Chapter 223: 208. Grand Opening Of The Future Mall
If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
"For now, we're keeping things private," he admitted. "It's not that we're ashamed of it, but we just don't want our personal lives to be turned into some kind of spectacle before we're ready. Wrestling fans can be… intense. We've already had to be careful when we go out together."
Nicole nodded in agreement. "We know the spotlight is coming, but we want to control when and how we step into it. It's not just about us, either. FCW is growing, and we don't want unnecessary distractions."
Jack exhaled through his nose, nodding slightly. "That's a smart approach."
With the heavier topics momentarily set aside, the conversation shifted back to a lighter territory as they all enjoyed the expertly prepared meal. Sandro could see April and Nicole slowly relaxing, their earlier nerves fading as they got more comfortable around his parents.
After dinner, everyone retired for the night. Sandro escorted April and Nicole to their guest rooms, which were located in the same wing as his own. The estate was massive, and while April and Nicole were still adjusting to the sheer scale of it, they had to admit the accommodations were nothing short of luxurious.
As they stood outside their rooms, Sandro glanced between them. "You guys okay?"
April sighed, stretching her arms. "Yeah, just… exhausted. Your mom is intense."
Nicole smirked. "I like her, though. She doesn't take bullshit. I respect that."
Sandro chuckled. "Yeah, that's Mom for you."
April leaned against the doorframe, looking at him thoughtfully. "Do you think we did okay?"
"You did great," Sandro reassured her. "Mom and Dad just needed to see that you're both serious about this. I think we got through to them."
Nicole smirked. "And if we didn't, we'll just have to keep proving it."
Sandro grinned, reaching out to squeeze both of their hands. "That's the spirit."
After saying their goodnights, they each retreated to their rooms to rest. Tomorrow was an important day, the grand opening ceremony for one of Nexum Core's biggest projects.
As he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he thought about everything that had happened that day. His parents' initial skepticism, the careful conversations, the unspoken expectations.
He knew their relationship would always be under watch, not just by his parents, but by the world as well. But as long as he had April and Nicole by his side, he was ready for whatever came next.
As Sandro lay in bed, the weight of the previous day's events settled in his mind. Meeting his parents under such scrutiny was exhausting, but he knew it was a necessary step and as he thought so, his eyes soon closed.
The next day, Sandro woke up and glanced at the clock, showing that it was barely past 6 AM, yet he already felt well rested. Maybe it was the comfort of the massive bed, or maybe it was knowing that April and Nicole were just down the hall, in his home, getting a glimpse of the life he rarely shared with others.
He sighed, sitting up and rubbing his face before swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Today was another important day, the grand opening of one of Nexum Core's core projects, that he suggested and become initiated. He had to be sharp, focused, and, most importantly, present.
Pushing himself up, he stretched briefly before heading toward the en suite bathroom. The marble floors were cool against his feet as he stepped inside and turned on the shower, letting the water heat up before stepping in. The warmth was refreshing, washing away any lingering fatigue from the night before.
As he showered, his mind drifted back to the dinner conversation. His mother's sharp eyes, his father's calculated silence, and the weight of their presence.
Taylor had softened by the end, but he knew his mother was always watching, always analyzing. His father, on the other hand, had said his piece, but Sandro knew Jack Zhang was a man of quiet action. If he ever saw something he didn't like, he wouldn't waste words, he would simply act.
By the time he finished showering, Sandro had pushed those thoughts aside. Today wasn't about proving anything to his parents. Today was about the future, his, his family's, and the company's.
He dressed in the suit he had prepared the night before, a dark navy, perfectly tailored with a crisp white shirt and a silk tie. Adjusting the cuffs, he took one last look in the mirror. Confident, collected, ready.
Descending the grand staircase, he spotted his father already seated in the living room, dressed sharply in his own suit. Jack was reading a newspaper while enjoying his morning coffee, the image of a man who had done this routine for decades.
Jack looked up as Sandro approached and offered a slight nod. "Morning."
