Building a Conglomerate in Another World

The streets of Sylvania were alive with the glow of electric lights as Matthew Hesh walked alongside Amber Fitzwilliam. The cool evening air carried the faint scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery and the distant hum of cars passing through the bustling town square. For a moment, the weight of work and ambition seemed to lift, replaced by a rare sense of calm.

Amber was dressed in a soft lavender gown that complemented her porcelain complexion. Her hair was styled simply but elegantly, and Matthew couldn’t help but notice how the flickering light from the lamps seemed to catch in her eyes. She walked beside him quietly, her hand brushing his arm occasionally as they strolled.

"Do you come here often, Matthew?" Amber asked, breaking the silence.

"Not as often as I’d like," Matthew admitted, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored coat. "Between the factory and meetings, I rarely get a chance to enjoy the town anymore."

Amber smiled softly. "That’s a shame. It’s a beautiful place. Sometimes I think you need to remind yourself that there’s more to life than work."

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Matthew glanced at her, the sincerity in her words making him pause. "You’re not wrong. Tonight is a start, I suppose."

They arrived at The Silver Lark, Sylvania’s most renowned restaurant. The establishment exuded charm, with its large bay windows glowing warmly and the soft strains of a violin drifting out into the street. A valet opened the door, ushering them inside.

Their table was tucked into a quiet corner of the restaurant, offering a view of the room without being too conspicuous. A waiter appeared promptly, presenting menus and pouring water into their glasses.

Amber glanced around the room, taking in the polished wooden beams and the soft candlelight that bathed the space in an amber glow.

"This place is lovely. I’ve heard about it, but I’ve never been."

"I thought it’d be fitting for tonight," Matthew said, setting down his menu. "A little more refined than my usual haunts."

Amber laughed lightly. "I doubt you spend much time in places like this."

"You’re not wrong," he admitted. "The canteen at the factory is more my speed these days."

After placing their orders—Matthew opting for a seared steak with roasted vegetables, and Amber choosing a delicate salmon dish—the two settled into conversation. At first, the topics were light: the quirks of Sylvania’s townspeople, stories from Amber’s recent travels, and humorous anecdotes from Matthew’s time at Hesh Industries.

"You’ve built something incredible, Matthew," Amber said, her tone turning more serious. "I don’t think I’ve ever told you just how impressive it is. The way people talk about you—it’s like you’ve become a legend in your own time."

Matthew’s expression softened. "A legend, huh? I’m not sure that’s what I’d call it. Most days, it feels like I’m just trying to keep everything from falling apart."

Amber tilted her head, studying him. "You carry so much on your shoulders. Doesn’t it ever feel...lonely?"

Matthew hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "Sometimes," he admitted. "But I suppose I’ve always been like that. Work keeps me focused, and it’s easier than thinking about the things I can’t control."

Amber nodded slowly. "I can see that. But it’s okay to let people in, you know. You don’t have to carry everything alone."

As the meal progressed, the conversation flowed more easily. Amber shared stories of her childhood, painting vivid pictures of summers spent at her family’s estate and the expectations that had always hung over her as the daughter of Charles Fitzwilliam. Matthew found himself relaxing in her presence, drawn in by her warmth and candor.

"You’ve always been so driven," Amber said, swirling her glass of wine thoughtfully. "I admire that about you, Matthew. You see what you want, and you go after it without hesitation."

Matthew smirked. "It’s not always a good thing. Sometimes it means I lose sight of what’s right in front of me."

Amber looked at him intently. "Well, at least you’re here now."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the sounds of the restaurant faded into the background. Matthew cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "I’m glad I made the time. I didn’t realize how much I needed this."

Amber smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Me too."

After dinner, they stepped back into the cool night air. Matthew offered his arm, and Amber took it, pulling her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders. The streets were quieter now, the shops closed and the gas lamps casting long shadows on the cobblestone roads.

They wandered aimlessly, the conversation turning to lighter topics once again. Matthew found himself laughing more than he had in weeks, and he noticed how Amber’s laughter seemed to echo softly in the stillness of the night.

As they reached the edge of the town square, Amber slowed her steps, glancing up at the stars. "It’s beautiful out tonight," she said softly.

"It is," Matthew agreed, though he found himself looking at her more than the sky.

Amber hesitated, then turned to face him fully. "Matthew, can I say something?"

"Of course," he said, his voice steady but curious.

Amber took a deep breath, her hands clasped in front of her. "I’ve spent so much time around people who only care about what I can offer them. Status, wealth, connections—it’s all they see. But with you, it’s different. You don’t treat me like a Fitzwilliam. You treat me like...me."

Matthew frowned slightly. "Amber, I—"

She held up a hand, stopping him. "Let me finish. What I’m trying to say is...I like you, Matthew. Not just as a friend or as someone I admire. I like you. And I know this might complicate things, but I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore."

For a moment, Matthew was silent, her words hanging between them. Then he reached out, taking her hand gently.

"Amber...thank you for telling me. It means more than you know."

Amber searched his face, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Is that all you have to say?"

Matthew chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, it’s not. I like you too, Amber. I think I’ve known it for a while, but I’ve been so caught up in everything else that I didn’t let myself acknowledge it." @@novelbin@@

A smile broke across Amber’s face, and Matthew felt a rare sense of peace settle over him. For the first time in a long while, he wasn’t thinking about work or responsibilities. He was just here, in the moment, with her.

"Does this mean you’ll actually take a break every now and then?" Amber teased, her voice light.

Matthew grinned. "For you, I might just make it a habit."