Monica

Adam stood outside his newly built refinery, his heart beating fast as he ran his hand along its solid steel walls. He took a long, slow look at the building, his eyes full of wonder. 

"This… is my factory. My first step toward my dream. Everything starts here," he whispered to himself. The words felt like a promise to his future.

Every inch of the refinery seemed to speak to him. The metal shone in the soft light of the early morning, and the building looked strong and hopeful. 

With a strong feeling of satisfaction, Adam turned toward the main gate. He took a deep breath and stepped inside the building. However, as soon as he entered the large hall, his smile began to fade. The vast factory floor was empty.

There were no workers busy at their tasks, no machines running to create the sound of progress, and not even a hum of activity filled the air. Instead, his eyes landed on a mess of wires strewn across the floor—some were disconnected, while others looked incomplete.

Adam paused for a moment, thinking hard. "Of course," he said to himself, gently rubbing his chin. "I may have copied the design of the factory, but that does not mean it works as it should. I still need to set up water and electricity." Even though the building was impressive from the outside, there was a lot of work to do inside. 

In this parallel world, technology was still in its early stages.

The task ahead was not small, but Adam was not one to be easily discouraged. His vision was far greater than just a simple oil refinery. He saw the potential to create an empire, a place where work and progress would be the heart of a new age.

With that thought in mind, Adam walked back outside, shut the factory gates with care, and started toward the bus stop.

As he walked, his mind replayed the many moments that had led him here. He remembered the conversation with Mr. Kim that had set him on this path. 

Walking slowly, Adam recalled his own words: "I told him that I have unlimited cash, but that's not exactly true." In his mind, he repeated, "I have one million dollars. I could easily copy it to make two or three million. But if I go beyond that..." His thoughts were filled with worry about a major flaw.

Every dollar bill has a unique serial number. He knew that if he mass-produced the money, the extra copies would be spotted quickly, and soon the authorities would come knocking on his door.

"I can't risk that," he admitted quietly. "I need another way to build my wealth." 

Adam's eyes looked at the busy street as the bus finally pulled up at the stop. The door opened with a hiss of air, and he climbed aboard. He found a seat by the window, his gaze still fixed on the refinery.

As the bus began to move, he saw the driver and several passengers glancing back at his building. 

Their faces showed clear signs of confusion and surprise. The driver even leaned over to ask a fellow passenger, "Has this refinery always been here?" He was sure that just yesterday, this place had been nothing but empty land.

Adam listened to the murmurs around him but did not speak. His mind was busy planning the next steps. The empty factory was both a sign of what he had achieved and a reminder of the work that lay ahead.

After a few minutes, the bus made another stop, and Adam got off at a small station near the city. He walked slowly, his mind still busy with plans. The streets were simple and clean, lined with small shops and open spaces.

Adam felt that the city was waiting for change, and he was ready to bring that change.

As he walked, he kept thinking about the factory and what needed to be done.

Meanwhile, the scene shifted to a small, quiet café in the busy city. The place was simple, with wooden tables and comfortable chairs.

The soft clink of cups and the gentle murmur of conversation filled the air. In a cozy corner of the café sat Mr. Kim, a man with a calm but confident look. Across from him was a 30-year-old woman named Monica.

Monica had long black hair and wore a plain brown dress. Her eyes showed a mix of surprise and doubt as she listened carefully to Kim's words.

"You left Green Refinery to join an unknown company? And you're the CEO?" Monica asked, her voice clear but filled with disbelief. Her eyebrow raised in question, and she leaned in as if trying to understand the situation better.

Mr. Kim simply nodded. He took a slow breath before speaking again. "I didn't just join," he said in a firm yet gentle tone. "I came here to recruit you."

Monica's eyes widened with shock. "Are you crazy?" she said, her voice soft but full of concern. "You left a stable, well-paying job for some random ass company? You do not even know how long it will last! What if it is a f**k scam?"

Kim smiled slightly, his eyes full of a secret hope. "Maybe the company is unknown now," he admitted, "but Adam gave me complete freedom. And that is what I am offering you." His voice was steady and kind, and his words carried a promise of new beginnings.

He leaned closer, locking eyes with Monica as if trying to show her the path ahead. "I guarantee that you will earn more than you do now. Plus, you will have the freedom to shape the company in any way you want."

His tone was persuasive, as he painted a picture of a future filled with opportunity.

Monica sat quietly for a moment, torn between the familiar comfort of her old job and the lure of something new and exciting. The idea of change scared her a little, but at the same time, a small spark of curiosity began to grow in her heart.

She knew that Kim was not a man who made rash decisions. If he believed in this unknown company and in Adam's vision, then there must be something real behind his words.

Seeing her hesitation, Kim continued with a firm voice. "You know me, Monica. I would never leave a stable job if I did not see something worth chasing. I saw something in Adam—a spark of potential. Even if he faces a setback once, I know that he will rise again." His words were simple but full of strength. They gave a sense of hope.

Kim paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. He then added, his tone softening, "And I do not want to be the one who regrets missing this chance." His eyes searched Monica's face, hoping that she could see the truth behind his smile.

Monica's mind was filled with memories of her daily work at the rubber manufacturing company. She thought of the long hours, the simple tasks, and the feeling that her talent was not being used fully. Kim's words reminded her that there was a world beyond her small office, a world where her skills could make a real difference.

"You are lucky I trust you," Monica said after a long, thoughtful pause. Her voice was soft as she finally made up her mind. "I will join you—but only because you are the CEO." Her statement was a challenge, a sign that she was willing to take a leap of faith.

Kim's face lit up with excitement, and he reached out his hand toward her. The small gesture was filled with meaning—a promise of a new start, a future built on trust and hard work. Monica took a deep breath and met his gaze. With a quiet smile, she shook his hand, sealing the deal.

In that quiet moment, the simple café became a place of new beginnings. Fire Corporation had gained its first key member. There was no grand celebration or fanfare; the promise of something great was enough to make the moment special. The idea of building an empire from nothing was now closer to reality, as Monica's decision added a new strength to the team.