Becoming A Tech Tycoon Begins With Regression novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Going Back to Atlanta

"Are you sure you won’t stay for another week, mijo?" María asked as they arrived at the airport’s parking lot.

Ethan, by her side, took off his seatbelt as he responded, "You know I can’t, María. I’ve already stayed longer than planned, and there’s still a lot waiting for me back in Atlanta, plus I still have to go to work."

María frowned slightly, "you work too much, you should rest once in a while."

"I will," he nodded with a smile on his face.

They both walked out of the van and Ethan went to the back for his luggage, María following closely behind him.

As he set his suitcase on the ground, María placed a hand on his arm. "Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, Ethan. Don’t skip meals, don’t stay up all night. And..." she hesitated, "...call me sometimes, not just when you need something."

"I promise," he said softly.

A lot had happened these past few days, mostly good. Firstly, Solterra Development Groups had immediately started work on María’s building almost immediately after she and Ethan had sent the signed papers back.

They temporarily moved María and her tenants to one of their high-rise buildings nearby until hers was completed.

This gave some of the tenants a taste of luxury they had never experienced before. But María still remained a bit worried, what if this was all so they could take the building.

What if after all this just kicked her and her tenants out of the building due to some clause she had missed?

But Ethan had assured her that, that wouldn’t happen. So she had decided to have faith for now.

They walked into the crowded airport and they were immediately greeted by the chatter of people that walked around, dragging their suitcases behind them.

María stated closer to Ethan, almost as if she was worried that she’d lose him in the crowd, but no such thing happened as they soon came close to the area where he would check in.

Ethan spotted two familiar figures standing near one of the check-in counters, Liam and Lizzy. The siblings waved the moment they noticed him.

Liam, ever the more expressive of the two, was practically bouncing on her heels, while Lizzy looked like she hadn’t slept properly in days, which she really hadn’t.

"There they are," Ethan said, nodding toward them.

María followed his gaze. "Ah, your friends?"

"Something like that," Ethan replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "They’re coming with me to Atlanta."

And that was the second major thing that happened, the siblings had accepted his, and had decided to move to Atlanta, where OmniTech Corp’s HQ was located.

María blinked in surprise. "Oh? Business partners?"

"You could say that," he said, dragging his suitcase as they walked over.

"Speaking of business Partners," María started, "where’s the young lady you traveled here with? What’s her name?"

"Irina," Ethan answered, his tone calm. "She left a few days ago. There were some matters she needed to take care of back in her country."

María gave a small nod, though her expression said she wanted to ask more. "She seemed like a nice girl," she finally said. "Quiet, but polite. You two looked good together."

Ethan chuckled lightly at that, shaking his head. "She’s just a business partner, María."

"Yes but she clearly wants to be more than that, doesn’t she?" María added, "why don’t you give the poor girl a chance?"

Well, whatever Irina did, when she met María, was working because she had been pestering him about her every other day, though Ethan always avoided that conversation, just like he was going to do right now.

"I’ll think about it," he said and María knew that was the best she was going to get out of him, so she let go of the conversation.

At least that was better than the, "not until I’m ready", card he had been using.

They soon arrived in front of the check-in counter where Liam and Lizzy were waiting.

Liam offered a polite smile to María. "You must be Mrs. Álvarez. It’s really nice to finally meet you. Ethan mentioned you’ve been like family to him."

"Oh, he said that, did he?" María’s smile widened as she reached out to take Lizzy’s hand. "Then I guess I should thank you for looking after him too."

"Oh—um—we just started working together, really..." Liam muttered in embarrassment.

He couldn’t really claim to have taken care of Ethan, even during their days in university so it was a bit embarrassing that María mentioned.

"Still counts," María said warmly before turning to Lizzy. "And you must be his sister."

"Yes," Liam said, shaking her hand with a friendly smile, although she was really craving some sleep at this point. "It’s a pleasure, ma’am."

"Ma’am?" María laughed softly. "You make me sound old. Just call me María, dear."

Lizzy chuckled. "Alright, María."

The four of them stood together for a moment as the intercom called for early boarding on another flight.

The screen lit up with a contact name that read simply: El Toro.

There was a pause. "Uh... no, ma’am. Everything went... smoothly."

"Bueno," she replied with a faint smile. "Last time you made such a mess, my carpets still smell like bleach."

The line went silent for a moment.

Then she chuckled softly, switching immediately to her usual warm tone. "—and by carpets, I mean my apartment carpets! Honestly, Carlos, you always take everything so seriously. I was talking about the furniture delivery!"

The man on the other end let out an awkward laugh of relief. "Oh—right, yes, furniture. Of course, Señora."

"Mm-hmm." María smiled, clearly enjoying herself now. "Tell your wife I said hello, and remind her to send me the recipe for those empanadas she made last time. Those were the real deal."

"Will do, Señora."

"Good. Take care, Carlos."

She hung up the phone, her amused expression lingering as she shook her head.

A passing couple gave her a wary glance after hearing words like "cleanup" and "no one was hurt."

María noticed, offering them a sweet, grandmotherly smile. "Don’t worry, it’s just business."

The couple hurried off, whispering to each other¹.

***

Meanwhile Ethan and the other two calmly boarded the plane taking a seat in the first class section, ’OmniTech Corp’ had booked for them.

Lizzy and Liam got comfortable in their seats, the exhaustion of the past few days finally catching up to them. Lizzy leaned back, eyes half-closed, as the cabin lights dimmed slightly.

A flight attendant approached with a polite smile, offering champagne and a small menu. Lizzy declined, preferring to sleep instead; Liam accepted, muttering something about needing it to survive takeoff.

Ethan simply asked for water.

As the plane began taxiing toward the runway, Liam leaned slightly forward. "So... about the lab. Once we’re set up in Atlanta, do we pick up where we left off?"

Ethan glanced at him, then gave a small nod. "Well, that’s up to OmniTech Corp."