"Morning, Dad," Sandro replied, moving toward him. "You're up early."
Jack smirked, setting the newspaper down. "I could say the same to you. Nervous about today?"
Sandro shook his head. "Not really. Just making sure I'm ready."
Jack studied him for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Good. The event starts at ten. All five malls in different states will have their openings at the exact same time, and our main opening will be the biggest one."
Sandro hummed in understanding. It was already 7 AM, meaning they had about three hours before the big event.
His stomach grumbled slightly, making him realize just how hungry he was. "Where's Mom?" he asked.
Jack smirked, sipping his coffee. "Cooking."
Sandro raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Jack chuckled. "She insisted. Said she wanted to cook for her future daughters-in-law." He emphasized the plural with a teasing tone.
Sandro groaned, rubbing his temple. "You're trying to be funny again, aren't you?"
Jack took another slow sip of his coffee. "Trying? No, I am funny, son."
Before Sandro could retort, a pair of familiar voices greeted them.
"Good morning!"
Both men turned to see April and Nicole approaching with warm smiles.
Jack returned the greeting with a nod, while Sandro walked over, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads.
April and Nicole immediately turned bright red, realizing that Jack had witnessed the affectionate gesture. But instead of teasing them, Jack simply watched with his usual unreadable expression.
April fidgeted slightly but smiled. "You're up early."
"So are you two," Sandro pointed out.
Nicole smirked. "Well, we figured if we're in your house, we should at least try to keep up with your family's schedule."
"Smart move I like that," Jack said, surprising them.
Before anyone could continue, Taylor's voice called from the dining room. "Breakfast is ready!"
Sandro grinned and turned to April and Nicole. "By the way, my mom personally made breakfast for you two. She had never cooked since she was busy with the company, looks like you two are a special case."
April blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
Nicole arched an eyebrow. "Is this some kind of test? I thought we passed through the test last night."
Sandro chuckled. "I guess we'll find out."
The dining room was as elegant as ever, but this morning, it felt a little more homey. The long table was set with an assortment of breakfast dishes, golden brown waffles, fresh fruit, eggs cooked in multiple styles, bacon, and even traditional Chinese breakfast items like congee and dumplings.
Taylor stood at the head of the table, her sleeves rolled up slightly, an apron tied around her waist. She had clearly been hands on in the kitchen.
"Come, sit," she said, motioning to the seats.
April and Nicole hesitated for a split second before following Sandro's lead and taking their seats.
As they began serving themselves, Taylor sat down, resting her chin on her hand as she observed the two young women. "I hope you enjoy it. I don't cook often, but when I do, I make sure it's memorable."
April took a cautious bite of the waffles, eyes widening slightly. "This is amazing."
Nicole nodded in agreement. "I might have to ask for the recipe."
Taylor smirked. "I don't share my recipes. But if you stick around, I might cook for you again."
April and Nicole exchanged glances before smiling. It wasn't a full acceptance, but it was progress.
Jack, meanwhile, remained quiet as he ate, though Sandro caught the way he subtly watched the interaction. He knew his father, Jack was evaluating every little detail, just as Taylor was.
The breakfast passed with a mix of light conversation and a few probing questions from Taylor, but nothing too overwhelming.
By the time they finished, it was nearly 8 AM. Jack stood, adjusting his cuffs. "We should get moving soon. The cars will be ready in thirty minutes."
Taylor nodded. "Agreed. We'll head out shortly."
As soon as Taylor announced that they'd be leaving soon, April and Nicole exchanged a glance before standing up together.
"We'll take care of the dishes," April offered, rolling up her sleeves.
Nicole nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you've done so much already, the least we can do is help clean up."
Taylor raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the kitchen where a few house staff were already waiting to handle everything. "You know we have people for that."
"We know," Nicole said with a small smile. "But we still want to do it."
April added, "It wouldn't feel right to just walk away after everything you made for us."
Taylor watched them for a moment, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes before she gave a small nod. "Alright then. I'll leave it to you two."
