyes and grown men remembered deadlines they had forgotten, contracts they’d messed up, mistakes they prayed he hadn’t noticed.

And the thing was he noticed everything, every nervous twitch, fake smile, every lie,he is that good.

“Morning, Mr. Vale,” his secretary said, practically vibrating.

“Morning, Claire,” he replied calmly, already skimming a report. “Why is the Singapore merger still pending?

She froze. “B-Because legal.....”

“Legal had three days,” Noah said mildly. “Fix it before lunch.”

“Yes, sir.” She replied back almost immediately.

When is my next meeting he asked her, Boardroom meeting by 8am , and Market calls by nine sir.

By the time lunch came, Noah had made decisions that ruined two careers and created six new millionaires.

He is Efficient,ruthless and very Brilliant.

That was the version the world worshipped.

What they didn’t see was the way his phone screen lit up at 12:03 p.m.

Mom ❤️:

Did you eat yet, sweetheart?

He smiled without meaning to.

Typed back with one hand while signing documents with the other.

Noah:

Working on it. Love you.Mum

His parents were the only people who didn’t treat him like a god or a weapon.

To them, he was still the little boy they’d adopted at two years old.

***********

The quiet child with big eyes who used to cry at thunderstorms and sleep curled between them until they sang a lullaby for him to sleep .

They were ruthless with everyone else.

With him? He was still their little boy,

Proud in a way that made his chest ache sometimes.

They called him their miracle.

Their legacy,and their whole world.

And maybe that was why he worked like a man running from something.

Because when work stopped…

The silence came back.

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

By six p.m., the building emptied.

By eight, Noah was still in his office.

Tie loosened,he had his shirt sleeves rolled up.

Eyes burning from screens.

The city glowed outside his window, dark and alive and tempting.

And still…he stayed.

Until the door burst open without knocking.

“NOPE.”

Noah flinched,i thought i told you i didnt want any disturbance,thinking his secretary allowed another visitor,when he turned around it was Ethan.

What the hell.......

Ethan Rivers stood there with a grin and a leather jacket, holding two coffees and pure chaos in human form.

“You are DONE,” Ethan announced. “Close the laptop.

“No,” Noah said flatly, not even looking up.

“Close. The. Damn. Laptop Noah.

“No.”

Ethan walked over and slammed it shut himself.

Noah finally looked up, eyes sharp. “Do you have a death wish?”

“Relax, billionaire Batman,” Ethan said, dropping into the chair. “If you don’t leave this office right now, I’m calling your mother and telling her you skipped dinner.”

Noah stiffened.

“…You wouldn’t dare, ooh try me.

Then Noah sighed, long and tired, rubbing his face.

“You are the worst.” Do you know that.

“I know. That’s why you love me.” Ethan grinned. “Come on. You’ve been working for eighteen hours straight. When was the last time you had fun?”

Noah thought about it.

Actually thought.

His brain came up blank.

“That’s… not concerning at all,” Ethan muttered.

Ten minutes later, Noah was in the passenger seat of Ethan’s sports car, staring out the window like a man being kidnapped.

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

They ended up at some quiet late-night diner very cozy, vinyl booths, the kind of place that smelled like fries and regret.

Ethan ordered burgers, fries, milkshakes.

Noah ordered water.

Of course he did.

They sat in silence for a minute.

Then Ethan leaned back, studying him.

You look like shit.

“Good evening to you too.”

“No, seriously,” Ethan said softer. “You’re exhausted, man. You ever think about… I don’t know… living? Or just take a break.

Noah snorted. “I live.”

You work,Same thing.

“Wrong.” Ethan pointed a fry at him. “When was the last time someone touched you?”

Noah choked on his water.

“WHAT......

“Sexually, Noah. I meant sexually.”

“Jesus Christ, Ethan! You are gross .

The waiter glanced over.

Ethan waved cheerfully. “Sorry, family discussion.

Noah rubbed his temples. “Can we not do this?”

“No, we cannot,” Ethan said smugly. “It’s been what, eight months? Nine? Since someone last rocked your world? Like sucked your d**k real good that you had shaky legs.

“That is none of your business.”

“That’s a yes.”

Noah glared. “I am busy.”

Busy my ass. You’re lonely boo.

Silence,guess that one landed too close.

Ethan softened. “Bro… you work, you sleep, you work again. No vacations. No dates. No fun. You’re almost thirty in a few months, you are hot and rich and miserable.”

“I’m not miserable.”

“You had a panic nightmare last night and texted me ‘do you ever feel like you don’t belong in your own skin’ at 3:21 a.m.”

Noah froze.

“…Delete that.”

“Too late. Screenshot.”

They shared a small smile.

Then Ethan leaned forward, eyes lighting up.

“Which brings me to my genius plan.”Nah

“I haven’t even said it yet.”

“It’s still no.”

“Dating app,absolutely not .

“YES.”No,

“Bro, I will personally make your profile.”

“No.”

“I will pick the hottest men in a ten-mile radius.” Or even in another country as long as you get yourself hooked.

“Ethan.”

“It has been TOO LONG since someone fucked you real good.”

“ETHAN—”

Ethan laughed so hard he almost fell off the booth.

“Look at you blushing! Oh my god, the mighty Noah Vale still gets shy!

“I do not get shy,you are red.

“It’s the lighting.”

“Sure, Mr. Billionaire Virgin-Energy.”

Noah groaned, dropping his head onto the table.

“Why are we friends.”

“Because I keep you from turning into a corporate vampire,” Ethan said. “Which is ironic, now that I think about it.”

Noah stiffened.

“…What?”

“Nothing. Bad joke.”

They ate,and laughed

They laughed.

For the first time in days, Noah felt something loosen in his chest.

And maybe , just maybe —

When Ethan secretly downloaded a dating app onto Noah’s phone…

It wasn’t the worst idea in the world.

He just didn’t know yet…

That somewhere out there…

Fate was already moving.

And the man who would ruin his life…

Was about to walk straight into his world.

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