Chapter 2: The Interview Time

  The city skyline blurred past the tinted windows of the sleek black car. Dubai had always been a city of ambition, but now? Now it was the heart of an industry no one had seen coming, Magitech. In the city, towering buildings reflected neon glows, and the streets pulsed with life, a perfect metaphor for what I was building. I adjusted the cuffs of my custom-tailored suit, already thinking two steps ahead.

  The car slowed, tires whispering against polished concrete. I caught my reflection in the window, calm, composed, exactly what the cameras liked. The version of me people expected.

  The car pulled into the private entrance of the studio. A small group of reporters lingered outside, cameras flashing as soon as they recognized me. I smirked but didn’t stop, just a casual wave as security ushered me in. I wasn’t just another entrepreneur anymore. My latest breakthrough had turned skeptics into believers, making Magitech the next gold rush.

  As I stepped inside, the studio’s cool air was a welcome contrast to Dubai’s ever-present heat. A production assistant led me toward the set, rattling off minor details I half-listened to. I knew how this worked. This wasn’t my first interview, but it was going to be the one people remembered.

  Just as I approached the backstage area, Zara Collins appeared from the hallway, a tablet in one hand, other hand wrapped around a cup of coffee. Her stride was purposeful, her presence commanding in a way that made most people straighten their backs. She barely glanced at me before taking a sip, then raised an eyebrow.

  "Ryan Rathore," she greeted, voice smooth but edged with amusement. "Didn't expect you to be early."

  She didn’t offer her hand. Just waited, watching to see if I’d fill the silence.

  I smirked. "Didn't expect you to drink coffee this late in the evening. What, nervous about our little chat?"

  She let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "You wish. Some of us just run on caffeine and deadlines."

  "Ah, see, I run on brilliance and impeccable timing."

  She rolled her eyes but didn’t hide the faint smirk playing on her lips. "Let's see if that timing holds up on camera."

  On the other side, the crisp hum of powered-down cameras filled the space, punctuated by murmured conversations and the occasional shuffle of equipment. A few crew members stole quick glances at me, some with quiet admiration, others with the curiosity reserved for those whose names carried weight. One of the sound techs gave me an approving nod, while another whispered something to a colleague, followed by a suppressed chuckle. I caught it, smirked, and shot them a knowing look, making them straighten up with amused grins. Meanwhile, cameras were set, lights perfectly angled, and the sound team signaled an all clear. I lounged in a chair like I owned the place because, in a way, I did. At least, that’s how I carried myself.

  The lights were warm but unforgiving. Somewhere above us, a cooling unit hummed steadily, louder than it needed to be. I rolled my shoulders once, settling in.

  Across from me, Zara flipped through her notes, her expression all business. Her sharp eyes flicked up, scanning me like an equation she had yet to solve.

  “You know,” she said without looking up, “you’re surprisingly punctual. I was half expecting you to roll in twenty minutes late with some over-the-top entrance.”

  I smirked. “I save the grand entrances for product launches.” I leaned back, tapping my fingers on the chair’s armrest. “Besides, keeping you waiting? Bad PR move.”

  Zara snorted, finally meeting my gaze. “Right, because your reputation as a ‘humble and reserved genius’ is so well-established.”

  I grinned. “Humble’s overrated. I prefer ‘right ahead of schedule.’”

  The producer signaled that they’d start rolling in two minutes. Zara took a sip of water and adjusted her mic. “So, Ryan Rathore. The man behind Magitech’s biggest breakthroughs. The guy half the industry wants to work with, and the other half wants to outmaneuver.”

  “Flattering,” I mused. “Though I’d argue the other half just wants to be me.”

  She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the slight upward twitch of her lips. “Tell me, do you ever turn it off?”

  I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “What, the charm? No, it’s a permanent feature. Like my genius.”

  The crew chuckled softly as Zara exhaled, shaking her head. “This is going to be interesting.”

  “Glad you’re entertained.”

  I gestured to the cameras. “Let’s give them a show.”

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  And the countdown began.

  Three… Two… One…

  For half a second, the studio was perfectly silent.

  The red light flashed on.

  The interview had begun.

  The studio lights dimmed for a moment before the signature intro music played, signaling the start of the broadcast. The on-screen graphic flashed:

  "One-on-One with Zara Collins."

