Chapter 26 - In the Name of Raymond
Alex let out a steady breath, gave a small nod, and picked up where he left off.
He told her about his background. All he's been up to. His dreams. What NEOSPACE truly meant. How it wasn't just an idea, it was hope. For every child who ever looked at a laptop and wished they had access. For every dreamer who had ideas but no one to believe in them. And how NEOSPACE would be the place where those dreams would finally find light.
Rebecca listened quietly. She didn't interrupt, didn't flinch. Alex sat on the edge of his nerves, watching her unreadable face. Every nod, every pause felt like a puzzle piece, was she impressed or not? He couldn't tell. All he could do was wait.
She flipped through the pages of the plan. Occasionally nodding. Asking sharp, specific questions. Alex answered each with clarity, his voice sometimes shaking, but always honest.
Then, a silence.
She closed the file. Looked at him.
And said, "What you have, Alex... it's rare. It's real. And above all, it has potential. And that's exactly what we do at POWER. We invest in minds. In people. In vision."
Alex froze.
Did she just say...?
"I'd be glad to handle this project with you," she continued. "You'll lead it. But we'll fuel it. Strategically, financially and structurally."
She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, sleek business card.
It was black. Simple. Elegant.
In bold white letters:
POWER
Rebecca Stallion
CEO
She slid it across the table.
Alex stared at it like it was a golden ticket. His heart was pounding so loudly he could hear it in his ears.
He stood up suddenly with glassy eyes. "Thank you... Thank you so much, ma'am. I promise, on everything, I will not waste this opportunity. I'll take this seriously. I'll give it everything."
Rebecca stood too and offered her hand. "Good. Because I don't fund ideas. I fund fighters."
Alex shook her hand firmly.
And in that moment, everything changed.
"..."
Alex didn't waste a second.
As soon as he stepped out of the restaurant and felt the wind brush across his face, he brought out his phone and dialed Raymond's number. His heart was still pounding, but this time, not with anxiety, this time, it was joy. Relief. A dream turning real.
The phone rang once. Then Raymond answered.
"Alex?"
"Yes sir! Something just happened. Something big," Alex said, almost out of breath from excitement. "I need to see you."
Raymond chuckled lightly. "I'm not in the office. I'm at the Gatehouse, needed some quiet. Come over."
Alex didn't even reply. He just turned, flagged a ride, and headed straight to the Gatehouse.
***
When he got to the house, he didn't see anyone at first. The place looked quiet as usual. He stepped inside the gatehouse and called out, "Sir?" but heard no response.
Then he noticed something, the door to the safe room was slightly open.
Alex's brows furrowed. He walked slowly towards it, cautious. The door creaked as he opened it wider.
"Hello?"
Still no answer.
He took a deep breath and stepped down into the underground safe room.
There, in the dim light, surrounded by files, was Raymond. Calm, focused, and sitting like a man who was both watching and waiting.
Raymond turned as Alex entered.
"You know," Alex said, still catching his breath, "this place... it's a bit too open. Anyone who enters the house could stumble in here."
Raymond gave a half-smile, not even turning from his screen. "I have cameras, detectors, sensors. If anyone even breathes the wrong way near this house, I know."
Alex laughed nervously. "That's both cool... and scary."
Raymond finally turned fully toward him. His eyes scanned Alex's face.
"What's up? You wouldn't rush here unless it was urgent."
Alex stepped closer, holding back a grin. "Sir... guess what?"
Raymond leaned back in his chair. "What?"
"I found someone. An investor. Someone ready to support me with NEOSPACE."
Raymond's face lit up, eyebrows raised in genuine surprise. "Seriously? Who? How?"
Alex grinned, a bit proud, a bit nervous. "Well, I did use your name though..."
Raymond laughed aloud. "Of course you did."
Alex continued, "I went to Philip. Asked for the list of your investor connections. He pulled out a few names but specifically told me to try one, POWER. Run by Rebecca Stallion."
Raymond sat up straighter. "Rebecca Stallion?"
Alex nodded. "Yes, sir. I called her. We met. I pitched NEOSPACE and she said she wants to be a part of it."
Raymond was silent for a moment, clearly impressed.
"You actually got Rebecca on board? Wow. That woman doesn't invest easily. She's brutal with ideas that don't meet her standard. You must have been excellent."
Alex smiled, humbly. "She wasn't exactly brutal with me. Honestly, I think your name did most of the talking before I even said a word."
Raymond nodded slowly. "Still... Rebecca's a hard nut to crack. She doesn't care who you know unless the idea and the person truly match her taste."
He looked off for a moment, thoughtful. "Strange, though... You said Philip recommended her?"
"Yeah," Alex replied. "Said she'd be the best option."
Raymond tapped his fingers on the armrest. "That's... interesting. Philip doesn't usually suggest people so directly. Especially not someone like Rebecca. But, it worked out regardless."
"Exactly," Alex said, trying to brush it off. "It worked out, and I'm grateful."
Raymond looked at him firmly. "Good. But now the real work begins. You've got someone who believes in you now, that's not where the journey ends. It's where it starts. So listen, Alex... work hard. Work smart. But above all, be careful."
Alex listened intently.
"Wherever you go, whatever you're doing," Raymond continued, "don't throw trust around like confetti. People will smile at you and still stab you the moment you turn. Your idea... your dream... it's valuable. And valuable things attract both friends and enemies."
Alex nodded, the weight of Raymond's words settling into his chest. "Yes, sir. I understand. And thank you, truly. For everything."
Raymond leaned back again, expression unreadable.
"We're not done, Alex. Not even close."
"..."
There was a moment of silence. The air had shifted again, heavier this time.
Alex broke it. "So, sir... what are you working on down here? This whole setup looks like a war room."
Raymond's face changed. The friendly mentor softened into a calculating businessman. His voice was low now, serious.
"I think we're being watched."
Alex's eyes widened. "What?"
Raymond nodded. "Our stock movements, sensitive info, market shifts... even some recent economic news that leaked to the press. Things that only I had access to. No one else should have known. But they did."
Alex frowned. "So, someone's leaking information?"
Raymond looked away for a moment, deep in thought. "I hope not. I really hope it's just a coincidence. But my gut says otherwise."
Alex asked cautiously, "Who do you think could be behind it?"
Raymond shook his head slowly. "I don't know. Yet. But if someone is leaking... they're good. Very quiet. And very close."
That last sentence hung in the air.
Alex whispered, "I hope it's nothing. Maybe just a system glitch or coincidence."
Raymond's eyes met his. "Maybe. Or maybe not."
"..."