Meant to Collide

6. Royal Tensions

Sky Chandler's eyes burned a vivid red, not from anger, but from the depth of love he felt for his grandmother. As he gripped the steering wheel of his Audi, he reluctantly answered her call, the warmth in his voice swiftly replaced by a somber tone.

"Sky, how is your work at the company?" his grandmother inquired, her voice both stern and affectionate. "You need to come home to discuss something important." Sky hesitated, the words stuck in his throat as he struggled to resist the urge to decline. "But I..." he started, but the protest faded into silence, overshadowed by the weight of expectation.

With a heavy heart, he drove toward the family estate—a sprawling palace hidden away in a secluded area, a testament to his royal Asian lineage. Upon his arrival, a group of servants greeted him, efficiently collecting his coat and bag, whispering that his grandmother was awaiting him in the dining hall.

Taking his place at the right side of the long, elegant dining table, Sky shifted restlessly in his chair, leaning forward. A sharp voice cut through his thoughts, commanding him to sit up straight and remove his hands from his face. Instantly, the scene flashed back to his childhood—a time when his grandmother had often corrected his posture just like this.

Returning to the present, Sky felt the weight of her gaze. "Why haven't you come to see me lately?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of concern and disappointment.

"Stuck with work," he replied, hoping the truth would soften her resolve. His grandmother's eyes narrowed. "I've been concerned about your company since it started. You shouldn't wait five years to shut it down. It's an utter waste of our legacy."

Sky shook his head firmly. "I asked for five years to make it work. Unity Corp is my happiness, and I want you to be proud of what I've built." "I'll be proud when you act according to my wishes," she retorted, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

A second chair was prepared across from him, and to Sky's surprise, Mia entered with a bright smile. "Sky!" she greeted, her demeanor warm, yet the tension hung thick in the air. He wasn't shocked to see her; she was a fixture in their lives, after all.

"Would you like something to eat?" Mia asked, but Sky politely declined, his appetite lost amidst the swirling emotions. 

As dessert was served, his grandmother turned her attention to Mia. "Where should we have the dessert when you and Sky get married? You two need to start planning now—it's the final year of the five years I gave him." Sky felt his heart sink at the mention of marriage. "Can we discuss this later? There's still a year left," he protested.

"You're turning 30 soon, Sky. We must not delay," she insisted, her impatience palpable.

Frustration coursed through him as he pushed back his chair, standing to leave with the utmost respect. "I need some air," he said quietly. As he stepped outside, Mia caught up with him, concern lacing her voice. "Sky, what should we do?"

"Help me out, Mia. We're business partners, after all," he replied, his tone earnest.

Mia laughed lightly, teasing him. "How about planning a bank robbery to score 50 million within a year?" Sky shot her a serious look. "I'm being serious here." Her expression shifted to match his gravity. "It's almost impossible to achieve the growth we need based on the past four years combined. We have to think strategically."

After a moment of contemplation, Mia's eyes lit up with an idea. "What if we introduced a new platform?"

Sky repeated the words slowly, each syllable resonating in his mind. "New platform... I have something in mind." Without another word, he turned on his heel and dashed to his car, leaving Mia standing on the roadside, her voice echoing behind him. "Sky! Sky! Sky!"

The night air was cool against his skin as he sped away, determination coursing through him. Ideas began to swirl in his mind, igniting a spark of hope. He could make it work—he just needed to find the right path forward.