Welcome to Nuvola Palace

The taxi pulled up to the grand gates of the Nuvola Palace estate, and Jack Dover felt a twinge of anticipation as he gazed up at the sprawling property before him. The place exuded old-world luxury with a modern twist—pristine lawns, ornate fountains, and sleek stone paths leading up to a mansion that seemed more suited to historic royalty than the average wealthy businessman. The estate’s towering facade gleamed under the sun, windows glittering like eyes silently watching him as the taxi slowed to a stop. This had potential to be one of the biggest projects he had ever taken on, and if it went well, the rewards would be... monumental.

As he stepped out of the cab, straightening his jacket, Jack took a deep breath, preparing himself for what was to come. The grand lobby inside didn’t disappoint—high vaulted ceilings with intricately carved moldings, gleaming marble floors, and a chandelier that must have been worth more than most people’s homes.

And then there was Lucia Baretti.

She was waiting for him in the lobby, a vision of sophisticated beauty that made his breath hitch for a second. Lucia’s dress—a tight, jet-black number that hugged her curves with merciless precision—was the kind you’d expect to see at an exclusive nightclub or a high-society gala, not at a Monday-morning business meeting. The slit in the dress revealed just enough of her leg to turn heads, and the rest of her perfectly shaped features would ensure they'd stay turned. Jack found himself wondering—Was she hired for her qualifications, or her ability to double as eye candy? Maybe both.

Her smile was poised but inviting. “Welcome to Nuvola Palace, Mr. Dover,” she said, her voice warm with a light Italian accent that sent a ripple of interest through him. He'd heard it before, through the phone, but here, accompanied by her plump lips articulating the sounds, her sultry voice echoing through the magnificent lobby space... it definitely hit different.

“Thank you,” Jack replied, trying to keep his voice steady, but it was hard to ignore how drop-dead gorgeous she was. Focus, Jack, he told himself. Business.

“If you’ll follow me,” Lucia continued, gesturing with a graceful hand, “Mr. Benestante is finishing up a call, but he’ll join you shortly. Let me guide you to the lounge while you wait.”

Jack nodded and fell in step beside her, catching the faint scent of her perfume—something floral and intoxicating. His mind couldn’t help but wander, imagining the kind of parties held in this place. Lucia’s presence only reinforced the idea that this Mr. Benestante spared no expense when it came to luxury—whether in sound systems or assistants.

As they entered the lounge, a room just as grand as the rest of the estate with plush velvet chairs and towering bookshelves, Lucia smiled at him again. “Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll let Mr. Benestante know you’ve arrived.”

With that, she gracefully exited, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts. He sank into one of the velvet chairs, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the armrest as he reflected on the morning’s events.

Nikki...

She had been almost unrecognizable this morning—soft, warm, and oddly thankful. The woman who had woken up in his spare room wasn’t the cold, calculating Veronica he knew from the office. No, Nikki had been different. Almost caring. She had even made him breakfast, unasked, something that caught him completely off guard. And then, in a slightly awkward but genuine moment, she hugged him.

He remembered how she’d looked up at him, unsure, asking if she should call in sick, stay home with him for the day. It had been a far cry from the hardened, independent version of her he was used to. She had seemed eager to remain in this new version of herself—Nikki—the softer, more agreeable one. It had taken him by surprise. He wasn’t sure what to say and had stammered that he wouldn’t be home anyway because of an appointment, which had caused a flicker of disappointment to cross her face.

Was this the real Veronica emerging? Or had the playlist done too much? Jack mused. It was strange seeing her that way. He could feel her loosening, falling more under his influence. Perhaps, if he played his cards right, she’d be the first to eagerly follow him to this estate, too. The thought was interrupted as the door swung open.

What must have been Mr. Benestante confidently entered the lounge, his broad frame taking up much of the doorway. He was a corpulent man. His belly, despite its best efforts, was barely contained by his well-tailored suit. His hair slicked back in a way that suggested both wealth and a touch of arrogance. Behind him, Lucia followed, her presence once again impossible to ignore. Jack caught the large man giving her a glance—more like a leer—as she moved to stand beside her boss. It was as if her legs, barely hidden by the slit of her dress, had a gravitational pull for the man.