  Zara faced the camera, her posture effortless, voice steady.

  “Tonight, we’re joined by someone who’s been called a genius, a disruptor, and, according to certain corporate executives, a walking headache. Ryan Rathore, the man behind Aether Dynamics, hasn’t just pioneered Magitech. He’s turned it into an industry poised to reshape the future. Love him or hate him, you can’t ignore him.”

  The camera widened, and I lifted two fingers in a lazy salute, less greeting, more acknowledgment.

  Zara turned toward me, eyebrow arched.

  “So tell me, Ryan Rathore, genius, entrepreneur, or just really good at making headlines?”

  I smirked. “Why limit myself? I’m all three. Probably a few more you haven’t thought of yet.”

  “Modesty,” she said dryly, “is still a work in progress.”

  “Modesty is for people still trying to prove themselves,” I replied. “I prefer results.”

  She shook her head, a small smile slipping through. “Alright then. Let’s talk results. Everyone knows you as the face of Magitech, but there was a time when no one even knew what it was. Walk me through the moment you realized this wasn’t just another tech experiment.”

  I leaned back. “The moment? Easy. The second I looked at my bank account and saw enough zeros to give my accountant a heart attack.”

  A few quiet laughs rippled through the crew.

  I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice. “But the real moment? That was when the first prototype worked, and I realized the world was about to change.”

  “And now Magitech is everywhere,” Zara said. “With success comes resistance. You’ve been called a disruptor, a game-changer, let’s not sugarcoat it, a nightmare for traditional industries. What do you say to those who think you’re moving too fast?”

  “If they’re worried,” I said, “they should work harder. Progress doesn’t wait for permission.”

  She tilted her head. “Some of your competitors would argue you’re not giving them time to catch up.”

  I grinned. “They can argue all they want. I prefer winning.”

  A few crew members exchanged glances. Someone snorted quietly.

  Zara noticed. Her eyebrow lifted before she looked back at me.

  “People either love you or love to hate you. Does that ever get exhausting?”

  I leaned back again, hands spreading casually.

  “Exhausting? Zara, I wake up every morning feeling like the protagonist of reality. Everyone else is just a side character trying to keep up.”

  This time, the laughter was louder. Even Zara let out a breathy laugh before regaining her composure.

  She glanced at her notes, then back at me.

  “Alright, Ryan. Let’s talk about your latest project…”

  Post-Interview Off-Camera

  The studio lights dimmed as the cameras powered down. A crew member muttered something about wrapping while another reached up to disconnect the mic from my lapel. Zara set her cue cards aside, brushing a stray strand of hair back behind her ear.

  She exhaled slowly. “Well… that was dramatic.”

  I grinned as I stood, stretching slightly. “What can I say? I like a good stage.”

  She crossed her arms, giving me a dry look. “You do realize you just spooked half the planet?”

  “Half the planet needed a good spooking,” I said. “Keeps them curious.”

  The look didn’t soften, but there was a flicker of amusement there, a reluctant smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  “You planned that ‘why not both’ line, didn’t you?” she asked.

  “Guilty.” I put a hand to my chest in mock offense. “What gave it away? My impeccable timing, or the dramatic pause?”

  She laughed despite herself, shaking her head. “You’re a showman. I’ll give you that. And… it was a damn good show.”

  “Careful,” I said lightly. “Keep complimenting me, and I might start thinking you like me.”

  She smirked and turned to gather her things. “I don’t date narcissists.”

  I paused, then shrugged. “I just happen to be the most interesting person in every room I walk into.”

  Her expression went flat. “Case in point.”

  For a moment, she looked at me again, longer this time. Not amused now. Curious. Measuring.

  “You’re really betting everything on this Grid, aren’t you?” she asked.

  My grin faded, just a little. “Not betting. Building. And for what it’s worth… I’m not doing it alone.”

  The smile didn’t return right away.

  “Still sounds dangerous,” she said.

  “Only if it works.”

  She narrowed her eyes, like she was trying to read the person behind the persona. I just flashed her that familiar grin and turned toward the exit.

  “Same time next revolution?” I called over my shoulder.

  “Next time,” she replied, “try not to terrorize the entire global economy.”

  “No promises.”

  As I exit, Zara stares after me. Just for a second, the professional mask cracks curiosity, maybe.

  Then she turns and walks the other way.