As she stepped away to get ready, Sandro, who had been watching silently from the sidelines, smirked slightly. He knew his mother better than most, while she often came across as tough and calculating, deep down, she had a soft side. Letting April and Nicole handle the dishes, even when it wasn't necessary, was a small sign of acceptance.
April and Nicole got to work, quickly clearing the table and bringing the plates to the sink. As they scrubbed and rinsed, they worked efficiently, occasionally exchanging quiet comments about the morning.
"She's definitely testing us," April muttered under her breath, drying a plate.
Nicole chuckled. "Yeah, but honestly? I think she's warming up to us."
"You think?"
Nicole nodded. "She wouldn't have cooked for us if she wasn't at least considering the idea. And now? Letting us help like this? It means she doesn't just see us as Sandro's girlfriends, she's seeing us as people and not you know gold diggers."
April exhaled, feeling a small wave of relief. "I really hope you're right."
By the time they finished, Taylor had reappeared, now dressed in an elegant yet professional outfit, her makeup expertly applied. She and Jack stood on the terrace, where Henry was already waiting with the Rolls Royce prepped for their departure.
Sandro stepped toward April and Nicole, lowering his voice. "You two are staying here."
Nicole crossed her arms. "Not even going to ask if we want to come?"
Sandro smirked. "You know why. If you show up at an event like this, the media will start asking questions we're not ready to answer yet."
April sighed but nodded in understanding. "You're right. The last thing we need is for our relationship to become a public spectacle before we're ready."
Nicole relented as well. "Fine. But we expect full details when you get back."
Sandro grinned. "Deal." He leaned in, brushing a quick kiss against both of their foreheads before heading toward his parents.
As he slipped into the car beside them, the Rolls Royce smoothly pulled away from the estate, heading toward downtown Orlando.
The drive was quiet at first, the familiar hum of the luxury vehicle creating a calm atmosphere. Jack, as usual, was focused, his gaze fixed ahead. Taylor sat beside him, checking her phone, likely reviewing last-minute details.
Sandro glanced at his father. "So, what's the final rundown?"
Jack responded without looking away from the road. "Five malls in five different states. Each one will have an opening ceremony at the exact same time. Orlando is the flagship location, so all eyes will be on us."
Sandro nodded, already knowing most of the details but appreciating the reminder. "Security measures?"
Taylor spoke this time. "Tight. The governor will be attending, along with a few high-profile business figures. We can't afford anything going wrong."
Sandro hummed in acknowledgment. Events like these weren't just about the business itself, they were statements. Nexum Core was expanding, solidifying its presence as a dominant force in multiple industries.
This wasn't just about opening a mall, it was about setting a precedent for future ventures in the mall and to an extent real estate industry.
As they neared the venue, Sandro caught sight of the crowd. Hundreds of people had already gathered outside, some eager shoppers, others reporters from various networks, business, news, and entertainment. The energy was palpable.
When they pulled up to the main entrance, cameras immediately flashed, capturing their arrival. Security was already in place, keeping the crowd at bay as they stepped out of the car.
Jack adjusted his cufflinks before leading the way, his presence commanding attention without a single word. Taylor followed with the same effortless confidence. Sandro took a brief moment to soak it all in before stepping forward himself.
They were immediately met by event coordinators and PR representatives, who quickly guided them toward the main stage. The large backdrop behind the podium displayed the Nexum Core logo, flanked by banners representing the new developments.
A young woman approached Sandro, handing him an itinerary. "Your speech is scheduled right after Mr. Zhang's. You'll be introduced as one of the key contributors to this project."
Sandro nodded. "Got it."
Jack took his place at the podium first, the murmurs of the crowd quieting as he began his speech. He spoke with the ease of a seasoned businessman, outlining the vision behind these malls, not just as shopping centers, but as hubs of everything into one place, blending retail, entertainment, and technology. A place where everyone could relax and also spend their time.
___________________________
Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 19 (2009)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions & 1 FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion