The sun had only just begun to rise over the Persian Gulf, a thin ribbon of gold stretching across the horizon.
From the 160th floor of the Burj Khalifa, the city of Dubai shimred like a mirage. The glass towers below caught the first rays of daylight, their reflections bending across the desert haze.
Liam paused for a mont by the window, his eyes on the sprawling city beneath him. From this height, everything looked distant—silent highways and sleeping neighborhoods. He could almost forget that in an hour or two, he’d be sitting across from one of the most powerful n in the Middle East.
He stayed there for another few seconds, watching sunlight spill across the coastline before finally pulling himself away, walking into the bathroom to start his day.
By the ti he erged, the maids had already arranged his clothes on the couch. He dressed quietly, sliding into the outfit.
He picked up his nano exosuit in watch form and Lucid from the side table before stepping out of the room.
"Good morning, Master," Lucy’s voice greeted him imdiately he put on the smart glass.
"Good morning, Lucy," He smiled.
"Lucid’s public deliveries are scheduled to begin by early noon, local ti."
"Good. How are things on your end—the starship and moon base construction?"
"The lunar construction has begun," she replied. "Sa as the starship. I estimate three weeks, perhaps a month, for completion."
"Good work. Good work," Liam nodded in understanding. "Take your ti though. I trust you to do a perfect job."
Liam knew that building sothing like a starship wasn’t sothing that could be rushed. Deep space isn’t exactly known to be friendly. At least, as portrayed in movies.
"Of course, Master."
He walked toward the dining table and he saw Clara walking towards him.
"Good morning, sir," she said softly. "Your schedule for the day is confird. We’ll depart by eight to make it to the palace by ten. His Highness’s staff has cleared the route."
"Thank you, Clara," Liam nodded.
His friends were already seated around the long marble table, chatting idly.
"Morning, guys. Girls," Liam greeted, as he took his seat.
"Morning, man," Matt replied, raising a mug.
"Morning, bro," Kristopher replied.
Harper and Alex raised mugs and smiled, unable to talk due to their mouth being full.
"Good morning, Liam. How was your night?" Kristy greeted.
"It was wonderful. Yours?"
"Blissful. The bed was as soft as I had imagined and I had a lovely dream," Kristy replied with a beautiful smile on her face.
Liam smiled and turned to the other girls, and they nodded with the sa smile as Kristy.
"So, a big day, huh?" Kristopher asked, referring to his eting with the royal eting he would be attending.
"Not really," Liam replied.
The boys looked at themselves and shook their heads, smiling.
"Man, you really need to show your teacher. I want to learn how to keep calm like you," Alex said.
Liam smiled and said nothing. He knew that the only reason why he was calm was because of his World-Class Etiquette skill. Without that, his nerves would probably be wracking at the mont.
The group ate breakfast in companionable silence. When they finished breakfast, Liam stood and pushed his chair back quietly. The sound drew their attention.
"I’ll see you all later," he said.
"Be careful. And... try not to make too many headlines," Elise said with a soft and genuine voice.
The others expressed the sa sentint through their gaze and nods.
"I’ll do my best," Liam smiled.
With that, he followed Clara out into the private elevator lobby, Mason and Nick walking behind.
***
Outside, the air was already warm, carrying the scent of the sea and sand. The convoy was waiting—two black Rolls-Royce Phantoms flanked by a pair of discreet security SUVs. Drivers and aides stood at attention.
Liam, Clara, Nick and Mason got into the Rolls Royce and the envoy rolled out.
The streets were calm at that hour. Sunlight shimred off mirrored skyscrapers as they glided through Downtown Dubai. Liam leaned back slightly, one arm resting on the door, watching the world pass by.
The convoy glided through the gates of Emirates Palace, the white dos ahead gleaming under the sun. The building’s golden façade shone like sothing out of myth, frad by manicured gardens and fountains that glittered like glass.
At the entrance, uniford guards in immaculate white kanduras and golden sashes stood at attention. They saluted as the convoy approached.
Liam stepped out first. The heat pressed against him instantly, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. He followed Clara toward the marble steps, where a protocol officer was waiting.
"Mr. Scott," the man greeted warmly. "Welco to Abu Dhabi. His Highness is expecting you."
The walk through the corridors of the palace felt almost otherworldly. Intricate mosaics adorned the floors, while sunlight poured through dod skylights, casting patterns of gold and blue across the marble.
Every step echoed faintly in the silence. They reached a set of tall wooden doors inlaid with gold. Two guards opened them at once, revealing a grand reception hall lined with cream-colored walls and ornate chandeliers.
At the far end stood the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, dressed in an immaculate white kandura and ghutra, his posture composed yet relaxed. He turned as Liam approached, offering a faint smile.
"Mr. Scott," he said in fluent English. "It’s good to finally et you in person."
"Your Highness. The honor is mine," Liam inclined his head respectfully.
"Please," The prince gestured toward the seats arranged near the window, overlooking the palace gardens.
They sat. The attendants withdrew quietly, leaving only two cups of Arabic coffee and a bowl of dates between them.
For a mont, neither spoke. The silence was not tense—just one of two individuals asuring each other. But in this case, it was just the Crown Prince trying to understand Liam.
"You’ve made quite the impression," the Crown Prince said eventually. "Dubai has been alive with whispers since your arrival. So say you’re an entrepreneur, others say a technologist... so even suggest you’re a statesman of sorts."
"Rumors tend to multiply faster than facts, Your Highness," Liam smiled lightly.
"That they do," the prince agreed, his tone amused. "Still, it’s not often we see a private A380 flying under a single man’s ownership, nor one with such... design."
"An aircraft is just a ans of travel. The real work happens on the ground," Liam said simply.
"True," the prince said. "But it’s rare for soone to travel so quietly and stir so much interest. Many in the region are curious about you, Mr. Scott. You appeared from nowhere, yet everyone seems to know your na."
"I prefer it that way. It’s easier to move when no one knows what to expect," Liam said with a calm expression, leaning back slightly.
The Crown Prince studied him for a mont, his gaze thoughtful but not intrusive.
"You remind of certain n I’ve t—n who don’t seek attention, yet attract it regardless."
"Perhaps it’s just timing," Liam gave a small smile.
The prince chuckled softly, then gestured for him to take another cup of coffee. "Timing—and intent. Both matter."
Their conversation drifted from there—politics, business, travel. Nothing sensitive, nothing binding. Yet each word carried an undercurrent of mutual understanding, a silent recognition of power and restraint.
When the eting finally drew to a close, the Crown Prince rose first. "Mr. Scott," he said, extending his hand, "I believe we will see more of each other soon."
"I look forward to it, Your Highness," Liam shook his hand firmly.
***
The palace doors opened once more as Liam stepped out into the sunlight. The convoy waited at the base of the steps, engines already running, the flag of the Emirates fluttering in the warm breeze.
The eting had ended and it was ti to go back to the apartnt. Lucid deliveries would start soon and today was the day he gives his friends a unit of the smart glass, each.
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