The city stretched before her in a blur of streetlamps and storefronts as the Porsche 911 glided through the raod. Luara tapped lightly on the steering wheel, her eyes darting between the road and the built-in GPS navigation inside the car.
Okay, straight for two blocks, then turn left at the fountain... she muttered under her breath, glancing at the screen again.
Although the world around her resembled modern Earth, it wasn't exactly the same. Street names, building shapes—even the skyline felt unfamiliar. The only thing keeping her from getting completely lost was the car's advanced navigation system. Thank goodness tech exist.
Just as she was calming down into the rhythm of driving, her eyes widened.
Wait.
Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter, and pushing her brakes.
Reservation. The Grille Supper Club. I never booked it. How could I forget?!
Her heart skipped a beat. The reunion. The whole plan to meet Elara. Everything would fall apart if such a perfect plan is ruined because of a amateurish mistake.
After thinking herself for a moment in Laura's shoes, she tapped her car's dashboard and connected a call to the only person who could fix this instantly.
Dad.
The line rang once before her father's deep, stern voice came through the car speakers.
"Luara? What is it now?"
"Heyyy, Dad," she said, stretching the word with a sweet tone. "A small favor for your most lovely daughter. Can you call the manager at Grille Supper Club? I kinda...made some plans for reunion with my friends today and need an urgent reservation."
There was a heavy sigh. "You're going to the most expensive club in the city and didn't book ahead of time? What do you think I am—your secretary?"
"Oh, come on Dad don't be such a party popper," she coaxed sweetly. "You always help me out. And this is important! Everyone's going to be there, and I can't look bad."
"Luara…"
"Wah, Dad! How can you do this to your only beloved daughter like this?" she whined in an exaggerated voice, a pout forming as if he could see it. "I thought you loved me the most..."
There was a pause, followed by a reluctant grumble. "Fine. I'll call them. But next time, plan ahead."
"Yes!" she grinned. "I'm on my way there now, so please hurry, muah love you, and remember you're the best dad ever."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll message when it's done* love you too sweetheart."
The line disconnected, and Luara let out a breath of relief.
She smirked to herself, relaxing back into the leather seat as she made the next turn. "Guess I'm managing this whole 'Luara Velvette' role better than expected."
Her eyes sparkled as city lights glimmered across the windshield.
"It really does feel good to be a tycoon's daughter for once, guess I am already hanging onto this role so let's do our best Laura Velvette"…Well if only her fate wasn't so tragically doomed, she sighed with mocking tone, glancing at her reflection in the rearview mirror.
Joseph POV -
Inside a sleek, glass-walled boardroom atop the headquarters of Velvette Group, Joseph Velvette sat at the head of a long conference table. Sharp-suited directors and executives lined both sides, nodding seriously as charts and financial projections flashed across the large screen at the front.
A presentation was in full swing, figures and profits displayed with cool precision.
"And as you can see," the CFO was saying, "quarterly revenue has exceeded projections by 3.2%—"
Joseph's phone vibrated.
The entire room hushed.
Without a word, he held up a hand and leaned back slightly, glancing at the caller ID. His sharp gaze softened after seeing it's who's calling him.
"Excuse me. My daughter," he muttered, standing up and stepping toward the side of the room.
He answered with a clipped, "Yes?"
"Heyyy, Dad," she said, stretching the word with a sweet tone. "A small favor for your most lovely daughter. Can you call the manager at Grille Supper Club? I kinda...made some plans for reunion with my friends today and need an urgent reservation."
Joseph let out a heavy sigh. "You're going to the most expensive club in the city and didn't book ahead of time? What do you think I am—your secretary?"
"Oh, come on Dad don't be such a party popper," she coaxed sweetly. "You always help me out. And this is important! Everyone's going to be there, and I can't look bad."
Joseph wanted to say a piece of his mind but only at one sentence saying "Luara…"
A voice came interrupting his later words...
"Wah, Dad! How can you do this to your only beloved daughter like this?" she whined in an exaggerated voice, a pout forming as if he could see it. "I thought you loved me the most..."
There was a pause, knowing that he couldn't win against his daughter he replied,"Fine. I'll call them. But next time, plan ahead." followed by a reluctant grumble.
"Yes!" she grinned. "I'm on my way there now, so please hurry, muah love you, and remember you're the best dad ever."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll message when it's done* love you too sweetheart." Joseph let out a smile.
After the line disconnected he dialed at the restaurant...."Hello, Walter? Is the premium room booked this evening? My daughter was expecting to use it."
At the other end, Mr. Walter, manager of the exclusive Grille Supper Club, stiffened slightly at the sound of Joseph's voice. His face tensed.
"Ah, Chairman Velvette. Please hold on a moment."
He covered the receiver and waved down a nearby assistant. "Check the premium room. Who booked it tonight?"
The assistant returned a moment later, voice low. "Sir… it's already reserved. Two weeks ago. Fully paid."
Walter already knew that. The premium room was always booked out a week in advance—especially on weekends.
He turned back to the phone.
"Mr. Velvette," he said, wiping sweat from his brow with a silk handkerchief, "you're in luck. The premium room is absolutely free for your daughter's use tonight."
"Good." Joseph's voice was calm. "Send confirmation to her number."
As the call ended, the assistant hesitated.
"Sir… it's really booked. Isn't it bad for our restaurant credibility?"
Walter turned sharply, whispering under his breath. "Do you know who just called me? That was Joseph Velvette. Chairman of Velvette Group. Twenty-one percent shareholder in our restaurant chain and a personal friend of the owner."
The assistant's eyes widened after coming to realisation. "Ah… I understood. Boss you're so smart"
"Good. That's why you're assistant and I am the Boss, now hurry over and go prepare the best wine. And move the other reservation… quietly."
Back to Laura -
After a few more turns and another glance at the GPS, Luara finally pulled into the lane of Grille Supper Club. The soft golden glow of the entrance lights reflected off the polished Rubystar red paint of her Porsche 911 as she stepped out, heels clicking confidently on the marbled stone.
Tonight, she looked every bit the part of a tycoon's heiress, just toned down her haughtiness and looking more elegant.
She wore a sophisticated two-piece outfit, a sleek black high-waisted skirt that hugged her figure gracefully, paired with a fitted satin top in the same midnight shade. A sheer scarf with subtle silver embroidery draped over her shoulders, fluttering gently with her movements. Her platinum hair had been styled into loose cascading waves, framing her porcelain face. A pair of diamond drop earrings glittered subtly with every turn of her head.
Not too flashy—just enough to make others look twice.
Inside, the restaurant exuded understated luxury, dark wood accents, soft jazz music playing, and walls decorated with oil paintings and warm lighting that gave the entire place a timeless, almost cinematic charm.
A waiter, spotting her immediately, walked over with practiced elegance and bowed slightly.
"Welcome to Grille Supper Club. May I have your name or reservation number, miss?"
Luara gave a small, polite smile and held up her phone. "Room number 02. The premium deluxe room."
The waiter's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, of course. Right this way, Miss Velvette."....she started walking behind the waiter, with some anticipation about the evening.