Hypernova : A Sequel to Supernova

Episode 5.3 - Old Friends, New Alliances

Jade sat behind the imposing mahogany desk, its vast surface scattered with papers, reports, and the remnants of his earlier meetings. His fingers drummed against the arm of his leather chair, and he stifled a yawn.

His gaze flitted towards the clock on the wall—it was 11 a.m and he'd already been in three meetings with at least two more to go. Just how many meetings could someone fit into a day without losing their sanity? A sigh slipped through his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the headache that had been building since morning.

Everything was happening too fast, like a pebble tumbling down a steep hill, gathering momentum and weight with every passing second.. Since his father's death the rollercoaster that he was on just kept going with no apparent end in sight. It was a mere two days after his father's funeral and he was feeling the weight of expectations so much that the neatly tailored suit he wore felt like a straightjacket.

The phone on his desk buzzed and the secretary came on the line, "Mr. Hwang, your 11:30 has arrived."

Jade furrowed his brow. Even being addressed as Mr. Hwang had never felt as restrictive as it did now.

"Ok. Thank you. You can send them in."

What he really wanted to say was send them away. Send all of them away so he could call it a day and relax.

He glanced to his left where the large portrait of his father sat on the wall, always watching. Sighing deeply, he sat up straighter in his chair and waited.

Less than a second later there was a soft knock after which the door swung open.

Jade furrowed his brow when he saw Jorah standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" Jade blurted as Jorah casually strode into the room.

Jorah raised a brow as he took the seat opposite Jade's desk and crossed his legs high at the knee. "Don't you have a meeting at 11:30?"

"I do," Jade replied slowly, glancing at his schedule. "But with Eren...." His gaze darted back to the agenda—'Eren Industries. 11:30'—the confirmation only deepening his confusion.

"Exactly," Jorah's smirk widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Wait—why you?"

"Why not?" Jorah leaned back, arms draped casually over the chair's sides. "I work there don't I?"

Jade looked at his friend suspiciously. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing." Jorah laughed, laughing even more when he saw Jade's skeptical expression. When his laughter died down, he sat up straighter, his expression serious.

"Why didn't you at least tell me you were coming?"

"And miss seeing the Hwang heir in action? No way." Jorah's teasing grin softened slightly. "Besides, I couldn't just show up expecting special treatment, right?So I went through all the proper channels."

"Proper channels, my foot," Jade muttered, rolling his eyes, but a faint smile tugged at his lips despite himself.

Jorah's gaze lingered, more serious now. "So, how's it going? Adjusting yet?"

Jade exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "Will I ever adjust? I've been drowning in meetings and I don't see any end in sight."

"Yeah I know how that can get." Jorah's tone was light but understanding.

"Mn." Jade grunted as he sighed.

"You'll get used to it." Jorah encouraged

Jorah nodded in understanding as Jade looked at the portrait on the wall. "I don't know if I can do this. I'm not my father."