The Retired CEO's Guide To Being Spoiled-Chapter 187: The Golden River Beneath the Stars (2)

Outside the car lay the vast, boundless expanse of the night. The vehicle was parked perilously close to the edge of a cliff, giving the distinct impression that they were suspended in mid-air, floating in the void. It appeared to be a scenic lookout point, as there was a simple, slightly rusted iron railing running along the precipice, though it looked fragile and insignificant against the backdrop of the immense nature surrounding it.

Below them, a sheer vertical drop plunged into darkness, but beyond that lay a spectacle of light. Stretching out into the distance was the entire panoramic view of the city at night. It looked like a gigantic river of molten gold, flowing across the landscape, vibrant and alive. Millions of points of light, from streetlamps, skyscrapers, and the headlights of moving cars, wove together to form a magnificent, glowing tapestry.

The vehicles below looked like tiny fire ants made of light, scurrying along veins of gold, interlacing and separating in a mesmerizing dance. This carpet of brilliance extended as far as the eye could see, reaching all the way to the distant horizon where the earth met the sky. The noise, the chaos, and the dust of the metropolis had been left far behind, filtered out by the distance, leaving only the breathtaking splendor of the lights. It was a silent, golden world, peaceful yet pulsating with energy, a view that made all human troubles seem insignificant in comparison.

At this altitude, the window of the car remained partially lowered, allowing the mountain’s nocturnal breath to invade the quiet sanctuary of the vehicle. The night wind, sweeping down from the darkened peaks, carried with it a biting, pervasive chill that seemed to seep through the very pores of the skin. It was a complex, organic scent, a mixture of damp, rich earth, the sharp, resinous tang of ancient pine trees, and the crisp, clean moisture of the settling dew.

Julian Sterling shivered slightly as the cold air caressed his exposed neck. The heavy leather jacket that had previously enveloped him in warmth had slipped from his shoulders during his slumber, pooling uselessly around his waist. Without that protective barrier, his skin reacted instantly to the drop in temperature, goosebumps rising along his arms in a wave of sudden sensitivity. Yet, paradoxically, this harsh, frigid embrace was welcome. The icy touch of the wind acted as a soothing balm against his face, cooling his eyelids which still felt swollen, hot, and tender from his earlier bout of uncontrollable weeping. It was a physical grounding sensation, pulling him away from the feverish heat of his emotions and back into reality.

"Where... where exactly are we?" Julian asked, his voice still carrying a slight rasp, a lingering ghost of his tears.

He turned his head to look at the man sitting in the driver’s seat, only to find that Ethan Caldwell was already watching him. In the dim, ambient light of the dashboard, Ethan’s eyes were dark pools of unreadable depth, studying Julian with a quiet, profound intensity that made Julian’s breath hitch in his throat.

"This is the mountain range adjacent to the club we left." Ethan explained, his voice a low, rumbling baritone that filled the confined space with a sense of security: "Originally, this entire peak was private property. The previous owner, a man with a penchant for extravagance, constructed a direct road leading up to this specific plateau for his own leisure. It used to be an exclusive camping ground where he would invite his circle of friends for private parties. He chose this spot for its prime location. From here, one possesses an unobstructed, commanding view of the entirety of Saint Lawrence City."

Ethan paused for a moment, his gaze shifting briefly to the darkness beyond the windshield before returning to Julian: "Eventually, the government reclaimed the land for urban planning and tourism development, paying out a substantial sum in compensation to acquire the rights. However, as is often the case with bureaucracy, the tourism development plan encountered significant issues and has been stalled for several years. Consequently, the mountain has gradually become an unofficial, open area for sightseeing. Occasionally, those who know the route drive up here to escape the noise and admire the nightscape."

Having finished his explanation, Ethan unbuckled his seatbelt. The sound of the latch clicking open seemed loud in the quiet car. He looked at Julian, a faint, inviting quirk at the corner of his lips: "Do you want to step outside? The scenery is far more impressive when not viewed through a pane of glass."

Julian hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding. He reached for the door handle, intending to push it open, but Ethan’s voice stopped him.

"Wait. It is freezing out there. The mountain wind at night is treacherous and can make you sick if you are not careful. Put my jacket back on properly." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Julian looked down at his own attire. He was dressed only in a thin, long-sleeved dress shirt, a fabric far too delicate to withstand the mountain’s bite. He did not argue. He reached down and gathered the heavy leather jacket that had slid onto his lap. As he pulled it up and draped it over his shoulders, the residual warmth of Ethan’s body, still trapped within the silk lining, enveloped him. It smelled of tobacco, expensive cologne, and the distinct, masculine scent of the man himself, a fragrance that made Julian feel inexplicably safe.

By the time Julian had adjusted the coat, Ethan had already exited the vehicle. He walked around the front of the sleek BMW with long, purposeful strides, opening the passenger door with a gentlemanly grace that seemed innate to him. He extended a hand toward Julian, his palm open and inviting.

"Watch your step." Ethan cautioned softly: "The dew has settled, making the ground quite slippery."

Julian placed his hand into the larger, calloused palm of the man. Ethan’s grip was warm, firm, and incredibly steady, a stark contrast to Julian’s own cold, trembling fingers. Borrowing strength from that grip, Julian stepped out of the car. The soles of his shoes sank slightly into the soft, yielding earth, and he could feel the dampness of the grass beneath him.

Standing there, no longer separated from the world by metal and glass, the true magnitude of the night sky revealed itself to him.