“Mr. Dover!” he suddenly boomed, eyes now on him, spreading his arms wide in greeting. His voice was rich with the thick accent of a man who had lived in Italy all his life. “I have heard so much about you, and from you. Your work is magnificent, truly.”

Jack stood, shaking his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Benestante. It’s an honor to be here.”

“Please, call me Sergio,” the man said with a wave of his hand as he sank into one of the large chairs opposite Jack. He gestured to Lucia, who stood quietly, watching the two of them with a polite smile. “And this is Lucia. My assistant. A marvel, isn’t she?” His eyes slid down her curves once more, top to bottom, as if confirming his own statement.

Jack fought the urge to smirk. A marvel indeed. Instead, he smiled politely. “Yeah, we've met.”

“So,” Sergio continued, leaning forward, “I have a vision, Mr. Dover. A sound system like no other. Invisible, immersive, the best that money can buy. I’m hosting a series of events—exclusive, elite gatherings—and the ambiance must be perfect. Burlesque, entertainment, the finest of everything. I want to set the stage with sound. Your podcast showed me a touch of brilliance, a sound so perfect it kept me listening for hours. My question is, now—can you,” he said emphatically, pointing right at Jack with a fat finger, “also make my dreams a reality, and fill my palace with your perfect vibrations?”

Jack had nodded along, listening intently. The man wanted luxury, and he wanted it delivered discreetly, with sophistication. It would take work, a bit of trial and error, but the payoff could be huge—both financially and for Jack’s own ambitions.

“Sure, I can build what you want,” Jack answered, leaning forward to match Sergio’s intensity. “But it’s going to take time. It's an art. This is no small task, especially for a property this size. To do it right, I’ll need to be on-site—me and my team. If we’re going to make this happen, we’ll need accommodations here.”

Sergio waved a hand as if that was no issue at all. “Of course, of course. I know art takes time. There are plenty of rooms in the guest wing. I’m barely here myself, so you can use the space as needed. Just—make sure the system is in place by the end of the year. My guests expect the best, and I intend to... deliver.” His voice bent with a threatening touch of darkness at the end there, but only for a flash.

Jack just smiled, the gears already turning in his head. An on-site setup for him and his team? Perfect. He could bring the girls here, move them in without raising suspicion. After all, it was for work. Besides, from now until the end of the year was plenty of time to set up a sound system, and he had a foolproof method for making sure it was "perfect"—The Cue Mixer.

Sergio finally turned to Lucia, who had been standing patiently beside him, watching the conversation unfold. “Lucia, bella, you would help Mr. Dover with the arrangements, yes? Make sure he and his team are comfortable?”

Lucia smiled brightly, nodding. “Of course, Mr. Benestante. I’ll see to it personally.”

Jack’s mind was whirring as he left the estate, stepping back into the sunshine. They had continued discussing some further details. Budgets, house rules, but nothing too difficult. Finally, they concluded that Lucia would send over a few additional documents in the coming days, including a contract proposal with everything they'd agreed upon. He could hardly wait.

This could be exactly what he needed. Leah was coming over for dinner tonight, and Veronica—or rather, Nikki—would probably be there too. He had to start laying the groundwork for the move. Come up with a plan on how the girls would be part of his "team". Slowly, carefully. He’d have to figure out how to introduce the idea, get them all on board, without raising any alarms. On either side.

With a deep breath, he rang up a taxi. There were plenty of details to iron out, but the wheels were in motion now. Before the end of the year, he’d have them all here, with him, at the estate. And then, he could take things to the next level.

As the taxi pulled away from the Nuvola Palace, Jack couldn’t help but smile. Opportunities like this didn’t come often, but when they did, you had to seize them. He was going to build something here—something big. Something life-changing.